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Why hasnt my doc prescribed Metformin? Does the body get used to it?

J

Jan McGee

Active Member
Messages
38
Location
UK
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
I am just over the 11 qualification for diabetes through a glucose tolerance test and am wondering why the doctor hasnt prescribed Metformin.
It's apparently used for prevention at the prediabetic stage.

Might it be that the body gets used to it over time, leading to increasing doses or transfer to other meds? Any other ideas?
 
Lots of us aren't prescribed Metformin on diagnosis. Those of us with low enough blood sugar levels are given chance to control it with diet & exercise before filling our bodies with drugs. Metformin alone won't stop you progressing to being a diabetic. Only a suitable diet and perhaps more exercise can do that. Metformin has minimal effect on blood sugar levels. It reduces insulin resistance, appetite and the production of glucose from the liver, but only to a small extent. It isn't a cure.
 
Jan McGee said:
I am just over the 11 qualification for diabetes through a glucose tolerance test and am wondering why the doctor hasnt prescribed Metformin.
It's apparently used for prevention at the prediabetic stage.

Might it be that the body gets used to it over time, leading to increasing doses or transfer to other meds? Any other ideas?
Click to expand...
HI JAN MCGEE, I HAVE BEEN ON METFORMIN NOW FOR 2 YEARS IM ON 500MG 4 TIMES A DAY PLUS ANOTHER TAB CALLED Gliclazide 80mg tablets ONCE A DAY, I HAVE CUT OUT DRINKING FIZZY DRINKS EVEN THE ONES WHERE IT SAYS ITS GOT NO SUGAR IN, THERE ARE HIDDEN SUGARS AND SINCE IVE STOPPED THEM CHOCOLATE, BREAD I AM NOW EATING PITTA BREAD, MY BLOOD SUGARS HAVE COME DOWN FROM 29.8 TO 2.3/ 5 AND MY HBAC1 WAS 109 AND NOW ITS 44, NO I DO NOT THINK YOUR BODY GETS USED TO THE MEDS AT ALL X
BLESSINGS
SAL XX
 
I've been taking metformin since November 2007, it still works for me, but it isn't a wonder drug and only reduces blood sugar by 1 - 2 mmol. The best way to reduce blood sugar levels is to low carb.
 
Jan McGee said:
I am just over the 11 qualification for diabetes through a glucose tolerance test and am wondering why the doctor hasnt prescribed Metformin.
It's apparently used for prevention at the prediabetic stage.

Might it be that the body gets used to it over time, leading to increasing doses or transfer to other meds? Any other ideas?
Click to expand...
Hi Jan I was diagnosed and place on metformin but I am now drug free (well except caffeine of course and love). My feeling is it is better to try without them than to depend on them without even trying which seems the NHS way from my experience. You HbA1c is only a little above normal so correcting this shouldnt be too hard with small walks after eating and reducing some of the fast carbs. Good luck and every success we all know you have it in you to succeed
 
Bluetit1802 said:
Lots of us aren't prescribed Metformin on diagnosis. Those of us with low enough blood sugar levels are given chance to control it with diet & exercise before filling our bodies with drugs. Metformin alone won't stop you progressing to being a diabetic. Only a suitable diet and perhaps more exercise can do that. Metformin has minimal effect on blood sugar levels. It reduces insulin resistance, appetite and the production of glucose from the liver, but only to a small extent. It isn't a cure.
Click to expand...

Thanks so much for the quick reply Bluetit. Good advice.
 
sal36uk said:
HI JAN MCGEE, I HAVE BEEN ON METFORMIN NOW FOR 2 YEARS IM ON 500MG 4 TIMES A DAY PLUS ANOTHER TAB CALLED Gliclazide 80mg tablets ONCE A DAY, I HAVE CUT OUT DRINKING FIZZY DRINKS EVEN THE ONES WHERE IT SAYS ITS GOT NO SUGAR IN, THERE ARE HIDDEN SUGARS AND SINCE IVE STOPPED THEM CHOCOLATE, BREAD I AM NOW EATING PITTA BREAD, MY BLOOD SUGARS HAVE COME DOWN FROM 29.8 TO 2.3/ 5 AND MY HBAC1 WAS 109 AND NOW ITS 44, NO I DO NOT THINK YOUR BODY GETS USED TO THE MEDS AT ALL X
BLESSINGS
SAL XX
Click to expand...

Thanks Sal. You have done amazingly well, it's very inspiring, and not all down to Metformin. Thanks for the info that you havent got used to it.
 
))Denise(( said:
I've been taking metformin since November 2007, it still works for me, but it isn't a wonder drug and only reduces blood sugar by 1 - 2 mmol. The best way to reduce blood sugar levels is to low carb.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the info on metformin, Denise, I dont think I will ask the doc for it. There are things I can do with diet. I have the quality
sussed but need to reduce the quanitiry of bread and milk I get through. I need to lose weight anyway.
 
Andrew Colvin said:
Hi Jan I was diagnosed and place on metformin but I am now drug free (well except caffeine of course and love). My feeling is it is better to try without them than to depend on them without even trying which seems the NHS way from my experience. You HbA1c is only a little above normal so correcting this shouldnt be too hard with small walks after eating and reducing some of the fast carbs. Good luck and every success we all know you have it in you to succeed
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info and encouragement Andrew. Good to hear you are hooked on love!
 
sal36uk said:
HI JAN MCGEE, I HAVE BEEN ON METFORMIN NOW FOR 2 YEARS IM ON 500MG 4 TIMES A DAY PLUS ANOTHER TAB CALLED Gliclazide 80mg tablets ONCE A DAY, I HAVE CUT OUT DRINKING FIZZY DRINKS EVEN THE ONES WHERE IT SAYS ITS GOT NO SUGAR IN, THERE ARE HIDDEN SUGARS AND SINCE IVE STOPPED THEM CHOCOLATE, BREAD I AM NOW EATING PITTA BREAD, MY BLOOD SUGARS HAVE COME DOWN FROM 29.8 TO 2.3/ 5 AND MY HBAC1 WAS 109 AND NOW ITS 44, NO I DO NOT THINK YOUR BODY GETS USED TO THE MEDS AT ALL X
BLESSINGS
SAL XX
Click to expand...
Doesn't pitta bread contain carbs?
 
Bluetit1802 said:
Lots of us aren't prescribed Metformin on diagnosis. Those of us with low enough blood sugar levels are given chance to control it with diet & exercise before filling our bodies with drugs. Metformin alone won't stop you progressing to being a diabetic. Only a suitable diet and perhaps more exercise can do that. Metformin has minimal effect on blood sugar levels. It reduces insulin resistance, appetite and the production of glucose from the liver, but only to a small extent. It isn't a cure.
Click to expand...
Totally agree
 
I once read that pitta was(for some reason) a lower carb option. Can't remember who said it though... Probably Montignac...

Something to do with the lack of yeast. I think soda read is slightly lower too.

Wish I could remember the source...
 
My Fitness Pal:

Nutrition Facts

Asda - White Pitta Bread

  1. Servings: 1 pitta 80g 1 container (6 pitta 80gs ea.)
Calories186Sodium170 mg
Total Fat1 gPotassium0 mg
Saturated0 gTotal Carbs27 g
Polyunsaturated0 gDietary Fiber1 g
Monounsaturated0 gSugars1 g
Trans0 gProtein5 g
Cholesterol0 mg
Vitamin A0%Calcium0%
Vitamin C0%Iron0%


wholemeal pitta is less cals but more carbs.
 
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