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metformin or not

L

LiamH

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hello all,

Between being diagnosed 3 weeks ago and my first clinic appointment two days ago I've been hardcore dieting and exercising. I feel great but the doctor prescribed metformin anyway. He said 'test your urine, it will be a little high in sugar but you will see it go down over the week as the metformin takes effect'. Weed on the strip when I got home and it tested clear of glucose. Same thing at varying times over the last two days. My question is should I take the metformin anyway, or just do the diet and exercise method? I appreciate this is probably a silly question but I'm new to all this.

thanks

Liam
 
I'm not diagnosed long enough to really give the best advice.all I can say is I take metformin and I do feel good on it and with diet and excercise I'm hope I don't need it for ever but I have been talked to about the benifits of taking it..will your dr perhaps explain it all so you can make an informed choice
 
The test strips you we on aren't really that accurate.
Some only indicate when your bs is above 10 for a while.
You really need a meter that tests your blood.

As to whether or not you take your metformin, there aren't normally any bad side effects, unless it's an upset stomach, but it's your choice as we can't advise on medical matters.
 
mrs gimli said:
I'm not diagnosed long enough to really give the best advice.all I can say is I take metformin and I do feel good on it and with diet and excercise I'm hope I don't need it for ever but I have been talked to about the benifits of taking it..will your dr perhaps explain it all so you can make an informed choice
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Thanks Mrs Gimli
 
douglas99 said:
The test strips you we on aren't really that accurate.
Some only indicate when your bs is above 10 for a while.
You really need a meter that tests your blood.

As to whether or not you take your metformin, there aren't normally any bad side effects, unless it's an upset stomach, but it's your choice as we can't advise on medical matters.
Click to expand...
Thanks Douglas
 
I think you should test with a a blood glucose meter, you'll get a MUCH better idea of how you are doing. If you cant get one off your GP many companies will give you one for free but the strips can be pricey. Lots of us bought the SD Code free from Amazon or similar, the strips are about one third the price of others.

Lots of people don't take medication if their control is good, But some people think metformin has other benefits
 
Hi Liam
If your Doctor has prescribed Metformin I would take it; at least initially, until further check ups indicate it is no longer necessary. Try and obtain a BG meter it will give a much better indication of the measure of control that you have over your diabetes. My diabetes specialist nurse gave me a meter when I said I was thinking of using one. Do not be frightened of the Metformin you are unlikely to experience any major side effects other than a change in your toilet habits and musical flatulence. ;)
Metformin the breakfast of champions!
Good luck Jack.
 
Accurate glucose level could be measured in blood, preferably before meal in the morning. After that, it could be better decided to quit or continue with the medication. By the way, metformin has lesser side effects as compared to other anti diabetic drugs. Metformin is also prescribed by some physicians for weight loss. The base line is that any medication should always be started and stopped only by a physician advise.
 
Hi Liam,

Welcome to the forum, Daisy our moderator will be along soon to give you valuable information for newly diagnosed diabetics. I would also advise that you get a meter to test your blood, best times are , on waking and then just before you eat and two hours after. After two hours your blood sugar should be around the same as before eating unless what you have eaten is high in sugars, this may not be sweet stuff but could be carbohydrates which turn to sugars.
Metformin is a very good drug, it has lots of pluses and as Father Jack stated a few minuses. Good luck. ;)
 
LiamH said:
Hello all,

Between being diagnosed 3 weeks ago and my first clinic appointment two days ago I've been hardcore dieting and exercising. I feel great but the doctor prescribed metformin anyway. He said 'test your urine, it will be a little high in sugar but you will see it go down over the week as the metformin takes effect'. Weed on the strip when I got home and it tested clear of glucose. Same thing at varying times over the last two days. My question is should I take the metformin anyway, or just do the diet and exercise method? I appreciate this is probably a silly question but I'm new to all this.

thanks

Liam
Click to expand...

well no - your Doc should not have prescribed metformin so early in the piece.

the current advice (NICE and DUk) is for new T2s to be given a trial period of three or six months on Diet and Exercise because they have to understand the absolute necessity for lifestyle changes. And shouldn't use medication as an immediate crutch.

Having said that there is no programme of Diet and/or Exercise for new T2s - its just go off and do your own thing according to what you understand.
 
mcdonagh47 said:
well no - your Doc should not have prescribed metformin so early in the piece.

the current advice (NICE and DUk) is for new T2s to be given a trial period of three or six months on Diet and Exercise because they have to understand the absolute necessity for lifestyle changes. And shouldn't use medication as an immediate crutch.

Having said that there is no programme of Diet and/or Exercise for new T2s - its just go off and do your own thing according to what you understand.
Click to expand...

That depends on the bs, the patient, and the doctors judgement at the time, it's not one size fits all, and we have no idea at all about the medical record of the op, so that's a medical judgement you can't make.
 
Stick with the tablets as without them your sugar might start to rise again

And as mentioned get your nurse to check you with a glucose blood machine


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
When I was a kid in the sixties and seventies my dad used the urine strips. He died when I was 22 after years of suffering strokes and heart disease.

I think the blood glucose monitor might work better than urine tests.
 
Hi, Welcome :)

Although i agree we cannot give a medical assessment, because i have so little faith in the medical profession, i would say you dont have to take medication just because the doctor said so, get a meter as said, test your bloods and if they are at good levels you can decide for yourself if you think the meds are needed, on saying that metformin is considered by many (and me) to be a very good drug and i wouldnt hesitate to take them if i thought they were neccersary, but at the end of the day taking no meds has to be favourable, its a tough call that you must make, getting a meter is the key, this is only my opinion

best of luck, ask as many questions as you can and have a good read of the forum
 
I was given metformin this week despite showing good bg control and making a good start with diet and exercise. I was disappointed at first but then the doctor explained that it had cardiovascular benefits, protected against certain cancers and aided weight loss. She said it worked better if used ASAP after diagnoses. I thought that, as my (non diabetic) dad had had a heart attack and died of a ruptured aorta, I might benefit from it.

It is your choice, Liam. Discuss any reservation you may have with your doctor, but it is your decision at the end of the day. All the best.
 
douglas99 said:
That depends on the bs, the patient, and the doctors judgement at the time,.
Click to expand...

It shouldn't depend on any of that. The National Institute of Clinical EXCELLENCE says metformin should only be introduced to new T2s after their A1c is still over 6.5 after a trial of lifestyle interventions lasting several months.
Diabetes Uk agrees with that and the whole theme of DUK's Spring Conference in 2010 was the importance of the lifestyle trial before metformin was chucked at new T2s as a "one size fits all" quickie solution.
 
mcdonagh47 said:
It shouldn't depend on any of that. The National Institute of Clinical EXCELLENCE says metformin should only be introduced to new T2s after their A1c is still over 6.5 after a trial of lifestyle interventions lasting several months.
Diabetes Uk agrees with that and the whole theme of DUK's Spring Conference in 2010 was the importance of the lifestyle trial before metformin was chucked at new T2s as a "one size fits all" quickie solution.
Click to expand...

That's just swopping a "one size fits all" solution for another "one size fist all" solution, that may or may not be applicable here.
 
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