So I know that Metofrmin causes diarrhea for the first few weeks of taking it. However, I thought I was one of the few it wouldn't affect until recently. I've been on it a week and the only time I've had problems is when I've eaten a meal with too many carbs. Is that normal? Does this drug have an "Alli diet pill" effect?
I started myself on a diabetic diet last week (for PCOS) at the same time, so perhaps the diet saved me from getting sicker than I have been b/c I've been limiting my carbs?
I'd really like to know how to prevent these moments in the future. If its carb related, then I could easily watch it, I have just never read anything that indicated the diarrhea is caused by food intake or over-consumption of carbs.
Update:Thanks for the info.! You know, I always took it after my meal before bedtime. I will certainly try to take my next dose with my meal. My doc. is having me add another pill in the morning in about two weeks. Will the side effects then get worse again, or will my body have gotten used to the meds by then?
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No, my friend, Metformin doesn't have an "Alli diet pill" effect, and isn't related to the amount of carbs you eat either.
Can I ask you when, exactly, you take your Metformin? It is better to take it WITH your food, not before, and not after. This tends to cut down on the amount of gastrointestinal effects of the tablet(s).
Unfortunately, it can take several weeks before you get the full effects of the Metformin, but the good news is the gastrointestinal effects DO tend to subside.
Metformin tends to work in a combination of ways. Firstly, it inhibits glucose production by the liver. Secondly, it inhibits glucose absorption through the walls of the intestines during the digestive process. Thirdly, it MAY aid your body's cells in becoming less insulin resistant. i.e. better able to utilise [utilize, if you are, in fact, one of my American cousins] the insulin that is produced by your pancreas.
I truly do hope that you won't have to put up with this discomfort for much longer.
Metformin Diarrhea
dang I wish!! I cannot take regular formulation of Metformin as it gives me explosive diarrhea on a permanent basis! Doc made a mistake when filling out my refill Rx and put down regular Met!! Something in it does not agree with me. I can take the brand name Glucophage or I can take Metformin Extended Release.
Low carb food plan has nothing to do with it as I was eating absolutely NO carbs for about a month. Beef only!! No veggies, fruits or anything else. Note: I am a rancher with a freezer full of beef and lamb and was broke so no grocery store purchases!! Thus nothing to go with the meat! It is called buy and take the meds and forget about other stuff you really don't need.
You might talk to your doc about Met XR to control the gastric upsets!
We cannot know what your bod will do about more Met in the system. Each of us is a very unique individual and these meds are very uniquely individual to each of us. NO two of us is alike in how our bods react to stuff like Metformin!
It's not supposed to. However, I've been on Metformin for 18 months and have noticed that when I do occasionally indulge in starchy carbs at supper (I take my Met with supper), I tend to have gas (oddly scentless but a lot of loud noise) throughout the night. It could be just that my body itself is handling starchy carbs oddly these days. When I wake up and have a lot of rootin' tootin' going on, I have to think "what did I eat last night to bring this on?" and remember I had pasta or pizza or something like that. And just every now and then I have a loose movement, not sure if it's due to Met or to something else. Maybe you should keep a tracking "diary" to see if there is a pattern--like every time you eat potatoes or mac'n'cheese (etc.) you get this happening.
I take Metformin as my doctor recommends which is immediately after meals. The dosage you are taking could be part of the problem. I take 850 mg twice a day, after breakfast and dinner. I was prescribed 1000 mg briefly and spent most of the time in the bathroom.
The most important thing you can do is talk to your doctor about your concerns. Everyone is different and only your doctor will know what's best for you.
Metformin is also used in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome, and has been investigated for other diseases where insulin resistance may be an important factor.
Metformin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe, do not go away, go away and come back, or do not begin for some time after you begin taking metformin:--
* diarrhea
* bloating
* stomach pain
* gas
* indigestion
* constipation
* unpleasant metallic taste in mouth
* heartburn
* headache
* flushing of the skin
* nail changes
* muscle pain
I am more likely to have diarrhea when I eat too much, regardless of the carbohydrate intake. If I eat smaller meals, I'm okay.
The side effects could worsen with the new dosage (that happened to me a few years ago), but like with the original dosage, the side effects are usually temporary.
Your body will adjust to metformin so it will get better... Drink plenty of water to replace the fluid loss :) It's better to let the doctor know if it doesn't stop.
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