• Guest, the forum is undergoing some upgrades and so the usual themes will be unavailable for a few days. In the meantime, you can use the forum like normal. We'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

unwell and waiting for hba1c, metformin fears

Just to report back, No issues since switching across to the prolonged release tablets.

I have a view to coming off them eventually if I can, the less medications the better I reckon

Been working on my way of eating as that is one thing within my control.
 
MoyaAnne said:
s there anyone who has NOT HAD ANY SIDE EFFECTS, please?
Click to expand...
Straight on to Metformin at dx.
Zero issues.

Since (unrelated issue ) been put on SR version. No issues

As @EllieM said earlier, you'll never hear from those with no issues, unless you ask.

When I first arrived and read up on Metformin.

Two things I really noted at time

A. It was reported taking Metformin 'could' have cancer protection benefits.
B. Read the safety label, Metformin can reduce levels of B12.

So I carried on taking mine, once back to 40 HBA1c, as hitting 60yrs that protection seemed a good thing to have, seeing I was taking the meds with no ill effects anyway.

And I requested my HBA1c blood tests included a check on my B12.

No problem getting them added & been on every test since

Glad I checked, it spotted my b12 declining .
A B12 supplement boosted me up to better levels.

I also say try Metformin, if issues ask to switch to SR version.

Good luck.
 
MoyaAnne said:
My poorly managed T2 diabetes recently appeared to bite me on the bum.
I was so unwell I knew it was because of my lack of discipline. Nausea was the worst thing. Weakness, joint pain. I have had my HbA1c tests today and I’m waiting for results. I really am not keen on starting on metformin ( in the UK it’s the only meds they offer. ) the side effects are very often headache and nausea. I just cannot face the thought of feeling like that forever.
So I’m trying to be really strict now and have drastically changed how and what I eat. The pairing of foods is quite complicated but I’m sure I’ll get there.
Is there anyone who has NOT HAD ANY SIDE EFFECTS, please?
Click to expand...
I elected to go back onto slow release metformin after going onto insulin. I consider it one of the good guys. I've been in it since 2007
 
MoyaAnne said:
My poorly managed T2 diabetes recently appeared to bite me on the bum.
I was so unwell I knew it was because of my lack of discipline. Nausea was the worst thing. Weakness, joint pain. I have had my HbA1c tests today and I’m waiting for results. I really am not keen on starting on metformin ( in the UK it’s the only meds they offer. ) the side effects are very often headache and nausea. I just cannot face the thought of feeling like that forever.
So I’m trying to be really strict now and have drastically changed how and what I eat. The pairing of foods is quite complicated but I’m sure I’ll get there.
Is there anyone who has NOT HAD ANY SIDE EFFECTS, please?
Click to expand...

Hi MoyaAnne

I'm on metformin but have very few side effects. I take the slow release ones and the only noticeable issue I have is constipation - which isn't so bad at all.

Metformin is certainly the starting medicine, but depending on your results you may not be put on it straight away. There are many, many options on the NHS and many med combinations.

I'd suggest you try what they offer but also work on improving your blood sugar results by reducing your carb intake. It's very common to be taken off metformin if numbers improve enough - so it certainly needn't be forever
 
Hi all
Well I ended up at the hospital with suspected DKA. I was borderline. Actually on the line. Avoided being admitted by agreeing to
Buy a monitor
Start on Metformin
Cut out carbs and sugar completely for 2-3 days and go back to GP
I immediately agreed and have turned everything around.
It was overwhelming, I was super stressed but I have managed to completely change my eating regime. Struggled with timing and testing and trying to get the required elements in each meal. I’m not even missing sugar at all.
MF wasn’t too awful. Gradually had it upped from 1 a day, to 2, 3. Then 4.
The first few days of 4 I really REALLY FELT THOSE awful side effects so alternated 3 one day 4 the next.
I’ve lost over a stone and still not craving sugar.
My readings have gradually decreased but I still have a way to go.
I’m now getting post meal levels in the 6s and 7s ( occasional 8 and a few 5s)
Dr wants my fasting to be 5.6.
Lowest I’ve got to is 6.4.
It’s frustrating when you get different readings for the same meal on different days. It’s hard to know why. . And reading about all those “ recommended good foods” yet they send my levels way up.
It’s very contradictory.
I can eat one slice of an Allinsons serious seeds bread a day. It looked to be too high in carbs but it is great with avocado and poached eggs plus olives and peppers.
Usually get around 6-7 which is within the range acc to Diabetes uk.
I’m getting there.
Thank you everybody for all the support.
Any tips for a quick breakfast?
Can’t tolerate my favourite. ( berries with either yoghurt or oats. ) put me up in the 13s and a 14.1.
On the days I don’t work I usually eat bf late and get a good level. But I can’t face a big breakfast and I need something light and quick.
 
Was the yoghurt plain, ie unflavoured and not sweetened or thickened with anything.?
Were the berries just a very few, ie sit easily in palm of hand, say 6 blackberries or raspberries?
Did you try swapping oats for milled (ground) linseed or chia seed
If answer is no to any of above, could easily have been too many carbs for that time of day, for you. Some cope with carbs better later in the day
 
Thank you. Yes it was plain unflavoured unsweetened protein kefir. I also tried plain Greek yoghurt. I had 3 each of blueberries and raspberries.
It was in the morning. Maybe I should have tried them at lunchtime but then I still have to find something to eat for breakfast. Lol.
Today I was working and had to eat at 8.30. It was really hard to eat my ‘safe’ meal of poached eggs, seeded toast and half an avocado with olives and peppers.
I knew I would get a low 7. It was 7.1
Sometimes it’s in the 6s.
Couldn’t manage anything else until 3.30-4 pm. Banana three pecans and a cheese stick.
Wondering what I’ll eat tonight.
 
Interestingly, my nausea and headaches reduced when I reduced my carbs. I was getting lots of bad headaches, probably when I was either going up fast or coming down fast. Nausea also hit if I ate too much of things I shouldn't or high carbs.
I have gone from several bad headaches a month to perhaps one and that not related to eating.
 
I was put on metformin 9 months ago,and dont seem too bad. Last week my A1c was 48,quite pleased with that,as last year it was 66.
Mind you,any bad effects of metaformin probably wouldnt show up easily,since my pernicious anaemia and underactive thyroid produce a host of depressing symptoms of every kind,the metformin could be lost in the shuffle! lol.
At 76 yrs old,with a lifetime of immune system problems,I I was relieved to avoid going onto metformin for 8 years post diagnosis. I am intending to start low carb from next week,it has helped greatly in the past.
I got into bad habits with stress eating/comfort eating . My 87 yr old husband was recently diagnosed diabetic. He had a mini stroke a few months ago,and has had a massive onslaught of cognitive decline,huge speech problems,and memory loss. I really need to get myself in better condition so as to take care of him. He is not on metformin,only a statin and clopidogrel. Never needed meds in his life,can run for buses,go up and down stairs without using the bannister rail,and people marvel that he looks mid sixties at most. So this onslaught of problems has been shocking,he is in denial and doesnt want to change his habits, and it has led to my weight gain of 12 lbs since September,just depression and stress eating..
Must do better!
 
So sorry to hear of your situation. What a lot you have had to deal with! Please do not give yourself a hard time. I pray you will be given the strength to care for your dear husband as you want to. It must be exceptional hard for you to see him like this. It sounds as though the Metformin hasn’t caused you too much trauma. Your humorous attitude must help. You must be a very strong lady to have coped with your health conditions so cheerfully. Certainly puts me to shame with my whinges.
I’m hoping I can get my levels down low enough to drop the dosage after my HbA1c in mid April. Here in the UK it’s fairly common to be left to get on with it once they throw a whole load of meds at you.
I’ve had to glean all my info from these sites and other people’s experiences. It’s a lottery as to whether you’re lucky enough to have a supportive GO practice. ( I don’t)
I’m getting there with the levels, but since they upped me to 4 a day, the tummy problems are not so good. I try to be thankful that I am not suffering as much as others so I am doing my best to be as stoic as I can.
I’m 68 and I am determined to stay healthy so I can continue to enjoy my beautiful grandchildren ( I have 16, 9 of which are 6 years and under. )
I wish you all the love and strength and my admiration for you in bucketloads
 
Wow,thank you for your lovely message. I hope things go well for your A1c,and good luck with the metformin!
16 grandkids! Wow! I have 4 kidsranging in age from 53 to 40 (my youngest is away in Spain celebrating his fortyeth.Pity I will no longer be able to claim a son in his thirties!) I have 6 grandkids,ranging from 33 to 3,and 6 great grand kids,aged 7 to 3.
I have a mound of easter eggs sitting there for the littl'uns..
I only see the surgery for my yearly A1c,and my B12 jab every 3 months,and thats it.Not very helpful,and they are boasting that they now see a magnificent 52% of their patients face to face. Fantastic - not.Takes 10 days to get an appointment anyway,so by time you see them you are better,in hospital or dead,so I dont bother much,just keep plodding.. I do a lot of reading on the NHS website,I find it practical and clear.
I use the NHS app a lot for prescriptions etc and get reminders of appointments etc on it,useful for this distracted old brain.:)
 
Once again, your humour shines through your posts. I thought you must be in the UK. Where in the UK are you ? It sounds like you also have lots of beautiful grandchildren and great grandchildren. My oldest ones are 26 and 25. No great grandchildren yet. I’m in London but four of my five children live outside London:
( Warwick, Northampton, Aylesbury) so I’m up and down the motorway frequently.
I’m a retired teacher but I still work one day a week. ( couldn’t totally leave the classroom behind and needs must! All the birthdays and as you say, Easter is coming!)
 
MoyaAnne said:
My poorly managed T2 diabetes recently appeared to bite me on the bum.
I was so unwell I knew it was because of my lack of discipline. Nausea was the worst thing. Weakness, joint pain. I have had my HbA1c tests today and I’m waiting for results. I really am not keen on starting on metformin ( in the UK it’s the only meds they offer. ) the side effects are very often headache and nausea. I just cannot face the thought of feeling like that forever.
So I’m trying to be really strict now and have drastically changed how and what I eat. The pairing of foods is quite complicated but I’m sure I’ll get there.
Is there anyone who has NOT HAD ANY SIDE EFFECTS, please?
Click to expand...
YES! I started on one Metformin then two ... until the four prescribed. No problems in the slightest. Within three months I was down to two, and then to just one at breakfast time. I stopped taking them a few months ago since my control, is good but really had no issues whatsoever with them :)
 
Oh I am up in the frozen north,County Durham,a few miles south of Sunderland in a coastal village,where we ALWAYS have those sea ''breezes'',more like gales a lot of the time..Its usually much cooler than inland,even in the summer. At the moment we are getting rather nasty east winds,straight from Siberia. Thanks Putin.
But it is 8 degrees,which these days we seem to class as pretty good. Spring equinox,officially spring is on March 20. I will be starting my spring/summer campaign,get out walking. I have severe arthritis,bad back,so I will start out at 5-10 minutes,and hopefully get up to 30 mins at a time by mid summer.
What a rainy time we have had. Six solid months of rain,incredible.
 
Dustydigger, I might have known you were a Northerner by the way you have dealt with your lot. I love your sense of humour. I’ve been told I must have been a Northerner in a previous life. I’m always happy to hear a Northern accent when I have to call any customer service. It reassures me I’ll be getting top class service.
I love visiting ‘oop North’ - it’s like a different country. People are so friendly.
I am a wimp for the cold though. Even as a child I hated the cold. ( and I’m old enough to remember coal fires -no central heating for us!)
Hope you will soon be back on track and managing your refreshed and renewed Springtime schedule soon.
God bless.
 
Back
Top