Metformin

[Biglad1]

On bisoprolol 7.5mg am 5mg pm apixaban 250mg digoxin folic acid 10mg dapaflagoxin entreso highest dose & metformin. Was a really heavy guy 34st Lost 10st in wieght then all of a sudden that's when 3months ago started with bad diarrhea. Stopped the metformin and hey presto diarrhea gone breathing miles better went on a 7.5km walk up n down dale without any stopping 1hr45mins& no dizzy spells on standing up. Could metformin be causing the problems.

[Blearyeyed]

I think you should probably discuss this change with your GP or Diabetic specialist.There could have been many reasons for the change in luding changes in levels of B 12 and Folates that can become low on Metformin, but also anything from an infection or imbalance in digestion, it may have happened because he has lost weight and his Diabetic status might have changed which could effect which dose should be used.

I'd suggest that you get to the GP explain what has happened and request a full set of diagnostic tests including full blood count, diabetes, liver function, kidney function (electrolytes) , Vitamin B 12 , Folates, Iron/ Ferritin. VitaminD this will help rule out simple issues and nutrient Deficiencies . After these it may be advisable to check for other issues like Thyroid and digestive inflammatory conditions.

It could be anything so it's worth ruling things out before you consider a change in either the dose or type of Diabetic medications you are on.

You may even find that the loss of weight may mean your dose of other medications may need changing too if you haven't had a recent drug review.

Let us know what you discover and take care, Bee

[Biglad1 in reply to Blearyeyed]

Done full blood tests all fine except low vit d and calcium. Started with supplement. Back In Nov 26 for blood test & not taking was borderline before the put me on it

[50568789 in reply to Biglad1]

I was on Metformin for T2 diabetes for several years and the diarrhoea issue gradually got worse and worse, too many close calls in public to think about. Why I put up with it for so long, I don't know, thank you doctors for just ignoring my complaints. Finally insisted it must change, was put on insulin and have been very happy with that for a few years now, virtually no diarrhoea issues unless I let the regime slip a bit now and then. So I have very bad memories of Metformin.

[Tapanac]

My husband was put on dapagliflozin and he too got diarrhoea , went off food and lost about 5kgs in about 2-3 weeks. He also was on metformin but had been for years no problem. We stopped the dapagliflozin and back to normal after a couple of days.

We were told it originally was developed for diabetes but had a side effect of maybe helping the heart. Also another bad side effect which most people will notice is UTIs and genital infections. Then our GP said unlike metformin it was a relatively new drug so it was up to my husband whether he wanted to carry on

Good luck. That was pretty impressive you losing all that weight. Was it since you were on the dapagliflozin or hard dieting?

[Biglad1 in reply to Tapanac]

Just cutting back & gastric balloon. I was otherway around dapaflagoxin 1st then metformin a yr or so ago but bad side effects recently. stopped the metformin and tummy issues & diarrhea both stopped. Looked on Google somat caused lactic acidosis can affect the heart

[Tapanac in reply to Biglad1]

Well done and stay good

[Qualipop]

Oh absolutely. My husband';s been on metformin for years and the effects are horrible; terrible gas, diarrhoea and urgency and several accidents. His GP insists it's the best thing for his treatment so he puts up with it. (and everyone else suffers LOL)

Well done on teh terrific weight loss. Your dose may need reducing.

[RobertTonkiss]

metformin has a bit of a reputation for causing upset stomach’s. My personal experience has been that in the UK where pharmacy’s will chop and change the brand of the medication depending on which is cheapest that changing the brand will cause me diarrhoea for a period of time not sure why but that seems to be the case as if the pharmacy keeps me on the same brand the diarrhoea settles down