post your tips on dealing with gluc/met side effects - Page 10

frozensensei · 09-21-2004, 09:16 PM

my doc just upped mt Met to 2000mg per day

she suggested stacking 2 and 2, but I think I will do 1 at breakfast, 2 at lunch, and 1 at dinner

I don't like the idea of trying to work on a small meal (I am not hungry much inmornings) and 2 Mets.

So far, this low carb diet is quelling the side effects. I think I am eating too few carbs, though, because I've been a bit foggy in the brain the past couple days.

I was doing 65 or less daily. I may try to do 100. Is that too much?

tamiam3 · 09-22-2004, 10:18 AM

you may be foggy while your body retrains itself to bypass insulin or it may be from the metformin. when you first go on metformin, or increase the dose dramatically it can make you a little sleepy and foggy.

my recommendation (since I'm going through the same thing right now and my trick seems to work for me) is to make sure you're getting a lot of protein in addition to your complex carbs. for you that would be nuts, soy beans, soy snacks, bean salads, vegan cheese, etc. also have the doctor check your blood for anemia (iron, b12) to make sure that you haven't been missing nutrients while you've been adjusting your diet--that can make you super-tired!

Asian food stores have lots of different forms of tofu products like pressed tofu that can be eaten cold in slices for a snack, or imitation meats made of tofu you can get in cans. soygen also makes snacks that are soy-based and high in protein.

good luck!

tamiam3 · 09-22-2004, 10:22 AM

my tastes for foods and drinks changed dramatically, too! I equate it to the hormone changes as your body gets back to normal, kinda like your tastes chaneg when you're PMSing or pregnant. Our hormones were out of whack and made us crave different things before! I could never drink white wine, now I can, I don't love chocolate the way I used to, and cheese doesn't appeal to me anymore.

AllyB · 09-30-2004, 01:49 AM

Hi everyone,

First- thanks so much for putting this post together!

Although I had the GI problems when I first went on metformin, those have mostly subsided, but now my main problem is an aversion to food! Like others have said, sometimes even the thought of food makes me want to gag, frequently all I can stomach is just saltines and water. Meat specifically is the worst.

My question is - does this go away? Is there any way to manage it? I have been on met for about 6 months. Any advice appreciated!!!

thanks,
Ally B

peepers · 10-25-2004, 06:57 PM

Hey everyone! I have found if I put my Met right in my bottle of water and swish it around and drink the bottle of water it does not upset my stomach as much.

UKchick · 10-26-2004, 06:43 PM

NEVER LET YOURSELF GET HUNGRY
always have snacks to eat and eat small meals - Took me 2 and half years to find out this little gem !!!

waterfall · 11-05-2004, 11:25 PM

I was told to sneak the pills in at first so that your body is not aware of your tinkering

...this goes for increases as well. As soon as you get gas or diah. cut back one or even half a pill. Then when things calm down try again...

I've been taking 4-5 - 500mg pills a day for 9 years...
Even with insulin... I take the pills because it makes the insulin work better.

Love the stuff

thats my two cents!

nancy

lesserthings · 11-06-2004, 02:51 PM

I'm glad to have found this site, spec. this thread.. I was just put on met. and right now I just feel so sick. Hopefully this will go away as I get used to it

AmericanWoman · 11-06-2004, 10:20 PM

lesserthings, if you mean the "dumping" into the toilet, that does get better but it never fully ever goes away forever.

I still get attacks now and then. I have to run the toilet and it is awful

.

I just thank God though for these pills. I can continue my weightloss (which is slow but is coming along) plus more importantly, I feel much better.

My headaches and mood swings from never having the right amount of sugar (too much or way too low from insulin cells not listening) are much much better.

I stopped taking my pills out of laziness for a week and I felt lousy so I am very thankful for them.

Hang in there. It will get better.

Hint to help...try to take them right in the middle of a meal. Not the beginning nor end.

lesserthings · 11-06-2004, 10:25 PM

I haven't been having as much of the problem of 'dumping' but my stomach is cramping so horribly and I get very nauseated and headachy.

Thanks for the suggestion of timing with meals. I never know when the best time to take them is. I've read to take it at the same time every day, but dinner fluctuates with me so much. I guess I'll have to work on that one.

I know eventually things will be better.

Tresa · 11-20-2004, 10:20 PM

I seem to get h/b - does anyone know what I am talking about?? And have they figured out what casues the h/b??

shmuck9681 · 11-30-2004, 08:38 PM

i am taking 4x500mg a day and im finding it really difficult to eat that much is it ok to take them with just milk as the doctor and pharmacist keep telling me to take one four times a day with food
thanks ally

bellajen1 · 12-14-2004, 01:49 AM

Thank God I read this post! I have needed the motivation to get back on my low carb diet! And now that I see so many of you have found that eating carby foods worsens the side effects of Metformin-that is all that I needed to hear! Yay! Thank You Thank You Thank You!

Smorgan128 · 12-14-2004, 10:20 AM

I'm finally past most of the side effects of the Met. I take my pills at the end of the meal (which works for me) or if i forgot at a meal i take it with a glass of juice (i don't drink milk). I take 2x500mg a day and it does wonders for my eating habits I eat twice a day if i'm lucky i actually have trouble frinding meals to take it. My biggest complaint atm is that I'm still having alot of gas, anyone recommend anything i cant take to help with gas?
Thanks

boodles77 · 12-30-2004, 11:09 AM

Hello all,

I was one of those who gave up on Glucophage some years ago. But I tried Actos and Avandia, and they had no effect on me, so I decided I needed to grin and bear it with the Glucophage. Dr started me on 1500 mg in August. I'm now up to 2000 mg, and s/e are murder!

One thing I've found to help tremendously is gatorade. I know it's high in sugar, so some of you may not want to try it. But, boy does it make my tummy feel better.

Now my only difficulty is with keeping foods down. I feel sick to my stomach any time I look at food, and no matter what I eat I tend to throw up if I have more than just a few bites. Hoping to feel better in January.