post your tips on dealing with gluc/met side effects - Page 8

KYBluegrass · 10-01-2003, 09:50 PM

[quote]Peppermint Tea: perhaps you can leave this thread up as a sticky and just delete the posts that doesn't contain tips. it's more visible this way for the cysters looking for tips to deal with symptoms.[quote]

Okay ladies, I'm not looking to get flamed here, but I just wanted you all to know that there's no need to worry if a post gets taken off of being a sticky. The moderators have the unenviable job of having to keep the site "clean" and keep thing moving. This helps the site run better. It is the mod's option when they feel that a thread has "run its course" to move it off the top of the forum. I take met too, and I know dealing with the side effects is important, but we can always start a new thread. It's no fun to have to scroll thru pages and pages of info to find what we're looking for, and our mods just don't have the time to pick and poke thru all the posts looking for the ones that are on topic. I agree, this is an important subject, but we always have the option to start a brand new leaner, meaner thread! The mods have a job to do, and it's hard for them to mod when they have to go thru scads of posts that aren't on topic. The post will never really go away...we can always post a link to the thread. It is the mod's option to do what they wish to keep this forum organized and easy to use. After all, it helps all of us if we can quickly and easily find what we're looking for! Perhaps one of us could start a new thread about dealing with side effects, so we can all have the most up to date ideas?

I've had posts that were stickeys and eventually, after a ton of people saw it, it gets moved down. The mods just have a tough time watching over all that if we have too many up there. Not lookin for a fight girls, just letting you know what's up!

These mods have families and lives just like we do, and they don't get any compensation for the time they volunteer at this site...they need to do what's best for keeping the forum running smoothly, and we just need to respect their judgment. Some might not always agree with the decisions, but someone has to make them.

Peppermint, you started the first one...perhaps start another? We can all chime in and add our expertise, and just put a little note on it that it's for side effect tips only. I just shudder at the thought of some poor mod staying for three days straight reorganizing all those posts!

andrena · 10-02-2003, 05:30 PM

Well,

I don't know if this post is going to remain a sticky or not, but I thought I'd just post my hint. The worst side effect I had with gluc (I've been on 2000mg for about 2 years) was the heartburn/reflux. It was terrible! It would get me up in the middle of the night. Anyway, the only thing I found to curb the heartburn was to take my gluc with milk. It didn't matter if I took it with food - the key was the milk. Now I can even take it on an empty stomach - as long as I take it with a glass of milk.

Hope this helps someone.

~*andrea-J*~ · 11-07-2003, 03:19 PM

not sure if this is already posted as there are just too many for me to read! But when I get an upset tummy or nausea I take a gravol and cut it in half! half seems to do the trick for me! and if you only take half I find I do not get as groggy or tired! hope that helps!

lady_livi · 11-08-2003, 01:11 AM

Pardon my ignorance but, what's gravol? I've never heard of this term before.

~*andrea-J*~ · 11-08-2003, 11:59 AM

It's a pill you take for upset tummy and motion sickness! You may not have this where you live , I am not sure where you are from! Sory I couldnt be more of a help!

lady_livi · 11-09-2003, 02:56 AM

I'm in Seattle, Washington, but now I know what you mean!!! It's like dramamine! I have some of that, but the only thing I ever used it for was my dog, when we went on long drives. Thank you so much, I'll try that.

mom2amy · 12-09-2003, 11:46 PM

I am on Met. I was on 1500 mgs and my dr just lowered it due the s/e (potty trips made me miss school). Since he lowered it that has really helped plus I can remember twice a day better than 3 time a day. I have increased fluids too (I have IBS and on fibercon daily for it). I was told to take Immodium as needed (dr ok'd) if it comes back again worse.

This is really helping me since I have only been on it for a little over 3 wks! *I have been on clomid since April-with a 3 cycle break since* Now I am maxed on clomid and still not O'ing on my own!!!

leecain317 · 12-13-2003, 01:58 AM

I am surely the most scared person when it comes to taking a new medication. I have been taking my metformin for over a week now; and yes I did have some side effects, but nothing that imodium and ginger-ale could not help. I think the best part is knowing thst I am taking something that will make me feel better in the long run. I was diagnosed over 10 years ago and have been fighting this for what seems like forever. Although I am not a big advocate on medicine I am willing to take the metformin to help my situation. Don't be scared!

Already I can notice that I am not feeling so many "slumps" after an hour or so of eating a meal. I have cut back significantly on the sugar and I think this is a great help.

I must add that I have gotten most of my inspiration and tips from this site. It is a true treasure

Firestarr27 · 01-28-2004, 02:18 PM

I've been on 1500 mg Met for about a week now and while I was suffering the ususal tummy troubles now it seems to have switched to nausea, dizzyness and avertion to whatever food I'm smelling now. Are these common symptoms?

st@ce · 01-30-2004, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Firestarr27
I've been on 1500 mg Met for about a week now and while I was suffering the ususal tummy troubles now it seems to have switched to nausea, dizzyness and avertion to whatever food I'm smelling now. Are these common symptoms?

Very very common I suspect Firestarr27. That strange aversion to certain foods particularly rings bells with me lol! Isn't it weird?! One day you can eat bucket loads of something only to gag at the sight of it the next day!

Instead of the typical catch-phrase - "If symptoms persist please see a doctor" - I suggest "Maybe reducing your dosage". Hehehe. For lots of us tho the symptoms (including the last 3 you mentioned) subside after a couple of days.

Good luck

Pinklady95337 · 03-21-2004, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mel9116
I began taking Met on 3/4/03 and have noticed that if I don't drink enough water I get nauseated.

But I have a "side effect" (maybe) that no one has mentioned. If I don't eat enough or often enough I get really tired. As long as I eat I have plenty of energy (much more than before met). Otherwise I feel that I'm going to fall asleep while walking.

Yesterday was the first time that I got up to my full doseage of 2X500mg and this morning I was a little light headed.

Also it seems that if I don't consume a normal amout of carbs I get tired...

I just wondered if anyone else had this happen to them.

Mel, I have the same symptoms/side effects. So bad sometimes that I want to get off the drug. It really affects me at work. Have a hard time staying on task. I have to say though that I tend to go a long time between meals. I am going to eat six small meals this week instead of three big and see if that helps some. I have been on Met before and didn't have this symptom the first time around. Who knows. Anyway, getting my periods back to normal is my first priority so I am sure I will stick with it. I am one that has to have some carbs as well. I do tend to stick with the better, less processed ones though. You are not alone in your journey with this drug.
~Pink

sherod10 · 03-25-2004, 01:46 AM

This is a great post!!! I just started on Met on 3/20. I am ramping up to 1500mg a day. Right now at 1000mg a day. I have noticed that taking it about 1/2 hour before I eat helps. At first I was taking it right after I ate. For some reason that wasn't helping. Now, I feel much better. Also, stay away from sugar....I have found that even just one soda can make me feel bloated and sick. Hope this helps!!

oreosmama · 05-16-2004, 10:03 AM

My tip: I take mine with milk and food when I can. the milk really seems to help me also. I have taken it several hours after a meal and with milk, I had no s/e's. I have increased my doseage in 250mg increments. You can only do this if you are not taking the XR pills. I cut mine in half and increase them as I feel I am ready. I started on 250mg back in March, now I am taking 1250mg in May. Not tooo terribly bad. I haven't suffered like some women post about the aweful s/e's. I have had very minimal trips to the bathroom. My only complaint is when I up my dose, for a day or so I feel cruddy. Not where i would miss work or school, just like my stomach isn't right. I only get diaharrea when I eat a lot of carbs or sugars! So, by limiting these really helps with the trips to the bathroom.

I hope this helps someone.
And I agree with the other women. We are ALL in this together, you are not alone!

Monica

Tbrown · 05-22-2004, 11:39 PM

Okay, this doesnt say how to deal with met side effects but heres some advice based on my experience.
I had a lot of stomach problems with met from day one (such as diarhea, stomach spasms, extreme admoninal pain and cold sweats in middle of night followed by explosions (use your imagination). I tolerated this all for the overwhelming desire to conceive. About 8 weeks into taking this I experienced terrible pain in my chest, neck, throat and back. I went to pcp and told him I suspected the met but he said no and ordered, bloodwork, xrays and ultrasound. (about $5000 plus in tests) I was told I had sludge in my gallbladder and immediately sent to a surgeon to have it removed. He also said that the ultrasound revealed I had complex cysts in my left ovary and needed a MRI (another $4000 ) I told him that it was normal for me to have cysts due to PCOS but he isisted on the test. He had nurse call me back in a week to reveal that OMG, I have PCOS!!!. I told him before he did this 2 hour MRI that I had PCOS.

Now to the surgeon, The week before I saw him, I stopped taking the Met because I figured if I really had to have surgery, I didnt want to get pregnant yet anyway and for my own peace of mind, I wanted to rule out the Met as cause of the intense pain. The pain went away 3 days after I stopped the met and has remained gone since. The surgeon scheduled another ultrasound and a hapabilary scan (spelling stinks)
(another $3000. in tests) that revealed that sludge was gone and my gallbladder function was fine.

My advise is that if you have terrible chest pains that radiate into you neck and throat and back. Try stopping the Met. for a couple of days before you agree to costly tests.....and possibly surgery that although they say is laproscopic and easy to recover from, can have complications and become major open surgery with weeklong hospital stay.

Thanks,
Tracey

DaniJ · 05-30-2004, 07:50 PM

oh. my. god.

I've been taking metformin for 5 years now.
I knew that when I didn't eat with it, I would get diarrhea and nausea. That's easily avoided.

What I JUST realized is that my constant gassy and bloaty feeling is due to the metformin! I thought it was just me and there was nothing I could do. I considered that I had IBS which I could very well have, but Metformin really explains it! When I wake up, I feel fine, my stomach is the flattest it'll ever be all day (i.e. NOT bloated, not huge) and as the day goes on I progressively feel bigger. It's not that I get FATTER of course, but my stomach balloons out. Dates, going out, and social events happen at night not morning!

Anyway, so now that I think this is my problem, I read some tips and I'm excited to try everything. One question though:

Do you take the caraway seeds, yogurt, and whatnot, before a meal, with a meal, with metformin, or to relieve the symptoms? I'd prefer to find a way to PREVENT the gas, rather than just relieve it once it happens (which I can't seem to control , even by avoiding "gassy" foods).

Thanks to any help . I have the gassy problem but usually no other metformin side effects.