topic Re: Metformin question.... in Wellness

Metformin question....

CritterKeeper — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 13:30:09 GMT

Hi all! My hubby very reluctantly started Metformin at the beginning of the week. As predicted, he has a little tummy trouble, but nothing serious. The one thing that is bothering him is insomnia (which is NEVER a problem with him).

Has anyone else had this issue with it? I'm sure once his body gets used to it, it will get better, but hearing from others helps.

Thanks :-)

Re: Metformin question....

Auntie CC — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 13:43:58 GMT

I had chronic diarhea with Metformin. Never went away so we d/c it. I have insommnia anyway. Tell him good luck from me

Re: Metformin question....

SilleeMee — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 13:49:14 GMT

Insomnia is a reported side effect of metformin.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3354927/#:~:text=There%20are%20many%20reports%20that,more%20clear%20understanding%20are%20warranted.

Re: Metformin question....

wertz — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 14:00:48 GMT

Aks for slow release Metformin. The tummy probs disappear, and maybe the insomnia too. Not sure why the slow release is not the first choice of all doctors

Re: Metformin question....

tototwo — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 14:22:41 GMT

I've taken Metformin for over 20 years I remember that I had tummy troubles at first, but that went away after a couple weeks. I've always been an insomniac, so no difference there. I hope your husband gets used to it.

I was started on Extended Release and took that for a couple years. Then the pharmacy switched me to the regular formula because my insurance company stopped paying for ER. Since my body did better on ER, I went to my doctor and got my prescription switched back to the ER formula (and my insurance now pays 100%). Each time I swiched from one formula to the other, I had temporary tummy problems.

Re: Metformin question....

marky — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 14:30:21 GMT

I have taken Metformin for about 4-5 years and have never had any stomach or bathroom issues. I have sufferered from poor sleep for years due to menopause so I don't feel that the Metformin has caused an issue with my sleep.

After he has been on the medicine for a while it may get better, as you stated. He does need to inform the doctor of any side effects just to get them aware.

Re: Metformin question....

Xivambala — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 16:15:20 GMT

I've taken Metformin for 13 years and never had any reaction to it. As time has gone on, I have had 3 other drugs added to my regimen to control my diabetes. Some of the combinations in the past have caused problems, but not the Metformin.

Re: Metformin question....

BirkiLady — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 21:48:45 GMT

@CritterKeeper Have him contact his physician. He doesn't need to suffer! His physician can/will change his prescription to Metformin ER (extended release) which eliminates those problems. I had the same problems. The Metformin ER seldom gives me any similar issues . . . and after the regular Metformin, I can live with "seldom" because the medication works so well.

Re: Metformin question....

bonnielu — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 21:55:42 GMT

My doctor prescribed it. I took it and had major problems with stiff joints.. painful. So prescription to prescription I just looked at the bottle every mornging...and pretended to take it. My condition got better and he never knew the difference. This is all to say I just lost some weight and the Metformin was a prop to keep him happy. Loved the look on his face whien I finally told him.

Re: Metformin question....

Lipstickdiva — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 21:56:46 GMT

@wertz wrote:
Aks for slow release Metformin. The tummy probs disappear, and maybe the insomnia too. Not sure why the slow release is not the first choice of all doctors

@wertz , my husband was on extended release Metformin and the stomach trouble never went away. He was on it for months.

Re: Metformin question....

tansy — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 23:08:32 GMT

@Lipstickdiva wrote:
@wertz wrote:
Aks for slow release Metformin. The tummy probs disappear, and maybe the insomnia too. Not sure why the slow release is not the first choice of all doctors

@wertz , my husband was on extended release Metformin and the stomach trouble never went away. He was on it for months.

Same for me. I let the doctor keep me on it for a year before I said no more.

Re: Metformin question....

Q4u — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 21:46:03 GMT

About 20 years for me too! Regular Metformin and it was a chore getting used to it. Tummy issues for quite a while. No insomnia. Does a great job and still does IMHO, Even some good news attached to the product and recalls regarding extended release tablets. Talking to his doctor and researching these meds is a good idea.

Re: Metformin question....

Toppers3 — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 03:43:47 GMT

@CritterKeeper wrote:
Hi all! My hubby very reluctantly started Metformin at the beginning of the week. As predicted, he has a little tummy trouble, but nothing serious. The one thing that is bothering him is insomnia (which is NEVER a problem with him).

Has anyone else had this issue with it? I'm sure once his body gets used to it, it will get better, but hearing from others helps.

Thanks :-)

It's my own understanding from my own primary care doctor that the most common side effects from Metformin are the GI side-effects of various abdominal side-effects of nausea, bloating, and diarrhea.

I couldn't tolerate it either when I first started taking it, and was ready to stop it altogether when my doctor tried to help me with those side-effects.

He had told me to take it at bed time then so that if I was feeling nauseated, then it wouldn't be as notieceable. I was only taking it just once a day at that time.

Then, he had switched me to the extended-release formula, which supposedly doesn't have the abdominal upset side-effects to it that the regular strength can cause.

He also told me that when i take it, I should take it with some food, too.

Since I have been doing all of these things, I have not had any problems.

I now take it twice a day.

I have not noticed any problems with insomnia with it, in particular.

I have Fibromyalgia too, and you can have difficulty sleeping/insomnia with Fibro.

I would recommend that he let his doctor know about any side-effects that he is noticing from the Metformin, and also ask his pharmacist about them, too.

They give helpful information about our medications.

I wish both of you all of the best.

Re: Metformin question....

JGalt — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 18:20:44 GMT

Be sure to check the FDA website about the recalled Metformin extended release. This has been doing on a couple of months and has been expanded a few times.

I took Metformin for several months a couple years ago, and with each passing month my stomach discomfort grew worse. It actually caused a stomach ulcer (never had one before).

Re: Metformin question....

Sage04 — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 18:48:57 GMT

I have been taking Metformin for a few years. During the first week I felt nauseated. I was taking it before eating breakfast so I decided to eat first, wait a few minutes, then take the medication. It worked for me.

No more problems.