Newly diagnosed - not feeling well - too much metformin?

[DainielP]

Hello all, this is my first post and I need some advice as I am getting none of use from my doctor.

Quick background: I'm 45 year old, obese male and have probably been diabetic or pre-diabetic for some years. On boxing day I was rushed to hosptal with Pnumonia and Sepsis and while I was there for 3 weeks they also discovered I am a type 2 diabetic. It has been an exhausting time with the Sepsis recovery ad bad pluracy but i'm finally home and trying to come to terms with the diabetic diagosis.

Since I was in hospital have me on the maximum metformin dose of 2000mg (2x 500mg at breakfast and dinner) and linaglyptine 5mg once a day. I bought myself a blood glucose tester and I believe i'm doing fairly well with lowest lows of 5.0 mmol/L between meals and in the morning and highs of around 8.5 after meals (and I have cut out all sugars and reduced carbs as much as i'm able right now) but I feel awful.

Granted sepsis recovery takes quite a while, but I am now on no other medications other than some paracetamol for the pluracy pain when needed, but my mind feels foggy, I feel lethargic and unstable on my feet and the worst thing of all is horrific night sweats that drench the bed. I am aware of my liver and kidneys being unhappy - not painful, but aggrivated if that makes sense? All of these things seem to point to the Metformin.

The aftercare from my GP has been nearly non-existant (one appointment to take my BP, weight and tickle my feet) and it seems i'm meant to stay on these meds without question for 2 more months before having a blood test at the hospital, and the diabetic nurse consultant I saw who took my hight and weight and basically told me that metformin was the fix and not to question it, bother testing blood sugar or that there was any side effects to be concerned about then signed me up for a "Desmond" course and sent me home.

I've never been one for doctors, and I'm very capable and willing to adjust my diet and lifestyle with the help of my loving partner but the medications are really a concern and frankly i'm tempted to bin them and just go zero carb and see what happens.

I guess I'm just looking for a little advice... how do I get the doctor to look at reducing meds and work on lifestyle changes instead? I know they want to wait too march and the blood test but I can't carry on feeling this way if it is the meds... even getting a second appointment to discuss things is so difficult and they really don't take patients seriously.

Tired and frustrated.... if you've read this far thanks

 

[Resurgam]

@DainielP tne symptoms look rather like the possible side effects of the linagliptin, so you should contact the GP surgery - the one I use has an email system which has been really useful for me to access swift attention to what could have been very problematic situations.
From the numbers you quote for your blood glucose you are well on track for normal numbers, thinking back to the first year after diagnosis I experienced.
I had horrific problems with Metformin, but that was mostly explosive faecal incontinence, and I have not read of people having those side effects from it.
I was in a right old state after a few weeks of tablets, and it was just coming up to Christmas 2016, and I binned the lot - by the time I got any reaction from the clinic I was no longer in the diabetic range, and 6 months later had normal numbers - sometimes it is the medication not the illness causing the problems, but I do urge trying to get some contact with the prescriber to explain the situation. How I got to my age without injury but with my attitude, I do not know. Luck of the Devil, some have said.

 

[MrsA2]

Hi @DainielP and welcome
I had pleurisy over 40 years ago, and still remember the pain and creaking. It's only been surpassed by the pain of childbirth and kidney stones so it's right up there in the severity stakes. You have my sympathy on that front without doubt!

On the other matters, yes you've been through a lot and yes your body will take time to recover.
I've never taken any meds for my t2 so won't comment on those.
Some of your ongoing issues maybe because of the dramatic reduction in carbs. Its known as "keto flu" and its common to feel grotty.
So there's at least 3 reasons why you may be feeling so rough .

If it is T2, then yes you may have had it developing for many years, and it takes a long time to reverse. It won't happen in a rush, so breathe, read and research, and relax .

I too had no help or support from GP (mainly because it was in lockdown) an it has shown me that I am actually happier being the one in control of my health. They're just simply too pushed to properly care for everyone. I like being an expert in me

The only thing I add is to keep an open mind around possibley being T1. It might have been masked by everything else going on. Do you have the necessary to be able to check for ketones? Most people are t2 and uts easy to assume, particularly if one is overweight. Just keep a weather eye open.

As well as finger pricks you could use a cgm to show you what's going on between, but again no rush. Early days, and you're doing well in such frightening circumstances.

Ask questions here, whenever