jas said:
I am 49 years old. I was diagnosed 5 years ago. I have been on 1x twice dailey metformin tabs for 3 years. Last 2 yearly blood test results came back as 6.4 then 6.2. A new doctor decided to change to metformin SR once a day. Recent blood test came back 6.9. According to the DB nurse it is too high. and I was told off for testing blood sugar levels at home.
She said people on metformin do not need to check. quarterly or yearly tests are sufficient. I was adviced if sugar levels do not come down in 3 months she will reccomend to go on insulin.
Is'nt it too early for that. Help please.
As indicated by others, you are being given seriously confusing advice.
HbA1c of 6.4 & 6.2 are satisfactory & much better than most diabetics, indicating correct medication, diet, etc. When you were changed on to metf SR, was there a reason, & was it the same total dose? Normally the reason would be stomach upset & you could tolerate the normal metf.
My complications started with HbA1c of 6.7 (muscle pain - peripheral neuropathy) so at 6.9 the obvious thing is to go back on the successful medication. Insulin is not an easy option. Do you control your diet? DUK complex starchy carb, or reduced carb? I take 3x metf 500 daily, & a low carb diet & my latest HbA1c was 6.1. My pain (& chronic tiredness) were cleared by a change of diet, having followed the DUK diet for 7-8 years.
I test every day, 1-4 times, & have NO problems with sore fingers, nor infection - but I prick the sides, not the pads. The demonstrators always teach us to use the pads, which would cause problems - especially if you play the guitar.
I check at least every morning, fasting. That reading indicates how I'm doing - when I had problems, it had drifted up from about 6.4 to 6.9. Low carb soon reduced it to below 6.0.
What we are trying to do is stay healthy & avoid complications. That is best controlled by being a well-informed patient. What people like your nurse seem to be doing is an annual test to see whether the medication is working or needs to be increased - & that is under their control, not yours.
I went on the X-PERT diabetes course where the lecturer said Hounslow spend more on test strips than diab medication, so testing is discouraged. I pointed out that that could mean that testing aided control, & reduced the need for medication & the expensive treatment of complications. Statistics can be misleading.