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I see trouble ahead

R

ramtops

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9
Location
Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Further to http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes%2Dforum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=14086, I called in at the surgery last Friday, to be told that the second urine test was "nothing to worry about", and that they had written to the hospital Eye Clinic about my optical pressure than the optician wrote to them about (appointments for *that* on 29th).

I mulled about this over the weekend, and decided that the second test could easily have been the anomaly, given other symptoms and the eye problem, so booked an appointment to see the doctor this morning.

"Oh yes", she said, "You're right to be concerned", and has booked me a fasting blood test for next Wednesday. I cannot for the life of me see why I had to go and ask for this, but ...

I told her that I'd already changed my diet, started doing lots of exercise, dropped 2kgs, and would want to manage it with diet if possible (if diagnosis was positive). And she told me that the "current thinking" is to put people straight on Metformin. Is that true? I thought current thinking was to encourage people to try diet and exercise first, and I really don't want to go straight onto drugs if I can help it.

Anyway, she gave me all the guff about it being a lifelong condition, and not getting better and all that stuff, and was clearly not happy about me not accepting the Metforming.

Should I be thinking about changing doctors, I wonder?
 
I have type 1 so have no experience of taking metformin but I noticed reports of a study recently suggesting that taking metformin from diagnosis may be beneficial. Here is a brief report of it

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/2010...eatment-for-diabetes-the-better-93763840.html
and a summary as of the paper in the NHS library
http://www.nelm.nhs.uk/en/NeLM-Area...f-metformin-monotherapy-in-clinical-practice/

Having said that there are several people who post on here that have sucessfully controlled their diabetes with diet and exercise for some years.
 
The normal first step is diet and exercise, lifestyle changes for around 3 months. Those are in the NICE 2010 guidelines.

However, if your present BG levels are such that the GP/Nurse thinks instant intervention is required then obviously they would consider medication as a first step to help you achieve better Bg levels.

The first medication they consider is the Biguanide, Metformin.

Ken
 
When I was diagnosed (T2) 18 months ago, I too questioned my Doctor's reasons for wanting to put me straight onto Metformin as I wanted to try diet and exercise for the first few months, given that my BG readings weren't horrendously high. He told me that recent research showed that Metformin prevented or slowed down (can't remember his excact words) cardio-vascular disease and helped give all-round 'protection' to various organs. What finally swung it for me was him saying that if I wanted I could have the best of both worlds - take the Metformin AND work hard on the diet and exercise - they are not mutually exclusive! I took his advice and am so glad I did. I only need to take 2 Metformin a day (not the 4 he thought I would need), I have lost loads of weight and really enjoy the wide variety of activities/exercises I do. I aim to drop to 1 Metformin per day as even one tablet will benefit me.

However, the sceptic in me does realise that GPs get paid for every patient they prescribe Metformin to. :roll:

So, to answer your final question - No, don't change your GP as she sounds as though she knows what she's talking about.
 
While I'm sure few of us really want to go onto medication, if your fasting numbers are quite high (mine was 17.6 when I was diagnosed) I'd consider indeed going on Metformin if that's what the doctor proposes. It seems it can kick your numbers down a bit, especially at the start. From what I've read it seems to be a pretty safe drug. And it's not like you're on a lifetime contract to keep taking it - some people here have either reduced their dosage substantially or come off it altogether.
 
Hi Mac,

I believe your instincts are spot on.

My initial reaction was much the same as yours; I wanted to have a go at getting my BG under control myself. The first month or two were tough and as the mods on here know only too well, I read so much and did so much internet research that my head was in a spin. At one point I even considered going back to see the GP and ask to be put straight onto insulin. :shock:

Anyway, long story short, I appear to have my BG under control now through diet only; thanks largely to the good advice given by both mods and forum regulars on here.

Stick to your guns Mac. :D
 
As Bufferz says they can't make you take anything if you don't want to. :roll: :)

Many of us on here have researched and asked questions and managed to control without going on to the meds so we know it can be done if you are really determined. 8)
 
ramtops said:
Thanks, but the point is that I don't even have a diagnosis yet and the doctor is saying "Metformin straight away". I'm not thrilled with that.
Click to expand...

Looking at the thread title, surely you should face the music - & dance.
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I think most Drs would favour seeing how your are with diet & exercise before trying medication, unless your BG is seriously high. (Say HbA1c above 12) Mine was 11 at the first test, & a month later (having stopped having any sugary things) was 8, & fell below 7 in 3 months.)
 
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