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I want to come off my medication.

Alisonjane10

Alisonjane10

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,671
Location
England. (North East)
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Bullies, discrimination of any kind, bad manners, parents who let their kids run amok & spoil things for everyone else, unkind spiteful people, being a clumsy clod, toast crumbs in the bed, cold feet!!
Hello folks,

I currently take Metformin 1000mg twice daily, and Gliclazide 40mg also twice daily. I've significantly modified my diet since diagnosis at the beginning of this year & my BG levels are stable overall. I don't want to take my prescribed oral diabetic medication any longer. I'm tired of the side effects & feeling unwell. The nausea, headaches, gastrointestinal problems & dizziness caused by the meds are making me miserable. How have other members managed to stop taking medication? Also, do other members have any experience managing their blood glucose using alternative methods....such as Chromium tablets etc. All advice gratefully received.

Ali. X
 
I never started meds for diabetes but went strict LCHF so can't really advice you there. As I understand Metformin helps a bit with insulin resistance but the Gliclazide has a much larger effect on bg. Ask you diabetes nurse or GP if it's OK to stop or at least cut down on the Metformin and see if that helps. And if it's the Gliclazide that is the main culprit side effect wise there are other oral meds you can try.
 
I was originally prescribed all of the popular meds given to a type 2 and I was not happy. I have changed my diet, which gets significantly better results, and demonstrated to my DN that food has a greater effect than pills. I stopped taking the pills in order to overcome the adverse side effects and I didn't get an argument.

I am now pill free and see my signature.
 
Alisonjane10 said:
Hello folks,

I currently take Metformin 1000mg twice daily, and Gliclazide 40mg also twice daily. I've significantly modified my diet since diagnosis at the beginning of this year & my BG levels are stable overall. I don't want to take my prescribed oral diabetic medication any longer. I'm tired of the side effects & feeling unwell. The nausea, headaches, gastrointestinal problems & dizziness caused by the meds are making me miserable. How have other members managed to stop taking medication? Also, do other members have any experience managing their blood glucose using alternative methods....such as Chromium tablets etc. All advice gratefully received.

Ali. X
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Are you having Metformin issues, primarily or is it more complex? I've never taken meds, so have no direct experience of coming off them, but it could be worth taking a structured approach so that your body isn't too shocked. I understand Metformin works on a cummulative effect, until the optimum dose is reached, but I understand Gliclazide is more dynamic in its effect.

To answer your final part; I don't take anything. Anything. I am a meds free, and alternative remedies free zone, but I think I have been exceedingly fortunate in a few areas..
 
I also have never taken medication, but if I can't get my blood glucose down further, I may have to. I would do this with your health provider's guidance. Some medications can be stopped immediately, others within a week or two, others over a much longer period.

Berberine, 500 mgs with meals, 3 times a day, is a possibility to switch to, but it two causes stomach upset for some people. There's another nutrient I'm going to investigate this week. Will post again when I know more.
 
I stopped metformin on the advice of a doctor (his idea, not mine). I had switched to a low carb diet and my blood tests showed pretty good blood glucose levels, so he said to stop the metformin and get another HbA1c test after 3 months. I did that and my levels were still good, so I never went back to the metformin. Many people have been able to get off type 2 diabetes meds through diet (usually through carb reduction) and exercise, but it's something you need to work with your doctor on.
 
AndBreathe said:
Are you having Metformin issues, primarily or is it more complex? I've never taken meds, so have no direct experience of coming off them, but it could be worth taking a structured approach so that your body isn't too shocked. I understand Metformin works on a cummulative effect, until the optimum dose is reached, but I understand Gliclazide is more dynamic in its effect.

To answer your final part; I don't take anything. Anything. I am a meds free, and alternative remedies free zone, but I think I have been exceedingly fortunate in a few areas..
Click to expand...

Hi @AndBreathe

You clearly work hard to keep good blood glucose levels without the need for medication. Fortunate you may be, but it also takes commitment. And I know from previous posts from you that LCHF is how you manage your Diabetes. Since diagnosis, I've reduced my Gliclazide from 160mg twice daily to 40mg twice daily. I'm pleased about that. My DNS encouraged me to titrate downwards at my own pace, but to check in every week to keep her abreast of my dose etc. Anyway, I'm pretty fed up with the side effects from both my prescribed medications. The headaches & dizziness are probably the worst for me, alongside the need to rush to the loo without much warning. I also feel nauseous. Overall, these side effects can be quite debilitating. I want to stop the Gliclazide completely, but know this medication has the biggest effect upon my BG. Your theory of a structured approach is good advice.
I suppose what I was hoping for was hearing from a member who's been through the reduction/coming off oral meds strategy themselves. Finding out their success, timescale etc.
Either way, thanks so much for replying to my question. That also goes to @Totto, @Squire Fulwood, @Winnie53.

Thanks to you all.
Ali. X
 
There are several folks who have reduced, then stopped their meds, so hopefully they'll drop bye in due course.

Would your medics agree to dropping the Glic completely and prescribing Metformin SR, which can be gentler on the tum?

Yes. The Glic is the more outwardly potent drug, so that's likely to show the greatest impact on blood scores, if not on how you feel.

I'm sorry you're having such a rotten time.
 
AndBreathe said:
There are several folks who have reduced, then stopped their meds, so hopefully they'll drop bye in due course.

Would your medics agree to dropping the Glic completely and prescribing Metformin SR, which can be gentler on the tum?

Yes. The Glic is the more outwardly potent drug, so that's likely to show the greatest impact on blood scores, if not on how you feel.

I'm sorry you're having such a rotten time.
Click to expand...

You're a good soul @AndBreathe. Thank you. I'll make an appointment with my DNS for next week. In the mean time, I'll hope others who've reduced, then stopped, their meds do drop by. Ali. X

Thanks for your reply @NoCrbs4Me. X
 
Hi Aliison, I was on Metformin.... After reducing my weight and keeping my bs under control my DBN agreed that the Metformin was no longer needed .. But I had to reduce them gradually.. I have also stopped taking statins ... Again this was reduced very slowly ...
If you can keep your sugars under control without the Metformin then talk to your DSN about reducing and stopping them ... I would not advise to just stop taking any medication without talking to your Dr or DSN first.
 
@CollieBoy - you come off all meds, over time, if I recall?

I'm sorry I continually shout out to you, but when I read your story ages ago, it really stuck with me. (I think you were one of the first people to respond to an initial question I asked.)
 
Enclave said:
Hi Aliison, I was on Metformin.... After reducing my weight and keeping my bs under control my DBN agreed that the Metformin was no longer needed .. But I had to reduce them gradually.. I have also stopped taking statins ... Again this was reduced very slowly ...
If you can keep your sugars under control without the Metformin then talk to your DSN about reducing and stopping them ... I would not advise to just stop taking any medication without talking to your Dr or DSN first.
Click to expand...

Hi @Enclave
I think the way to go is with help from my DNS, as you & other members have advised. Thankfully I don't need BP meds or statins, so it's just my diabetic meds I want to stop. I want to use alternative BG lowering methods & have been researching Chromium. I'm currently taking Cinnamon at night to help with higher than wanted fasting levels. I have seen a slight improvement much to my surprise. I'm usually between 5.4 & 6.5 upon waking, rather than 7ish. I tend to run at 5ish the rest of the day. I have a review with my DNS next week so I'll have a good talk with her about this alongside my other questions. I appreciate your reply. Thank you.

Ali. X :)
 
Hi Allison, I used to be on gliclazide and metformin. I started lchf and dropped 2 stones and this had such an effect on my bg that my gp took me off gliclazide altogether. My next goal is to come off metformin as well, I don`t know if I`m going to get there but I`ll keep trying, had my hba1c yesterday so fingers crossed! As others have said, gliclazide has a more profound and immediate effect on bg than does metformin, it would of course be great to come off both but I wouldn`t do it without consultation with you doctor.
 
I've just come off my Gliclazide ;) Was on 2x80g twice daily

taken me 2 weeks of reasonably low carbing (nothing too severe) (no exercise)

My consultant agreed yesterday after I showed him my BG recordings :)

Also within last 6 weeks I've come down from 10.1 to 7.8 on HB1AC tests - again just by picking up hints and tips from here and being carefull on the carb front

Good luck, it can be done
 
Alisonjane10 said:
Hi @Enclave
I think the way to go is with help from my DNS, as you & other members have advised. Thankfully I don't need BP meds or statins, so it's just my diabetic meds I want to stop. I want to use alternative BG lowering methods & have been researching Chromium. I'm currently taking Cinnamon at night to help with higher than wanted fasting levels. I have seen a slight improvement much to my surprise. I'm usually between 5.4 & 6.5 upon waking, rather than 7ish. I tend to run at 5ish the rest of the day. I have a review with my DNS next week so I'll have a good talk with her about this alongside my other questions. I appreciate your reply. Thank you.

Ali. X :)
Click to expand...
Good luck with the review, hope it goes well, let us know how it goes.
Cheers
 
Alisonjane10 said:
Hi @Enclave
I think the way to go is with help from my DNS, as you & other members have advised. Thankfully I don't need BP meds or statins, so it's just my diabetic meds I want to stop. I want to use alternative BG lowering methods & have been researching Chromium. I'm currently taking Cinnamon at night to help with higher than wanted fasting levels. I have seen a slight improvement much to my surprise. I'm usually between 5.4 & 6.5 upon waking, rather than 7ish. I tend to run at 5ish the rest of the day. I have a review with my DNS next week so I'll have a good talk with her about this alongside my other questions. I appreciate your reply. Thank you.

Ali. X :)
Click to expand...

Alison - I'm obviously not going to tell you to do anything or do nothing, but in reality, it's your condition to manage. I would think that you will be able to demonstrate that you are taking proactive steps to manage your diabetes, and would suggest you perhaps suggest you feel your overall progress and feelings of wellbeing are being significantly hampered by the side-effects of the medication you are taking. On that basis you would like to have a period on purely diet and exercise. I might be inclined to have a straw man plan up my sleeve, in terms of how you will test and record your "performance" against your current scores, and a period after which you will assess whether or not it's working for you. I'd also probably chance my arm for an additional HbA1c test, if one isn't due, or recent, so that you have robust starting data you can both refer back to.

I think it would be very difficult not to try to accommodate your wishes ; especially as you could simply stop taking your mess without reference to her or anyone else. You have demonstrated time and again that you understand your condition, and can express yourself very eloquently.

If meds-free didn't work for you, there seem to be plenty of other potions that could be tried, but I can completely appreciate the attraction of seeing if your body can manage itself, based on your post-diagnosis learning, diet and overall management.
 
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Enclave said:
Hi Aliison, I was on Metformin.... After reducing my weight and keeping my bs under control my DBN agreed that the Metformin was no longer needed .. But I had to reduce them gradually.. I have also stopped taking statins ... Again this was reduced very slowly ...
If you can keep your sugars under control without the Metformin then talk to your DSN about reducing and stopping them ... I would not advise to just stop taking any medication without talking to your Dr or DSN first.
Click to expand...
Hi, I'm new on this forum. In fact, I just happen to come across the community by accident. I am a Functional Medicine Doctor in the United States. I am replying to your post because you are an example of what I and other Physicians like me "preach". In medical school we are taught Diabetes is a chronic progressive disorder. IT IS NOT!! There have been many studies showing people diagnosed with diabetes and taking insulin have had their diabetes (type 2 & type 1.5) corrected and are living insulin free. People on metformin and sulfonylureas are able to kick the medications with a few changes. I am glad you were able to do so. As such, it is incumbent upon you to spread the message as much as possible. Unfortunately, I don't have a license to practice in UK but am more than willing to provide information to you or anyone else you feel would benefit. Again, CONGRATULATIONS on being a pioneer!!!!

Email address deleted.
 
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Thanks for the welcome Winnie!!!!
Much appreciated! LCHF is actually not a bad way to go. In fact, when writing macros for my patients it is this concept I use. The extent to which I emphasize the low carb portion is dependent upon the patient. Do you do the same? How does it work for you? Have you been able to come off the medication?
Thank you for sending the links. I will take a look at both. And please, feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

Dr. Michael Scott
 
Diagnosed in 2006 type 2, but didn't know about the diet option. Re-diagnosed in 2015, and found my way to Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution. Was on the diet within 3 days of re-diagnosis. No medication. Blood glucose levels 105 - 125 mg/dL, sometimes up to 140. Am able to drop blood glucose up to 40 points by walking a mile if I have an unexpected spike.

I started out with an A1C of 9.9 and a blood glucose of 282 mg/dL, The insulin resistance has gotten a lot better.

I gave up completely sugar and all grains, I greatly limit starchy vegetables - (might add a quarter of a carrot on my salad) - and legumes. Next February, I'll see where I am. Doing all kinds of good things for my body right now, and, happily, am continuing to note improvements. Walking 1 to 3 miles a day has really helped a lot. :)
 
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