Glucophage & Me
May 9, 2006 by admin
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Well, it finally happened. I went on Glucophage today. I am officially a medicated diabetic. Bring me a tissue.
I’ve been doing some reading on Glucophage (also called Metformin), and it seems like a pretty low-key, entry-level drug, taken in the form of a pill (roughly the size of a Twinkie) rather than an injection. It is used to treat Type 2 diabetes. Glucophage works in three ways. It reduces the amount of glucose produced by the liver, it reduces the amount of glucose absorbed from food through the stomach, and it improves the processing of the body’s naturally produced insulin to reduce the amount of glucose in the blood stream.
Side effects seem pretty mild, mostly of the “digestive system run amuck” variety, as well as the fatigue that naturally occurs when the body experiences a drop in blood sugar, even from unhealthy to healthy levels. A small number of people who have taken Glucophage have developed a serious condition called lactic acidosis that has been fatal in up to half of the cases, usually in patients with kidney or liver problems. So that’s serious. But mostly, look for some nausea, diarrhea and abdominal bloating or gas. (Yeah, we diabetics are the Beautiful People.)
I just started today, so I’ll let you know how it goes. I’ll spare you the pooping and farting details, however. Because I care.
Alright, I have been looking for info on this, and I think this is the closest I’m going to get. Rob (once you’ve been there long enough to know), and everyone else who has taken glucophage–did you experience not only fatigue, but actual pain in your limbs when you started out on glucophage? I only took it for a week, because I could barely function due to extreme fatigue and pain (achiness and “pins and needles” sensations) primarily in my arms, but also in my legs. Now, I am insulin resistant, not diabetic, so this may make a difference. But has anyone else had this? Does it go away? Should I try again? (yeah, I know, this is something my dr and I should discuss, but I want to know if it will go away, and quick!)
Thanks in advance!
Awesome. I love the personal entries the best.
Isn’t Glucophage fun? The first time I took it, I thought I was allergic to it – that is how bad the ‘digestive’ effects were. Thankfully, they do get better.