Question:
Question to those out there with insulin problems

Right now I am 2 months pre-op...my endocrinologist just told me that my insulin levels were high so he started me on glucophage. The problem is..he started me on this on Monday...for the past 3 days it has felt like someone has kicked me in my right kidney (I even asked my husband..he reassured me he didn't)...it has been a constant ache in my right side...Has anyone else had this problem?? If so how do you get rid of it??    — kle0007 (posted on April 5, 2003)

April 5, 2003
congrats on your surgery date first of all:) I have diabetes and my doctor first put me on glucophage and told me that it was a one of two extremes medication. Either you did really good on it with no problem or you had all kinds of problems. I was on it and it caused me severe dehydration everything I ate came right back out both ways it wasnt pleasant. You just may be one of the people who cant tolerate it that well. Since then my doctor put me on avandia and glucotrol. I havent had any adverse effects to those two. hope this helps:) jeannie
   — harleigh2002

April 5, 2003
Kara, I think you need to call your regualr doctor on Monday. I don't think this is related to the Glucophage.
   — koogy

April 5, 2003
Sorry - computer is acting up and decided I was finished! I had high insulin levels, which is pretty much the opposite of being diabetic - you have too much insulin, instead of not enough. Your poor pancreas pumps out more than enough insulin in an effort to keep you blood sugars normal. The Glucophage helps get the insulin you produce into the cells. Therefore, other diabetes medications are probably not appropriate for you. I was on Glucophage XR for a couple of years - up until just before WLS! (Haven't needed it since.) The usual problems with this med are digestive - a lot of stomach cramps and diarrhea or the total opposite. When I was started on it, I started on 500mg and worked up to 1500mg over about a month's time, eventually up to 2000mg per day. Are you taking regular Glucophage or the extended release? Regular Glucophage needs to be taken before you eat, but extended release can be taken any time - my husband and I used to take it at night, which seemed to lessen the digestive problems with it.If you are having flank pain, you could be dealing with a brewing kidney infection, so I would advise you to contact you doc on Monday so he can order a urinalysis, to be safe. By the way, I think you have a very good endocrinologist. High insulin levels don't get caught often enough!
   — koogy

April 6, 2003
Kara, I am a type II diabetic, and I am pre-op, but in the past I have tried alot of different oral diabetic medications including Glucophage. I could not use glucophage because it gave me gas, and caused me to bloat, it sounds like the pain in your side my be gas and bloating, go see your doctor there are alot of oral medications for diabetics, I just got off of Actos, because it can be hard on your liver, and now I am only on insulin. You need to try different meds until you find the right one. Hope this helps
   — cindy