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New to medication

C

CarmenBrown

Member
Messages
9
Type of diabetes
Type 2
  1. I have been doing LCHF properly for 3 weeks now and was feeling wonderful. I fast 16/8 and don't snack as I am never hungry. I have enjoyed every meal and not eating processed food has been wonderful. Weight coming down and energy levels up with no tiredness. The diabetic nurse insisted that I took metformin which I started last Thursday. I have had poorly tummy, wind and feeling nausea. On Sunday I started to feel really low - anxious and tearful and very tired. Have not felt much difference since and have no appetite what so ever. Wondering if it is the medication or something else. My BG had been coming down really well before the medication but so scared not to take. I was nearly 11 years diet controlled before last week.

 
Metformin does have some gastric side effects, which I think are worse during the first few days. If you don't feel any better in a few days then contact your diabetes nurse again.
 
asparagusp said:
Did you have blood tests before you were prescribed Metformin?
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Yes it was 83. I had been poorly since Oct and didn't get all clear until Jan so expected it to be high with all the medication. Asked to have three months to sort myself but doctor overruled it.
 
CarmenBrown said:
I have had poorly tummy, wind and feeling nausea. On Sunday I started to feel really low - anxious and tearful and very tired.
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The problems I had with Metformin in the early days also had a knock on effect with my sense of wellbeing. Especially when it came to an obsession to be close to a bathroom for very obvious reasons. Metformin is a well tried and tested first line prescription for type II diabetics but it can have nasty side effects. The is a slow release (SR) or extended release (XR) version which may make life easier.

Longer term, it's very difficult to know what's changed to cause higher BG now, especially after years of careful diet control. I reached a similar stage after about 4 years of low carb, now my BG is all over the place and HbA1C unacceptably high (55, or was it 59, too high anyway). I personally have found the FreeStyle Libre a godsend because it shows that my high BG happens when I go to sleep at night and not after meals. It also shows the effect of just 2 slices of toast (no longer on my menu plan).

I also found that a self funded c-peptide test and insulin resistance test at least show me, and my GP, exactly where I am. Unfortunately it's unlikely that a GP will ask for these tests, unless he/she is kind.
 
DavidGrahamJones said:
The problems I had with Metformin in the early days also had a knock on effect with my sense of wellbeing. Especially when it came to an obsession to be close to a bathroom for very obvious reasons. Metformin is a well tried and tested first line prescription for type II diabetics but it can have nasty side effects. The is a slow release (SR) or extended release (XR) version which may make life easier.

Longer term, it's very difficult to know what's changed to cause higher BG now, especially after years of careful diet control. I reached a similar stage after about 4 years of low carb, now my BG is all over the place and HbA1C unacceptably high (55, or was it 59, too high anyway). I personally have found the FreeStyle Libre a godsend because it shows that my high BG happens when I go to sleep at night and not after meals. It also shows the effect of just 2 slices of toast (no longer on my menu plan).

I also found that a self funded c-peptide test and insulin resistance test at least show me, and my GP, exactly where I am. Unfortunately it's unlikely that a GP will ask for these tests, unless he/she is kind.
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I asked for slow release but she refused saying it would leave me with fewer option. Will perserve as people say it takes a few weeks. My BG over the last 7 days is averaged at 7.5 so it has come down really well but I think that is down to LCHF not the med. Thank you for replying very helpful.
 
CarmenBrown said:
I asked for slow release but she refused saying it would leave me with fewer option. Will perserve as people say it takes a few weeks. My BG over the last 7 days is averaged at 7.5 so it has come down really well but I think that is down to LCHF not the med. Thank you for replying very helpful.
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I think by fewer options she means it is more expensive so we prefer not to prescribe it unless we have to.
Plenty of people on here have the slow release, and are prescribed it when the ordinary version makes them ill. I would try again if I were you.
 
Bluetit1802 said:
I think by fewer options she means it is more expensive so we prefer not to prescribe it unless we have to.
Plenty of people on here have the slow release, and are prescribed it when the ordinary version makes them ill. I would try again if I were you.
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I will thank you
 
LCHF helped me more than the Metformin.
I suffered 11 weeks of taking it. felt sick, had a constant headache and alarming bursts of needing the loo immediately !
I got to the end of my tether on week 12 and just threw them in the bin.
Told my DN at the next appointment and she just shrugged and said I was doing fine without them
 
Liver blocks helped me whilst not on metformin.
I found metformin is excellent for female menstruation cycle problems.
If makes me weepy then my period comes. Hormonal rather than metformin direct cause?
My hormones are much more settled on metformin. I think it is just starting with weight loss too. I have to be on it a while to get its full benefit.
See my signature. I would still be 'barren' if it wasn't for metformin.
Research is showing more and more benefits.
Hang in there, I found it definitely worth the early unsettlement. Once tweeked, a winner!
 
daisyduck said:
LCHF helped me more than the Metformin.
I suffered 11 weeks of taking it. felt sick, had a constant headache and alarming bursts of needing the loo immediately !
I got to the end of my tether on week 12 and just threw them in the bin.
Told my DN at the next appointment and she just shrugged and said I was doing fine without them
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Thank you glad I'm not the only one. Did you feel low and tired on them? I have been feeling anxious but it could be because I'm worried about being on Metformin
 
ickihun said:
Liver blocks helped me whilst not on metformin.
I found metformin is excellent for female menstruation cycle problems.
If makes me weepy then my period comes. Hormonal rather than metformin direct cause?
My hormones are much more settled on metformin. I think it is just starting with weight loss too. I have to be on it a while to get its full benefit.
See my signature. I would still be 'barren' if it wasn't for metformin.
Research is showing more and more benefits.
Hang in there, I found it definitely worth the early unsettlement. Once tweeked, a winner!
Click to expand...
Thank you - I'm on hormone tablets to stop having periods waiting for operation but it has been postponed because my BG and blood pressure were too high hence the reason they put me on Metformin. I am at that age waiting for menopause to kick in. It is exciting and wonderful the benefits you have had.
 
CarmenBrown said:
Thank you glad I'm not the only one. Did you feel low and tired on them? I have been feeling anxious but it could be because I'm worried about being on Metformin
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I'm sorry its not benefiting you. Maybe something else may be more suitable.
Just goes to reinforce "we are all different".
I hope you find a better solution soon.
 
CarmenBrown said:
Thank you - I'm on hormone tablets to stop having periods waiting for operation but it has been postponed because my BG and blood pressure were too high hence the reason they put me on Metformin. I am at that age waiting for menopause to kick in. It is exciting and wonderful the benefits you have had.
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Just a thought, maybe those 2 tablets not compatable?
 
CarmenBrown said:
she refused saying it would leave me with fewer option. Will perserve as people say it takes a few weeks. My BG over the last 7 days is averaged at 7.5 so it has come down really well but I think that is down to LCHF not the med.
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Fewer options? Strange thing to say!

Well done on lowering BG, as you say LC will be a big part of that, keep up the good work. I hope you will get used to the Metformin, XR/SR is still an option I suppose.
 
CarmenBrown said:
Thank you glad I'm not the only one. Did you feel low and tired on them? I have been feeling anxious but it could be because I'm worried about being on Metformin
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I don't think I was low and tired, just so fed up with feeling sick, the morning I threw them out I was on the verge of vomiting !
I had stuck with them from advice on here that it would wear off, so maybe it will with you ? The slow release may be an option too. Don't be afraid though, they only help a little with BG from what I've read. If your readings were coming down well on LCHF then you decide what's best for you and not your DN who doesn't have to put up with your symptoms.
I've read on here that Metformin can also cause vitamin B12 deficiency which affects the nervous system and could cause tiredness and anxiety. I think that is after quite a while normally though ?
 
I tried to take Metformin for about 6 weeks - diagnosed 15/11 last year and stopped just before Christmas fed up with the effects. I tried all different ways to take them which people told me had helped, but nothing helped. I have taken a couple of tablets since, as it is a really effective laxative and doing low carb can sometimes require a bit of help there, but every day? - never again.
 
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