Do you have problems with increased met dose??

[beachlover]

Hi, everyone,

I am curious as to whether those of you take met (I am now taking Fortamet XR) have felt bad on the increased dose? Back in the late summer of 05, my endo put me on 500mg of generic metformin XL, and had me go up to 1000mg. Then, when I went to the RE in Jan 06 and after having my ITT in Feb 06, the RE wants me to take 2000mg, but to titer up on the dosage. I had to go off of the met for a month so I could get it out of my system for the ITT. So, I went back to the 500 for 2 weeks, 1000 for 2 weeks, and then 1500 (500 in am, 1000 in pm) for 2 weeks. I did alright with the 1500. However,this week, when I have taken the 2000mg, I have felt sooooo tired. As in, I hardly want to move, and all I want to do is rest. I do have the B-12 deficiency and take shots every 2-3 weeks, but when I started taking this 2000 mg dosage, it had only been a week and a half since I received my shot. I guess I am just wondering how the doctors decide what dosage is right, and if anyone else has had this problem. I thought that met wasn't supposed to affect your blood sugar, but I swear something is going on. I know it's not right to feel this way. I have plans to call the doctor first thing Monday morning.
I would look forward to reading your thoughts on this.
Thanks,
beachlover

[Emerald Maiden]

I hope your doctor has an answer for you ... I seem to always be tired, too, but I just put that down to the PCOS.

I did notice that when my pharmacy switched generic metformin to another manufacturer, I cannot tolerate it as well. The gastro effects have not eased off, even though I've been taking the new version (in the same dosage) for two months. A friend of mine has a similar problem ... for her, when her pharmacy switched manufacturers, she developed a back pain whenever she took her met. If she skipped it, the pain went away. She had to call her doctor and the pharmacy to work it all out.

Good luck to you - let us know what you find out.

[choirmissy]

Met will affect your blood sugar. I had some problems with low blood sugars, especially as I was adjusting to increased dosages. I would try snacks with a mix of protein and carbs to see if it helps. I would also see if it gets better as your body adjusts. I was okay with 500 and 1000, but 1500 smacked me in the face.

[beachlover]

I think maybe the higher doses (1500 & 2000) are making me lose my appetite. I think I will have to do what choirmissy said, and just be sure and eat some snacks. I felt better today with the increased dose, so maybe it's just taking my body time to get used to it. The 1500 was a shock to me initially, but not nearly so much as the 2000.
I was scared yesterday, because I felt so bad. I hope I am on the right track, and maybe feeling bad is just my body's way of gettin used to the medicine. I think I will have to be sure and have some snacks around and maybe look at eating smaller meals/snacks instead of 3 meals per day.
Thanks for the advice!!
beachlover

[Letisha]

i have taken 2000 mg before for like a week it caused my blood sugar to drop alot and i had back pains and seemed very weak and tired.. i guess you may have to get use to it.. i would call ur doctor and try to keep ur sugar up to normal hun
love
Letisha