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What Causes Muscle Cramps While On Metformin?

Posted on Fri, 24 Jun 2016

Question: I had brochitis in February and I have had a cough since then. I have a lots of wheezing with cough and spit up mucus. However had a X-ray and they say my lungs are clear also had blood test for water around heart.both test were clear.i was told I have a blockage in back of heart.i take meds for my heart.lisinopril 5 mg. once a day.metformin,500 mg a day simvastatin 40 1 a day.metoprolol 25 mg once a day. I had a double by pass in 2007 and a stint in 2005. I was doing real well until they gave me metformin and metoprolol. Know I seem to have a lot of problems. Muscle cramping ,shortness of breath,coughing and wheezing.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Better to start inhaled treatment.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.

Metformin can cause muscle cramping as a side effect.
Your other symptoms like wheezing, coughing, mucus, breathlessness etc are due to uncontrolled bronchitis.

Actually, inhaled treatment is best treatment for bronchitis. Since you are not taking inhaled treatment, your are not improving.

So better to consult Pulmonologist and get the following done :

1. Clinical examination of respiratory system
2. PFT (pulmonary function test).

PFT will not only diagnose bronchitis but it will also tell you about severity of the disease. And treatment of bronchitis is based on severity only.

You will definitely improve with inhaled bronchodilator and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS).

So please consult a pulmonologist and discuss all these.

Please let me know if you are active smoker.
I will be happy to help you further.

Wish you good health.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (12 hours later)

I do not smoke

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Are you taking any inhaled treatment?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
It's good that you are nonsmoker.
Best treatment for bronchitis is inhaled treatment.
You have not mentioned about it in previous question.
So please let me know if you are taking any inhaled treatment.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (5 hours later)

I have never had inhaled treatments.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You should consult pulmonologist and start inhaled treatment.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
In my opinion, you should consult pulmonologist and start inhaled treatment.
Inhaled treatment is best for bronchitis.
Please let me know
1. Have you ever consulted pulmonologist?
2. Have you ever undergone PFT (pulmonary function test)?
PFT test is important to know the severity of disease because treatment is based on severity only.
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (5 hours later)

Never have consulted pulmonologist or had test PFT

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Are you taking adult respiratory vaccines?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern. In my opinion, you should definitely consult pulmonologist and get done clinical examination of respiratory system and PFT.
On the basis of these reports, you should start inhaled treatment in the form of inhaled bronchodilator and inhaled corticosteroids.
Please let me know
1. Do you still have wheezing and breathing difficulty?
2. Are you taking adult respiratory vaccines?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Yes still coughing and wheezing .. No I'm not taking vaccines.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Have you consulted pulmonologist in recent times?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
In my opinion, you need urgent pulmonologist's consultation.
Please let me know
1. Will you be able to consult pulmonologist by your own?
2. Will you need reference from your GP to consult pulmonologist?
3. Have you consulted pulmonologist in recent times?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (3 hours later)

1 no
2 yes
3 no

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Will you able two get inhalers without prescription?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
So you have to consult GP first to get referral for pulmonologist.
I will give you names of inhalers which will help you in bronchitis.
Will you be able to get it without prescription?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (7 hours later)

Depends on what it cost.social security only

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Do you wish me to write you names of inhalers?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Do you wish me to write you names of inhalers which will help you in bronchitis?
Please reply me answer of above asked question, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (23 hours later)

Yes I would like names of inhalers.thank you for your time

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Start seretide inhaler.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Start seretide inhaler. Other names are forecourt, seroflo, formoflo etc.
Sorry to say but I need to ask few things first.
1. Have you ever taken inhaler? I am asking this because technique of inhaler is most important.
2. What is your weight?
This is needed for dose prescription.
So please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar