Metformin O.M.G..

[Meady74]

Morning,

Haven't posted for quite some time on here. Whilst my blood sugars haven't got worse (between 49-51) my blood pressure has increased, now on average 143/95 this is even with current blood pressure medication (take a combination of pills). So, we (me and the Dr.) agreed to increase the does of blood pressure pills and, to go on to metformin. Apparently my blood pressure ideally should be around the 120/80 mark.

Started off gradually, 1 a day for a week, then 2 a day for a week and then onto 3 a day. Go through the first week, no side effects, got the the end of the second week, and O...M...G the stomach cramps and diarrhea hit me for 6. Never experienced such continuous un-abating pain. Sorted it eventually but, off them for a little while and will go back on again shortly once tummy has settled. I can see why some people call it the Devil's own. Was a bit taken aback as I generally don't suffer with side affects from medication.

Someone had suggested galvus to take with the metformin as for them this stopped all the cramps and diarrhea etc. not sure on this but just looking for opinions.

 

[BB8.HG]

I sympathise. My first few weeks on Metformin were awful. 6 weeks later the symptoms have calmed down somewhat, but they're still pretty bad.

Some people go on the slow release version which can apparently reduce the side effects quite significantly for some. Maybe ask your doctor about that as an option.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Do you have your own monitors for blood pressure and also blood glucose?

White coat syndrome is a common effect of having blood pressure taken by a doctor - the nerves are jangling a bit. My GP always knocks 10 off the score mentally. If you do test it at home, are you normally lower than that? For someone with a BP problem it is a good idea to self test at home simply to keep an eye on things. Also, did he only do one test in one arm and were you sitting quietly, legs uncrossed, and not talking? Just a few suggestions.

If you self test your blood sugars, what sort of levels do you see? I only ask because it isn't particularly usual to be given Metformin with a HbA1c under 53 unless you are actually deteriorating or the GP believes it will help you. GPs differ in their approach. Metformin only helps to a limited extent, mainly with morning fasting levels. Diet is the key. Again, just a suggestion that you may wish to tweak your food choices a bit to get your HbA1c down more. .

Yes, there is a slow release version of Metformin that is supposed to be kinder on the tummy, which you can ask for if it continues to give you problems.

 

[Meady74]

Do you have your own monitors for blood pressure and also blood glucose?

White coat syndrome is a common effect of having blood pressure taken by a doctor - the nerves are jangling a bit. My GP always knocks 10 off the score mentally. If you do test it at home, are you normally lower than that? For someone with a BP problem it is a good idea to self test at home simply to keep an eye on things. Also, did he only do one test in one arm and were you sitting quietly, legs uncrossed, and not talking? Just a few suggestions.

If you self test your blood sugars, what sort of levels do you see? I only ask because it isn't particularly usual to be given Metformin with a HbA1c under 53 unless you are actually deteriorating or the GP believes it will help you. GPs differ in their approach. Metformin only helps to a limited extent, mainly with morning fasting levels. Diet is the key. Again, just a suggestion that you may wish to tweak your food choices a bit to get your HbA1c down more. .

Yes, there is a slow release version of Metformin that is supposed to be kinder on the tummy, which you can ask for if it continues to give you problems.

Hi, I don’t usually suffer with white coat fortunately. I have my own monitors for both. The blood pressure is an average figure taken from measurements of 3 times a day for a week. Unsurprisingly, the highest figures were on a sunday evening/ Monday morning.

(Previously I have had 24hr blood pressure monitors and it was spiking at 230/135, currently on Lisinopril, amlodipine, spironolactone). So the lisinopril has been upped for the moment.

I don’t usually test sugars every day as it is generally not that high and was in the range between 4 and 10.

The choice on going for the Metformin was an informed choice and it does have other benefits as well as reducing blood sugar and was not a choice taken lightly. There are also other medical issues but haven’t gone through these as they are not really relevant here.

My GP is generally very good and this is a little bit of a suck and see exercise and may not be appropriate in the end.

 

[Meady74]

I sympathise. My first few weeks on Metformin were awful. 6 weeks later the symptoms have calmed down somewhat, but they're still pretty bad.

Some people go on the slow release version which can apparently reduce the side effects quite significantly for some. Maybe ask your doctor about that as an option.

Hi, I had read that it can take some time to settle and that some people cannot take it at all. But I guess we’ll see.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Hi, I don’t usually suffer with white coat fortunately. I have my own monitors for both. The blood pressure is an average figure taken from measurements of 3 times a day for a week. Unsurprisingly, the highest figures were on a sunday evening/ Monday morning.

(Previously I have had 24hr blood pressure monitors and it was spiking at 230/135, currently on Lisinopril, amlodipine, spironolactone). So the lisinopril has been upped for the moment.

LOL.My apologies. I can see I was attempting to teach grandma to suck eggs.

However, may I suggest that BS levels above 7.8 are not ideal, so maybe a re-visit to testing before and after meals might prove helpful.

 

[Meady74]

LOL.My apologies. I can see I was attempting to teach grandma to suck eggs.

However, may I suggest that BS levels above 7.8 are not ideal, so maybe a re-visit to testing before and after meals might prove helpful.

No worries, you weren’t to know

 

[tubamanandy]

Re the blood pressure, I think I've sorted mine without having to take ADDITIONAL medication (already take 2 x tablets/day). Ive been running around 100-105 on the bottom number which really is not good. Top number anything from 120-150. Decided to do loads of research on the subject and discovered the sodium/potassium balance has alot to do with it. About 6 weeks ago decided to really drop my salt intake (little processed/lots of home made) and increase my potassium levels (food types and some supplementation). Now my bottom figure runs anywhere from 60-80, not seen any higher figures, test regularly and no additional blood pressure or T2D medications. Just my own reporting

 

[Meady74]

Re the blood pressure, I think I've sorted mine without having to take ADDITIONAL medication (already take 2 x tablets/day). Ive been running around 100-105 on the bottom number which really is not good. Top number anything from 120-150. Decided to do loads of research on the subject and discovered the sodium/potassium balance has alot to do with it. About 6 weeks ago decided to really drop my salt intake (little processed/lots of home made) and increase my potassium levels (food types and some supplementation). Now my bottom figure runs anywhere from 60-80, not seen any higher figures, test regularly and no additional blood pressure or T2D medications. Just my own reporting

That’s interesting. My diet isn’t the best as it is but I do try and make my dinners where I can. I may give that go.