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metformin at diagnosis

  • Thread starter Thread starter paltry
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paltry

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Has anyone here been put on metformin straightaway at diagnosis? My reseach shows it to be recommended by many studies and diabetologists, especially for those of us who are overweight(!)

T
 
I wasn't put on metformin straight away, but think it was less than a month before I was put on it. I don't remember having any extra blood tests to determine whether I was doing any good on diet only, but I may have done.

If I had found this forum back then, then maybe I could have kept off it for longer, but it does have good points.
 
I was diagnosed last October and put straight on 1 x 500 metformin twice a day upped to 2 x 500 twice a day in november. This was'nt to aid weight loss as my nurse didn't feel my weight was zn issue although I have already dropped from 12st down to 10st
 
I was given three months without medication while noting my levels to take to my next appointment. Then the endo decided to put me on 500mg Metformin. She has now increased it to 1000mg. I don't get any side effects.
 
paltry said:
Has anyone here been put on metformin straightaway at diagnosis? My reseach shows it to be recommended by many studies and diabetologists, especially for those of us who are overweight(!)

T
Click to expand...
Yes I was pu on Meformin straight away but was also strictly warned no o lose any weight as I was underweight.
In the event the metformin did not make me lose weight and did nothing at all for my blood sugar levels. I was old at he ime that it was o protect me from stroke and heart attack. I continued o take i for 3 years wih side effects , My GP at the time was thinking of taking me off it but I was forced o move house and GP's practice and the new GP. - new in every sense of the word- disagreed and sated -in ringing ones- that he waned it to be The Cornerstone of my Treatment! I could not help but ask "Instead of being The Bane of my Life?" but he is too young o have developed a sense of humour. I now take the maximum dose ,plus other things , but thankfully after 4 years he side effects have subsided.
 
I went on it at my own request to help with weight loss (which it hasn't yet!) and expect to discuss upping the dose from 1500mg per day next time I see my doctor. I recently found out about the protection from heart disease and stroke, which is a bonus!

I also thought that if it helped with the insulin resistance it might give my pancreas a rest by making its job a bit easier.

I'd dropped my BG from 9.2 to 6.7, my HbA1c from 6.5 to 5.6, and my weight by 30lb, in 3 months by diet only, before I gave in and allowed them to register me as diabetic (Type 2). My only regret is that I hadn't been self-testing before I went on to it, so I can't tell how much effect it's having. After 1 month on it my fasting was 6.0 and my HbA1c 5.4 (3 months from previous tests), which isn't a big difference. Next tests in March may show more.

Does it really help in lowering bg levels? I'm tempted to stop it for 3 months to see what happens, but then I'd have all the side effects when starting again! :lol: :lol:

Viv
 
i was given 3 months 'grace' before i was put on metformin. been on it since last saturday and havent had any side effect yet. doseage is 1 x 500mg for 1 week then 2 x 500g for 1 week then 3 x 500mg from then on. the only effect that i have noticed is that i seem to be hungry more since taking the metformin, i dont recall reading that this was a side effect, i was kind of hoping it would help with some weight loss as well as the obvious reasons. my blood glucose readings are a bit all over the place at the moment, does anyone know how long it takes before the metformin start working?
 
I was put on it straight away.
 
I was given to understand that everyone was put on metformin as a matter of course,when I was diagnosed. Of course they were also automatically given test meters and strips then.
I wonder if this is another change/costcutting measure?
 
Depends on your glucose levels at diagnosis and or BMI
If your only just in range your more than likely be on diet only to start with


Refer to the T2 map of medicine for info see below


http://healthguides.mapofmedicine.com/choices/map/diabetes2.html

From above:

 
Hi,
I was diagnosed 4 weeks ago and was given Metformin, even though I mentioned that I wasn't keen on taking tablets of any kind...
She said that she would just try me on ONE 500g tablet per day, (as though she was doing me a favour). My Bg reading at the surgery was 7.8 ( I'm not overweight)
I was not given any opportunity to try a period of 'diet only' treatment initially and wasn't offered a monitor.
I have since bought my own and I'm currently testing about three /four times per week, with the option of increasing to a more frequent check as I progress.
Oh, those Metformin are still in their box, untouched!
My fasting Bg this morning was 6.6 I'll check it again tomorrow, just in case...

Malc.
 
I was put on insulin as I was diganosed after ending up in hospital and given my age it probbaly looked like T1.
I was put on metformin six months later after some tests.
 
those Metformin are still in their box, untouched!
Click to expand...

Your body your choice

Metformin has other benefits eg with Cholesterol
Have good read up on Metformin

You can lead a horse to water: but you cant make him drink
 

I take your point, however, I'm not saying that I'll never take them...
I believe that as:

1/my initial readings weren't too high,
2/I'm not overweight.
3/I don't have any of the symptoms, such as tiredness, excessive thirst,frequent toilet visits.etc.
4/ I have never smoked.
5/I hardly drink any alcohol

Then I should have the opportunity to reduce my Bg with careful diet control.

Regards, Malc.
 
bowell said:
Just for interest have you tested 2hr+from a meal ?
Click to expand...

Hi,
Only on a couple of occasions, I've mostly tested early morning, (fasting), however I did a test late last night which was 8.1
The reading this morning, as stated in an earlier post 6.6
Yesterday, I managed to get more testing strips (50) for my meter, so I am now able to test more frequently, which will include those 2hr+ situations.

Malc.
 
Malc
Try a few tests 2hrs+ from a meal may surprise you :shock:
if your going to try diet alone ,you will need to test more
before you eat then 2hrs+ as a minimum
just to find the foods suits you

keep us all tuned in
Bob
 
[q uote][/quote]


I actually asked the question as the American Diabetes Association recommends metformin from diagnosis;

http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/29/8/1963.full

I was directed there when studying online as part of my Continuing Professional Development (I'm in the NHS).
 
Following on from my previous post, I tested more frequently today...
Results below.

9.15 am fasting test result...6.9
Breakfast, 1x weetabix + a handful of spoon-size shredded wheat + milk, no sugar.cup of tea, no sugar.

11.50 am (2+hours) test result 6.1

1x slice of toast, white bread + cup of coffee, no sugar...
followed by ( later)
Lunch, 1x white bread roll with phillidelphia cheese + salad & a few potato crisps.Cup of tea, no sugar.

3.55 pm (2+hours) test result 5.6


These are the best results for me so far. It's really encouraging (to me, anyway) to have these lower readings at this early stage and without any medication, so far.
I wonder if those two small (and I mean small)glasses of red wine helped? (last night and the previous night)

We plan to have a 'bar meal' again this evening and that may interupt the flow of the lower readings above, but I won't make the same mistake(s) as last week,(as I reported on a different thread).
There'll be no chips, no regular coke and no 'sticky toffee pud'... :cry:

O.K. We went out for our Bar meal and I had:
Steak & Mushroom pie (puff pastry top) with new potatoes, garden peas & salad.+ half pint of bitter.
My final reading tonight 2+hours after the meal, was.....8.4

Malc.
 
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