Issues with a medication

goldensrbest · ‎03-10-2010

I have been on metformin, for so many years,as years has passed i have had bowel issues,this past 6 months it had increased to 3 days a week,cramps could not go out any whare on those days, last week it became more than i could take, i thought i might have colon cancer ,called doctor, i had a appointment already made for june,i could not get in sooner, he said to stop this medication, it took 4 days to start feeling like i felt years ago, so if you have stomach issues ,and are on this medication, tell your doctor,don't wait like i did.

When you lose some one you L~O~V~E, that Memory of them, becomes a TREASURE.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

My DH occasionally gets similar problems with metformin. If you are taking just metformin and not a combo drug they now have a slow release form that dissolves slowly over 24 hours and causes less stomach distress.

tansy · ‎01-02-2011

I tried metformin for over a year because my doctor was so enthusiastic about the med. I couldn't leave the house before noon and finally refused to take it.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

@goldensrbest,

I am glad you are feeling better after stopping this medication. Metformin may be considered the top diabetic drug, and number one choice by physicians to control blood sugar, but I don't think anyone should take the same diabetes medication for an extended period of time. My husband has been diabetic for 19 years, and every few years I would ask his doctor about changing his medication to avoid tolerance build up. He was taken off Metformin last year because of the same type of intestinal issues you experienced, but with mild rectal bleeding from the irritation. His diabetes is controlled now with a short acting and a long acting insulin. He took 850 mg of Metformin once a day for 3 1/2 years.

esmeraldagooch · ‎03-10-2010

This medication is horrible. My DH is still dealing with problems because he took it. NEVER again.

Gooday · ‎03-23-2010

@goldensrbest wrote:
I have been on metformin, for so many years,as years has passed i have had bowel issues,this past 6 months it had increased to 3 days a week,cramps could not go out any whare on those days, last week it became more than i could take, i thought i might have colon cancer ,called doctor, i had a appointment already made for june,i could not get in sooner, he said to stop this medication, it took 4 days to start feeling like i felt years ago, so if you have stomach issues ,and are on this medication, tell your doctor,don't wait like i did.

I have been on 500mg. daily and at first my bowels were in an uproar. However, prior to that I have had issues. My doctor told me I had an "infantile bowel". I said what's that? He said, just like a baby, right after you eat, you evacuate. It's not often that I do NOT use a restroom within 15-30 minutes after eating.

Oh well....if that's one of the very few problems in my life, I'll count my blessings but, it is a hassle for sure.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

@RedTop wrote:
@goldensrbest,
I am glad you are feeling better after stopping this medication. Metformin may be considered the top diabetic drug, and number one choice by physicians to control blood sugar, but I don't think anyone should take the same diabetes medication for an extended period of time. My husband has been diabetic for 19 years, and every few years I would ask his doctor about changing his medication to avoid tolerance build up. He was taken off Metformin last year because of the same type of intestinal issues you experienced, but with mild rectal bleeding from the irritation. His diabetes is controlled now with a short acting and a long acting insulin. He took 850 mg of Metformin once a day for 3 1/2 years.

What on earth is your source of this information? Many diabetics take the same meds for decades and do extremely well on them.Why would you want to torture your poor husband with new meds all the time, throwing his blood sugars all out of whack? My DH has been on metformin/glucovance for 16 years and does extremely well on it. When he once had to change to a different drug because of insurance he did poorly and quickly decided to pay out of pocket for his med instead of having his sugars all wonky.The best thing for any diabetic is consistancy- taking the same meds, exercise daily and eating on the same schedule.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

The reason doctors like to use metformin when ever possible is that it helps protect your organs from damage due to diabetes. Diabetes is very hard on a person's vital organs so metformin & good sugar control do help prevent organ damage.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

@151949

I will leave you to take what you will from my words. My husband has received excellent medical care and we are used to having doctors who work with us. All of my husbands med changes were done because of his specific documented issues, which I questioned. We have even had meetings with a VA pharmacist in attendance over my husbands reactions to diabetic medications. Yes, diabetics do best on a working regimen, which in my husbands case means insulin, not oral meds.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

@RedTop wrote:
@151949
I will leave you to take what you will from my words. My husband has received excellent medical care and we are used to having doctors who work with us. All of my husbands med changes were done because of his specific documented issues, which I questioned. We have even had meetings with a VA pharmacist in attendance over my husbands reactions to diabetic medications. Yes, diabetics do best on a working regimen, which in my husbands case means insulin, not oral meds.

YOU said you did not want his tolerance to build up - now you change to this story. Alrighty then.