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Metformin

V

VioletViolet

Well-Known Member
Messages
427
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hello

I've just been prescribed Metformin and I really don't want to take it. Did anyone else feel like this ? What did you do?
 
It's our decision what we take and why. What else are you doing to help yourself i.e. diet and lifstyle changes? I took the Metformin as I realised my reasons for not taking it were purely because I don't like taking meds when lifestyle changes hadn't been given a chance. I made the lifestyle changes - went keto, lost loads of weight without trying, and thus brought my BG into the non-diabetic range. Then I gradually phased out the Metformin. GP and Diabetes Nurse were happy with that result even though I didn't ask for their approval when I did it, and note I am answering your question NOT recommending anyone else does it this way.
 
Outlier said:
It's our decision what we take and why. What else are you doing to help yourself i.e. diet and lifstyle changes? I took the Metformin as I realised my reasons for not taking it were purely because I don't like taking meds when lifestyle changes hadn't been given a chance. I made the lifestyle changes - went keto, lost loads of weight without trying, and thus brought my BG into the non-diabetic range. Then I gradually phased out the Metformin. GP and Diabetes Nurse were happy with that result even though I didn't ask for their approval when I did it, and note I am answering your question NOT recommending anyone else does it this way.
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Thats rings true , I haven't made the lifestyle changes I've been bingeing and eating whatever I wanted which tipped me over from pre- diabetes . My GP thinks I should be on it to reduce damage and can think about coming off once it if I can bring it down .
 
VioletViolet said:
I don't want to be on any meds because the answer is with me isn't it? I have to change my behaviours
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If changing your lifestyle at the moment is too hard, there's nothing wrong at all with using medication to prevent damage from high blood glucose.

A diabetes diagnosis doesn't mean you're suddenly able to change a long time difficult relationship with food.
For some, a diagnosis is just that little nudge they need, for others it just means more guilt over food.
If medication in addition to working on food habits is what it takes to get your BG into healthier numbers there's absolutely nothing wrong with that!
Much better than running high and beating yourself up for that.
 
@VioletViolet , I see you have been a member for a long time. Have you managed to maintain non-diabetes blood glucose levels by diet only since you joined? Well done.

What has changed? What is your most recent HbA1c?
 
Antje77 said:
If changing your lifestyle at the moment is too hard, there's nothing wrong at all with using medication to prevent damage from high blood glucose.

A diabetes diagnosis doesn't mean you're suddenly able to change a long time difficult relationship with food.
For some, a diagnosis is just that little nudge they need, for others it just means more guilt over food.
If medication in addition to working on food habits is what it takes to get your BG into healthier numbers there's absolutely nothing wrong with that!
Much better than running high and beating yourself up for that.
Click to expand...
Thank you ❤️ That makes so much sense . "More guilt over food " Exactly that . When my annual HBA1C test showed I was in diabetic range in December 2024. immediately went extreme low carb for 6 months and brought it back to the 40s. But it was unsustainable, I felt terrible, lost hair and thought about food I couldn't eat all the time .I inevitably crashed and binged my way back up. I don't want to repeat that pattern this time .
 
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Pipp said:
@VioletViolet , I see you have been a member for a long time. Have you managed to maintain non-diabetes blood glucose levels by diet only since you joined? Well done.

What has changed? What is your most recent HbA1c?
Click to expand...
Yes , I've been getting away with restricting and then bingeing . My most recent HBA1C was 61. I tipped into diabetic range around the same time I tipped into menopause. I also developed a benign tumour in my foot too so walked with a cane. A perfect storm and my habits caught up with me.
 
Menopause is a *****. Be kind to yourself, and don't set impossible goals. Remember if you don't buy it you can't eat it. If it isn't in your larder, it doesn't squeak at you until you eat it. Make the job easy on yourself by filling your larder and 'fridge with delicious low-carb food. Treat yourself as you would treat a friend or family member in the same position, with kindness and positivity.
 
VioletViolet said:
Yes , I've been getting away with restricting and then bingeing . My most recent HBA1C was 61. I tipped into diabetic range around the same time I tipped into menopause. I also developed a benign tumour in my foot too so walked with a cane. A perfect storm and my habits caught up with me.
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Being honest with yourself is important, but being kind to yourself is too.
Women of a certain age can be prone to weight gain, and sometimes depression. Compounded by physical problems that restrict mobility, perhaps even some caring for others tasks, and there you have the perfect conditions to stop taking care of yourself.

I know this, because I have experienced similar. It is not easy to deal with, especially if food is used as a crutch, or even as a punishment. Having admitted, openly, here that you do binge eat, and then restrict your food intake to compensate is telling us you have disordered eating patterns. I think you have taken the first step towards solving that, by telling us. That is a brave thing to do. Could you also seek help from GP? Help is available, and there is no need to feel ashamed for needing that help. In the meantime, perhaps consider meds to bring down the HbA1c? It needn’t be a permanent solution. Just a starter to help you get back control.
 
Outlier said:
Menopause is a *****. Be kind to yourself, and don't set impossible goals. Remember if you don't buy it you can't eat it. If it isn't in your larder, it doesn't squeak at you until you eat it. Make the job easy on yourself by filling your larder and 'fridge with delicious low-carb food. Treat yourself as you would treat a friend or family member in the same position, with kindness and positivity.
Click to expand...
Pipp said:
Being honest with yourself is important, but being kind to yourself is too.
Women of a certain age can be prone to weight gain, and sometimes depression. Compounded by physical problems that restrict mobility, perhaps even some caring for others tasks, and there you have the perfect conditions to stop taking care of yourself.

I know this, because I have experienced similar. It is not easy to deal with, especially if food is used as a crutch, or even as a punishment. Having admitted, openly, here that you do binge eat, and then restrict your food intake to compensate is telling us you have disordered eating patterns. I think you have taken the first step towards solving that, by telling us. That is a brave thing to do. Could you also seek help from GP? Help is available, and there is no need to feel ashamed for needing that help. In the meantime, perhaps consider meds to bring down the HbA1c? It needn’t be a permanent solution. Just a starter to help you get back control.
Click to expand...
Thank you, I do feel overwhelmed and yes there's caring responsibilities too . I've started taking the meds, I'm nervous but hopefully it'll support me as I make some changes .

I've spoken to my GP and have an appointment for an assessment with the Eating Disorders team . That feels like a big scary step.
 
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