[BTtype2]

Hi All,

Hope everyone is managing well.

I had a cat scan last week so my doc told me not to take Metformin (I've been taking 1, 500mg twice a day) one day before and two days after the test, so I thought I'd try an experiment. <Doc doesn't know about it>

I also decided this would be a good time to start really eating low carb to lose weight, and to try to keep my blood sugar in check. I figured I was already going 3 days without it, so why not push it a week or so and see how it goes. Of course, if my results were high the plan was to go right back on the Metformin immediately.

Since last Monday (Feb 7) I've been eating about 25 carbs a day (give or take) and testing my fasting blood sugar first thing every morning, and my results went something like this:

131 - day i started
128
123
113
109 - later that day i fell down stairs, injured knee, bruises evrywhere.
134 - perhaps this result is due to the fall and the stress/worry.
123 - Next day heading back downward.
116
113 - this morning


I know it's just been a week and most likely eating low-carb has a lot to do with it as well, but I figure I'll keep riding this out and as long as my numbers stay relatively fine, I'll stay off the Metformin.

But, this begs the questions....

Is it harmful to just stop Metformin? (I haven't noticed anything so far)

If I can keep my numbers as they currently are, or even better (lower) should I stay off it?


Been on MF for a year now and frankly the side effects have been awful for me - constant diarrhea, frequent bathroom visits, and hot flashes. The funny thing is my numbers were around 120 - 140 while on it, and while off the medicine my numbers may even be lower. Time will tell I guess but my goal is to get off the medicine and manage my blood sugar with just eating low carb, losing weight, and exercising if possible.

Does this sound reasonable, or is just wishful thinking?

I welcome all opinions and/or advice.

 

[Shanny]

My guess is that the strict low-carbing is what is bringing your numbers down, because there's still a fair amount of met in your system & it works especially well when used WITH low-carbing. It isn't dangerous to just stop taking it but it takes a few weeks to build up in your blood stream & it takes a few weeks to completely disappear.

But after 2-3 more weeks, if you can maintain lower without metformin, more power to you - especially since you get the side effects (did you ever try metformin extended release? The XR version usually reduces the side effects). The dosage you were taking is pretty low anyhow.

I also have no doubt that your fall is what caused that spike to 134! That must've been scary. For years I've descended stairs one step at a time, and I don't move to the next one until both feet are firmly planted on one step!

 

[Wink]

I am perfectly capable at this stage of keeping my BG under control with diet alone, in fact, Met doesn't seem to improve my numbers at all but I agreed with my doc that it is still better for me to take Met. I've been lucky so far with the side effects so I know that makes it easier for me.
Taking Met allows you to keep your BG in line without making your pancreas work too hard. IF you are insulin resistant, your pancreas ends up making more insulin than you need - taking MET helps you use the insulin more effectively so you don't have to make as much. I've researched this online and there is a credible study that proves that using MET early - even if it seems you don't need it - helps keep your pancreas functioning longer and the MET is effective longer.
I originally thought less drugs was a good goal, but I'm convinced that some of us need MET to make our body work more efficiently.
I also urge everyone to always talk to the doc before making changes. At least listen to their reasoning - you can always decide to go against their advice but more info from them might help you make the decision that is right for you.

 

[joe_h]

25g of carbs a day is pretty tight. good on you if you can do it and it works for you. If Met is causing all those side effects I would talk to your doc about changing Meds or your low carb diet. there are a lot of options out there and if you don't like Met (or it doesn't like you) you should be able to try something else. good luck w/ your experimenting

 

[BTtype2]

Thx for the advice folks, I appreciate the feedback. Some things to think about, that's for sure. I guess for the immediate moment, I'll see how it goes.

I must admit even though I stayed low carb for an entire year once and lost about 80lbs, staying around 20/25 carbs a day can be tough somedays, especially the emotional/bad days but on the other hand, after a few weeks eating low carb I usually start to feel much better - sleep better too! Either way, I need to lose weight and stay away from the sugar cravings, so staying low carb can only help ime.

Frankly, I don't get much good advice from my doc - seems like he never wants to say too much either way, so I'm a bit confused sometimes. He told me once if I'm going to drink or eat badly just to take more medicine, so I got the impression this is something very 'individual' and adjustments were expected.

Oh well, work in progress.....

 

[joe_h]

Thx for the advice folks, I appreciate the feedback. Some things to think about, that's for sure. I guess for the immediate moment, I'll see how it goes.

I must admit even though I stayed low carb for an entire year once and lost about 80lbs, staying around 20/25 carbs a day can be tough somedays, especially the emotional/bad days but on the other hand, after a few weeks eating low carb I usually start to feel much better - sleep better too! Either way, I need to lose weight and stay away from the sugar cravings, so staying low carb can only help ime.

Frankly, I don't get much good advice from my doc - seems like he never wants to say too much either way, so I'm a bit confused sometimes. He told me once if I'm going to drink or eat badly just to take more medicine, so I got the impression this is something very 'individual' and adjustments were expected.

Oh well, work in progress.....

is there another doctor you can try?

 

[BTtype2]

is there another doctor you can try?

Hi Joe_H,

I've just recently came to this conclusion that my doc isn't giving me enough information. I know what the problem is too; the guys sees like 6 people an hour, every hour and I'm lucky to get 10 mins with him. It took me a while to find this guy <in my plan> so I haven't been jumping out of my seat to start looking again. May have to though. For all the $$$ I pay for health insurance I should be getting excellent service. Everytime I call him for my test results it takes him 3 days to call me back, but I'm not sure if that's typical or not.

 

[Shanny]

Everytime I call him for my test results it takes him 3 days to call me back, but I'm not sure if that's typical or not.

It may be typical, but it ain't right! In this day & age of EMR, those lab results could possibly hit the doc's office within an hour of the blood draw. Somebody's sandbaggin' us!

 

[BTtype2]

Ok so I went about 3 /12 weeks with no Metformin but my numbers didn't quite get to where I wanted them, so I decided to add one pill a day and see the results.

The last 4 days I've been at 113, 113, 100, 117 (fasting), so on the whole my body seems to react better with some Metformin. I've noticed just taking one pill a day has not upset my stomach or caused me any diarrhea so that's a good thing too.

It appears my desire to not use any medicine at all isn't quit working out for me. And even though I've lost 15lbs so far, I'm still sitting @ 310 so that probably doesn't help matters much. Which makes me wonder if just losing weight can help your numbers if you're eating low carb?

Doc said to lose 100lbs and then "we'll talk" - easier said than done but I'm trying to give it shot.

 

[breezeonby]

Ok so I went about 3 /12 weeks with no Metformin but my numbers didn't quite get to where I wanted them, so I decided to add one pill a day and see the results.

The last 4 days I've been at 113, 113, 100, 117 (fasting), so on the whole my body seems to react better with some Metformin. I've noticed just taking one pill a day has not upset my stomach or caused me any diarrhea so that's a good thing too.

It appears my desire to not use any medicine at all isn't quit working out for me. And even though I've lost 15lbs so far, I'm still sitting @ 310 so that probably doesn't help matters much. Which makes me wonder if just losing weight can help your numbers if you're eating low carb?

Doc said to lose 100lbs and then "we'll talk" - easier said than done but I'm trying to give it shot.

Every pound helps! I am really hoping that you are able to lose the weight! Good luck!

 

[BTtype2]

Every pound helps! I am really hoping that you are able to lose the weight! Good luck!

thx Breeze. I've noticed losing weight is so much harder now that I'm a wee bit older (48), but if it helps get my bs under better control it will give me some much needed motivation.