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3/22/13 8:08 A

the diarrhea side effect will subside after some time on the med...but i cant say that i had nightmares correlated with the med

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3/20/13 10:22 P

I never experienced weird dreams from the Metformin. I would talk to the doctor about that.

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3/20/13 4:32 P

I take metformin also and diarrhea can be a factor for some. My doctor and I discussed it and decided that I would separate the dosage between am and pm. It seems to make a difference for me but the issue does arise occasionally. FYI oily or fried foods tend to make it worse.

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3/20/13 1:57 P

One of the side effects I've been noticing, since I started taking a 2nd tablet before I go to bed, is that I've been having really weird dreams. Anyone else have that happen?

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3/20/13 12:48 P

I have been having side effects mainly diaheria, I have been only on it for 2 weeks as of today. I will be seeing the doctor tomorrow. I only take 500mg. 2X daily. Any Suggestions?

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3/11/13 10:04 P

I have never experienced any side effects with it and I have been on it now for 10 years or so

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3/11/13 12:37 A

This discussion is very interesting. I have been on Metformin, 250 mg. 1 per day, for about ten years. I never thought about the side effects of diarrhea or gas because I also have IBS. I also had my gall bladder removed about 5 years so I was told that too much fat in my diet could also cause diarrhea. Since I have been eating quite healthy with SP I haven't had any problems so maybe too much dietary fat is a factor. Thanks for the information.

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3/10/13 10:33 A

Metformin is definitely known for the diarrhea it causes. My daughter used to be on it and the biggest problem was diarrhea at work and the smell it left behind for her co workers. She was never told that eating fats with the diarrhea might be the cause of the problem. Congratulations to those of you who have become pro active about your medications and your body; you're right because if your not the problems are likely to be passed over. Even as a nurse I have to deal with that problem, and Dr's office nurses are some of the worst offenders. At my clinic in Wi it was never a problem, but her in Ar you can never get through to the Dr with a message.

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3/9/13 5:45 P

Consumer Reports has an excellent report on diabetes medications. Can't remember the site, but if you do a search for: DiabetesUpdate-FINAL-Feb09.pdf
That might give you some food for thought, and could be a good starting point for discussion with your doctor.

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3/9/13 1:34 P

I haven't had the diahhrea problem however gas is a problem. Metformin also messes with my stomach a little. Has anyone tried anything else with success?

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3/9/13 11:15 A

I have been on metformin 500 three times a day for the past three years. I too have had some issues with diarrhoea, but as it is usually only after a fat binge, I count this as quite a positive side effect!

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3/9/13 10:16 A

As I said, the doctor was not worried but when the levels were out of the normal range for about a year, he decided to make the easiest change - it worked quickly and although I wasn't thrilled to make the switch, I am glad I did - it eventually came all the way back to normal so I guess it was the right move.

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3/9/13 10:07 A

I have been on Medformin for 15 years 500 am and pm and have the diarrhea once in a while. Never bothers me as I feel this is a good cleaning - but, I didn't know about the 'fat' connection with this med. The past two blood test have shown my kidney function elevated. I will now check into this...

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3/9/13 8:35 A

BE BLESSED

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3/8/13 10:42 P

Keep in mind that for 10 years I had no problem at all. I am sure a number of factors in addition were involved, however the removal of the Metformin resolved the problem. My son still takes it because it works for him and he has not had any problems so far. Just something to keep an eye on but not something to PANIC about. I would never have known except suddenly the lab started to report the GfR and the first time I asked the doctor, he kind of gave me one of those pats on the head and "don't worry your little head about it" - I got my own information and made him talk to me about it - it was about a year before we decided it was time to DO something. I have long known it was necessary to proactive about my own health or why would anyone (even the doctors) worry about it.

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3/8/13 10:30 P

Now I am curious about the kidney functioning interactions with Metforman. Thanks for that information. I definitely will be looking at that

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3/8/13 10:25 P

I was on Metformin for almost 10 years - then my GfR started to drop - the doctor took me off the Metformin and the GfR went back up. Then my BP meds had to be changed for the same reason. Now, my GfR is in the safe/normal range and I am doing well. GfR is a measure of KIDNEY function and not one that got explained to me very well until I did my own research on it.

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3/8/13 10:05 P

Happy to report zero side effects and I have been taking Metformin since 2005, at 500 mg, 2 times daily presently. As I lost weight dosages have been reduced to the present level. My doctor believes that, with further weight loss, I may be able to go off this medication. Present tests results have been very stable. Hopefully, you will have a similar experience as time goes on.

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3/8/13 8:47 P

I have been on Metformin for about a year also. About 3 months ago the doc upped my dose. I think it is 500 and I take it 3 times a day. I sometimes don't take the middle dose if my sugar is low before lunch. I am having much better numbers blood sugar wise and also have some problems with diarrhea. I never thought it was directly related to what I was eating though. I have noticed I will go two or three days with good stools and then have the problem. I will have to start taking notice of the fats I am consuming as I track my foods.

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3/8/13 8:29 P

I had the same experience with Metformin, only after I had been taking it for years. Dr. prescribed a lower dose, which changed nothing. When I refused to take it again, he said there are worse things than diarrhea, and I said I don't want those things either!. He switched me to Amaryl, which lists the same side effects as metformin, but doesn't bother me at all. NOW. If he had told me that the Metformin problem was fats related, I might have been more cooperative. Maybe. Like I said, I'd been taking it for years before I had the problem.
Doctors and Insurance Companies - sheesh!

Good luck with the new drug -- I wish you zero side effects! 8-)

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3/8/13 6:53 P

I'm now using the extended release metformin with no side effects so far. I was using the name brand Glumetza which had no side effects no matter what I ate, but the insurance was giving me too much of a fight about paying for it. I also stick to a low-fat diet, so I won't know what foods, if any, I'll have side effects with this generic release metformin. Glumetza was fantastic at keeping my blood sugar normal with no side effects.

Edited by: LILGOAT12345 at: 3/8/2013 (18:59)

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3/8/13 5:11 P

I just started Metformin at 500mg 2X/day. No effects so far (3 days) and I am glad to hear your descriptions of some of the effects I may notice. Nancy

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3/8/13 4:57 P

I know it' s not funny. Been there done that. At least it cleaned you out quickly. :-) I'm still on Metformin for over the past 5 years. Metformin takes time to settle into your system and you learn what you can eat and what you can't. The reaction is kind of a "good" sign for you. If you'd had no reaction you'd continue to eat the unhealthy food, yes? Take it as lesson learned and give your body time to adjust to the medication. Be encouraged, you'll be fine. After while this will seem like a bad dream and you'll be eating healthier.

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3/8/13 4:17 P

I started Metformin extended release almost two weeks ago, stepping up from 500mg 1x/day last week to 2x/day this week. Friends warned me that this medication is like Antabuse for poor food choices, and told some horror stories about side effects, but under my normal way of eating I had no problems.

Today however (major snowstorm) I didn't have time for my usual low-fat breakfast so I snagged a sausage patty and scrambled egg in the cafeteria when I got to work, then without thinking beyond the calories and portion control I ate an Atkins frozen lunch - they are very low carb but high in fats - this one especially so. WOW, fat can't get through me fast enough on this medication!!!!


Can others on Metformin give me any more cautionary tips before I spend another day running to the restroom?

Thanks!!!



Edited by: MOMMAGINI at: 3/8/2013 (17:02)