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Metformin for T2 How long does it take to feel better?

Mayple

Mayple

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I was diagnosed this week and started Metformin 500mg x2.
I've lost a lot of weight (now well under weight) and I'm very weak. My Dr. didn't tell me my levels or give a prescription to get testing strips & monitor. She gave me very little information and I've felt lost. I've learned so much from reading your posts and feel very grateful.
My question is: How long did it take for you to feel better after starting Met?
 
Mayple said:
I was diagnosed this week and started Metformin 500mg x2.
I've lost a lot of weight (now well under weight) and I'm very weak. My Dr. didn't tell me my levels or give a prescription to get testing strips & monitor. She gave me very little information and I've felt lost. I've learned so much from reading your posts and feel very grateful.
My question is: How long did it take for you to feel better after starting Met?
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Are they the slow release form? Most people can tolerate them and it might engage initial bouts of nausea / fatigue general soreness and toilet trips.

Why do you put it down to the Metformin? Not saying it wouldn't be that but your comments that you've lost a lot of weight and feel weak and (presumably) you've just started on the course of tablets suggests it might be something else perhaps?

Info on your BS readings wouldn't hurt either and clues re your diet.

BTW, welcome

Mike
 
if you haven't tried to lose weight, I would go to another Dr because that is more T1 symptom or something else that needs fixing
T2 don't lose weight without trying, infact most stack on the weight
 
Thank you both.
I'm sorry my post wasn't very clear. I lost the weight prior to be diagnosed T2 this week. My Dr. said that my symptoms of unexplained weight loss, fatigue, thirst, frequent weeing and of course the results of my blood work (A1c?) indicated Diabetes. She prescribed the Metformin but it's not slow release.
I am following a low carb and no sugar diet.
I see my Dr. again and will be armed with questions eg. what were my fasting levels on my blood work, will she prescribe a BG monitor etc.
So far the Metformin side effect aren't bad but I'm really sore this morning.
 
Hi maple and welcome to the forum, sorry to hear your not so good ,but take it from me, you will be ok on metformin,post your q's and let us know how you get on at the doctors
 
Thank you Clive:happy:
This forum is amazing. I live in Canada and haven't found a support network like this here.
 
Hello Maypie and welcome to the forum. I can't help with the Metformin as I've never had it.

My advice is to ring the doctor ASAP and ask what your blood results were. You really need to know now rather than later so you know what you are dealing with. You need to know your HbA1c results. Then you need to buy a meter and strips so you can start to control this problem. The sooner the better.

Good luck on your journey.
 
This forum has given me so much help advice and support,it's the best on the net, a big welcome
 
Hi. As another poster said, your diabetes sounds more like Late onset T1 (LADA) rather than T2; the sudden weight loss being one pointer. I would go back and ask for the two tests for LADA (c-peptide and GAD). If positive then your tablets would need to be changed with the possibility of insulin later. Metformin only helps us a bit and is most useful for those who are overweight. Do ask for the SR Metformin anyway as it's much kinder.
 
Daibell said:
Hi. As another poster said, your diabetes sounds more like Late onset T1 (LADA) rather than T2; the sudden weight loss being one pointer. I would go back and ask for the two tests for LADA (c-peptide and GAD). If positive then your tablets would need to be changed with the possibility of insulin later. Metformin only helps us a bit and is most useful for those who are overweight. Do ask for the SR Metformin anyway as it's much kinder.
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Thank you this is helpful but now I'm more scared. What does this mean?
The diabetes diagnosis was a shock because I'm thin and exercise. I'm 42. My Mom has T2 and was diagnosed at 75. My Dr. said it was hereditary.
I am seeing my Dr. on Monday and will discuss this. Unfortunately she doesn't work weekends and the practice is closed.
 
no need to be scared, it just has to be sorted out for you....if you weren't trying to lose weight, eg you were eating and exercising the same...
"I've lost a lot of weight (now well under weight) and I'm very weak." this is a strong indicator that something is wrong and it may be T1 lack of insulin, it doesn't sound like normal T2 symptoms, that's all.

odds are this has been coming on for a while and you will be fine to see the dr next week ..the only note of caution is, if over the weekend you get cramps and feel sick/throw up, get checked at A&E or a clinic as you normally would. to make sure your ketone level is ok
 
jack412 said:
no need to be scared, it just has to be sorted out for you....if you weren't trying to lose weight, eg you were eating and exercising the same...
"I've lost a lot of weight (now well under weight) and I'm very weak." this is a strong indicator that something is wrong and it may be T1 lack of insulin, it doesn't sound like normal T2 symptoms, that's all.

odds are this has been coming on for a while and you will be fine to see the dr next week ..the only note of caution is, if over the weekend you get cramps and feel sick/throw up, get checked at A&E or a clinic as you normally would. to make sure your ketone level is ok
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Hi and a big welcome, just for general information I started metformin 5 weeks ago, and had a terrible start with it. Nausea, extreme tiredness, aches and pains, upset tummy. I was advised to stop taking it for a week then start again and if I react the same way my gp will change the meds. I have to confess that I feel great since stopping it, but my BG has been creeping up.

Like Jack, I'm a little worried because you state you lost so much weight prior to diagnosis, was diabetes the only result or test you had ? It just doesn't fit the ordinary path, although I'm not a doctor but as jack said being under weight and weak is more symptomatic of being Type 1 .

Shame on them for not giving you more detailed information. You should go back and demand more answers.

Reducing your carb intake will greatly assist your BG levels, well done on taking the initiative.

Don't be afraid to ask away, and do lots of researching on this forum, it is a diabetic bible of information.

Good luck and take care
 
Thank you. I do plan to go back and ask a lot of questions. I'm disappointed with the care I've received. Any suggestions of questions I should arm myself with are appreciated. You have all given me some great suggestions already.
 
Mayple said:
Thank you. I do plan to go back and ask a lot of questions. I'm disappointed with the care I've received. Any suggestions of questions I should arm myself with are appreciated. You have all given me some great suggestions already.
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find out why you lost the weight..get a testing plan to find out..starting with blood tests for T1 and other stuff like thyroid..
everyone goes nuts the first few weeks and you need some time to settle down, but later there will be foot, eye and teeth checks. CA probably have some educational courses to tell you to eat lots of carbs..most here eat fewer carbs than recommended and feel better for it.
 
The only person who can - or anyway should - tell you what the situation may be is your Doctor and I'd try to get an expert's opinion before seeking diagnoses from people on here, however well-intentioned, who don't know your medical history and haven't seen you or your test results. No harm in undergoing the further tests suggested here, but you may have a struggle to persuade your doctor of the wisdom of this :)

Have you been ill recently? I don't mean diabetes, just unwell through an infection of some sort which may have been particularly tenacious because you are diabetic. This happened to me and I felt as weak as a kitten - not surprising, because I'd been chucking my guts up for several weeks and had lost a stone and a half in consequence. I began to feel better once the infection was zapped properly and I could exercise regularly and keep food down, rather than submitting it for re-inspection after half an hour or so :)

Metformin no doubt helped with all of this because it was one of a battery of weapons that brought things under control. It's not a magic bullet in itself but coupled with the right diet (and I'm a believer in keeping carb consumption to a modest, but not austere level) and exercise, I suspect you'll soon be feeling good again.

Hope so :)
 
jay hay-char said:
The only person who can - or anyway should - tell you what the situation may be is your Doctor and I'd try to get an expert's opinion before seeking diagnoses from people on here, however well-intentioned, who don't know your medical history and haven't seen you or your test results. No harm in undergoing the further tests suggested here, but you may have a struggle to persuade your doctor of the wisdom of this :)

Have you been ill recently? I don't mean diabetes, just unwell through an infection of some sort which may have been particularly tenacious because you are diabetic. This happened to me and I felt as weak as a kitten - not surprising, because I'd been chucking my guts up for several weeks and had lost a stone and a half in consequence. I began to feel better once the infection was zapped properly and I could exercise regularly and keep food down, rather than submitting it for re-inspection after half an hour or so :)

Metformin no doubt helped with all of this because it was one of a battery of weapons that brought things under control. It's not a magic bullet in itself but coupled with the right diet (and I'm a believer in keeping carb consumption to a modest, but not austere level) and exercise, I suspect you'll soon be feeling good again.

Hope so :)
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I didn't see anyone offering diagnoses.

But I did see half a dozen people encouraging the OP to go back to their doc for clarification, test results, answers to questions and more tests.
 
Brunneria said:
I didn't see anyone offering diagnoses.

But I did see half a dozen people encouraging the OP to go back to their doc for clarification, test results, answers to questions and more tests.
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OK; fair point. What I was trying to say was that several people have suggested that the OP may be T1 rather than T2 and that I don't personally think there's much point in speculating about this without being in full possession of the facts, which none of us are. The reason I went off on one - a bit - was because I had very similar responses when I first posted on here, which mainly had the effect of turning worry and concern (about a diagnosis of T2) into blind panic (that I might have T1). That turned out to be uninformed nonsense and I just wanted to underline that, however much we may doubt the advice given to us about treatment of our condition by the medical profession (and I share those doubts) they usually get the diagnosis right except in a handful of cases, particularly when there's a family history of T2, which seems to be the case here. At the moment, we have the OP saying that he's "more scared" because it's been suggested that he may have T1, which isn't really helping anyone and, on the balance of probability, is likely to be a baseless worry.

Anyway, I didn't join the thread to start an argument and I do agree that
encouraging the OP to go back to their doc for clarification, test results, answers to questions and more tests
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is a sensible way forward if the OP is in any doubt about the diagnosis of T2.
 
Thank you everyone. I do appreciate your comments. The info. you shared wasn't intended to scare me. I'm just in a really anxious state. I'm seeing my Dr. today and will ask lots of questions and hopefully come out more assured.
 
jay hay-char said:
OK; fair point. What I was trying to say was that several people have suggested that the OP may be T1 rather than T2 and that I don't personally think there's much point in speculating about this without being in full possession of the facts, which none of us are. The reason I went off on one - a bit - was because I had very similar responses when I first posted on here, which mainly had the effect of turning worry and concern (about a diagnosis of T2) into blind panic (that I might have T1). That turned out to be uninformed nonsense and I just wanted to underline that, however much we may doubt the advice given to us about treatment of our condition by the medical profession (and I share those doubts) they usually get the diagnosis right except in a handful of cases, particularly when there's a family history of T2, which seems to be the case here. At the moment, we have the OP saying that he's "more scared" because it's been suggested that he may have T1, which isn't really helping anyone and, on the balance of probability, is likely to be a baseless worry.

Anyway, I didn't join the thread to start an argument and I do agree that is a sensible way forward if the OP is in any doubt about the diagnosis of T2.
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The OP is female btw!
 
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