Diabetes.Blog.com

1 - checked in byetta blog today to see what was going on, haven't for a while. noticed newbys discussing dirherra from metformin. In june I went to nutritationist. she's a fiber nut and exercise fanatic. I did not believe her but after about two weeks of eating a fiber rich diet, lot of berries , fiber one for breakfast and beans, just high fiber complex carb foods she made me a beliver. You have to keep up the fluid intake, but I no longer have the loose or dirherra like stools. try it, it may take a week or too, and the foods are good carbs, it works. (Comment this)

2 - last week, somewhere around here, i read a comment about the cost of metformin/glucophage....can't find it now, tho.
WAL-MART is now going to sell certain drugs (glucophage is one of them) for only $4 for a months supply.
whoever you were, i hope you see this. (Comment this)

3 - My Dr. recently changed my metformin med to the ER.
I have noticed a difference in appetite since the change. I know feel hungry sooner than I did before. Has anyone noticed any differences when changing from one type of metformin to the other? (Comment this)

4 - Jkin NC. 2-23-06 byetta, metformin 1000x2, hyzaar 100/25x1 caduet 5/10x1, paroxetine 40x1,
I noticed a difference very soon after changing my diet to eating healthy carbs. I used to go from constipation to loose stools, to diarrea prior to changing my diet. I don't know that the metformin had a lot to do with the stability of my bowels now...but I am sure that the change in eating has! (Comment this)

5 - Cat Oas, I no longer had to worry about horrible, horrendous "trots". I've been on the er for 3 or 4 years now but I don't remember if my appetite changed back then or not. I didn't pay any attention back then3 (Comment this)

6 - Advertisement

Some messages from our sponsor

(1) Please spend some time at the Diabetes Monitor website (CLICK HERE) and read more about diabetes. (2) Be sure to tell your family, friends, support group, diabetes nurse educator, and your doctor about this website! (3) Read the disclaimer about Google ads (on the right-side sidebar on every page). (4) Also: if you haven't yet answered our polls to tell us more about yourself, we'd encourage you to please do so: How did you find this blog? Tell us about yourself! (5) Finally, if you like to answer polls, there are lots more at the Diabetes Monitor, at Polls. Many thanks, from Steph & Bill Quick

 (Comment this)

Written by: Bill the diabetesdoc at 2006/11/10 - 09:57:25

7 - Has anyone gotten pregnant, kept taking metformin while pregnant, and given birth? Is your baby/child healthy? Are there known issues with pregnancy and metformin? I am taking 500mg once a day and we are trying to get pregnant. Thanks. [PS - Posted also to the pcos blog.] (Comment this)

8 - Mel, hey there....my 6th pregnancy, i took 2000mg metformin (sometimes 1000mg depending on how my tummy felt that day) every day throughout my pregnancy. I carried her to term and she was perfect and healthy. It didn't keep me from getting gestational diabetes though and in fact, i had to take insulin as well. but she didn't weigh 10+lbs like 2 of my other babies that were GD babies.

she's 2 yrs old now and still as perfect as the day she was born. the metformin helped me get my period monthly and along with clomid, allowed me to conceive. i've had several miscarriages as well, both taking metformin and not taking it, so I can't comment on that aspect of it, but I know it didn't hurt my baby at all. they also tested her blood sugar at birth and it was fine. i hope that helps! (Comment this)

9 - Tami in N.Y. T2 1992, 48, humalog 75/25, avandia, byetta 9/29/06, By using your private insurance you may get your Rx of metformin for less than $4 per 30 day supply. (Comment this)

10 - I am visiting family in California and have Type II Diabetes. I also have a terrible cold with a sore throat. Yesterday I tried to go to two walk-in clinics to find out if I can take any OTC meds for cough or antihistamines for sinus, but both of the walk-in clinics in town rejected my insurance and said it would cost me between $82-$300 to be seen. I have to fly back to Georgia tomorrow and I want to take an OTC for my cold, but can't find any information on the web about contraindications for Metformin (Glucophage), which is a biguanide. Does anyone know whether there have been problems with this? Thanks. (Comment this)

11 - Metformin has been a disaster for me ... I had such stomach cramping and major "need a bathroom now" symptons I flushed the meds - tried ramping up, etc -- no luck for me -- going to the pump (Comment this)

12 - Susan Cerrone, I just wanted to comment on your question of taking OTC drugs for a cold while taking metformin. I've taken Nyquil and Robitussin for colds with no ill affects. Hope that helps! (Comment this)

13 - Tami
Besides Walmart, Kmart sells Metformin (ER and the regular) along with other maintenance drugs for $15 for a 3 month supply without going through my insurance. This is cheaper than going through my insurance, which is $45 per 3 month supply. (Comment this)

14 - Just started 500 mg. Metformin last week; was on Diabeta for 8 yrs. Have had some nausea; no diorrhea. Does it help to take it mid-meal? Nausea a problem 1-2 hours after meals. (Comment this)

15 - has anyone had any success with weight loss while on metformin? I have been on it for about five weeks, with no signs. Will taking it after awhile allow me to lose the weight gain that I got from my insulin resistance. Thanks! (Comment this)

16 - JC, Have taken Metformin or its predecessor for years. I took supplement Avandia and wound up gaining 57 pounds last year. Changed to Byetta a nd increased my Met to 2000. Last 42 ponds in 21/2 months. My side effects are severe muscle aches. Now on Januvia and Met but still muscle aches. (Comment this)

17 - JC, What worked for me in losing weight on Metformin is to also watch your carb intake. I tried to limit my net carbs to 20g-30g a day. I lost 20 pounds at first using this method then another 35. When I would plateau I would walk and that seemed to make the weight come off. Once the weight was off I could eat normally. Good luck (Comment this)

18 - don gillis, thank you for your comment, but I was wondering if you had diabetes 2 or were just insulin resistant. Is byetta only for those with full fledged diabetes 2 or could someone who has insulin resistance use it. congratulations on your weight loss though. Thanks. (Comment this)

19 - Hi, I just started on Metformin (Type II) and was wondering if anyone else noticed that water tastes funny? I have a strange taste in my mouth that varies with different water sources, but nothing tastes quite the same as before taking the meds. I am thinking maybe it's just a side effect I notice more because water doesn't have much taste, but I want to find a solution, because I love drinking water. My husband has tasted all the water and says it all tastes fine.

Thanks. (Comment this)

20 - I HAVE BEEN ON METFORMIN FOR ABOUT 7 WEEKS I HAVE LOST 21 LBS. BUT I HAVE HAD TO BE WITHIN FEET OF A REST ROOM THE WHOLE TIME, I AM NOW HAVING MUSCLE PAIN SO BAD THAT I AM HAVING TO GO OFF OF IT. (Comment this)

21 - Can anyone tell me if they are taking glucaphage and glimipiride together. My doctor just isn't in to answering questions much. Ha (Comment this)

22 - I just started metformin today 2/28/07, googled metfarmin and found this website, what luck. I am experiencing diarhea on my first day. I will drink fluids as suggested. I don't know if it is the med. or something I ate. Coincidental?Jkin NC. 2-23-06 byetta, metformin 1000x2, hyzaar 100/25x1 caduet 5/10x1, paroxetine 40x1, (Comment this)

23 - does anyone know how long it takes metformin to start taking affect (reducing blood sugar) Thanks Frank (Comment this)

24 - I was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the age of 57. I have followed all of the advice re weight, diet etc and although my sugar reading has fallen, it is still not sufficient not to need drugs. I have now been on metformin for two weeks. I am very concerned that since I have a high (but normal for me) white blood cell count, that the "One Touch Ultra" blood sample machine is giving me a high sugar reading because of this abnormal (but normal) high white blood count. I have no doubt I have diabetes, however my fear is that the metformin I now take is actually having an adverse affect on me since I do feel "off" and can see no reduction in the meter readings. Here in the UK our machines give a reading in mmol/L and mine were as high as 20 at the very beginning and now are almost constant at 9 mmol/L, aparently with or without the metformin. Does the drug take time to take affect? WOuld my high white blood count mean I am now in a safe range? The whole package of diabetes is so vague? (Comment this)

25 - Does anyone have problems with gas and stomach pain while taking Metformin. Once, 8 months ago, i had a severe stomach cramping, but may doctor said it was just colic. I am 67 yars old.
Kari. (Comment this)

26 - Cat Oas, I definitely noticed an increase in appetite after changing to ER. So much that I asked to switch back. Joe (Comment this)

27 - I take Metformin and have a bad cough. The doctor, who knows my meds, gave me a bottle of Robitussen DM. I guess that means it is OK. (Comment this)

28 - Flinty, A metalic taste is a known side effect. For me, normal taste returned in a week or so. I think that is typical. Joe (Comment this)

29 - JC: Betty in Birmingham who was an oldtimer on the Byetta blog used Byetta and her dx was insulin resistance. She said her doctor considered her a perfect candidate. That was back in 2005, and she has not been on the blog in a long time, but the last I heard from her she was still doing well. If you want to read something about her, go to column #16 and click "Byetta - Experiences from the Blog" and scroll down to "About Me". (Comment this)

30 - hi, i am just starting metformin and i was wondering am i supposed to be checking my blood sugar? my doctor didnt tell me. (Comment this)

31 - Dear tiffany v.,:

You suppose to check sugar regardless of what medication you're taking. Checking sugar is the best way to monitor your sugar level, please consult your dietician or doctor for more advise on monitoring sugar. Sometime, doctors are too busy with other patient, check with a registered nurse on site, if one is available, or switch to another doctor if you need more personal attention.

 (Comment this)

32 - Hi Joe S.,

There are sugar-free cough syrup out there, ask the doctor for sugar-free prescription. (Comment this)

33 - tiffany v., Metformin is not suppose to cause lows but testing is always the best way to know how the foods you just ate are affecting you, plus everyone reacts differently to meds. I would say testing when you get up before eating, fbgs, before dinner and 2 hrs after eating dinner should be enough. But check with your dr to verify. If you start having gastric problems try eating lots of fiberous foods, with alot of water, and see if that helps.(read post #1 above) Good Luck (Comment this)

34 - hi i was just put on metformin 500mg twice a day . the doc said i had high insulin and this could be the reason why all of a sudden my weight is going up up up no matter what i do he said this will help lose weight and regulate my insulin i was looking for what the meds really are and i found this site can someone tell me what high insulin is and has this metformin helped any one lose weight etc...... (Comment this)

35 - Hi
I'm a 42 yr old woman, and I had my metformin doseage increased in Jan/07 from 500mg 2x daily to 1000mg 2x daily, and since then, I have developed intestinal pain, cramping and diahrrea. The acute cramping has subsided, now I seem to have pain associated with the diahrrea or extremely loose stools. Does this improve. Its been only two months since the doseage increased. Also, my blood sugars are suddenly not as good, lately. I don't know why. I was reading alot on your Byetta pages, and I am wondering if Byetta can be combined with metformin? I just bought a treadmill a week ago, and am starting the eat right for your type diet (largely vegetarian for me as I am Type A), and have reduced my high glycemic carb additions at meals to 1/4 or 1/2 cup only, and low glycemics carbs (like green beans for instance) to the higher portion, along with the protein. I'm learning the glycemic index, and basically, I've learned if its white, its the worst for diabetics ie: white flour, potatoes, rice, white bread, sugar. However there are others like corn, pasta, etc which are not white but must be very controlled doses or avoided. My goal is to use my treadmill and diet to create life long changes and to lose this weight so I am no longer diabetic. I am also learning about resistin and its role in fat metabolics. Resistin in produced in the macrophages and is directly affected by the amount of fat in our bodies, and the fatter we are, the more resistin we secrete, which affects our ability to react to our own insulin. Lovely. I wonder what evolutionary wisdom was involved with that? One things I can say about changin my diet so far to this type A thing and lowering my high glycemic carbs is that my craving and appetite are better controlled. Way better. This helps me to make better choices at meal time as I am not ravenous, but it is also because I now eat 6 times a day as opposed to 3 huge meals. Has anyone here lost substantial weight (like 100 lbs)after learning they were diabetic. That is my goal, 100 lbs. Yup. I lost 80 lbs 7 yrs ago walking and eating healthy, then quit smoking and gained it all back plus another 20! Yikes. STill not smoking (thank goodness) but , the weights gotta go!!! Enough of this fat stuff anyway. Tired of shopping at tent and awning anyhow. LOL
Looking forward to replies.
Moosha (Comment this)

36 - One more thing. Have any of you tried researching your metabolic and body types to help you understand your individual metabolism and chemistry, to help you lose weight? I am a thyroid body type, fast metabolising metabolic type, Type A personality. These things all factor into the way we eat, think,and metabolize. I found it helpful. My personal disposition with all these factors increases my risk for developing certain types of diseases compared to other body/metabolic/personality types, of which diabetes and heart disease are high. Just a comment for those who like to research stuff, like me. I'm a green personality in the colors spectrum, so we love to learn and read and learn and learn and learn. LOL
Ciao peeps
Moosh (Comment this)

37 - Tere Jordan, I was on 1000 mg met. twice a day withglimperide once a day. Fasting sugar stayed 125 150. Started on Cholasty and had to cut met in half to maintain equilbrium. cholastsy is for cholesterol but it sure helps my blood sugar. Don (Comment this)

38 - Lyn,

You might contact your doctor mine had me try Imodium AD over the counter it helpped but I was much better when he put me on the RX Imodium AD.


Angela in Iowa (Comment this)

39 - Moosha, Welcome. Some of your comments have made me chuckle.
I had problems with regular metformin so my dr took me off of it and put me on metformin er, extended release version and I don't have the gastric problems anymore. See if your dr will do that if you don't get use to the regular metformin.

Glad to hear that you are making lifestyle changes to get off of meds. I believe it is possible if the changes that you are making are permanent ones but it will take time. Don't get discouraged if things don't go as you think they should, it will happen. I've been working on this for over 6 years and I'm just now seeing results but I've felt better all along. If you want to discuss diets go to the meals, eating and nutritition island, box #4 current, and we can discuss it there. Keep up the good work. (Comment this)

40 - Joe S., the metallic taste lasted in general for 2-3 months for me and some things still taste off after 2 years ( some teas for example). (Comment this)

41 - Hi - I have been on Metformin for high testosterone, 1000 mg daily. When I saw my endo a couple of weeks ago, he upped me to 2000 mg daily and changed my prescription to Metformin ER.

I have been fine on the new med except that I wake up every morning with nausea - before I take my morning dose. This is the fourth day. I have been trying to conceive for 9 years and I can't tell if it's the medication! I'm too early in my cycle to test - almost a week away from getting my period.

Has anyone had this experience? I take 1000 mg around 9:30 at my evening meal or just after, and then around 5:30 in the morning I'm hanging my head over the toilet. I haven't actually vomited so far.

Thanks! (Comment this)

42 - Melissa, I can't answer your question but I've got my fingers crossed it's not the metformin causing the upset, altho it could be. I see you take the evening dose with food as you should so who knows. Do you test your blood in the am when you are nauseaus? You might be low for you and that's why you are feeling sick. Are you diabetic? or just taking it for your testosterone levels? You might need to start testing your blood so I'd call your dr and discuss it with him/her. (Comment this)

43 - Hi geri - I'm not diabetic, my endo just thinks I may have PCOS. I was told by a previous fertility specialist that I have PCOS, but I thought he was wrong at the time. I don't have many PCOS symptoms other than infertility and a little facial hair. Well, and I guess the high testosterone.

I'm considering not taking the Metformin tonight to see if I still feel sick in the morning. I took my morning dose about 45 minutes ago, after breakfast, and feel fine. I probably just need to work on gaining the virtue of patience =) and wait to see if I am pregnant or not.

I may call my endo Monday though. I agree with you that my blood sugar may be low, as it's never been high to begin with. Thanks for your suggestions! (Comment this)

44 - HI There - Just wondering if anyone is getting mild headaches and dry eyes from metformin. I just started it about 2 1/2 weeks ago. Wondering if they will go away? (Comment this)

45 - Has anyone heard of discontinuing stuff like vytorin after getting the insulin resistance under control with Byetta? and then further has anyone been able to discontinue metformin after good results of byetta? (Comment this)

46 - My girlfriend takes metformin and complains that she can't have a single alcoholic beverage while she is on it. So i wanted to know if any of you have drinks and feel fine. No drinking binges just wine with dinner. thank you all for your time. (Comment this)

47 - kyle,
From my experiance wine reduces my bs and enhanses the effect of metformin. (Comment this)

48 - Melissa,
I also have PCOS and taking 500mg of Metformin two times a day. I feel like I have to throw up all day long - it is miserable. I am trying to stick with it but it just makes me sick and it is hard to take a pill that just makes you sick. But I am I trying to get pregnant and I know the pills are helping because my hair is not falling out and my acne is going away. BUT how can you function when you are sick all the time. Sandy (Comment this)

49 - I have been on metformin for about 3 weeks. I take 500 mg three times a day. I have lost 13 pounds but I,like almost everyone else, have been really sick to my stomach. I have only actually been sick on one occassion. I called my doctor and the nurse suggested that i take the less drowsey version of Dramamine. I took that this morning and the nausea seems to not be as bad but it still there. I can definately feel that it is still there. (Comment this)

50 -
I am today-new to this site, and don't yet understand how it all works, but here goes. I want to quit taking metformin altogether because I am taking herbal supplements since around Nov 2006, and my blood sugar readings now hover around 117. Also, I don't like what I'm reading about metformin and lactic acidosis. My question is can I just stop cold turkey with the metformin or do I have to stop gradually? I take 500 mg twice a day, and am ready to cut that to once a day immediately. (Comment this)