After controlling my diabetes (type 2) for the last 2 years with diet and exercise alone, my doctor now tells me that I need medication. In this case she prescribed Metformin XR (Glucophage XR).

My problem is, I am deathly phobic of taking medications. I do take Synthroid but every time I have to take a new medication, I just can't do it without anxiety attacks and a truly miserable several days, until I know that the medication won't give me terrible side-effects.

What I need to know on this one, are there any serious side-effects? I know what the paperwork that comes with it says, but I prefer real people who have taken it to tell me what their experience are.

I just want to know the good and the bad about this. Ultimately I will have to take it since my numbers are higher than they should be, and I have been compensating by cutting my food intake again. I am currently 38 years old and 5'10" @ 140 lbs.

Any information would be greatly appreciated. I really hate this, but this is how I have been for a long time.

Thanks,
JDexter

I really am the same way about medications that I have to take for high blood pressure. I always fret about them and read everything I can. When my husband was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and prescribed medication, by the way the same that you were prescribed, I was afraid to read about them, so I didn't. I knew he had to take them - He has been on that medication for 6 weeks - it is working and he has not complained of side effects. Good luck to you. I really think the best thing to do is read the paper that comes from the drug store so you take the medicine as prescribed, try not to worry about it but report any strange side effects to the doctor.

JD -
At 5'10" and 140 pounds, you probably shouldn't be cutting your food intake any further!

Unfortunately, I can't help you with the medication side effects, since I'm on insulin and haven't taken the oral meds for years, but maybe this will put it into perspective:

Uncontrolled diabetes (even mildly elevated blood sugar levels) can, over time, cause damage to every organ in your body, including the heart, lungs, stomach, kidneys, intestines, brain, eyes, vascular and nervous systems. The consequences of poor diabetes control can be heart attack, heart failure, retinopathy (which can cause blindness), kidney failure, neuropathy (which can cause pain in the feet and hands, and can cause the stomach to stop functioning properly), early onset senility, stroke, etc., etc. The good news is that tight control can minimize and, in most cases, totally eliminate the possiblity of complications.

Put in that perspective, which is scarier....taking the medication or not taking it? Also, keep in mind that not everyone gets the same side effects, or any side effects, from medications, so you may not experience any. And, if you do, certainly you'll be able to work with your doctor to figure out a way to minimize them, or to find another medication that works without side effects.

Ruth

Well, I take the regular glucophage and for the first week or so I had a bit of diarhea, but that was the only side effect I had and once my system got used to it I was fine.

I'm sorry, I have no personal experience with glucophage, but I know what you mean about being very wary of new meds, having had bad effects from some bp meds. If I've had type 2 for 10 years, and for the first 9 was on a med called Glucotrol (generic is glipizide). I took mine before breakfast, and before supper. It now also comes in an XL (extended release). It is one of the older, tried-and-true oral meds for diabetes, and I had no side effects whatsoever during that time. It is also relatively inexpensive, if that is a consideration. The only thing to be alert for when starting any diabetes med when you have been on just diet and exercise alone is that your blood sugar may get lower than it has been (hypoglycemia), so you should always have access to a quick source of sugar - juice, regular soda, hard candy etc to take if you start to feel shaky or suddenly start sweating etc.
You also might want to ask your dr why he or she selected the glucophage for you, as compared to the numerous alternatives available, including the glipizide. Good luck.

Thanks for the replies. I did take it finally for the first time last night. Luckily I had no noticible side-effects except maybe a slight upset stomach (could have been the dinner too).

I wonder how long it takes to see results from this medication. Last night's and this morning's readings were even higher than they normally are even though I haven't changed anything in my diet. Kind of strange to me to have higher numbers after taking the meds.

I'll see how things go for this next week and then speak to the Dr. about it if it still stays just as high.

Thanks again :)

JDexter

It worked for me right away. As a matter of fact, by diabetes is now controlled by diet and I don't take the med anymore, but if I do decide I want something sweet now and then, like a piece of cake or something, I will take one of the pills to keep my sugar from rising from it. So for me it always works right away.

I swear I must have alien DNA or something. When I took Prandin originally a few times I also had a rise in blood sugar after taking it.

I wonder if I should start taking a tablespoon of sugar with evey meal? ;)

JDexter

Too funny, JDexter! Isn't it amazing how individual we all are in our reactions to things? That's why I never worry about side effects unless my doctor tells me to "call me if x happens".

The newer diabetes medications can take up to a week or even 10 days to work. However, they are better than the old medications, in that the old style medications actually made your pancreas work harder and hastened the prgression to having to use insulin.

I believe the most common complaints that I've read about glucophage are upset stomach, bloating, and diarrhea, but usually that goes away after a while. Also, if those side effects do occur and are really troublesome, sometimes cutting back on the dose (like in half) for a few weeks and then adding back the other half will minimize the side effects.

Good luck...hope your numbers start coming down soon.

Ruth

I don't think you should be worried about the side effects of the medication. You should be worried what will happen to you if you don't take the medication. Complications from diabetes are not good.

I was also a little afraid when I first realized I had to start taking medications. I've come a long way since then. I am now taking 4 different diabetes drugs, high blood pressure drug, and insulin. I feel much better now than I did when I first diagnosed 2 years ago.

Yes, I have had many different side effects but your body adjusts to the medications and it does get better. Kat

bringing back this post - i started glucophage 500/day last night and had a pretty bad upset stomach, cut out sugar/salt/carbs like i read to and took the pill in the middle of a meal..Im wondering what are good foods to eat with the pills and during the day that will help?

Hi,

I took glucophage but am now going to be moved due to excessive diarrhea, which dehydrated me and made the sugar go up. I think I am being switched to Avandia, I know later this week. The main thing is to report any side effects to the doctor , I think I tried way too long to make the glucophage work, and have not been under tight control. So far, I don't have any complications, I was diagnosed in 2003 after a traumatic fall off some stairs, I think somehow that accident triggered me into this whole situation. Hope the best for you, and if you cannot tolerate glucophage, there are alot of alternatives, keep working at it.

Some people exerience some of the side effects mentioned in the previous replies. They also sometimes complain of a metallic taste in their mouth. You have to consider the risks vs the benefits when taking any kind of treatment. A lot of people respond well to it. You dont want to have uncontrolled glucose because I'm sure you know it can lead to many more serious complications.
I'm currently a medical student an if you are interested I've had some friends and patients with diabetes that have tried natural medicines to help lower their sugar by increasing insulin production. I'm not saying it replaces medicine or insulin shots but it helped reduce them.
She went to www.honoluluvitamins.net and tried the vitamins which include all natural whole vitamins. This included gymnema sylvestre which according to UpToDate.com (reference site for physicians) it helps by helping to stimulate cells in pancreas to produce more insulin. This may me a help to you if you are afraid of the drugs. Hope things get better for you
Most important is to try to work things out with you doctor and like others said report side effects, problems, and improvements.