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Metformin prescribed.....1 week til Christmas :(

LyndaC

Member
Messages
10
Location
West Bletchley, Milton Keynes
I have been getting sooooo tired, waking up in the morning is a nightmare, I bought a SAD lamp a couple of months ago to help (it is) but with waking 2-3 times a night as well I am just getting sooo tired. :yawn:
My DN wanted to start me on Metformin last month but agreed to let me carry on with diet controlled until January...but to be honest with Christmas approaching I wanted a bit of a life (things to do with all the preparations etc)

Ok, with other health things going on (chest infection, thrush, excema, piles ) When I saw the DR last week she told me it was a bit daft treating all these symptoms when we weren't treating the cause....The diabetes, she agreed that I could hold off as agreed with the DN until January but I have got so fed up I asked the DR again today about Metformin, she practically wrote the prescription as I walked in (well you know what I mean).....I've read the info in the packet, I've read on here about side effects etc.....It's one week til Christmas....so what I stand a chance of upset stomach and Diarrhoea (I have irritable bowl, so that's just great) .....and what I can't drink??

I'm not dependent you understand but good grief...Really? I have been having a glass of red with my main meal (read somewhere on here I think about it lowering BG) I like a glass of bubbly with Christmas breakfast a sherry while prepping Christmas dinner....the occasional drinky poo.....Help, can I really not have ANY alcohol, or can I just be careful (which to be fair I have been for about 7/8 months cos I just can't tolerate very much)
 
Personally whilst on Metformin I have had some heavy nights out drinking. I don't tend to so much anymore but thats just down to changes in habit etc. These days I do still have the odd drink, Ive never had a problem. I believe they have to put the caution on the medication, when I asked my DSN she said that it shouldnt be a problem.
 
Hi. If you are suffering from thrush then you do need to have the Metformin as your sugars are probably raised. The nurse is right to treat the cause not the symptoms. Do ask for Metformin SR (Slow Release) as it has a far lower effect on the bowels then the standard version. I've been on max dose for most of 8 years and never a problem. Alcohol is one of the things that isn't a problem with diabetes but don't go mad. It doesn't noticeably affect blood sugar either way and most of the meds are fairly tolerant of it. Do control your diet as you have raised blood sugar. That means high-fibre carbs and low-GI only and not too much. Do get hold of a blood glucose meter so you can check what foods affect you and by how much
 
Hi Lynda I have been taking Metformin at the highest dosage of 1000mg bi daily for close on 4 years now, the first 6 or 7 months I didnt drink at all as I wanted to lose weight but after that was accomplished I started drinking again in moderation, I would not call myself a heavy drinker but I do have one or two drinks most evenings with and/or after my evening meal.

Re side effects remember they dont affect everyone and many people take Metformin with no issues at all, I personally suffered slight stomach cramps which went away after a few weeks.

That said some do get quite bad side effects but until you try you wont know if or how it will affect you, if it does cause problems you can always ask to try the slow release (SR) version which some who do have problems find better. There are also other oral medications you can try to help control your bg levels but metformin is the usual first line drug of choice today and if tolerated is generally considered a rather useful medication.

Good luck
 
Hi, you might have a bit of a funny tummy at first, when I first took Metformin I had an upset tummy and was sick a few times but after a couple of weeks I got used to it and can tolerate it fine now.

I would strongly recommend that you control your carbohydrate intake by cutting in half the rice, pasta, potatoes and bread you eat. Fill up with veg and salad. Cut back on fruit too. Your body turns all of this stuff into sugar so if you can eat less you will have better control of your blood glucose levels.

Get yourself a meter and check the effect foods have on you by measuring just before you eat and then again 2 hours after, you should aim to be 8 or less 2 hours after a meal. By testing you can see what foods you can tolerate and what foods make you spike and should be reduced or cut out.

I personally have found that changing my diet has helped me much more than Metformin and I have managed to reduce my dose since the change.
 
Chest infections can be, surpisingly, also caused by yeast, and yeast loves sugar and moisture, just like inside your lungs!

Thrush is, of course a yeast infection.

Now I am not sure about piles though, they are varicous veins up your bum, surgery is a good if painful cure, and I emphasise painful, well worth it though.

H
 
Thanks Daibell, Sid Bonkers, Fraddycat and Hallii - Just a bit concerned about the possible side effects right before Christmas too; I don't want to be ill or unable to provide my family with a lovely time, lovely food etc and have them worrying about me....
Well I've taken the first one this morning...fingers crossed!

P.S. I have been monitoring my diet and bloods for some months despite the DN telling me on no uncertain terms that she wanted me to stop. And I have just brought 'Miracle Noodles' as a pasta/ rice replacement (saw them on here somewhere) that is the most carb I eat really oh and a small amount of potato.

Merry Christmas everyone - Have a great one and a hopefully healthy New Year
 

Hi, I've been taking Metformin for 11 yrs or so now and have never had a problem with drinking. Some times I go overvoard as I'm sure a lot of us have but I don't let it rule my life. Problem is we all react differently. Take it easy to start with if concerned!
AL, Type 2 - 11yrs diet and tablets. Not on insulin, YET!!
 
Hi again Lynda. A good tip is to take your metformin with food, not before food and not after food but actually while you are eating say after a couple of mouthfuls of breakfast/lunch/diner etc.

It seems that it helps with any possible side effects to take it this way.

Also regarding it messing up your Christmas, why not take it and see if you do get a bad reaction you can always stop taking it for a few days. A couple of days more or less will make no difference, although it days take a few days to start working so bear that in mind.
 
I understand that the guidance for drink for diabetics is exactly the same as it is for non diabetics. But who takes notice of the guidance at Christmas anyway.

There is further good news. Alcohol gives you a hangover and one symptom of a hangover is low blood sugar. It works better than Metformin. It is only a problem if you are on insulin and don't allow for this fact. Since you are a type 2 you can, in my opinion, have your sherry and red wine with no problem whatsoever. Just lay off the beer which has more sugar in it.

Have a nice Christmas.
 
Defintelty take the Metformin. Combined with weight loss and excercise it will really help with the other problems you are having. My doctor advised gradually increasing the dose over a week until you are taking the recommended amount.
 
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