If the doctor asks me to take metformin...

[Languagelearner]

Hi, I'm waiting for the second confirmatory blood test results to confirm the reading of 48 I got at the end of January. I've experimented with some metformin tablets a family member ordered online from India, and found that I was exhausted and basically couldn't do anything all day on the tablets. If the doctor prescribes metformin next week, is there any alternative medication that I could suggest to the doctor instead? Or just tell him I'm going to do low-carb only? Thanks.

 

[Tophat1900]

It's entirely your decision... you can't be forced to take something if you don't want to. Some people find it helpfull and others don't. You could try low carb only, really is up to you.

 

[Rachox]

Your reading of 48 is only just into the diabetic range so it is very realistic to control your diabetes with a low carb diet and no meds. That’s a discussion for you and your GP and remember your GP is there to advise and support not to dictate.
Just another note of caution Metformin is a prescription only drug in the uk. I’d personally be very wary of buying tablets on the internet.

 

[Prem51]

When I was first diagnosed with a reading of 49 my gp agreed to let me try to reduce my reading by diet and exercise before considering medication.
You should get a retest after 3 months, with a reading of only 48 your gp should agree to you trying to control by diet and/or exercise first.

 

[KennyA]

I had no trouble over metformin with the diabetic nurse (nurse deals"with diabetics at my practice). Probably because my HbA1c was only 50. I had the "let me see how I get on with diet etc" argument ready but it wasn't needed.

 

[Languagelearner]

My first blood test at the end of January was 48. I just had the 2nd test to confirm the diagnosis and it was 47. I had had, not just low carbs, but zero carbs for three weeks before the blood test. So the doctor isn't prescribing medication for me. But it looks like zero carbs was the right decision. (I had one blow-out day on carbs, but that was after the 2nd blood tests and won't have influenced the results. As soon as I had a lot of carbs in one day, the foot pain became much worse again.) Thank you all for advice and comments.

 

[slikwipman]

Hi, I'm waiting for the second confirmatory blood test results to confirm the reading of 48 I got at the end of January. I've experimented with some metformin tablets a family member ordered online from India, and found that I was exhausted and basically couldn't do anything all day on the tablets. If the doctor prescribes metformin next week, is there any alternative medication that I could suggest to the doctor instead? Or just tell him I'm going to do low-carb only? Thanks.

Just be honest with yourself about if you really think you can achieve your goals with diet alone. Only you know if long term it’s realistic. This may go some way to deciding if you need meds until you can get a long term eating plan. Good luck