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Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,458
Registered: ‎06-10-2015

@cherry wrote:

It is @noodleann  and I wish I could still take it. It is really hard on certain peoples stomach and I happen to be one of them..


I'm really sorry for you, @cherry . Really. I wish I could share some of my terrific drug tolerance. I know that when you can't tolerate metformin, you really can't. I hope you can use some of the other meds.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 17,739
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

@noodleann  thank you. I am on Januvia ,and I seem to tolerate it much better. Of course it is a lot more expensive, and I don't think  it controls my glucose as good as metformin ,but I am still in safe levels

Honored Contributor
Posts: 33,580
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Is Metformin next?

[ Edited ]

@cherry wrote:

It is @noodleann  and I wish I could still take it. It is really hard on certain peoples stomach and I happen to be one of them..


@cherrymy DH was the same way.  It was the first thing they gave him when he was diagnosed at Type 2.  He had to go off it because he had so many stomach issues.  They kept telling him his stomach would adjust but it never did.   He too was put on Januvia.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,949
Registered: ‎01-02-2011

@Lipstickdiva wrote:

@cherry wrote:

It is @noodleann  and I wish I could still take it. It is really hard on certain peoples stomach and I happen to be one of them..


@cherrymy DH was the same way.  It was the first thing they gave him when he was diagnosed at Type 2.  He had to go off it because he had so many stomach issues.  They kept telling him his stomach would adjust but it never did.   He too was put on Januvia.


Same for me and I tried it for a long time.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,510
Registered: ‎05-23-2010

Re: Is Metformin next?

[ Edited ]

Spoiler
Spoiler
Ok 


@Love my grandkids wrote:

@Nonametoday @cozyseeker @chrystaltree  I'm 71 and have been on metformin for 20 years for type 2 diabetes with no problems.

 

About  a year ago my doc actually reduced my dosage!

 

I have been cancer free for 2.5 years and have regular blood work done.

 

My kidney and liver functions are doing great and not impaced by this med.


@Love my grandkids Metformin, by itself, is not the problem that the FDA is investigating. They are checking different brands of Metformin for contamination with a cancer causing chemical. If you have had cancer, then there’s the possibility it could be related to the carcinogenic chemical NDMA, that is under scrutinization. If NDMA is found in different brands of Metformin, the levels of the chemical will come under scrutiny. The FDA has a cut off for acceptable levels.

 

This stuff is everywhere. It’s not a good thing. It is possible to remove it in some cases during the manufacturing processes of some items. Hopefully, if it’s found in Metformin, any new production runs will no longer contain it. 

 

The chemical is found worldwide in water, including drinking water and soils, outdoor air, tobacco smoke, chewing tobacco, cured meats, beer, fish, cheese, cosmetics and toiletries, detergents, pesticides. It can also form in the stomach during digestion of compounds called alkyamines which can be found in some drugs, foods, rubber baby bottle noodles, breast milk in low levels and infant formula. Occupational exposure can occur in tanneries and  in pesticide and dye manufacturing, Groundwater testing has also  revealed its presence. It also forms as a byproduct during the chlorination of drinking water.

Super Contributor
Posts: 284
Registered: ‎05-25-2019

my doctor gave me enough metaformin to kill me. even the pharmicist was concerned. after i complained she took me off the stuff about five years ago. i've been taking Januvia ever since and my numbers have normalized. i hope they take metaformin off the market for good. besides me... my dad and daughter were on it too, with bad side effects. 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,755
Registered: ‎02-22-2015

Those who have had problems with Metformin need to talk with your PCP about Metformin ER. The Extended Release (ER) is much kinder to the system and, I found, doesn't have any side effects. Metformin ER has kept my A1C below 6 for several years. I no longer have to check my blood daily! It's a miracle med for me. 

Money screams; wealth whispers.
Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,949
Registered: ‎01-02-2011

@BirkiLady wrote:

Those who have had problems with Metformin need to talk with your PCP about Metformin ER. The Extended Release (ER) is much kinder to the system and, I found, doesn't have any side effects. Metformin ER has kept my A1C below 6 for several years. I no longer have to check my blood daily! It's a miracle med for me. 


Did that already.  

Honored Contributor
Posts: 17,739
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

@tansy  me too. It didn't help me at all, but it might work for other people

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,793
Registered: ‎06-16-2015

There are risks with any drug, particularly diabetes drugs.There are also risks in diabetes itself. In fact, kidney failure is one of those risks of diabetes as is heart failure. My mom had kidney failure, a quad bypass, and amputation...all caused by diabetes and her refusal to take her meds properly. I have taken metformin for years. I usually have a kidney function test in my blood tests. The newer diabetic drugs are extremely expensive and also have side effects. Metformin is the old reliable and it is extremely cheap. Even if you do take some of the newer injection drugs, metformin is usually prescribed along with them. Another thing people may not know is one must ALWAYS take metformin with food. It pays to read the information you're given with a medication. You are more likely to have organ damage if you continue to take metformin without food. I would definitely choose metformin over injecting insulin...no contest.