Everyone to go onto Metaformin?

I di post this before,
viewtopic.php?f=26&t=15768

Taking medication is not a sign of failure and your husband can make an informed choice once you understand the actions of Metformin.. It will not affect his Driving Licence or Insurance.

Yes confused wife, I was told exactly the same thing when I was diagnosed 4 years ago.
I am told my diabetes is genetic and as i was quie slim ,weight loss was not an issue.
The doctor said that the emphasis of my treatment would be cardiovascular protection.

Metformin has had literally no effect ever on my bg levels.
In some areas it does seem to be the norm to put everyone on Metformin asap.

If my GP had his way a third of the population would be on this drug, his words not mine. I can only say as a recently diagnosed diabetic the combination of losing 2 stone eating sensibly but having a treat now and then (including a drink) and 1 x 500mg slow release Metaformin a day has got my levels within "normal" ranges.
Need to add I also now cycle about 10-15 miles most days of the week which obviously has big BG benefits..
The reasoning behind the GP's statement when I asked him to qualify it was, the health benefits far outway the risks, there are other benefits to taking the drug than just lowering blood sugar levels.It would also delay the onset of diabetes in a lot of pre-diabetic and overweight people.
I also was reluctant initially to go on the drug but decided to give it a go along with exercise and diet, since I started the above regime I have literally watched my BG levels drop on a weekly basis.
On another positive note I have also got my father to re-commence taking the drug his levels have now come down to better levels from being dangerously high.
Each person is different but its worth trying in my opinion, its worked for me and my father it's why we have doctors and modern medicine....

I hate having to take drugs. I'm on tablets for Cholesterol, trigs, blood pressure (which will also help prevent any diesease with my kidneys)and acid reflux. all of which are under control. my BG level is also whithin the nice guidlines using diet and excercise. Why would I want to take any more drugs? why waste more NHS money prescribing drugs people don't need?

I'm happy to take my Metformin, but I've stopped taking my statins. I did a lot of reading about them and decided that they do more harm than good IMHO. I, with my doctor's permission, also stopped taking aspirin, don't know yet what he'll say about the statin.

Ailz