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Off to see the GP this morning, I suspect he will prescribe Metformin

D

deedee

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I have been called to see the GP following my last HB1ac result, I don't know what it is I shall ask today they just told me that it was up. I currently do not take any medication but have had a terribly stressful 6 months and my diabetes management took a back seat for a while. I am back on track as of this week and my numbers are steadily falling following LCHF eating. I fully expect he will want me to start medication and expect this will be metformin. I think I am ok with this, although I suspect with diet changes I won't need it long term (crosses fingers). I am aware that it may well come with stomach problems, at least initially, is there anything else I should be worried about re Metformin?
 
A very warm welcome to you @deedee I'm not on any medication but I understand the slow release version of Metformin has less chance of giving side-effects so maybe you should ask for that. Good luck on your journey.
 
Thanks @WeeFergus I have also read about the slow release version being more tolerable for those who have issues. I fully intend to at least ask if this is a possibility but I also am aware of prescribing guidelines and budgets and know the first port of call is likely to be the cheapest version.
 
If you have had digestive issues before then it might be easier to get the slow release form first off. I don't know how the cost compares, but maybe there isn't much difference anyway?

Remember to ask the doctor any questions you have... they are there to serve you, not the other way around. Ask about any side effects or risks. With Metformin I have heard about two main issues - nausea and diarrhoea. If you have any liver or heart issues you need to tell the doctor, as you might not be able to take Metformin. This website is a good resource for learning about meds:
http://www.drugs.com/metformin.html

Don't forget to ask when he wants you to have your next HbA1c test... 3 monthly intervals is probably a good idea at the moment.
 
I didn't have any problems when I started on metformin, I also didn't notice any great improvement in my glucose levels. It was only when I drastically cut the amount of carbs in my diet that I noticed any meaningful reduction. I have continued with the metformin only because I still have some weight to lose and I think it helps to suppress the appetite.
Don't forget to ask your Dr for a print out of your test results, it's useful to have a copy so that you can compare them with future tests.
 
As above (minus hat) I had absolutely no issues when I started Metformin. I would expect that more people will post when they have had issues, than will post when they haven't so I would be willing to bet that you will be more likely not to have side effects that have them.

I'm not sure the drug does too much anyway, but I guess it is a useful "crutch" to get you started.
 
My experience with metformin is positive, and it has always helped me. Yes, it can be a bit annoying at the beginning if you can't tolerate the standard one, but to be really honest, different people react differently, don't expect the worse. I take the SR nowadays.

The times of the day you take it at, whether you take it before or after meals, the dose, your gut, it all will affect how you react so the best thing to do is to ask many questions to the docs.

Also it is great that you are aware that you might not have to take it forever, for some people it helps while they are losing the weight and stabilizing and afterwards they don't need it any more, some others like me, prefer to stay on it. It all varies.

Good luck!
 
So as expected I have bee prescribed 1 x 500mg of metformin. The GP was really good took time to go through my options and understood that the massive life stresses in the last 6 months have meant that I have lost the focus I previously had, the HB1ac figures backed this up clearly. He felt that my diet was good but I did say to him that I planned to reduce carbs further than I had previously and he did not object, in fact he seemed to support this. I think being a nurse means that I am relatively confident in talking to doctors and I think this helps. He did say that if I had any stomach issues that I should go back and see him and he will change it but I am hopeful it will be OK. Blood pressure and cholesterol were all ok, he didn't mention cholesterol and I forgot to ask but I am sure he would have said if it was problematic. He even told me he was pleased that my weight was relatively stable and although "a bit over what it should be" he didn't actually say I should loose weight, although I am hopeful that LCHF will reduce my BMI to the healthy range. All in I think it was as positive as possible.
 
Pleased to hear of a positive experience.

I've been on metformin for 12 months now. Started on 1 and gradually increased to 4. I am on the standard version and have not had serious issues with it.

I take it in the middle of a meal which seems to help and I estimate the full dose has lowered my BG levels by around 1 unit.

Good luck!
 
The very few times that I had "the runs" when I first started with standard metformin was when I went a bit heavy on the carbs (pre current low carb diet). Once I'd sussed that out I was fine - until I was given a different brand and that did make me feel really nauseous and ill. Our surgery has a small pharmacy attached and I spoke to the pharmacist (who also does occasional reviews of our meds), and she made a note of this on my records and also organised a switch to the SR version for me.

Robbity
 
I have a piece of advice for you about your blood tests. It is very wise to ask for print outs of the results. You really need these, and especially further down the line will find them useful for comparisons. I don't just mean HbA1c I mean the cholesterol and lipid breakdowns, and any liver or kidney function tests, FBC and any others. Doctors are famous for filtering out information on a "need to know" basis. Them saying "it is fine" isn't good enough. You need to know exactly how fine, whether heading upwards or downwards, before it is too late.
 
Robbity said:
The very few times that I had "the runs" when I first started with standard metformin was when I went a bit heavy on the carbs (pre current low carb diet). Once I'd sussed that out I was fine - until I was given a different brand and that did make me feel really nauseous and ill. Our surgery has a small pharmacy attached and I spoke to the pharmacist (who also does occasional reviews of our meds), and she made a note of this on my records and also organised a switch to the SR version for me.

Robbity
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So hopefully having already started with LCHF it may well minimise any discomfort.
 
Bluetit1802 said:
I have a piece of advice for you about your blood tests. It is very wise to ask for print outs of the results. You really need these, and especially further down the line will find them useful for comparisons. I don't just mean HbA1c I mean the cholesterol and lipid breakdowns, and any liver or kidney function tests, FBC and any others. Doctors are famous for filtering out information on a "need to know" basis. Them saying "it is fine" isn't good enough. You need to know exactly how fine, whether heading upwards or downwards, before it is too late.
Click to expand...
I shall do this ASAP, the surgery are really quite good at being forthcoming with information when asked.
 
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