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EGGD

Member
Messages
13
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hello everyone!

I don't post here very often at all, but can be found lurking on a regular basis - the advice, comments and commentary from all members is informative, calming and helpful for me, diagnosed as Type 2 back in Jan/Feb of this year.

Since being put on Gliclazide in February, (twice a day) my latest HbA1c is now at 39 (down from 96 on diagnosis) and daily tests averaging 6.8 after food and 4.9 before... So much so, Gliclazide is now history, with Metformin 500mg the twice daily treatment which has led to opposite side effects from the norm - constipation and bloating...rather than the 100m dash to the nearest loo with arms flaying.... If anyone else has suffered this, be interested to learn how you've mitigated the bagging up.

So, to all of you gals and guys out there - thanks for sharing advice, support. Given the limited time available in front of the diabetes care team at the GP, this forum provides so much food for thought!
 
That is a great achievement, well done.

You may find the Metformin won't help your blood sugars very much. It only helps to a limited extent, mostly with morning fasting levels, but the difference most people find is negligible.

Good luck, and keep up the good work.
 
You don't say if you're trying a low carb diet. This can cause problems initially. You could try milled flaxseed with yoghurt and more green leafy vegetables; and, of course, drink more water. It may also correct itself.
 
Well said and Well Done.
 
dbr10 said:
You don't say if you're trying a low carb diet. This can cause problems initially. You could try milled flaxseed with yoghurt and more green leafy vegetables; and, of course, drink more water. It may also correct itself.
Click to expand...
Thanks very much...got the flaxseed and enough broccoli to make my skin tone go green. I am indeed on a low carb diet. Tummy's gurgling, but the movement is still like the M25 on Friday rush hour!
 
Thanks very much. Metformin does little - you're right. The diet and exercise are my focus. On the previous Gliclazide regime, hypos came with complete regularity...so not missing that. Still at the beginning of the diabetes journey - and this forum is the best resource out there, of that there's no doubt.
 
EGGD said:
Thanks very much...got the flaxseed and enough broccoli to make my skin tone go green. I am indeed on a low carb diet. Tummy's gurgling, but the movement is still like the M25 on Friday rush hour!
Click to expand...
Give it time.
 
Metformin works in several different ways, so it really depends what you personally need it for.

I think the studies show that it drops the blood glucose by about 1.1% on the American HbA1c, on averge, and depending on person and dosage, of course. (reference available on request, but I will have to look for it)
That equates to approx 11mmol/mol (UK HbA1c units).
Edited to provide reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3263873/
I don't think that is to be sniffed at!
It is the equivalent of lowering an HbA1c from 53 (diabetic levels needing medication) down to 42 (the bottom edge of pre-diabetes)

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/images/hba1c-chart.jpg

Other uses/benefits of Metformin include reducing liver dumps (most often seen as raised blood glucose in the morning called 'dawn phenomenon') and reducing insulin resistance.

Some people can't tolerate Metformin, and obviously, for those people it isn't a good idea. But it is a very useful drug to those who tolerate it.

@EGGD I hope you are one of the people whose bodies adjusts and accepts Metformin over time. I have to say that I wish someone would prescribe it for me, and my reasons for wanting it are purely and simply for the reduction in insulin resistance it would hopefully give me.
 
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