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How long does Metformin take to work?

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Beezee

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Hello - I'm relatively new (diagnosed last June) and I just feel really awful!

My BS on diagnosis was 28, and I was put on 500mg Metformin twice a day. At my appointment with the nurse in October she upped it to 1000mg twice a day. But my readings still range between 17-22.

I feel tired all the time, I ache all over, get migraines practically every day ... I know I should do more to control my weight and exercise more - but getting out of bed is exhausting enough as it is! I've tried walking further but that just leaves me feeling even worse. I'm only a couple of stone overweight but I just can't shift it. The only way I've found to get my BS level down is to not eat - got a reading of 8.9 when I did this!

So today I phoned the surgery, because I was sure the diabetic nurse said she would see me again in three months, but I haven't heard anything. The receptionist told me that my next appointment is not due until October. Would this be right? Does Metformin really take a year to get results? Will it start to work soon - I'm fed up of feeling like this.
 
Make a appointment and get some advice xxx
 
Metformin doesn't make a huge difference to your levels, but it does help your body use insulin better. Have you changed your diet at all? It might be an idea to cut back a bit on some carbs. If you are already doing this then yes you definately need to go back to the doctor.

The most valuable tool I found (after this forum) was a Blood Glucose monitor. It sounds like you have one. the best way to use it is to test before a meal and then 2 hours after. This gives you an idea of how that meal affects your Glucose levels. To start with aim to be less than 2mmol higher in the after meal reading. Record what your eating and then adjust accordingly. Then gradually your before meal readings will come down.

Good luck.
 
lol. I love your optimism! Our surgery doesn't work that way. I can have an appointment in October. I tried saying in a sad voice "Well if I'm still here by then I will"

It took me three attempts to get my original diagnosis appointment - and that was only after I cried on the phone!

I could try the crying thing again I suppose
 
Just tell the receptionist you need an appointment with the GP dont mention diabetes or a review if she asks why you want an appointment mention the migraines or some other problem
CAROL
 
Whatever benefits using metformin brings about to your levels should be visible by now. I understand that you are already on 2000 mg daily which is the max dosage. I agree that you should cut back on carbs in order to see your levels drop. If that does not work, doctor may prescribe additional/changed medication. Did thy check what type you are?


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Beezee said:
Hello - I'm relatively new (diagnosed last June) and I just feel really awful!

My BS on diagnosis was 28, and I was put on 500mg Metformin twice a day. At my appointment with the nurse in October she upped it to 1000mg twice a day. But my readings still range between 17-22.

I feel tired all the time, I ache all over, get migraines practically every day ... I know I should do more to control my weight and exercise more - but getting out of bed is exhausting enough as it is! I've tried walking further but that just leaves me feeling even worse. I'm only a couple of stone overweight but I just can't shift it. The only way I've found to get my BS level down is to not eat - got a reading of 8.9 when I did this!

So today I phoned the surgery, because I was sure the diabetic nurse said she would see me again in three months, but I haven't heard anything. The receptionist told me that my next appointment is not due until October. Would this be right? Does Metformin really take a year to get results? Will it start to work soon - I'm fed up of feeling like this.
Click to expand...

You sound like I felt when I was diagnosed.
What are you eating?

I gave up all potatoes, pasta, switched to burgen bread, low GI food only, and tested everything.

The 8.9 not eating isn't a bad figure, you need to get back down to that, by fasting if you need to, then try a food, and test two hours later.
I found I was ok on a small amount of sweet potatoes, but not potatoes.
Beans (not baled beans) didn't spike me either.
Fresh veg, cabbage, kale, cauli.
And no refined or processed food, no sugar, no flour.

It's all personal, so test, test, test.

Then you'll get the 8.9 moving downwards hopefully!

As the bs comes down, the rest gets better, and it's easier to exercise when you stop feeling too tired to move.

If the food isn't the problem, at least you have positive information for the doctor to use.
 
Thank you all for your replies and advice.
When I was first diagosed last year I was determined to beat it. I read up on the Newcastle diet and tried the shakes and salad route. However, I've never been good at eating breakfast - I just can't do it - not even a shake! Which means taking the morning dose without food. Gradually I used all the excuses to stop trying the diet.

Then I went into some sort of self-sabotage mode. "Well, I now have a 'life-sentence', so I either live longer by starving myself of all the goodies that I like or die earlier but enjoying myself" Sounds over-dramatic, but that's how I feel. I imagine this is quite a common reaction to the news!

My partner isn't exactly supportive. I'm only Type 2, his daughter is Type 1 and therefore what I have is nothing compared to her. I can't talk over how I'm feeling because I'm exaggerating. Thousands of people have this condition and they manage perfectly well ... He calls me a hypochondriac and just doesn't understand why I'm tired all the time.

Added to which he refuses to understand the diet thing - "A little bit won't hurt", "Let's go out for dinner". I tell him to sort his own food out and I will do mine, but then he makes me feel as if I am making him miss out (He's perfectly capable of cooking), but if I'm not eating much or not cooking he will go without, which makes me feel really guilty.

So I feel like I'm in a corner - that no one is interested and that I should just muddle on alone and get over it! I'm trying to get back on track, but I can't seem to get any support.

On the plus side, I've phoned the surgery back, had a good cry and will be allowed a "telephone consultation" this afternoon.
 
I feel for you there.
I was in the same position.
In the end, I cook for myself, my wife can eat what she wants to, I won't.
If I'm making them "miss out", good, it serves them right for trivialising T2.

You have to find a diet you are happy with, as it's for life.
It took me two years though.

So make little changes first, and see what suits you.

Low GI is always a good first step, no potatoes, no pasta, no rice, no bread, no processed food, no sugary stuff, classic diet really.

Then try to find what you like, that doesn't give you a bad reading.
You can go out, again low GI, avoid the foods you know spike you, or if that fails, just eat the bits you can. Most places will adapt the plate though, and add veg, and leave off the spuds.
 
Hey Beezee!
Best advice I was given was to go and look at diet doctor by Toto. I was diagnosed last week and my start weight was 16 stone. Doc was useless and have been given the diabetic nurse from hell. Didn't even get a blood sugar monitor. Bs after fasting before starting diet was13.1.
Started diet change Thursday and have lost 4lbs. Breakfast still tricky - eggs, cheese, kippers and bacon. Lunch - hassle. Not exactly the world's biggest advocate but you have nothing to lose by reading the info and deciding if it might suit. You don't have to weigh anything either! Initially tricky with lack of sugar but does pass and feel full and not ravenous all the time. Hated giving up the wine - although I don't think you have to but that's your choice. Would recommend a bs monitor! Take care! Xx
 
Thanks for the replies! I feel like I'm not alone anymore. Been reading the diet doctor website - I like the meal suggestions - it's all very well being told not to eat this or that, but I have been left wondering 'what CAN I eat?' Now I know!

The doctor phoned me back, said it seems like they might need to change or add to my meds and told me to book a blood test. Next available appointment for that? 20th March!! More crying and appointment booked for Thursday. Part of me feels like I'm making a fuss, but I really feel awful physically. I'm fed up of not being 'me' - does that make sense?

Thank you all for your support x



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Have a look at the Zoe Harcombe diet. It's self explanatory and devised by a dietician. It may suit you. Best of luck, it sounds as though you should think about changing your GP practice.
 
Beezee - what a stupid doc! Why. Not get the monitor? If you can't wait to order online try boots. The monitor cost me £16 but the strips a really dear:(! Having the monitor made me feel more in control and basically everyone in our house eats the same coz they haven't noticed the lack of potatoes and rice as I have done broccoli in a cheese sauce instead! Good luck and take carexxxx
 
There's also a monitor you can buy from Amazon called Codefree... it's cheap and cheerful, but does the job. The bonus is that the strips cost £7.00 per pack of 50... which is way, way lower than any other machine.

If you change your diet, and add a little bit of exercise (5-10 minutes slow walk is better than nothing), your BS will start to come down and you will start to feel a lot better.
 
luceeloo said:
There's also a monitor you can buy from Amazon called Codefree... it's cheap and cheerful, but does the job. The bonus is that the strips cost £7.00 per pack of 50... which is way, way lower than any other machine.

If you change your diet, and add a little bit of exercise (5-10 minutes slow walk is better than nothing), your BS will start to come down and you will start to feel a lot better.
Click to expand...
Wow! Wish I'd known this yesterday! Just paid £25 for 50 strips:(
 
Hi Beezee
I understand that you can't eat breakfast I'm the same most of the time, however even though you are having problems with the diabetic nurse, try to go and see your gp and as yo go on to slow release metformin as you take that once a day.


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Beezee said:
Thanks for the replies! I feel like I'm not alone anymore. Been reading the diet doctor website - I like the meal suggestions - it's all very well being told not to eat this or that, but I have been left wondering 'what CAN I eat?' Now I know!

The doctor phoned me back, said it seems like they might need to change or add to my meds and told me to book a blood test. Next available appointment for that? 20th March!! More crying and appointment booked for Thursday. Part of me feels like I'm making a fuss, but I really feel awful physically. I'm fed up of not being 'me' - does that make sense?

Thank you all for your support x



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Click to expand...
If you follow the advice on Dietdoctor you may not need to up your meds. You now have a metre and that is the first step. I check after 1-1,5 hours to see what effect different dishes have on my bg, as I not only want the two hour level to be good but also avoid high readings at all times. Last night I was 5.9 and very happy about it.
 
Be aware even a normal non diabetic bs reading can rise to up to 7.8 if you test within 2 hours of a meal, from a pre meal reading of 4.4 to 6.1, hence the advice to test after 2 hours. Don't forget you're starting higher as well.
You're get there in the end though, it just takes a bit of time and experiment.
 
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