Glucophage side affects, anyone have this problem?
Question:
Hi, I am a type 2 I have a lot of trouble with Glucophage infact I’m sure it was designed as a laxitive and when it was tested it was found to have a side affect that it helps blood sugars :-} the only way I can use it is to vary the dose to suit the meal I usally take 250mg in the morning and 250-500mg at lunch depending on whats on the menu same for the evening meal, and I find that 250mg last thing at night keeps the dawn affect under control. When all else fails imodium is my best friend Howard – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – statement concerning Glucophage??? How does one determine the dosage of Glucophage based upon BG tests, what you eat and when also exercise??? Wayne Check your sugars after you’ve eaten with a meter. If you have two McDonald’s cheeseburgers, fries and a coke for lunch and you took an 850 mg pill of Glucophage and your sugars were about 180 after the meal, that dose of glucophage was sufficient for that amount of food for lunch. If your sugars are in the 200’s and stay that way for a couple of hours, obviously you either need more glucophage for that amount of food or need to add some insulin to your regimen. If, on the other hand, your sugars plummet after several hours to below 100 and you experience gas pains in the stomach, you’re really sensitive to glucophage and need to either reduce the dosage the next time you have a Mickey D’s two cheeseburger extra value meal or you need to "super size" your order. I am confused. I’ve never heard of anyone using glucophage this way; certainly it wasn’t the way my doctor prescribed it. I’m wondering if it even works this way. Anyone else have experience with this kind of glucophage dosing and results? Wendy
Response:
Are you watching what you are eating when it spikes? You just may not beable to eat much of that one food. That happens to me when I eat rice and pasta….but I can eat potatoes with no problem. I have been on Glucophage for 11 months , and hardly ever have to run to the bathroom….In fact I have the opposite problem<BG
You and me both! I’ve recently rediscovered Kellogg’s All Bran.. Looking for Bran Buds but haven’t found them yet. — Dave — May 6, 1999 t2 08/98 Glucophage & Aspartame Davor’s daily aphorism: Originality is the art of concealing your sources. http://www.newsfeeds.com The Largest Usenet Servers in the World!
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My side effects were major stomach cramping and having to run to the bathroom, and nausea. I’ve been on it (that’s the only med) for about 3-4 weeks, and things are finally easing up, and sugar levels are coming down ( most of the time). I still get confused about why sometimes it’s 125, and then , while eating healthy, it spikes to 252. Any clues?? Maybe I’m in too much of a hurry for results?
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Are you watching what you are eating when it spikes? You just may not beable to eat much of that one food. That happens to me when I eat rice and pasta….but I can eat potatoes with no problem. I have been on Glucophage for 11 months , and hardly ever have to run to the bathroom….In fact I have the opposite problem<BG Jacquie
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My side effects were major stomach cramping and having to run to the bathroom, and nausea. I’ve been on it (that’s the only med) for about 3-4 weeks, and things are finally easing up, and sugar levels are coming down ( most of the time). I still get confused about why sometimes it’s 125, and then , while eating healthy, it spikes to 252. Any clues?? Maybe I’m in too much of a hurry for results?
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<experience with this kind of glucophage dosing and results? Yeah, tried it when I was taking 1/2 pill each meal and 1/2 at night. If I was having an extra large dinner, I’d take a whole one then and forego the snack time. Seemed to help, but I probably should have been on a higher dose all along. My understanding and experience with the meds is that their maximum effectiveness doesn’t happen instantaneously. Dose adjustments can show up several days afterwards, which is why I’d be wary of the McD cheesburger test and med dosing. Don’t think it’s that simple for type II’s (at least not this one!). I can predict with some certainty how I’ll react to some food, but most of the time it’s a crapshoot. Today a chocolate bar and I’m fine. Next week, it could send me through the roof. Same thing with cheeseburgers or even a salad. I still occasionally play around with dosage to see if an increase makes a difference or if I can wean off something, but give it a few days to a week, not just a meal. It’s late; hope this made sense! Ginny J
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statement concerning Glucophage??? How does one determine the dosage of Glucophage based upon BG tests, what you eat and when also exercise??? Wayne
Check your sugars after you’ve eaten with a meter. If you have two McDonald’s cheeseburgers, fries and a coke for lunch and you took an 850 mg pill of Glucophage and your sugars were about 180 after the meal, that dose of glucophage was sufficient for that amount of food for lunch. If your sugars are in the 200’s and stay that way for a couple of hours, obviously you either need more glucophage for that amount of food or need to add some insulin to your regimen. If, on the other hand, your sugars plummet after several hours to below 100 and you experience gas pains in the stomach, you’re really sensitive to glucophage and need to either reduce the dosage the next time you have a Mickey D’s two cheeseburger extra value meal or you need to "super size" your order. — To reply remove * in address
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – statement concerning Glucophage??? How does one determine the dosage of Glucophage based upon BG tests, what you eat and when also exercise??? Wayne Check your sugars after you’ve eaten with a meter. If you have two McDonald’s cheeseburgers, fries and a coke for lunch and you took an 850 mg pill of Glucophage and your sugars were about 180 after the meal, that dose of glucophage was sufficient for that amount of food for lunch. If your sugars are in the 200’s and stay that way for a couple of hours, obviously you either need more glucophage for that amount of food or need to add some insulin to your regimen. If, on the other hand, your sugars plummet after several hours to below 100 and you experience gas pains in the stomach, you’re really sensitive to glucophage and need to either reduce the dosage the next time you have a Mickey D’s two cheeseburger extra value meal or you need to "super size" your order.
I am confused. I’ve never heard of anyone using glucophage this way; certainly it wasn’t the way my doctor prescribed it. I’m wondering if it even works this way. Anyone else have experience with this kind of glucophage dosing and results? Wendy
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| | For the poster complaining of hand and feet pain: This is not a | result of the glucophage, but poor control of blood sugar (high | blood sugars). In order to determine the dosage of glucophage | and/or insulin to take, one must measure one’s blood sugars | constantly. Insulin/glucophage requirements can vary depending | on what you eat, what you weigh, how much exercise you’ve | had that day and when you last ate. | | Good control means blood sugars of 180 or less an hour after a | meal, and 140 or less two hours after a meal. The time is | measured from the moment the first morsel of food touches the | mouth. | NOT. The minute I went off the Gluco, the problems abated. I am now on | Glucotrol XL, 5 mg. twice a day and my BG is MUCH better and my hands and | feet and shoulder have no pain at all. | Tammi That’s because you responded better to Glucotrol than Glucophage, therefore had better sugar control. — To reply remove * in address
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Don’t want to start a flame war, but can you explaine your statement concerning Glucophage??? How does one determine the dosage of Glucophage based upon BG tests, what you eat and when also exercise??? Wayne – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For the poster complaining of hand and feet pain: This is not a result of the glucophage, but poor control of blood sugar (high blood sugars). In order to determine the dosage of glucophage and/or insulin to take, one must measure one’s blood sugars constantly. Insulin/glucophage requirements can vary depending on what you eat, what you weigh, how much exercise you’ve had that day and when you last ate. Good control means blood sugars of 180 or less an hour after a meal, and 140 or less two hours after a meal. The time is measured from the moment the first morsel of food touches the mouth.
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For the poster complaining of hand and feet pain: This is not a result of the glucophage, but poor control of blood sugar (high blood sugars). In order to determine the dosage of glucophage and/or insulin to take, one must measure one’s blood sugars constantly. Insulin/glucophage requirements can vary depending on what you eat, what you weigh, how much exercise you’ve had that day and when you last ate. Good control means blood sugars of 180 or less an hour after a meal, and 140 or less two hours after a meal. The time is measured from the moment the first morsel of food touches the mouth.
NOT. The minute I went off the Gluco, the problems abated. I am now on Glucotrol XL, 5 mg. twice a day and my BG is MUCH better and my hands and feet and shoulder have no pain at all. Tammi
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – | I took Glucophage (can’t remember the dose) for a while but had to stop | due to intestinal problems (like I almost couldn’t get to the bathroom | fast enough!). I For those suffering gastrointestinal problems, try cutting back on the dosage. Don’t do insulin with glucophage unless your sugars are over 180 after a meal, and only do the insulin after a meal in 1 unit doses (depending on what you ate). If your meal primarily consists of a salad with chicken salad topping (a protein and fat meal with very little carbohydrates and sugars), don’t do any glucophage or insulin! If you start suffering stomach problems, drink a glass of juice or have a can of coke. Pain generally indicates you’ve done too much medication for the amount of food you’ve eaten. Added insight: High blood sugars generally result in hardened early morning stool; low blood sugars result in the opposite. For the poster complaining of hand and feet pain: This is not a result of the glucophage, but poor control of blood sugar (high blood sugars). In order to determine the dosage of glucophage and/or insulin to take, one must measure one’s blood sugars constantly. Insulin/glucophage requirements can vary depending on what you eat, what you weigh, how much exercise you’ve had that day and when you last ate. Good control means blood sugars of 180 or less an hour after a meal, and 140 or less two hours after a meal. The time is measured from the moment the first morsel of food touches the mouth. On a personal note: If I’m just having a hotdog for lunch, I do an 850 mg pill of glucophage. If I’m having two packages of instant ramen noodles, I’ll do an 850 pill and 20 units of Humulog (because from previousl studies I know the effect fast dissolving carbs that are easily digestible have on my blood sugars). If I’m snacking on cheese cubes and ham slices, no medication is needed because fat and protein require very little insulin and digest slowly. — To reply remove * in address
Thanks for the info. I’m on glucophage & get the diarrehea from it real bad plus the gas., Yikes! I didn’t realize that about the protein. Peace! Peace & have a nice day! Cheryl Harrell Personal Quote: "Cheryl, huh?" By: My folksinger friend ADG "Support Finding A Cure For Diabetes". By: ME ****NO SPAM PLEASE! THANK YOU! **** :)
Response:
| I took Glucophage (can’t remember the dose) for a while but had to stop | due to intestinal problems (like I almost couldn’t get to the bathroom | fast enough!). I For those suffering gastrointestinal problems, try cutting back on the dosage. Don’t do insulin with glucophage unless your sugars are over 180 after a meal, and only do the insulin after a meal in 1 unit doses (depending on what you ate). If your meal primarily consists of a salad with chicken salad topping (a protein and fat meal with very little carbohydrates and sugars), don’t do any glucophage or insulin! If you start suffering stomach problems, drink a glass of juice or have a can of coke. Pain generally indicates you’ve done too much medication for the amount of food you’ve eaten. Added insight: High blood sugars generally result in hardened early morning stool; low blood sugars result in the opposite. For the poster complaining of hand and feet pain: This is not a result of the glucophage, but poor control of blood sugar (high blood sugars). In order to determine the dosage of glucophage and/or insulin to take, one must measure one’s blood sugars constantly. Insulin/glucophage requirements can vary depending on what you eat, what you weigh, how much exercise you’ve had that day and when you last ate. Good control means blood sugars of 180 or less an hour after a meal, and 140 or less two hours after a meal. The time is measured from the moment the first morsel of food touches the mouth. On a personal note: If I’m just having a hotdog for lunch, I do an 850 mg pill of glucophage. If I’m having two packages of instant ramen noodles, I’ll do an 850 pill and 20 units of Humulog (because from previousl studies I know the effect fast dissolving carbs that are easily digestible have on my blood sugars). If I’m snacking on cheese cubes and ham slices, no medication is needed because fat and protein require very little insulin and digest slowly. — To reply remove * in address
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It was the same thing for me! I couldn’t deal with the diarrehea either sp I cut my doses.
I stared really really slow. 2x per day over about 6 weeks. Started with 1/2 tablet until I was comphy to up dosage. Took about 2 weeks to get 1 1 per day. I was already taking glyburide. My HA1C’s were very good 7.1. By adding the Glugophage, the fasting levels are lower by about 20-30 points and the HA1C was essentially unchanged at 7.0. There was a 41% drop in tryglycerides in three months and I was feeling better. The dr. said she may put me on glyburide depending on how my – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -recent HB1AC tests come out. Good luck! On here I’m learning what these meds do. It looks like they have to witch the meds every so often till they find the right ones. Hopefully glyburide won’t have any side effects. Peace! Peace & have a nice day! Cheryl Harrell Personal Quote: "Cheryl, huh?" By: My folksinger friend ADG "Support Finding A Cure For Diabetes". By: ME ****NO SPAM PLEASE! THANK YOU! **** :)
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It was the same thing for me! I couldn’t deal with the diarrehea either sp I cut my doses. The dr. said she may put me on glyburide depending on how my recent HB1AC tests come out. Good luck! On here I’m learning what these meds do. It looks like they have to witch the meds every so often till they find the right ones. Hopefully glyburide won’t have any side effects. Peace! Peace & have a nice day! Cheryl Harrell Personal Quote: "Cheryl, huh?" By: My folksinger friend ADG "Support Finding A Cure For Diabetes". By: ME ****NO SPAM PLEASE! THANK YOU! **** :)
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Fred, what do you mean getting to sleep. Is the Glucophage causing insomnia??? Fellow TII and Glucophage Wayne
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I too have been on glucophage ever since it was OK’ed for US consumption. For the past several years my arms and hands go to sleep at night and prior to this condition I developed a painful shoulder problem. I under went PT for 3 months, a shot in the shoulder and various pain medicines, all too no avail. After 2-1/2 years I still have the pain though not as bad as it once was. I’ve had diarrhea for most of the time I’ve been on glucophage. I’m also taking glynase, rezulin, atenolol, accupril and L-thyroxine-Levoxyl. I’m glad to hear of someone else who is having a similar problem. Will see my endo on 5/12 and will show him your message and ask for his input. I’m also going to ask that I be taken off the rezulin, although he gets my blood checked every 6 mos now and tells me there is no change in the results, better safe than sorry!
I have been on Glucophage for about 1 month. It has done wonders for my numbers from 300+ to 140 and still dropping. I have mild pain in my big toe some moderate pain in my legs and mild shoulder pain on my left side. I have these most days but not all. My big problem is getting to sleep. Even with pills I have to take my last dose at least 8 hours before bed and I still have no guarantee. Fred L. Wellman "no good deed goes unpunished" Oscar Wilde
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Pat, That is exactly what happened to me too. Terrible terrible cramping with it as well. The doctor said it would go away once I got used to the medicine but it didn’t. It eased up a bit but I always had some cramping. And for the first summer I avoided long trips because I wanted to be near a bathroom. And as soon as I went off of it I felt much better. Karen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Al, I took Glucophage (can’t remember the dose) for a while but had to stop due to intestinal problems (like I almost couldn’t get to the bathroom fast enough!). I didn’t have much choice but to change. I know it doesn’t do that to everyone, and I wasn’t aware of the foot/shoulder pain–all my pain was in one place!! Pat After 2 yr. of Glucophage use (T2 dx 1980), dropped 25 lb.. and had the diarrhea. Never overweight. Now using 2 850 mg/day. Over 1700 mg/day results in diarrhea followed by constipation. All this after 15 yr. of insulin, no problems. Any input appreciated. Al
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Al, I took Glucophage (can’t remember the dose) for a while but had to stop due to intestinal problems (like I almost couldn’t get to the bathroom fast enough!). I didn’t have much choice but to change. I know it doesn’t do that to everyone, and I wasn’t aware of the foot/shoulder pain–all my pain was in one place!! Pat – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – After 2 yr. of Glucophage use (T2 dx 1980), dropped 25 lb.. and had the diarrhea. Never overweight. Now using 2 850 mg/day. Over 1700 mg/day results in diarrhea followed by constipation. All this after 15 yr. of insulin, no problems. Any input appreciated. Al
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I had no stomach/intestinal problems, but quit because almost every evening in the 2 weeks I was on G. I felt oncoming severe back flu. Never arrived, but no fun! Ol’ Bab
<snipped here and there … – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I just had to stop Glucophage (500 mg x 2/day) because my feet and hands were getting more and more painful and the blood stopped circulating Has anyone else experienced this problem, with the hands and the feet especially? I thought I was getting neuropathy, but since I stopped, all side effects have ceased and fingers and toes feel great (thank God). Tammi — The most beautiful place on earth: Kefallonia, in the Ionian Sea… Please visit our Kefallonia/Greek resources: www.geocities.com/Athens/Agora/6062
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For the past several years my arms and hands go to sleep at night and prior to this condition I developed a painful shoulder problem.
Using the computer so much I developed Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – hands go numb/painful at night and sometimes during the day if I do too much. You might want to try wearing "cock-up" wrist braces on your hands at night and seeing if that helps. You can get short cheaper ones at drug stores (which is what I do) or expensive ones at your Doctor’s office. I also had a painful shoulder (did PT and shots to no avail). I believe it had to do with my posture. I changed jobs and it went away. Unfortunately, the CTS is here to stay. The wrist braces have kept it in abeyance for about 10 years. Beth Please defur me to reply by email
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My feet were so painful that I stopped the Glucophage on Saturday. As of today, my toes are slowly starting to feel better and I don’t have the shoulder/arm pain. I feel much better but on the other hand, I am craving sugar/carbs whereas on Glucophage, I didn’t crave sugar. Unbelievably, my BGs are much lower since I stopped the glucophage. Go figure. I hit 90 today, which is the lowest it has been since I started the Glucophage. Obviously for me that drug was not helping me much. Tammi — The most beautiful place on earth: Kefallonia, in the Ionian Sea… Please visit our Kefallonia/Greek resources: www.geocities.com/Athens/Agora/6062
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I too have been on glucophage ever since it was OK’ed for US consumption. For the past several years my arms and hands go to sleep at night and prior to this condition I developed a painful shoulder problem. I under went PT for 3 months, a shot in the shoulder and various pain medicines, all too no avail. After 2-1/2 years I still have the pain though not as bad as it once was. I’ve had diarrhea for most of the time I’ve been on glucophage. I’m also taking glynase, rezulin, atenolol, accupril and L-thyroxine-Levoxyl. I’m glad to hear of someone else who is having a similar problem. Will see my endo on 5/12 and will show him your message and ask for his input. I’m also going to ask that I be taken off the rezulin, although he gets my blood checked every 6 mos now and tells me there is no change in the results, better safe than sorry! http://www.newsfeeds.com/ The Largest Usenet Servers in the World!
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After 2 yr. of Glucophage use (T2 dx 1980), dropped 25 lb.. and had the diarrhea. Never overweight. Now using 2 850 mg/day. Over 1700 mg/day results in diarrhea followed by constipation. All this after 15 yr. of insulin, no problems. Any input appreciated. Al – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I too have been on glucophage ever since it was OK’ed for US consumption. For the past several years my arms and hands go to sleep at night and prior to this condition I developed a painful shoulder problem. I under went PT for 3 months, a shot in the shoulder and various pain medicines, all too no avail. After 2-1/2 years I still have the pain though not as bad as it once was. I’ve had diarrhea for most of the time I’ve been on glucophage. I’m also taking glynase, rezulin, atenolol, accupril and L-thyroxine-Levoxyl. I’m glad to hear of someone else who is having a similar problem. Will see my endo on 5/12 and will show him your message and ask for his input. I’m also going to ask that I be taken off the rezulin, although he gets my blood checked every 6 mos now and tells me there is no change in the results, better safe than sorry! http://www.newsfeeds.com/ The Largest Usenet Servers in the World!
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I too have been on glucophage ever since it was OK’ed for US consumption. For the past several years my arms and hands go to sleep at night and prior to this condition I developed a painful shoulder problem. I under went PT for 3 months, a shot in the shoulder and various pain medicines, all too no avail. After 2-1/2 years I still have the pain though not as bad as it once was. I’ve had diarrhea for most of the time I’ve been on glucophage. I’m also taking glynase, rezulin, atenolol, accupril and L-thyroxine-Levoxyl. I’m glad to hear of someone else who is having a similar problem. Will see my endo on 5/12 and will show him your message and ask for his input. I’m also going to ask that I be taken off the rezulin, although he gets my blood checked every 6 mos now and tells me there is no change in the results, better safe than sorry! http://www.newsfeeds.com/ The Largest Usenet Servers in the World!
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I just had to stop Glucophage (500 mg x 2/day) because my feet and hands were getting more and more painful and the blood stopped circulating properly. I was unable to get a decent drop of blood for testing, my fingertips had a blue tinge to them. I am also on 5mg Glucotrol (I am T2, diagnosed 5 weeks ago). When I was on the Glucophage, I had really serious left arm/shoulder pain, also trouble articulating thoughts into words. I felt really sick and awful. On the plus side, my eyesight improved. But my BGs (esp. fasting, which has consistenly been 130/150, not improved at all) have not really improved w/the Glucophage. Has anyone else experienced this problem, with the hands and the feet especially? I thought I was getting neuropathy, but since I stopped, all side effects have ceased and fingers and toes feel great (thank God). Tammi — The most beautiful place on earth: Kefallonia, in the Ionian Sea… Please visit our Kefallonia/Greek resources: www.geocities.com/Athens/Agora/6062
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I am on Glucophage, and even though I have the cold feet, I took it as the cause was my big weight loss. I have never heard that Glucophage causes pain. The only side effects I know of is gas and diarreaha. My BG is doing great on it, 96-99. I also watch my calorie, fat, and carb intake. Jacquie I just had to stop Glucophage (500 mg x 2/day) because my feet and hands were getting more and more painful and the blood stopped circulating properly. I was unable to get a decent drop of blood for testing, my fingertips had a blue tinge to them. I am also on 5mg Glucotrol (I am T2, diagnosed 5 weeks ago). When I was on the Glucophage, I had really serious left arm/shoulder pain, also trouble articulating thoughts into words. I felt really sick and awful. On the plus side, my eyesight improved. But my BGs (esp. fasting, which has consistenly been 130/150, not improved at all) have not really improved w/the Glucophage. Has anyone else experienced this problem, with the hands and the feet especially? I thought I was getting neuropathy, but since I stopped, all side effects have ceased and fingers and toes feel great (thank God). Tammi — The most beautiful place on earth: Kefallonia, in the Ionian Sea… Please visit our Kefallonia/Greek resources: www.geocities.com/Athens/Agora/6062
