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Starting Metformin...

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Feebiecat

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Hi

I've been to docs tonight to get blood results from last week and my HBA1C has gone up despite my low carb diet and exercise. Have been prescribed Metformin. Am feeling a bit freaked out at the moment to be honest and panic-thinking my future already as I'm only 28! He told me my thyroid might be on the blink as well and I have to have more tests for that soon.

Weird thing is I knew to expect meds this time as I was feeling rough and asked for my bloods to be checked early (wasn't due till August) but am feeling a bit down the fact that it is actually confirmed now (if you know what I mean). I just went to bed when I got home coz my head was done in a bit.

I've had a look at some of the advice about Metformin on here and am looking forward to seeing what side effects it brings (if any)!

I've not posted much on here before but do look for advice regularly - will probably be more so now.

Just felt like I needed to get this out before I went to bed (again)!

Thanks for listening xxx
 
Hi Feebicat

I have been on the metfartin for just over a month and don't find they are too bad. I suffer IBS and so far in the month the tablets have triggered 3 attacks, and that was just after I started taking them. It seems to have settled now. I eat about half the meal, have the tablet and then eat the other half. DN told me this was the best way to do it. Am sure you will manage. I have found that everyone on here gives support when needed.
 
Hi feebiecat,
Metformin is a safe medicine and I've used it for nearly 6 years without problems. Many people get the "tummy grumblies". Most adapt fairly quickly. Some never get them. I didn't.
However, I can see you being worried, because you are very young.
Firstly are the certain you areT2?
That seems to me to be the first thing to establish. If you are not, Metformin won't help.
If you are, getting your weight down into the low part of the normal range, can sometimes abate symptoms for a while. It's VERY hard to do I know, but Metformin helps some people.
It might be worth discussing Byetta with your doctor. You are not an obvious candidate for it, but you have many years ahead of you which might put a differnt slant on things.
Still neither Byetta or Metformin will work if you are not T2.( you say low carb didn't work for you)
My husband developed T1 at about your age.
 
I found that when I followed a standard high carb diet I had tummy trouble with metformin but now I am on a low carb diet it doesn't seem to happen. I am eating less overall though, so I don't know if that has something to do with it
 
See if you can get T3 and T4 tested as well as the usual TSH. Many people find that thyroid even if only "borderline" low can have significant effects on diabetes and other conditions inclusding weight gain and depression, and getting it adequately treated can have major benefits.
 
I was diagnosed T2 at 27 and, from what I can gather, diagnosis at this sort of age is becoming more and more common.

How long ago were you diagnosed Feebiecat? I was put on Metformin as soon as I was diagnosed, some four years ago. I have no idea if you're overweight, but I've found that losing some weight, a good diet and a good amount of exercising has really helped... to such an extent that I've managed to wean myself off of Metformin.

As for starting on Metformin, I had really bad wind at the start but no other problems.

You don't mention testing your own BG levels... do you have a monitor?
 
Hi

Was diagnosed in October last year but only starting Metformin now due to HBA1C being higher. Now 7.1 - my lowest was 6.5 (Jan last year). I'm not overweight but have been thinner - lost 5 stone couple years ago and have since managed to comfort eat a stone back on (I tend to emotional eat when I am stressed) but still normal weight for my height (5'11''). Am trying to get back down to my skinniest again now but am low carbing this time. I do lots of exercise - even when I was fat I still worked out a lot!

Doc reckons my thyroid is on the brink of being overactive so am getting tested again soon. I thought over active would mean that you would be dead skinny but obviously not in my case!

Starting my Metformin tomorrow with breakfast - was feeling a bit funny about it as I have IBS and don't really need any more belly problems!

Am not testing yet but after seeing on here that everyone else does I am considering it. Worried incase I will become obsessed though! I wouldn't have a clue where to start for buying strips etc though or what kind of meter to buy. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks x :D
 
Ive just joined the forum, and must say Im mighty relieved to find you all.

Ive been diagnosed with Type 2 at the age of 45 and started on Metformin today. I was advised by the doc to only have half the dose until my body gets used to it, and im keeping fingers crossed I dont suffer too badly from the side effects ive seen listed.

I am overweight, but Diabetes also occurs in my family. My dad was a type 1 and my mum a type 2, and a grandmother who was a type 1. I know a little bit about the condition as cared for my dad after my mum died. But its quite different when its now you. Im booked in to see the diabetic nurse in two weeks, and am going to do what I can with respect to eating better and exercise.

Look forward to chatting to you all.

Tracey x
 
Thanks for your advice everyone.

I have been taking Metformin since Tuesday now and seem to have a few side effects (I think they are different everyday!). I had a very grumbly belly and wind on Tuesday, from Wednesday I seem to have terrible nausea in the afternoon (even though I take my tablet in the morning as increasing slowly).
I am amazed at my lack of appetite - before I could eat when I wasn't hungry but not now! Having said that I am probably eating the same amount of food but not wanting more once I have finished.

I feel like my body is 'working' better now and have managed to lose a couple of pounds after sticking (frustratingly) at the same weight for nearly a month.

Not even sure I'll be able to manage my weekend 'slight fall off the wagon' (I normally have a few carbs on a Saturday night) and I am still only taking one tablet. I am yet to increase my way to 4 a day.
Maybe the side effects are worth it afterall!
x
 
Hi, I have to say that the appetite supressant effect is wonderful. I am the same as you feebiecat, no matter how hard I try if I am not hungry then I don't eat. I do have weight to lose so it is great for me :)
 
thanks for the good tip about taking metformin i had never thought of taking tablet in the middle of a meal im going to try that from candy
 
Oh thank goodness I thought that it was something I was doing wrong

I've had terrible stomach pains lately and its always after the metformin. I take one 500mg a day, was getting pain and discomfort.

Thanks for the tip on taking it in the middle of a meal
 
hi,

i've only recently started taking metfomin as well - i started last thursday - so far i've had none of the classic "side effects" at all - but i also dont feel any better. If anything i feel worse. i feel really dizzy most of the time.

i take 1 tablet in the morning and 1 in the evening. my last blood sugar reading was 13.5. :(
 
Hmmm very weird then. Maybe you need to ask the doc for a referral to the diabetic nurse :?
Or perhaps you need to eat a little more as that is not a lot of food for one day...good luck with it anyway :)
 
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