Metformin gastro issues

[carkerpartridge]

I wondered if anyone else has had gastro problems with Metformin use in the long term. I know that it is well known to cause issues in the first few weeks of use but I am several months down the line (started tablets in July) and problems have just been going on for the past couple of months. Symptoms have been bloating, very gassy, burping, IBS type stuff. My GP has ordered a pelvic and abdominal scan (next week), FIT test and full blood tests which came back fine. He seems very on the ball to rule out anything sinister but I am now wondering if it's the Metformin causing the issues.

Your symptoms sound like mine when I get gastritis. It pops up every few months. I'm now wondering if mine is caused by Metformin! I always get a course of Lansoprazole but maybe I should ask for an alternative to see if that settles things down.

That's interesting. My GP didn't suggest any meds for the symptoms but I didn't ask as I was more worried about the bloating when I saw him. I'll look up gastritis to see if it's similar to what I am having.

Presumably you are already on slow release? Make sure you eat when taking it as it can react to an empty stomach.

I'm not on slow release, I take a tablet am and pm. I always take them during my meal or at the end of the meal though, not on their own. I have read about the slow release tablets so I will ask GP about them once I have had the scan.

The slow release tablets cured the gastro symptoms I was having. My diabetic nurse said they start everyone on the normal tabs because of cost and then move to slow release if needed.

It sounds like it must be a common problem. I will definitely ask when I speak to GP. Obviously my symptoms could be caused be something else, hence the scan, but it does settle my mind that it could be the Metformin!

Metformin is notorious for causing stomach issues. Some people never adjust, even to slow release Metformin.

It was one of the reasons I sought Mounjaro

(I buy it privately. My blood sugar is now perfect and my always rather dodgy digestion has calmed right down. It was unspeakable on Metformin, which barely moved the dial on the blood sugar anyway)

Yes you need slow or modified release. What MG are you on as when I had 1000 mg I was struggling with size of tablet. It was my lovely pharmacist that told me about a brand of smaller tablet

I've found my pharmacist much better than GP at sorting these problems

My other half was having problems for 2 years GP changed him onto slow release and he was much better straight away

Metformin is the work of the devil. I will never ever take it again, it messed up my stomach. Some brands I could just about tolerate but every time I went to the chemist they would give me a different brand, tried the slow release too. There are other diabetes meds that you can take. I suggest you join a diabetes UK forum (it is red not blue) for help.

I'd also like to come back to the cost issue if you don't mind OPP

Metformin is given as a first line medicine due to cost. A few years ago I took part in a trial (by Oxford University Hospital), comparing Metformin with Dapaflagzion. The researcher who came to my home basically said they knew Dapaflagzion was a better medicine but was very expensive. At the time Metformin cost 30p a month Dapaflagzion £46.0, and they don't like prescribing the good stuff

If Metformin continues to upset you I would ask for something different. Yes there is always Ozempic but also another injectable ctive called Trulicity

I'm taking 500mg twice a day

Maybe I'll try talking to a pharmacist about it. I feel like my surgery doesn't really specialise in diabetic care, they keep on top of blood tests and a weekly review with the nurse but I never really feel as if she's an expert!

They absolutely should do, and have a dedicated diabetic nurse for your care, but in the past I gave found advice varies depending on the person

I have just this week had severe gastric issues that have necessatated a week off work due to starting a different med. The indifference from the surgery was astounding

Yes I agree. In my case the metformin seems to be doing a good job at blood sugar control and I think that's what counts as far as the GP is concerned. I can't go on indefinitely with the issues that I'm having. I will see if the scan shows anything up otherwise it looks like I need to change meds.

I was on Metformin SR for about 8 years, and had bounced back and forth to the GP for a lot of those years with gastritis. I even thought I had an ulcer at one point. Salvation for me came when they started switching over all the diabetic patients to Dapagliflozin a year ago, and within a week I realised how much better my stomach felt. I'd never go back to it. The Dapagliflozin has given me repeated UTI's and thrush however, so isn't a magic cure either... bloody diabetes. I follow a low carb diet, have lost 5 stone and my hba1c is still just hovvering under 50. I want to punch people who mutter about getting your diabetes into remission.

Side effects are such a pain...literally! I am on a few meds, for diabetes and blood pressure, and dread to think what they are all doing to my insides.

My scan, blood tests and FIT test all came back clear but I still have left side bloating and discomfort. GP re-examined me and agrees that he can feel something and is sending me for another scan. Thinks possibly a hernia or something similar.

I've been Dapaflagzion for years (started on as a trial with Oxford university) and so far haven't had any side effects though have to drink lots of water always pissing