regarding stopping metformin, I almost have due to its terrible side effect on me planning trips any where around toilets. I cut down from 4 to 2 then after a bit longer 1 in morning.
I asked to use insulin rather than metformin which has had a far better effect regarding sugar. do exercise...
This sounds very similar to mine Hba1c of 129 I had been diagnosed years before but put it into remission for many years with diet and exercise. Age took its toll as well as me leaving gym and teaching fitness classes so I blamed myself, luckily my DN was very helpful that way even if she did...
my sugar did come down but very slowly, the rapid insulin had much more effect. We are not all the same though, re walking even short walks should help and get you into going further after a bit, try both that and the exercise walker (it wont harm)
When I started background insulin it was very small amounts building up each week till they (put me on a second insulin as well )a rapid acting one. It took a long time before I got on the full amount (for me) of background, dont expect much change immediate and keep a record of all your blood...
do not confuse the two
a slit lamp is what most opticians do routinely at an eye test
a screening is very different it take a photo of your eye and is sent away to be checked most standard opticians dont do eye screening
the variation are common well for me anyway, especially first thing in morn so you are not alone there. I only use a blood monitor so have ni experience with a cgm