I have a question....I’m type 2 diabetic. A few months ago I got really sick....no energy, no appetite , and explosive diarrhea. I took Anything I could get my hands on to make it stop. The next time I went to my PCP she took me off my metformin. 2 days later I was instantly better. All the above symptoms went away. But when I had labs done....I have kidney problems...stage4.
So my question is...is it possible that now that I have stopped the metformin and I’m on insulin only until I get into see the endocrinologist.,...will my kidney function get better. I know there is no way to fix the damage...but Can I get some function back?
I’m just barely into stage 4. The nephrologist even ask me....what happened to you...you were doing fine. I have also read that you can have kidney Injury. That had a lot of the same symptoms.
Anyone know anything about this?
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Norma519
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There is a difference of opinion in the medical community regarding the time to stop metformin if you have CKD. Some say once your GFR gets near 30 and the majority say it's as you approach a GFR of 45. However, in your post, you said, "I took anything I could get my hands on to make it stop." Perhaps I'm wrong, but it sounds like you took more than Metformin. It sounds like you took a variety of OTC remedies for diarrhea. Supplements are not regulated and it should be discussed with your physicians before you take anything sold OTC, especially supplements when you have CKD. If there was no long-term damage to your kidneys then I would hope that with physician approval, you can find an appropriate med for your diabetes, maintain your kidney-friendly meal plan and exercise regimen and increase your GFR.Best of luck.
Hello Mr. Kidney, I’m a faithful reader of your wise advise you give generously to all of us.In your response to Norma I believe, if I read you correctly, that Metformin can cause kidney damage? I take one 500mg pill in the morning and another one at night. I also have stage 2 CKD, should I question my PD?
Actually, I didn't say that. There is a difference of opinion in the medical community on when to stop Metformin. Metformin is one of the better medications for Type 2 Diabetes. I once took it for over two years until I was able to stop all diabetes medications over three and a half years ago. Some physicians will stop a CKD patient from taking Metformin when their GFR gets to about 30. The majority of physicians will recommend stopping it when your GFR is below 45. Not my statistics, but just from various medical journals and websites. When I read about the differences, I asked my Care Team and my pharmacist and my first nephrologist told me 30, however my PCP and current nephrologist say 45. Metformin is a great help in controlling T2D. Ask your physician where they stand.
IMHO, Metformin is a medication to be used with great caution in anyone with any history of kidney issues. One must consult with specialists and weigh the risks for you as an individual. Exercise all due diligence with this type of med prior to any intake. Many Blessings
Hi Norma, Yes, metformin can affect the kidney, but it also controls glucose, which if it is out of control can harm the kidney. Its a balance game. When the body has a tantrum (I call it) often the response is uncontrolled diarrhea. Something caused your body to purge itself. Could have been something you are, or it could have been a bug. What happens after is you often become dehydrated and that REALLY impacts the kidney.
To answer your question, yes your GFR may improve. But it is do to many things and not just the metformin being gone, although it might help. I had a bout of gastroestisis (diarrhea) this summer and my gfr dropped, then went back up and now is back down. So it is roller coaster.
Thanks for the feed back...something else I have noticed...is as soon as I found out about my kidney problem....I changed a lot of my diet. Doing as much plant based as possible. Drinking tons of water...trying to move more. I go to have an ultra sound next week and will see a endocrinologist at the end of the month....but I have noticed my out put is better ( not to be gross). I’m fairly regular everyday...for the past 2 weeks. Could my efforts be helping?
The same thing has happened to me! Exactly! I am also hoping that with the metformin gone that will help me. I also wonder why this wasn't done sooner!
I had a lot of difficulty with diarrhea while on metformin. The dehydration that results from Continuous diarrhea was definitely very hard on my kidneys. Fortunately, my glucose is controlled without medication now. Unfortunately my kidneys have continued to deteriorate.
Hi Beverly. All medications, prescription and otherwise, need to be reviewed. According to research, "Metformin has traditionally been regarded as contraindicated in chronic kidney disease (CKD), though guidelines in recent years have been relaxed to permit therapy if the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is > 30 mL/min. The main problem is the perceived risk of lactic acidosis (LA)...this fear is disproportionate...Metformin possesses a number of clinical effects...including weight loss....introduction of metformin therapy to more advanced stages of CKD may bring therapeutic benefits that outweigh the possible risks." ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl....
Of course, then there are all those over the counter drugs ones with side effects too. But bottom line, the underlying problem is the diabetes. It will take out your body (legs, heart, kidneys, eyes, etc.) one by one. As a caretaker to my husband, who is now on dialysis, he was stable for a good 20 years or so and when, suddenly, almost overnight, his kidneys crashed. Hubby blamed the doctors, I blamed a blood pressure drug, and on and on. There's always "something" that is fingered as a catalyst. But, kidneys that have been stressed all along, can crash without much notice as our nephrologist stated. They become increasingly fragile with age, the duration of diabetes, etc. Look at the A1Cs (very important), look at your medications, but also realize that the monster you're dealing with is the diabetes. Once your diabetes wrecks the blood vessels in your kidneys, they don't regenerate. Humans weren't born to live this high carb, high sugar lifestyle. And so diabetes fuels the various medical specialties. I sense your diarrhea created dehydration so your numbers will likely improve. But please keep an eye on the whole picture and at the long-term outcomes. Know that if diabetes continues to be on your plate, things will likely happen. Sadly, we needed to be told that a lot sooner than later. Blessings on your journey.
My GP ignored all the signs that I gave her (I didn't know) although she knew that my last bloods had revealed CKD3b and she should have kept an eye open.
Age plays a part as Metformin affects people over 60 more severely and should not be newly prescribed according to their notes.
As soon as my bloods were taken on my following annual check up and revealed the low kidney function of GFR 17, the Metformin was taken off me.
2 years later I still don't take any and my GFR has risen to 24. Still stage 4 but steady.
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