[Scorpio]

Hi, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in early December 2010. I was put on Metformin which, after 3 weeks, made me very ill. So I discontinued that. Since January 2011, I've been taking Glipizide..10mg twice a day. I recently had a fasting lab B/S done, and it was 197. My doctor put me back on Metformin 5 days ago, but the extended release version.
My question is this: I have not seen a real reduction in my B/S. Now I have not made any dietary changes yet, but shouldn't I see some kind of reduction just from taking these medicines? I hope someone can help with this. I'm really worried. I woke up with this morning with a fasting 219. Thank you all in advance.

 

[diabetes86]

It can take 2 to 3 weeks for metformin to work.
if you want to see a quick reduction in your BG reduce your carb intake.

 

[Shanny]

Hello Scorpio. What diabetes86 says is correct - reducing your carb intake will bring a fast & consistent improvement in your B/S. Oral meds are not meant to do the heavy lifting with this disorder - metformin helps our cells access the insulin that's already available. The doctor prob'ly should have tried the extended release version instead of putting you on glypizide in the first place, but that is neither here nor there.

Are you doing any testing at home? You need a meter and you need to be testing several times a day at home. Once you start making the necessary changes in your diet, you'll begin to see the results you seek.

Stop eating bread/rice/pasta/potatoes/sweets and anything made with cereal grains like wheat/oats/corn/rice.

 

[breezeonby]

Hi, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in early December 2010. I was put on Metformin which, after 3 weeks, made me very ill. So I discontinued that. Since January 2011, I've been taking Glipizide..10mg twice a day. I recently had a fasting lab B/S done, and it was 197. My doctor put me back on Metformin 5 days ago, but the extended release version.
My question is this: I have not seen a real reduction in my B/S. Now I have not made any dietary changes yet, but shouldn't I see some kind of reduction just from taking these medicines? I hope someone can help with this. I'm really worried. I woke up with this morning with a fasting 219. Thank you all in advance.

These drugs are to be used in addition to a healthy diet and exercise. I am T2 on insulin and that gives me some flexibility, but I still watch my carbs. If I wanted to I could eat whatever I wanted to and take enough insulin to cover the carbs, but I gain weight from using too much insulin and I would soon become a blob. When I was diagnosed, my doctor put me on Metformin and my stomach could not deal with it so he put me on 10MG of Glipizide XL and that helped to keep my blood glucose under control for 5 years, I then started having headaches and blurry vision and my doctor felt it was time for me to go on insulin since my blood glucose was in the high 300's. I am the type of diabetic that is fine for going one day without my Lantus and then my numbers start to climb. You need to try and make some changes to your diet and you will see that your numbers will come down, a fasting of 219 is too high. We have a lot of support on here, so stick around. Take care and good luck!

 

[jwags]

As others have said metformin builds up slowly in your system. I was first put on 500, then 1000, then 1700 mg. It was not until I got it raised to 2550 that I saw a significant reduction in bgs. Also metformin works much better with low carb diet and exercise. If you continue to eat normal amounts of carbs it really doesn't work very well. Glipizide is contraversial because it may overstimulate your pancreas which some feel may make you more insulin resistant. It may also lead to beta cell burn out faster. Reducing your carbs will rest your pancreas and save beta cells and hopefully over time you may become more insulin sensitive especialy with the metformin.

 

[moon]

... hopefully over time you may become more insulin sensitive especialy with the metformin.

We T2s (and some T1s) are stuck with insulin resistance, but how much reduction is feasible? If we do everything right (weight, exercise, diet) - esp changes since being dx'ed - to what degree can it be modified? I realize this would vary person to person, and in some there could be no positive change at all, but if sensitivity can be reduced does that mean one could actually reintroduce something into their diet they couldn't have before?

 

[beefy]

...My question is this: I have not seen a real reduction in my B/S. Now I have not made any dietary changes yet, but shouldn't I see some kind of reduction just from taking these medicines?

Sorry to say this, but medication is only a small part of the solution. Neither Metformin nor Glipizide are magic pills that fix diabetes.

Diet and Exercise - meaning a low-carb diet and daily exercise, are the major components to reducing the effects of diabetes. (Note: You will likely be told by many health care professionals to adopt a high-fiber, low-fat diet including lots of grains... this doesn't work for 99% of the diabetics out there... Low-carb is our solution)

As others have suggested, lower your carb intake as much as possible, start daily exercise, and the BG levels will lower much faster than on medication alone.

In fact, it's unlikely that you'll achieve anywhere near close to healthy BG levels with medication alone. Lifestyle is the more important change...

Check out "how to lower your blood sugar" ... this is EXCELLENT advice.

 

[jwags]

We T2s (and some T1s) are stuck with insulin resistance, but how much reduction is feasible? If we do everything right (weight, exercise, diet) - esp changes since being dx'ed - to what degree can it be modified? I realize this would vary person to person, and in some there could be no positive change at all, but if sensitivity can be reduced does that mean one could actually reintroduce something into their diet they couldn't have before?

As you said this is going to be different from person to person. I can only tell you my experience. I have bee on a low carb diet for 4 years and have gradually lowered my bgs to a normal range. But I still have to limit my carbs. My doctor claims I am not insulin resistant anymore because I weigh 118 but I feel I am. I do fine when I stick to low carb meals but give me carbs and I will spike for days. I have found though I can now tolerate Eziekel sprouted bread, so now I can eat grilled cheese again. I think many of us once we have lost the weight and stabalised bgs start to experiment. I use to eat 10 carbs a meal and now can eat 15-25. You also find what times of day that your body tends to be more sensitive. For me it is the afternoon. If I am going to have carbs that is when I eat them.

 

[Scorpio]

Thanks

Thank you all for getting back to me so quickly. I'll take all this advice to heart immediately.