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Is it a good idea to increase Metformin without the GPs consent?

SuzyMo

Well-Known Member
Messages
58
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
My job was made redundant this week. The stress I've been under over the last few days has sent by BG way up. Fasting 11. It'll be ages before I get a doctors appointment do you think it a good idea to increase my dose of Metformin?
 

Thanks. I hope so. Sounds like you've been there too. Things obviously worked out for you. Trying to stay positive.
 
Does your doctor have a diabetes nurse in his/her practice? They can often give guidance with these issues over the phone.
 
Not really a good idea to alter meds without consulting a GO,could you ask for a telephone consultation ? ,or maybe ask to speak to the DN
CAROL
 
@SuzyMo - Sorry to read that about the redundancy. Worry and Stress releases Cortisol into the blood which elevates blood sugar. Drink more water as it helps to flush out your system and stabilize glucose in the bloodstream.
 
liam1955 said:
@SuzyMo - Sorry to read that about the redundancy. Worry and Stress releases Cortisol into the blood which elevates blood sugar. Drink more water as it helps to flush out your system and stabilize glucose in the bloodstream.
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Yes thank you I'll give that a try.
 
In your position I'd rather go for long walks than up the metformin. Walking reduces stress and lowers BG. At least that is what I did in a similar situation. Clears the head too.
 
Also a good idea. Definitely need my head cleared at the moment and if it brings the BG down even better.
 
SuzyMo said:
Also a good idea. Definitely need my head cleared at the moment and if it brings the BG down even better.
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I think the walking suggestion is a good one, for the reasons suggested.

It sounds like you may have been surprised by your current situation, and if that's the case, it's very natural to feel stressed and as you do when you've had an unwanted "surprise". To be honest, aside from keeping your eating, drinking and if you can, your sleeping in the right places, I'd not do anything too drastic, too quickly. Metformin takes a while to build up it's efficiency and if you were to have a grumpy tummy frpm the higher dose, that's unlikely to help with your overall feelings of wellbeing.

Having managed a group of folks through a redundancy situation (I knew a long time in advance it was going to happen), I was astonished how rapidly most folks mood turned around from shock, bewilderment and anger in some, to getting their act together to find themselves new jobs. In fact a couple of people I am still loosely in contact with have said it was probably a good thing as they now realise they'd been in a rut, and some even came out financially significantly better off, bizarrely.

Let the dust settle, and start planning the job hunt. Once you have a plan, things seem so much better.

I wish you well.
 
I concur with the walking/exercise idea.

From my entirely unscientific experience I found my BG baseline jumped about 0.5 mmol when I stopped taking Metformin, but dropped back by the same amount when I began regularly walking 7 or 8 miles daily.


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Hello SuzyMo, sorry to hear of your news. There's some good advice given here by the others, which I can't add to right now.

Just wanted to wish you well, and I hope the future becomes clearer for you very soon.
 
Thank you all so very much for your help,support and good wishes. I'm sure things will turn around once I've formulated a plan. I'm due to go off for a short break next week in the country and will certainly be able to do a lot of walking. In spite of the Metformin the BG was 13.9 fasting this morning which isn't great. Things will be absolutely fine once I get my head around it. Thanks again for all your help. Suzy. X
 
SuzyMo said:
In spite of the Metformin the BG was 13.9 fasting this morning which isn't great. Things will be absolutely fine once I get my head around it. Thanks again for all your help. Suzy. X
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Sorry to hear about your job. Keep thinking that when one door closes another door opens, it always does.
As for Metformin, don't forget that it's not like increasing insulin or something like Gliclazide or Januvia. Metformin works by reducing the amount of glucose produced and released by the liver, and by increasing insulin sensitivity.

Exercise in general can make a big difference.
 

Thank you David. Things are slowly improving. Starting to focus. X
 
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