Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Metformin and depression

Hi

I was just wondering if we have diabetics here who can't tolerate Metformin. I have now tried it twice and both times after two weeks I get feeling down and want to cry all the time. Please let me know if you have had these side effects or know of someone who has.

Thanks,
Janet

Hi Janet, I am unable to take Metformin because it has sulfites in it. Hope you get answers soon.

Hugs
Gerri & Makaylah

I have been on metformin for more than 5 years now and I have never seen any information regarding the symptoms you are stating. I even looked up the side effect on rxlist.com and I don't see any of what you are saying. Your reaction would be something extremely rare. If you are taking other drugs, you may want to check of a drug interaction. Metformin is THE best diabetic drug to be on if you are able to take it. Renal impairment is the main reason why you would not be taking this drug. This drug reduces insulin resistance, can help you lose weight, has been shown prevent cancer, and is listed as an anti-aging drug in some studies. THE one side effect that turns people off to the drug is that it's nickname is metfartin. I can attest to this whole-heartedly. It has a GI effect that can be mild to extreme. I will tell you that if you imbue too many carbs and take this drug, beano will not save you the unpleasantness of the resulting reaction in your gut.

Hi

I have had no promblems with my gut and no gas. So I guess I am lucky to not have that. I did check with the Mayo clinic and it does state anxiety and depression as a side effect. I have tried three different times to take it and I get depressed each time two weeks after I start it, and when I quit it goes away in 2-3 days. It get be just coincidence .


Janet

haven't been on it, though they are also recommending it for pre diabetics and my GP and I have discussed it, so its interesting to me to hear your experience on it.

while no experience with Metformin, I too get side effects some times on drugs that are not "on the list" so to speak. For example, I got edema on a statin, migraines on lyrics, etc. So, my experience is, even if its not a common side effect that is reported, it doesn't mean you can't experience something a bit different than others. Sorry you are having trouble with this drug.

Yes it is listed at Mayo under rare side effect. I would be a sad thing not to be able to take metformin because it has the least amount of side effects compared to all the other drugs, especially having to deal with a possible low blood sugar incident. Oh and I forgot to say that metformin also lowers your cholesterol.

Hi I'm on metformin for my PCOS/insulin resistance to prevent me getting diabetes and maybe help me lose a little bit of weight. I have noticed some digestive effects ("metfartin" as per the above lol), which I think might be from the metformin (hard to tell as I have a bunch of other meds) but I haven't noticed any link with depression or mood.

Hi Shirley,

I sure wish I could take this drug. It helps so much if you have diabetes. I have lots of steroid injections in January and my blood sugar completely went out of yack. It has settled , now but anybody pre-diabetic taking steroids should be on this drug. I had three shots of steroids in January and wham my blood sugar hit 20 which I am usually 5-7. These are different measurments in Canada, so not sure what the numbers would be like in the states.


Janet

wow, it really sounds like i should be on it; my doctor put me on a low dose of a mild statin instead. that's helping my cholesterol and liver enzymes, but so far not the weight or blood sugar.

My husband has taken it for a long time. It completely has his diabetes under control. Sue, I wish you could take it too.