Reaction to metformin

I think I am having a bad reaction to metformin. About an hour after taking
1000 mg of Glucophage XR, I started feeling weak and short of breath. I've
noticed these symptoms before but did not identify them with metformin.

I looked up the side effects of metformin;
..breathing difficulties or shortness of breath
..dizziness
..muscle aches or pains
..passing out or fainting
..severe vomiting or diarrhea
..slow or irregular heartbeat
..unusual stomach pain or discomfort
..unusual weakness, fatigue or discomfort
I have them all except fainting and vomiting with diarrhea. I just checked
my blood pressure, it is very low for me, 104/60. Muscle aches are mild in
my upper back, shoulders and arms.

Has anyone else had these symptoms with metformin?

Anon

"Anon" <anon@anon.com> wrote in message
news:nOKdndvYR4IqtD7YnZ2dnUVZ_tunnZ2d@giganews.com ...
>I think I am having a bad reaction to metformin. About an hour after taking
>1000 mg of Glucophage XR, I started feeling weak and short of breath. I've
>noticed these symptoms before but did not identify them with metformin.
>
> I looked up the side effects of metformin;
> .breathing difficulties or shortness of breath
> .dizziness
> .muscle aches or pains
> .passing out or fainting
> .severe vomiting or diarrhea
> .slow or irregular heartbeat
> .unusual stomach pain or discomfort
> .unusual weakness, fatigue or discomfort
> I have them all except fainting and vomiting with diarrhea. I just checked
> my blood pressure, it is very low for me, 104/60. Muscle aches are mild in
> my upper back, shoulders and arms.
>
> Has anyone else had these symptoms with metformin?

Get to the ER ASAP. Could be lactic acidosis and that can be fatal!

In article <nOKdndvYR4IqtD7YnZ2dnUVZ_tunnZ2d@giganews.com>,
"Anon" <anon@anon.com> wrote:

> I think I am having a bad reaction to metformin. About an hour after taking
> 1000 mg of Glucophage XR, I started feeling weak and short of breath. I've
> noticed these symptoms before but did not identify them with metformin.
>
> I looked up the side effects of metformin;
> .breathing difficulties or shortness of breath
> .dizziness
> .muscle aches or pains
> .passing out or fainting
> .severe vomiting or diarrhea
> .slow or irregular heartbeat
> .unusual stomach pain or discomfort
> .unusual weakness, fatigue or discomfort
> I have them all except fainting and vomiting with diarrhea. I just checked
> my blood pressure, it is very low for me, 104/60. Muscle aches are mild in
> my upper back, shoulders and arms.
>
> Has anyone else had these symptoms with metformin?

If they're listed in the prescribing information as possible side
effects (probably rare) that means that *somebody* reported them during
the clinical trials. Call your doctor tomorrow morning and accurately
describe these effects. Don't exaggerate, but don't minimize the effects
either. The information you found should distinguish between side
effects you might be able to tough out and those you shouldn't attempt
to tough out. It won't be worded that way. One type will be called
"transient" or something like that, and the other will be called "rare
but serious", with an indication that you should call your doctor. But,
if you find them serious, you should discuss alternatives with your
doctor.

Good luck.

--
AF
"Non Sequitur U has a really, really lousy debate team."
--artyw raises the bar on rec.sport.baseball

On Mon, 8 Jan 2007 21:35:52 -0800, "Anon" <anon@anon.com> wrote:

>I think I am having a bad reaction to metformin. About an hour after taking
>1000 mg of Glucophage XR, I started feeling weak and short of breath. I've
>noticed these symptoms before but did not identify them with metformin.
>
>I looked up the side effects of metformin;
>.breathing difficulties or shortness of breath
>.dizziness
>.muscle aches or pains
>.passing out or fainting
>.severe vomiting or diarrhea
>.slow or irregular heartbeat
>.unusual stomach pain or discomfort
>.unusual weakness, fatigue or discomfort
>I have them all except fainting and vomiting with diarrhea. I just checked
>my blood pressure, it is very low for me, 104/60. Muscle aches are mild in
>my upper back, shoulders and arms.
>
>Has anyone else had these symptoms with metformin?
>
>Anon
>

Did you experience these side effects before or after reading about
them? I'm not joking. Some people are very suggestible without
intending to be.

I have had IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) for many years and Metformin
did not make it worse at all. OTOH, the only time I even come close to
being constipated is if I have been taking pseudofed for more than one
day. It seems to suck all the water our of my gut.

--

Grandpa Chuck
-ô¿ô-
~

Americans killed in Iraq as of January 7, 2007 is 3014. United Kingdom = 128 Other = 123.
Non-Mortal American casualties 46,880 as of December 02, 2006.
Over 100 Iraqi civilians are killed every day. Most by so-called insurgents.
As of January 8, 2007 it has been 1346 days since Bush while standing in front of the banner Mission Accomplished declared,
"In the Battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed." IOW "Mission Accomplished."

"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, and carrying a cross." --Sinclair Lewis

I got weakness and muscle burn when I was on metformin. This was from
light workouts that weren't intense enough to normally produce a burn.
I quit the metformin and the problem went away. My brother has used
metformin for many years with no problems.

Julie Bove wrote:
> "Anon" <anon@anon.com> wrote in message
> news:nOKdndvYR4IqtD7YnZ2dnUVZ_tunnZ2d@giganews.com ...
> >I think I am having a bad reaction to metformin. About an hour after taking
> >1000 mg of Glucophage XR, I started feeling weak and short of breath. I've
> >noticed these symptoms before but did not identify them with metformin.
> >
> > I looked up the side effects of metformin;
> > .breathing difficulties or shortness of breath
> > .dizziness
> > .muscle aches or pains
> > .passing out or fainting
> > .severe vomiting or diarrhea
> > .slow or irregular heartbeat
> > .unusual stomach pain or discomfort
> > .unusual weakness, fatigue or discomfort
> > I have them all except fainting and vomiting with diarrhea. I just checked
> > my blood pressure, it is very low for me, 104/60. Muscle aches are mild in
> > my upper back, shoulders and arms.
> >
> > Has anyone else had these symptoms with metformin?
>
> Get to the ER ASAP. Could be lactic acidosis and that can be fatal!

"GrandpaChuck" <GrandpaChuck@B4ME.org> wrote in message
news:c2c6q2t98ios46b8itr485ctj1jhk7urpo@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 8 Jan 2007 21:35:52 -0800, "Anon" <anon@anon.com> wrote:
>
>>I think I am having a bad reaction to metformin. About an hour after
>>taking
>>1000 mg of Glucophage XR, I started feeling weak and short of breath. I've
>>noticed these symptoms before but did not identify them with metformin.
>>
>>I looked up the side effects of metformin;
>>.breathing difficulties or shortness of breath
>>.dizziness
>>.muscle aches or pains
>>.passing out or fainting
>>.severe vomiting or diarrhea
>>.slow or irregular heartbeat
>>.unusual stomach pain or discomfort
>>.unusual weakness, fatigue or discomfort
>>I have them all except fainting and vomiting with diarrhea. I just checked
>>my blood pressure, it is very low for me, 104/60. Muscle aches are mild in
>>my upper back, shoulders and arms.
>>
>>Has anyone else had these symptoms with metformin?
>>
>>Anon
>>
>
> Did you experience these side effects before or after reading about
> them? I'm not joking. Some people are very suggestible without
> intending to be.
>
> I have had IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) for many years and Metformin
> did not make it worse at all. OTOH, the only time I even come close to
> being constipated is if I have been taking pseudofed for more than one
> day. It seems to suck all the water our of my gut.
>
> --
>
> Grandpa Chuck
> -ô¿ô-
> ~
>
> Americans killed in Iraq as of January 7, 2007 is 3014. United Kingdom =
> 128 Other = 123.
> Non-Mortal American casualties 46,880 as of December 02, 2006.
> Over 100 Iraqi civilians are killed every day. Most by so-called
> insurgents.
> As of January 8, 2007 it has been 1346 days since Bush while standing in
> front of the banner Mission Accomplished declared,
> "In the Battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed."
> IOW "Mission Accomplished."
>
> "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, and
> carrying a cross." --Sinclair Lewis
>
>
I got them before I read the side effects. I had read them before a long
time ago. The side effects are gone now, I won't be taking any more
metformin. The symptoms I described were real.

I have an appointment with my doctor for a check up tomorrow. Metformin will
be the main topic of discussion.

Anon

"Temujin" <steve@heckmantube.com> wrote in message
news:1168352456.675262.103380@m30g2000cwm.googlegr oups.com...
>I got weakness and muscle burn when I was on metformin. This was from
> light workouts that weren't intense enough to normally produce a burn.
> I quit the metformin and the problem went away. My brother has used
> metformin for many years with no problems.
>

I have lost a significant amount of muscle tone in the three years I have
been on metformin. This has not been accompanied by weight gain, and I keep
as active a schedule as I ever did. I attributed this to middle age. Maybe
it's coincidental.

But you are the first person I have come across to associate Metformin with
a muscular process. By "muscle burn" do you mean literally a burning
sensation in the muscles, or wasting, or what exactly? And what do you now
use instead of metformin?
kaci

x-no-archive: yes

Anon wrote:
> I think I am having a bad reaction to metformin. About an hour after taking
> 1000 mg of Glucophage XR, I started feeling weak and short of breath. I've
> noticed these symptoms before but did not identify them with metformin.
>
> I looked up the side effects of metformin;
> .breathing difficulties or shortness of breath
> .dizziness
> .muscle aches or pains
> .passing out or fainting
> .severe vomiting or diarrhea
> .slow or irregular heartbeat
> .unusual stomach pain or discomfort
> .unusual weakness, fatigue or discomfort
> I have them all except fainting and vomiting with diarrhea. I just checked
> my blood pressure, it is very low for me, 104/60. Muscle aches are mild in
> my upper back, shoulders and arms.
>
> Has anyone else had these symptoms with metformin?
>
> Anon
>
>

YES, and in my case, the metformin worsened my already existing, but
undiagnosed adrenal suppression by a small amount of topical steroid I'd
been using daily.

Do you use anything that similarly suppresses adrenal function? This
would include any kind of steroid nasal or asthma inhaler or topical
treatment.

Susan

x-no-archive: yes

kaci wrote:

>
> I have lost a significant amount of muscle tone in the three years I have
> been on metformin. This has not been accompanied by weight gain, and I keep
> as active a schedule as I ever did. I attributed this to middle age. Maybe
> it's coincidental.
>
> But you are the first person I have come across to associate Metformin with
> a muscular process. By "muscle burn" do you mean literally a burning
> sensation in the muscles, or wasting, or what exactly? And what do you now
> use instead of metformin?

I experienced extremely severe muscle aches, pains and spasms on
metformin, along with muscle loss. The muscle loss is characteristic of
adrenal suppression, particularly if it happens in the upper arms and
upper legs, as mine did.

Susan

Anon: You need to consider possible drug-drug interaction. Alcohol and
metformin for example can sometimes cause similar symptoms.

Larry
GrandpaChuck wrote:
> On Mon, 8 Jan 2007 21:35:52 -0800, "Anon" <anon@anon.com> wrote:
>
> >I think I am having a bad reaction to metformin. About an hour after taking
> >1000 mg of Glucophage XR, I started feeling weak and short of breath. I've
> >noticed these symptoms before but did not identify them with metformin.
> >
> >I looked up the side effects of metformin;
> >.breathing difficulties or shortness of breath
> >.dizziness
> >.muscle aches or pains
> >.passing out or fainting
> >.severe vomiting or diarrhea
> >.slow or irregular heartbeat
> >.unusual stomach pain or discomfort
> >.unusual weakness, fatigue or discomfort
> >I have them all except fainting and vomiting with diarrhea. I just checked
> >my blood pressure, it is very low for me, 104/60. Muscle aches are mild in
> >my upper back, shoulders and arms.
> >
> >Has anyone else had these symptoms with metformin?
> >
> >Anon
> >
>
> Did you experience these side effects before or after reading about
> them? I'm not joking. Some people are very suggestible without
> intending to be.
>
> I have had IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) for many years and Metformin
> did not make it worse at all. OTOH, the only time I even come close to
> being constipated is if I have been taking pseudofed for more than one
> day. It seems to suck all the water our of my gut.
>
> --
>
> Grandpa Chuck
> -ô¿ô-
> ~
>
> Americans killed in Iraq as of January 7, 2007 is 3014. United Kingdom = 128 Other = 123.
> Non-Mortal American casualties 46,880 as of December 02, 2006.
> Over 100 Iraqi civilians are killed every day. Most by so-called insurgents.
> As of January 8, 2007 it has been 1346 days since Bush while standing in front of the banner Mission Accomplished declared,
> "In the Battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed."IOW "Mission Accomplished."
>
> "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, and carrying a cross." --Sinclair Lewis

Anon..I had shortness of breath when the put me on a ARB and my Dr said that
is a sign of an allergic reaction...and took me off it right away...I would
call my Dr.

I have not had any of those symptoms. You need to talk to your doctor
about this. as for your blood pressure , I just had my pressure checked
and it was 98/60. The doctor said that is perfect pressure for a
diabetic.

How long have you been taking the metformin XR, Perhaps you need to get
used to it.

Loretta

--
In tribute to the United States of America and the State
of Israel, two bastions of strength in a world filled with strife and
terrorism.

x-no-archive: yes

Loretta Eisenberg wrote:
> I have not had any of those symptoms. You need to talk to your doctor
> about this. as for your blood pressure , I just had my pressure checked
> and it was 98/60. The doctor said that is perfect pressure for a
> diabetic.

That doctor needs to hit the books, then. That's a good number for
inducing a faint, diabetic or not.

Susan

"Loretta Eisenberg" <Ronetta@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:5458-45A56F0D-138@storefull-3233.bay.webtv.net...
>I have not had any of those symptoms. You need to talk to your doctor
> about this. as for your blood pressure , I just had my pressure checked
> and it was 98/60. The doctor said that is perfect pressure for a
> diabetic.
>
> How long have you been taking the metformin XR, Perhaps you need to get
> used to it.
>
> Loretta
>
> --
> In tribute to the United States of America and the State
> of Israel, two bastions of strength in a world filled with strife and
> terrorism.
>

I went to my doctor today, she took me off the metformin. The frequent
diarrhea was keeping me dehydrated most of the time. Serious complications
from metformin are a lot more likely when your dehydrated.

As for my BP, she said that wasn't that low but since I was accustomed to
having it higher, a sudden drop could cause part of my symptoms. Dehydration
could have caused the BP drop. If the symptoms don't come back I will be
sure they were caused by the metformin.

Anon

On Wed, 10 Jan 2007 18:13:50 -0500, Susan <nevermind@nomail.com>
wrote:

>x-no-archive: yes
>
>Loretta Eisenberg wrote:
>> I have not had any of those symptoms. You need to talk to your doctor
>> about this. as for your blood pressure , I just had my pressure checked
>> and it was 98/60. The doctor said that is perfect pressure for a
>> diabetic.
>
>That doctor needs to hit the books, then. That's a good number for
>inducing a faint, diabetic or not.

Depends what her body runs best at - mine has always been at that kind
of level too.

Nicky.
T2 DX 05/2004
A1c 5.5% BMI 25 D&E
100ug Thyroxine

Susan, the doctor is a published author on diabetes. He is the head of
the endocrine department of a major hospital in New York, He doesnt
need to hit the books. My pressure is perfect for me.

better be lower than higher. It works for me. It might not work for
you.

Loretta

--
In tribute to the United States of America and the State
of Israel, two bastions of strength in a world filled with strife and
terrorism.

x-no-archived: yes

Loretta Eisenberg wrote:
> Susan, the doctor is a published author on diabetes. He is the head of
> the endocrine department of a major hospital in New York, He doesnt
> need to hit the books. My pressure is perfect for me.

>
> better be lower than higher. It works for me. It might not work for
> you.

Loretta, I've just been damaged permanently by heads of academic
departments and world renowned physicians from all over NY's most
prestigious medical centers.

Any doc who thinks that's a health blood pressure for anyone has sh*t
for brains.

Susan

When my husband was younger he ran over 5 miles a day and his blood Pressure
was always around those numbers ...the Dr told him they see those kind of
numbers in runners. My sister had the same type readings when she ran when
she was younger...Now we are all older and have bad backs and bad
knees...they no longer run that many miles...they walk instead
--
Jacquie
"Susan" <nevermind@nomail.com> wrote in message
news:50la9cF1ga3a5U1@mid.individual.net...
> x-no-archive: yes
>
> Loretta Eisenberg wrote:
>> I have not had any of those symptoms. You need to talk to your doctor
>> about this. as for your blood pressure , I just had my pressure checked
>> and it was 98/60. The doctor said that is perfect pressure for a
>> diabetic.
>
> That doctor needs to hit the books, then. That's a good number for
> inducing a faint, diabetic or not.
>
> Susan

Loretta Eisenberg wrote:

> Susan, the doctor is a published author on diabetes. He is the head of
> the endocrine department of a major hospital in New York, He doesnt
> need to hit the books. My pressure is perfect for me.
>
> better be lower than higher. It works for me. It might not work for
> you.
>
> Loretta
>
> --
> In tribute to the United States of America and the State
> of Israel, two bastions of strength in a world filled with strife and
> terrorism.
>

My endo says the goal is to get BP as low as possible without having
symptoms of hypotension. I run 100/60-65 in her office, I've had lower
readings at home. No problems whatsoever with 10mg Altace.

Bouncing out of bed in the morning is also more unlikely the older we get.

Vicki

Susan wrote:
> x-no-archived: yes
>
> Loretta Eisenberg wrote:
> > Susan, the doctor is a published author on diabetes. He is the head of
> > the endocrine department of a major hospital in New York, He doesnt
> > need to hit the books. My pressure is perfect for me.
>
> >
> > better be lower than higher. It works for me. It might not work for
> > you.
>
> Loretta, I've just been damaged permanently by heads of academic
> departments and world renowned physicians from all over NY's most
> prestigious medical centers.

Yeah, sure you have. Methinks the only one damaging you...is you.

> Any doc who thinks that's a health blood pressure for anyone has sh*t
> for brains.

The only one who has caca on the cranium is the person you see in the
mirror.

Thank God you don't archive your foolishness. Loretta, and everyone
else, only needs to use their common sense to answer this question:

"Do I listen to my doctor who is a professional and knows my personal
condition, or should I follow the amateur advice of someone who seems
to exist by eating less food than the people on Survivor, without any
of the activity."

Hmmmm?

Kurt

Susan, I have to respectfully disagree with you. 120/70 is normal for a
non diabetic.

Loretta

--
In tribute to the United States of America and the State
of Israel, two bastions of strength in a world filled with strife and
terrorism.

x-no-archive: yes

Loretta Eisenberg wrote:
> Susan, I have to respectfully disagree with you. 120/70 is normal for a
> non diabetic.
>

120/70 isn't what you posted, was it?

Susan

No my blood pressure is 98/60



--
In tribute to the United States of America and the State
of Israel, two bastions of strength in a world filled with strife and
terrorism.

my BP was 100/60 for many many many years

i never had a problem with that

kate
--
Join us in the Diabetic-Talk Chatroom on UnderNet
/server irc.undernet.org --- /join #Diabetic-Talk
More info: http://www.diabetic-talk.org/
http://www.diabetic-talk.org/freeveggies.htm
I have no medical qualifications beyond my own
experience.
Choose your advisers carefully, because experience
can be
an expensive teacher.

"Loretta Eisenberg" <Ronetta@webtv.net> wrote in
message
news:8475-45A7A5B6-15@storefull-3237.bay.webtv.net...
> No my blood pressure is 98/60
>
>
>
> --
> In tribute to the United States of America and
the State
> of Israel, two bastions of strength in a world
filled with strife and
> terrorism.
>