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[ClaireG]

New Drs put me on Metformin SR 10 days ago. I am type 2 diabetic. I had to take 500mg with my evening meal for 7 days increasing to 1000mg after 7 days. I'm also on blood pressure meds.

 

I increased the dose on Monday. Today i feel dreadful. I have a headache, my neck hurts, i have stomach ache and feel sick. Have been sick twice and have to run to loo after eating. Sorry if too much info! Is this usual with Metformin? I was told by the nurse that i shouldn't have any problems as it was the SR. Typically, i can't get an appointment with the nurse or Dr. Any advice?

[Nicola O]

Hi Claire

 

Glad I saw this....you've reminded me to take my mertformin after lunch.

 

I'm only on 500mg's, one tablet three times a day with food. Have taken them for about seven years now as my Polycystic Ovary Syndrome affects my natural insulin levels and puts me in a 'pre-diabetic state' (or something like that). When I first started with it I had a few headaches, and really bad stomach cramps whenever I ate but that only lasted a few days and then I was fine.

 

I suppose you should persevere (spl?) with it but it depends on how bad you feel. If you can't speak to dr / nurse perhaps increase gradually - only taking increased dose every other time and see how you feel with that.

 

Sorry, I can't really offer much advice so I'm probably not much help am I.

 

Nicola.

[ClaireG]

Thanks Nicola. I've just phoned NHS Direct and spoken to a nurse. She said because of my syptoms i need to be seen today. Phoned Drs back and told them this and have a Dr phoning me about 4ish they will then get me seen at end of surgery at 6.30 if he thinks its urgent.

[feemcg]

I'm writing this from my surgery and just checked common side-effects - anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea (usually transient). Probably find it setles down if you can persevere, or stay on the reduced dose a bit longer, says 10-15 days before increasing dose in the BNF.

[ClaireG]

Thanks Feemcg. I asked the NHS Direct nurse about this and it was because of my other symptoms, headache, neck stiffness, and dizziness that i needed to be seen by a Dr today. Will wait for the Dr to ring and see what he thinks.

[Redwing]

Like Nicola O above I take metformin for PCOS, the side effects are not nice as you have found out

 

I built my dose up gradually but have never got back up to the full dose as I was always ill when I did - unfortunatly as a diabetic you will not be able to choose your dose

 

I'm not sure how many doses a day you take but if its one make it before bed, as long as you are able to sleep you can sleep through the worst of the side effects

[freddie]

mum took these, and had similar problems. We "split the dose, ie half at breakfast other half at lunch, and it was much better. We also found there are many other drugs that do the same thing, and that interact better with other drugs, but it's down to individual metabolism, and Drs dont, and cannot have all the answers, a bit of trial and error, but we got there in the end. Good luck with it all., sorry you feel so rank.

[ClaireG]

Im on a modified release one as its supposed to reduce the side effects!! I have to take 2x500mg tablets with my evening meal.

 

I've just spoken to the Dr who thinks all my symptoms including the headaches, dizziness and neck pain are due to the metformin. He has told me to persevere with it and if i get any worse or if it hasn't eased off a bit by the end of the week to make an appointment. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that i'll be better for work on Sunday.

[BERTIE MCSQUIRTY]

i've been on metformin too, side effects as you have described, after a few weeks or so symptoms disappear

[bluekarin]

I'm sorry to hear you're having horrible side affects. I haven't got any advice I'm afraid. Just wanted to say that I know how it feels (by proxy) as my YD is on steroids and Methotrexate for JIA and has been having really horrible side effects. We spoke to her physio and she chatted with another doctor and my daughter was then prescribed anti sickness pills. This has helped with the sickness, just not the tightness in her tummy or the breathlessness. One thing her doc said was if the side effects are worse than the actual illness, then its not really worth taking them. I guess it depends on the illness as well. I see you have had your meds changed so I hope that it helps.