Metformin should be taken with or after food because it is highly acidic and can cause stomach problems. I take 500mg although my Diabetic nurse says I may come off it in August. I was diagnosed in December last year just before Christmas! Anyway my BG was 15 then. The nurse suggested a meter although I couldn't get one on prescription and she said to aim for around 9/10 at first and was so supportive. I am lucky I know. Now I have had the results of my HBac1 etc and my average came down to 8. For the first time today I hit 5! I was amazed and so chuffed but wouldn't have known without my trusty meter. I am usually about 8/9 fasting in the am. I tested my BG for everything I ate that had carbs in it and have been amazed at what I can't eat anymore but don't care. I think having a meter should be compulsory and ignore anyone who says you shouldn't have one.
By the way I feel unwell now when it goes to about 11(rarely) or drops very quickly. But I know that is what it is now so just go carefully. Pleased you are ok though.
This is what it says on the internet about Metformin and Hypoglycemia.
Precautions
Drug information provided by:
Micromedex
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits, especially during the first few weeks that you take this medicine. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
This medicine may interact with the dye used for an X-ray or CT scan. Your doctor should advise you to stop taking it before you have any medical exams or diagnostic tests that might cause less urine output than usual. You may be advised to start taking the medicine again 48 hours after the exams or tests if your kidney function is tested and found to be normal.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery or medical tests.
It is very important to carefully follow any instructions from your health care team about:
- Alcohol—Drinking alcohol may cause severe low blood sugar. Discuss this with your health care team.
- Other medicines—Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This especially includes nonprescription medicines such as aspirin, and medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems.
- Counseling—Other family members need to learn how to prevent side effects or help with side effects if they occur. Also, patients with diabetes may need special counseling about diabetes medicine dosing changes that might occur with lifestyle changes, such as changes in exercise or diet. Counseling on birth control and pregnancy may be needed because of the problems that can occur in pregnancy for patients with diabetes.
- Travel—Keep a recent prescription and your medical history with you. Be prepared for an emergency as you would normally. Make allowances for changing time zones and keep your meal times as close as possible to your usual meal times.
- In case of emergency—There may be a time when you need emergency help for a problem caused by your diabetes. You need to be prepared for these emergencies. It is a good idea to wear a medical identification (ID) bracelet or neck chain at all times. Also, carry an ID card in your wallet or purse that says that you have diabetes and a list of all of your medicines.
Under certain conditions, too much metformin can cause lactic acidosis. The symptoms of lactic acidosis are severe and quick to appear, and usually occur when other health problems not related to the medicine are present and are very severe, such as a heart attack or kidney failure. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include abdominal or stomach discomfort, decreased appetite; diarrhea; fast or shallow breathing; a general feeling of discomfort; severe muscle pain or cramping; and unusual sleepiness, tiredness, or weakness.
If symptoms of lactic acidosis occur, you should get immediate emergency medical help.
Metformin can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). However, this can also occur if you delay or miss a meal or snack, drink alcohol, exercise more than usual, cannot eat because of nausea or vomiting, take certain medicines, or take metformin with another type of diabetes medicine. The symptoms of low blood sugar must be treated before they lead to unconsciousness (passing out). Different people feel different symptoms of low blood sugar. It is important that you learn which symptoms of low blood sugar you usually have so that you can treat it quickly.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) include anxiety; behavior change similar to being drunk; blurred vision; cold sweats; confusion; cool, pale skin; difficulty with thinking; drowsiness; excessive hunger; fast heartbeat; headache (continuing); nausea; nervousness; nightmares; restless sleep; shakiness; slurred speech; or unusual tiredness or weakness.
If symptoms of low blood sugar occur, eat glucose tablets or gel, corn syrup, honey, or sugar cubes; or drink fruit juice, non-diet soft drink, or sugar dissolved in water. Also, check your blood for low blood sugar. Glucagon is used in emergency situations when severe symptoms such as seizures (convulsions) or unconsciousness occur. Have a glucagon kit available, along with a syringe or needle, and know how to use it. The members of your household also should know how to use it.
High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) is another problem related to uncontrolled diabetes. Symptoms of mild high blood sugar appear more slowly than those of low blood sugar. These may include blurred vision; drowsiness; dry mouth; flushed, dry skin; fruit-like breath odor; increased urination (frequency and volume); ketones in the urine; loss of appetite; sleepiness; stomachache, nausea or vomiting; tiredness; troubled breathing (rapid and deep); unconsciousness; or unusual thirst.
High blood sugar may occur if you do not exercise as much as usual, have a fever or infection, do not take enough or skip a dose of your diabetes medicine, or overeat or do not follow your meal plan.
If symptoms of high blood sugar occur, check your blood sugar level and then call your doctor for instructions.
This medicine is only part of a complete program for controlling diabetes. It is important that you always eat a healthy diet, watch your weight, and get regular exercise.
With this information does this mean that because I drive Buses for a living I have to follow the following,
Diabetes - Managed by tablets which carry a risk of inducing hypoglycaemia (this includes sulphonylureas and glinides)
See
INF188/2 (PDF, 95.5KB, 1 page) .
Group 1 entitlement ODL – car, motorcycle
Must not have had more than one episode of hypoglycaemia requiring the assistance of another person within the preceding 12 months. It may be appropriate to monitor blood glucose (depending on clinical factors including frequency of driving) at times relevant to driving to enable the detection of hypoglycaemia. Must be under regular medical review.
If the above requirements and all of those set out in the attached information on
INF188/2 (PDF, 95.5KB, 1 page) are met, DVLA does not require notification. This information leaflet can be printed and retained for future reference.
Alternatively, if the information indicates that medical enquiries will need to be undertaken, DVLA should be notified.
Group 2 entitlement vocational – lorries, buses
Must satisfy the following criteria:
- no episode of hypoglycaemia requiring the assistance of another person has occurred in the preceding 12 months
- has full awareness of hypoglycaemia
- regularly monitors blood glucose at least twice daily and at times relevant to driving
- must demonstrate an understanding of the risks of hypoglycaemia
- there are no other debarring complications of diabetes such as a visual field defect
They must also be under regular medical review.
I have been diagnosed with type 2 since August, I test up to for times a day, have gone from nearly 19 stone to just under 14 stone, I have changed my eating habits and portion sizes , I used my testing to regulate and control what I eat, I eat no bread, no pasta, no pastry, replaced with almond and coconut flour. I was lucky enough to get tester and test strips on NHS, REPLY FROM DOCTOR, JUST KEEP WHAT YOU ARE DOING BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING!!!.
I also take 2 200mg Chromium tablets a day with a vitamin D tablet with my 2 x 2 500mg Metformin tablets, Doctors suggests I also take Vitamin 12 tablets.
Blood readings regular at 4.9 to 5.6