Very sorry to hear of your problems, I hope your doctor can help you. To answer your question I don't take meds of any kind. I haven't found a med yet that I can tolerate.

I had taken Metformin for many years and it was successful until my kidneys started to lose function. Some of your symptoms are (IMHO) mostly just getting older and DH and I have them frequently as well. DH who does not have diabetes, has explosive bouts of BM's too....no rhyme or reason, and, oh yes, gas. (Well, me too!) He says Gas-X helps. I lack energy all of the time, am anemic and nothing seems to make me feel 10 years younger (75 here). Anti-depressants have helped put the pinkness back into my world. Nanny (with her rose colored glasses)

I have been taking Metformin for several years now, 1,000mg, twice a day.
At first it gave me the diarhea, but my body did "get used" to it. I didn't start out at 1,000mg, but was raised slowly. What mg are you on and how many times a day?
I do have one friend that had the problems you have. I just know that they switched her meds.
Sorry I can't be of more help.
Kathy G in MI

I feel for you. I have IBS and it is very annoying. I have taken meds that made me feel worse than I felt before--like it wasn't worth it--hydrocodone for one. I'd rather have the pain than the way that made me feel. Makes me wonder how people get hooked on it. Your doc will be able to help you--just write it all down when you go in or you will forget. Good luck.

I have been on Metformin for a long time now take max amount allowed. Your doc should have suggested you take either a multi B vitamin or a B-12 every day. That is how I started out with mine and it really did help. I have severe bile dumping syndrome so have the bathroom problem a LOT due to that but the Metformin with the B did not make it worse.
Everyone I have met that starts on Metformin I always tell them to just go ahead and start on the B-12 immediately.
Also are you on the delayed time release Metformin? if not request to be put on it, much easier on you.

Not familiar with Metformin personally, but Dr. did take DH off of it, but as to IBS, I find if I do not drink any caffinated drinks, soda it made a big difference. Hopefully they will run test to find out what is going on. As a diabetic they need to do blood checks every 3 months to regulate your meds.
Good luck

What is Metformin taken for? I think I'd have my doctor prescribe something else. I can't take any meds . My body is too sensitive to anything, it seems.

Lily, Metformin is taken for Type 2 Diabetes.

I take 1,000 mg a day, and also had my gall bladder out years ago, and a side effect of that surgery is the same. So I've been chalking that up to the surgery!

What's interesting though, is I too have zero energy!! I do have some B12 in the kitchen so I'm going to set it out next to my meds to take every day.

I remember reading it takes awhile for B12 to kick in, so we need to be patient.

My doctor told me that when I go out to eat, to take 2 ImodiumD right before eating which will stop me from running to the bathroom 10 minutes after a meal. I do that and it works.

You could try taking Imodium anyway because it really is the best med for our little problem. :)

Lily, nice to know I am not alone with that problem. Doctors don't believe me when I tell them I can't take meds. I did tried them but can't/won't tolerate the side effects. One beta blocker Nadolol blood pressure med made me gain 11 lbs in 6 weeks. Two docs said it doesn't make you gain weight. I called the FDA, it does in 1 to 5% of the patients who take it. Also beta blockers are related to diabetes in seniors.

I was taking fish oil tabs because I can't even take baby aspirin for my heart. I also took Vitamin D because I was low. I finally stopped taking them and found I was dependent on them to have a BM. It took me 2 months to get over that.

Man, if I had those symptoms/side effects I would take myself off that drug. Please discuss this with your doctor. There has to be another way.

I started getting the bile dumping syndrome right after my gallbladder surgery, it happens to a lot of people, mine never went away, it really is a horrible side effect.
They have me take Questran powder for it, which works well but it is not very tasty, I use orange juice to mix mine with and that helps some. If you have the same type problem and have had gallbladder surgery talk to your doctor about bile dumping syndrome and Questran.

Metformin is usually the first drug of choice for new patients with Type2 Diabetes, and it works really well for most people.

One of the potential dangers of immodium is toxic megacolon
which is why most docs do not want patients to use it often or for prolonged periods.

I've been taking metformin for 2 years now.

For the first 6 months, I hated it. I described it as "sucking the life out of me." But now I have no side effects from it at all.

If you've been taking it for several years and have that much trouble with it, I think you should explain that to your doctor (in detail!) and ask for another medication.

Both DH and I take Metformin. We have named it "Metfartin". The "dire rear" certainly is nasty.

Dotmom, I don't understand physicians not telling us about the major side effects of meds they prescribe. Vitamin B depletion is not a possible side effect, it is inevitable and you should have been told.

I take 1000 mg twice daily as well, but I don't suffer from the gastric distress all the time, only if I eat something extremely high in carbs and or fat.

Your comment about feeling jumpy inside is a concern, Dotmom, that is a symptom of low blood sugar. Have you ever tested when you are feeling that way? I've not heard of Metformin every causing a hypo reaction but not eating and not taking time to care for yourself can sure do it.

In addition to the vitamin B I take Alpha Lipoic acid, Vitamin E and evening primrose along with cinnamon. They really seem to help keep me on an even keel.

This is an interesting thread. I have learned a lot reading this, and have googled some of the terms used. Like Vala, I can't/won't take certain meds. I do take Nadalol (generic Corgard) and have for 5-6 years. It wasn't prescribed for high blood pressure, but for sudden instant, very sharp pains in one temple. Doctor said it was "in the family of migraines," but not a migraine. I have gained weight gradually in that time, but blamed it on being less active and that sweet tooth. Never thought it might be the Nadalol. I'm not diabetic, and I don't have high blood pressure. I take 30 mg Nadalol and one baby aspirin daily; that is all the meds I take, other than Calcium and Vitamin D. I can't take any of the narcotics; they make me deathly sick. I have tried every NSAID that has been touted, and while some help, eventually, usually about 6 weeks, I have the feeling that my stomach is being chewed on. So I live in constant pain. The report on my last back scan, from my Rheumatologist, was that my spine is a "mess!" This is not the Golden Years I anticipated.

Dot, I do hope your doctor will find something for you that will help. It is not right to have to suffer like that.

Sue

The side effects from certain medications on some people can be worse than the problem they're treating. Not everyone reacts to a medication the same. Do have a long talk with your DR. Surely there is another medication you could be taking and maybe that one won't have such an adverse effect on you. Good Luck.

I just remembered what my Handi-capped grand daughter calls diarrhea....Outrageous Butt Problems. Describes the malady to a T. LOL
Lynn d, the quakes or shudders are not low-blood sugar. Believe me, I know what that feels like. Most days I run a low fever, 99.7 today and I can't get warm. It is the LOW energy that is bothering me. I'm not usually a ball of fire, but I have always had enough stamina to get things done, and lately it take so much effort. When I'm in for the blood work on Friday, I'll make an appt with the Dr., i want the blood report to get to him so I can get a more complete work up. Thanks for responding.

georgysmom, quite often the patient is not even sick, a lot are preventative meds like for cholesterol.

dh is on 850 mg's but he hasn't had the problems you mentioned...maybe becasue he's very faithful about aking stress tabs, a multi-vit and other otc calcium, ect...am wondering if you've had a colon check?

Dotmom, have you had your thyroid checked lately? Before I was diagnosed as having hyperthroidism, I had some of the symptoms you are having, especially the lack of energy and shaking feeling inside.

Camp56, Thyroid is one of the things checked from the blood drawn. My temp late this aft noon went up to 103, so I took some aspirin and it is down to 99.2 now.