How long does Metformin take to work?

[Totto]

You see Douglas so long as I avoid carbs I have completely normal readings. If I eat rice or bread in small amounts I get 10-12 after 2h and mornings around 6. This morning was 4.1. I prefer it that way.

Problem is next week is OGTT and I have been advised by fellow low carbers I need to eat "normal" for three days before the test. I dread what this will to do to my bg.

 

[douglas99]

You see Douglas so long as I avoid carbs I have completely normal readings. If I eat rice or bread in small amounts I get 10-12 after 2h and mornings around 6. This morning was 4.1. I prefer it that way.
Problem is next week is OGTT and I have been advised by fellow low carbers I need to eat "normal" for three days before the test. I dread what this will to do to my bg.

Main problem with a low carb diet I agree. That's one of the main reasons I don't do it.
I eat to my meter.
I eat a balanced, portion controlled diet, and have my fasting, 2 hr, Hba1c, readings in the normal range, and no dawn phenomenon.
But the odd carb here and there doesn't spike me too much if I'm out and there isn't anything I'd normally eat.

However the op is still in the newly diagnosed stage, so the advice they need should be in consideration of that, as I remember the process I went through to find a diet I liked, and worked for all my like, and the time it took to bring the numbers down.
I didn't get normal figures overnight, so for the op, slow and steady, and keep pushing.

 

[AnnieC]

Just tell the receptionist you need an appointment with the GP dont mention diabetes or a review if she asks why you want an appointment mention the migraines or some other problem
CAROL

I agree with that don't tell the receptionist why you need an appointment. Receptionists should not ask you what is wrong and why you want an appointment that is between you and your GP

 

[paul a carr]

Hello - I'm relatively new (diagnosed last June) and I just feel really awful!

My BS on diagnosis was 28, and I was put on 500mg Metformin twice a day. At my appointment with the nurse in October she upped it to 1000mg twice a day. But my readings still range between 17-22.

I feel tired all the time, I ache all over, get migraines practically every day ... I know I should do more to control my weight and exercise more - but getting out of bed is exhausting enough as it is! I've tried walking further but that just leaves me feeling even worse. I'm only a couple of stone overweight but I just can't shift it. The only way I've found to get my BS level down is to not eat - got a reading of 8.9 when I did this!

So today I phoned the surgery, because I was sure the diabetic nurse said she would see me again in three months, but I haven't heard anything. The receptionist told me that my next appointment is not due until October. Would this be right? Does Metformin really take a year to get results? Will it start to work soon - I'm fed up of feeling like this.

hi I would phone diabetes uk they have a free care line 0845 120 2960

 

[xyzzy]

Problem is next week is OGTT and I have been advised by fellow low carbers I need to eat "normal" for three days before the test. I dread what this will to do to my bg.

You might find the result surprising. I would guess it will depend on how long you have done LC for i.e. how much you have rested your overworked pancreas. When I do this for an OGTT test then the first couple of high carb meals are really bad BG wise but then things get a bit better. Its to do with the fact that your bodies release of insulin is dependant on what its come to expect your carb intake to be. If it thinks you LC then the first couple of high carb meals will get a poor insulin response but then as your body recognises the higher carb average it will begin to adjust.

If I do the 150g for 3 days prior to the OGTT then on day one my BG's are rubbish but on days 2 and 3 then although they aren't what I consider good they will be in the 7 to 10 range 2 hours after eating. If I continue at 150g for longer than 3 days then although my post 2 hour readings never get any worse my morning fasting level begins to rise so that after around 5 to 7 days I would be back failing a FBG test.

 

[Totto]

You see I am not entirely sure I am insulin resistant. Time and test will show I guess.

Regarding OP I still think it might be a good idea to try low carb high fat, as substituting the carbs with protein isn't a good idea while fat is.

 

[Beezee]

Hi everyone - just wanted to let you know that yesterday I took all the advice and went shopping.

Dinner last night - sweet potato with cheese and butter and side salad

BS 2 hrs later - 12.1

Fasting BS this morning - 12.4

Breakfast - left over fried sweet potato with bacon and eggs (go me! I ate breakfast!)

BS reading 2 hrs later - 14

Cup of Caramel Latte

BS - 16.8. Bother. Those lattes are going to have to go!

Lunch - slice of burgen bread as recommended! With tuna, mayo and salad

BS - 12.3

Bearing in mind that yesterday morning I was 20.4 I think that's pretty swift results!


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

 

[lorac2608]

Try buying strips on ebay, I get mine for under half the price of high street chemists.

 

[Totto]

Brilliant results!

You could try a bullet proof coffee instead of the caramel latte.

 

[douglas99]

Hi everyone - just wanted to let you know that yesterday I took all the advice and went shopping.

Dinner last night - sweet potato with cheese and butter and side salad

BS 2 hrs later - 12.1

Fasting BS this morning - 12.4

Breakfast - left over fried sweet potato with bacon and eggs (go me! I ate breakfast!)

BS reading 2 hrs later - 14

Cup of Caramel Latte

BS - 16.8. Bother. Those lattes are going to have to go!

Lunch - slice of burgen bread as recommended! With tuna, mayo and salad

BS - 12.3

Bearing in mind that yesterday morning I was 20.4 I think that's pretty swift results!


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

Excellent.

The caramel looks like it will have to go I'm afraid.
Have you tried green tea, it's supposed to have helped lower bs before.