Metformin for the rest of my life???

[Hopefulremissioner]

Hi All,

So I had quite a disappointing call with my GP today, where he essentially said that he is unwilling to wean me off or reduce my metformin (2a day)as the reason my Hba1c is within normal range is because of the metformin.

Background- diagnosed last year (I’m only 25) with a hba1c of 66. In the past year I’ve lost over 30kg (still losing) and reduced my hba1c to a consistent 40.

I don’t want to be on metformin forever & I know that people have reduced their levels with just diet alone. I’m quite disheartened at the thought of having to take it forever and not being able to even try myself.. as in he gave me the impression I was being delusional.

He referred me to a newly opened NHS diet clinic as I pushed him, where he said “apparently they can help people get into remission through diet” and only under their instruction will he let me reduce/stop. I’ve got a feeling it will be the usual “balanced diet” kind of place

Has anyone had a similar experience? Or any words of wisdom?

 

[LittleGreyCat]

@Hopefulremissioner
Being on Metformin can be a positive thing as there are allegedly long term health benefits not related to diabetes.

Remember aso that you own your body, so you can refuse medication at any time if you don't want to take it.

Well done on the weight loss and improved BG - you seem to have things sorted out off your own bat, which is outstanding.

 

[Lakeslover]

Why not go along to the clinic, listen, smile sweetly, then follow the advice which you feel makes sense for you……but ignore the rest.

it’s worth playing the game for the chance at some point to reduce or stop Metformin, although if I were you I would want my Hba1c a bit lower first to give you some wriggle room in case it goes up a bit afterwards.

 

[ianpspurs]

Hi All,

So I had quite a disappointing call with my GP today, where he essentially said that he is unwilling to wean me off or reduce my metformin (2a day)as the reason my Hba1c is within normal range is because of the metformin.

Background- diagnosed last year (I’m only 25) with a hba1c of 66. In the past year I’ve lost over 30kg (still losing) and reduced my hba1c to a consistent 40.

I don’t want to be on metformin forever & I know that people have reduced their levels with just diet alone. I’m quite disheartened at the thought of having to take it forever and not being able to even try myself.. as in he gave me the impression I was being delusional.

He referred me to a newly opened NHS diet clinic as I pushed him, where he said “apparently they can help people get into remission through diet” and only under their instruction will he let me reduce/stop. I’ve got a feeling it will be the usual “balanced diet” kind of place

Has anyone had a similar experience? Or any words of wisdom?

Hi @Hopefulremissioner. @LittleGreyCat seems to have covered all the bases. I'm not sure how Dr will know if you "forget" to take Metformin anyhow. Congratulations on your progress so far.

 

[catinahat]

any words of wisdom

Dr's are not god's, their word is not law, they are human just like everyone else and quite often wrong.
They can advise you on medication but they can not insist or force you to take or do anything.

 

[Jo123]

Well done you've done a great job!
I wouldn't worry about stopping the metformin until I'd got my hba1c consistently to 35 or below.

 

[Dr Snoddy]

Congratulations on your amazing weight reduction which has probably done much more towards normalizing your blood glucose levels than Metformin ever would. Many GPS and ENd seem to assume that their patients are unwilling or unable to change their diet and lifestyle and that medication is the only way forward.
How have you achieved your weight loss? Do you now have an eating plan for sustaining your weight loss?
Over time I reduced my intake of Metformin down to zero and have now had normal blood glucose levels for more than 2 years on diet and exercise only. And my initial HbA1c was much higher than yours!

 

[Hopefulremissioner]

Thanks everyone! Great advice and agree I could wait until it lowers further and if I feel confident enough I’ll do what I feel is right.

I will check out the clinic too & see how it goes.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Dr Snoddy]

Also a middle way could be to halve your dose as an initial step

 

[Mbaker]

Hi @Hopefulremissioner ultimately it is your choice if you want to reduce or remove metformin. I am in the camp that metformin is a foreign agent that humans were not born with; at best it helps to mitigate liver dumps and preserve beta cells. It is said to have benefits for the heart. So why do some of us select to ditch its use.

Speaking for myself I used to get anxious going on holiday, what if I am stuck abroad without my metformin and ran out. I used to hate the dependency. My signature needs updating, but you can see my removal process from July 2016. What a weight off of my shoulders no more drugs and a better A1c (today I will be posting some 7 day CGM results in another thread). Metformin was also unknown to my situation contra-indicated with my Kidney damage caused by Type 2. Metformin also messes with vitamin B12 and CoenzymeQ10 - https://hbpharmacy.com/potential-metformin-benefits/

Why bother with this drug when a 10 minute walk after each meal performs better than Metformin:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6358532/
The best that could happen with removal is the freeing of a dependancy, the worst is that maybe your A1c goes up a point or 2, to mitigate this potential walk and resistance exercise (body weight squats, pushups or bands / gym).

 

[Andydragon]

Well done you've done a great job!
I wouldn't worry about stopping the metformin until I'd got my hba1c consistently to 35 or below.

I had 38 to 40 and with nurse consultation I stopped taking them. Due a review in a month or so, shall see what that effect has been. I came off significantly more drugs than just metformin too

but difference is, I had my doctors on board here
@Hopefulremissioner what are your concerns about being on metformin long term? Your levels are looking very similar to mine and they are below the pre diabetic level so well done! I can understand at that level the doctor may be thinking you’ll be pushed into pre diabetic without the metformin but if in 3 months you are even lower that’s a good lever to use to come off altogether, if you feel you want to.

in my case the dr was prepared to listen to my suggestion that I came off and in a repeat in 3 months to see the change. Personally if I creep above 40 I’ll go back onto small dosage but much less than the 2g I used to I think.

Metformin does have an impact, if tolerated well it has other benefits and I know of sone of the forums who keep a small dosage even at low levels. I was very much in 2 minds as to whether to keep on them, but to be honest, I wanted to see if I could go all the way from 3 diabetic drugs and nearly insulin to nothing.

 

[LittleGreyCat]

Why bother with this drug when a 10 minute walk after each meal performs better than Metformin:

Hmmm.....and what if you take metformin AND take a 10 minute walk after each meal?
Noting that I haven't read the link yet.

 

[Z_e_u_s]

My experience:

I was diagnosed 1st October: A1c of 96

Put on Metformin right away (2 x500mg a day) which I was reluctant to take; I asked for other ways, told THAT was the only way.

Not being able to do research on my own since I had cataracts in both eyes (caused by diabetes) I complied.

Next check up (8 weeks later) A1c was 50. Having had one cataract removed I was able to come on line and do some research which is when I found and joined this site (which I refer to as my new 'Bible'). I learnt how other people cope with the condition and thought I could follow suit and see what happened.

I asked to come off the drugs but was told it was too soon. I insisted and told them I wanted to try at least if alternative routes were working for me and against medical advice I stopped the drugs 8 weeks later.

When I was called for my next check last May (4 months after stopping the Metformin) I had another HbA1c test and it was 34 ! (through dietary changes and no exercise because of my eye problem).

Bottom line: had I followed their advice not sure where I would be today. Reading about people’s stories on this site got me to a better place.

Their advice :

- don’t need a meter

-eat lots of fruits and veggies

- post-prandial sugar level should be up to 11mmol after2 hours.

I got a meter myself, tested pre/post meal and realized that fruit really does not agree with me and spikes my levels rocket high. Their ‘healthy’ way of eating was not agreeing with me at all! I learnt what normal levels are after a meal which are way off what they suggested.

Bottom line: they know what they think they know, you know how you feel and what you can achieve..or can at least try. You don’t try: you’ll never know.

A drug is always a drug, if you can leave without it ..why not?

With this kind of condition we need to be in control ourselves as it is a life adjustment, no quick fix. We need to find our own comfortable way of living with it long term..well forever.

I am more willing to listen to people who are living with it rather than those who have heard of it from text books God knows how dated.

The above is a reflection of my story and opinions offered for reference only

 

[muzza3]

As I was testing my fasting BG every morning and they were in the normal range I chose to stop taking metformin figuring that if my BG rose I could always start taking again. Didn't need to

 

[TheManWithTheHat]

Hi All,

So I had quite a disappointing call with my GP today, where he essentially said that he is unwilling to wean me off or reduce my metformin (2a day)as the reason my Hba1c is within normal range is because of the metformin.

Background- diagnosed last year (I’m only 25) with a hba1c of 66. In the past year I’ve lost over 30kg (still losing) and reduced my hba1c to a consistent 40.

I don’t want to be on metformin forever & I know that people have reduced their levels with just diet alone. I’m quite disheartened at the thought of having to take it forever and not being able to even try myself.. as in he gave me the impression I was being delusional.

He referred me to a newly opened NHS diet clinic as I pushed him, where he said “apparently they can help people get into remission through diet” and only under their instruction will he let me reduce/stop. I’ve got a feeling it will be the usual “balanced diet” kind of place

Has anyone had a similar experience? Or any words of wisdom?

 

[Rachox]

Hi @Hopefulremissioner
I am on Metformin and have been since diagnosis four years ago and along with low carb diet got my HbA1c down from 70 to mid 30s. However I have chosen to remain on Metformin with my GP’s blessing, I don’t get any side effects, my vit B 12 level is fine. I’m happy to continue this way for life if needs be, but that’s just me.
I do agree with others that it is totally up to you to decide what you put in your body and your GP is there to advise not dictate what you do. I think that you should inform your GP when/if you decide to stop or reduce the Metformin so your medical records remain accurate and your GP knows your (hopefully lower) readings are as a result of diet alone.

 

[OB87]

I understand how you feel. I'm only 33 and don't want to be on it for life either. I was diagnosed in September and hb1ac is now 37 yet my doctor even suggested I increase my metformin from 500mg to 1000mg a day. I decided to just stick with the 500mg as I test regularly so will keep an eye on things. But it does seem they are keen for people to say on medication, when I was diagnosed she told me I would be on metformin for life and didn't even discuss diet

 

[Mbaker]

Hmmm.....and what if you take metformin AND take a 10 minute walk after each meal?
Noting that I haven't read the link yet.

My bias is that I detest drugs, so will always go where possible for the non-drug route, I chipped the bone in my hip doing tripple jump around 13 years old, which hospitalised me in agony, I still chucked the pain killers. If someone is training at reasonable limit combined with a diet that lowers IR and the dawn phenomenon, there would seem little advantage to adding metformin on top.

Personally I an not so into papers, but people expect references For me its about where the rubber hits the road, overwhelming numbers of anecdotes and therefore results.

Some conditions I accept, require drugs to alleviate pain or for a scenario which food cannot fix, Type 2 allows an option. Mostly I have only seen drugs manage a condition never fix it. With an A1c of 40, I believe the OP can experiment with no risk.

 

[searley]

Hi All,

So I had quite a disappointing call with my GP today, where he essentially said that he is unwilling to wean me off or reduce my metformin (2a day)as the reason my Hba1c is within normal range is because of the metformin.

Background- diagnosed last year (I’m only 25) with a hba1c of 66. In the past year I’ve lost over 30kg (still losing) and reduced my hba1c to a consistent 40.

I don’t want to be on metformin forever & I know that people have reduced their levels with just diet alone. I’m quite disheartened at the thought of having to take it forever and not being able to even try myself.. as in he gave me the impression I was being delusional.

He referred me to a newly opened NHS diet clinic as I pushed him, where he said “apparently they can help people get into remission through diet” and only under their instruction will he let me reduce/stop. I’ve got a feeling it will be the usual “balanced diet” kind of place

Has anyone had a similar experience? Or any words of wisdom?

Hi well done on the weight loss and the reduction..

Whilst the GP is unwilling to reduce the dose it doesn't mean it stops there or is 'forever'.. firstly they have referred you to the diet clinic and will reduce the dose under their instruction... which i dare say the clinic will give that instruction.

i would suspect the GP assumes that the only reason you have a good hba1c is due to being on metformin, and removing that will see it rise again.. and there are beliefs that metformin is beneficial in other ways especially if the metformin is not giving you any nasty side effects. The trouble with a lot of GP's is that the only know the essential diabetes stuff and need the guidance of a specialist before making decisions (certainly the ones in my clinic)

Personally i wouldn't immediately dismiss the metformin.. i infact recently asked it i could try metformin again but that was declined..

You say you have lost 30kg and still losing.. well done - how much more do you want to lose? would it be worth working with the diet clinic until you have lost what you want to weight wise and are sure you can sustain that and come off metformin with their blessing ? You have done so well in just a year, im sure you won't be stick with it 'forever'