Metformen

I,m diabetic and have been taking metformen for some time.  Folks in the same circumstances know the most common side effect of this med.   How have you mAnaged this problem?

Thanks

Hubby and I both take metformin. Not sure what side effect you are referring to. We are okay

Okay, I'll be brave and blunt.  Loose stool?  I do not take it but know someone who did...

Loose stool yes,  but when one takes 7 meds for various maladies who can tell what meds causes what.

It is the gold standard for blood sugar treatment despite those ads you see on the net warning against it.

Chemo meant D's diabetes 2 got harder to manage, and metformin was prescribed (he later went on insulin). Says he never noticed any changes. 

Edited to add: I do remember him being advised to take Gastrostop (Gastrex/Imodium) in moderation if there was an inconvenience issue. It may be that you're eating too much fat each day, or too much sugar replacement, which needs to come out... (like the olestra 'problems' some years ago).

Are you on the extended release version? If not, you might give that a try. 

Yes and no... diarrhea yes, loose NO.  This has been going on toooooo long and has gotten worse recently.   With met my A1C has been 6-7 range for more than a decade so I have no problem with efficacy. Just THE side effect.

So, has anyone dealt successfully with this issue?

I lost some weight (from +/-220 to +/-200), via less wine + portion control), and got off the Metformin.  That solved the issue.

Damn. Is that why I poop the way I do? I take 1000mg a day.

cats said:

Okay, I'll be brave and blunt.  Loose stool?  I do not take it but know someone who did...

I'm on ER - doesn't seem to matter.

kthnry said:

Are you on the extended release version? If not, you might give that a try. 

Metformin definitely has that side effect which accounts for weight loss. The other side effect that is not frequently mentioned is the depletion of B12.