Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Cathy Jacobson on February 20, 2011 at 5:21pm

I would first ask if you can gradually reduce your dose. It might mean you have to cut the pills down, I don't know dosages on Met. But I am on 850 mg 3 x a day. I know that we cut down one dose, and it's been great. Maybe rather than going cold turkey, you'll gradually go off it, and see how things work out for you....Good for you on the weight loss, and the A1C...WOW here's hoping for good things for you!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Michelle Popols on February 20, 2011 at 5:27pm

Thanks! I take 500 mg ER once a day, so I think that is the lowest dosage. I just don't know if I should be on it if I don't have to be. But my mom had type 2 for many years and was insulin dependent, I just don't want to end up like her down the road. I guess that's a discussion I need to have with my doctor at my next visit. Congrats to you on being able to cut down on one dose!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Nyxks on February 20, 2011 at 5:23pm

Congrats on getting into a healthy range, I've been on Met since 2003 but was put on insulin in 2008 my numbers are now in the good range (6 to 7) but when I go off the insulin things spike up again so for me the met doesn't do enough on its own to keep me stable, so going off of it atm isn't going to happen.

However, that being said my mom was never on met or insulin and is a type 2, but is 100% diet controled and has been from the start, her A1Cs for the past 5 years plus have been "normal"

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Michelle Popols on February 20, 2011 at 5:30pm

Thanks for the info, maybe some day I will work up the courage to try coming off the metformin. I just don't want to see my numbers go up when I worked so hard to keep them controlled. That's great your numbers are in a good range now, congrats to you too! It really is a challenge every day!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John on February 20, 2011 at 6:48pm

If I were to go off Metformin I would not only keep an eye on my A1c but also my post prandial blood glucose readings. Also note that Metformin has anti-cancer properties.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Todd T. on February 20, 2011 at 8:24pm

I have also thought of going off Met, my numbers are not as good as yours, but I did drop 30 lbs. I have been warned that there may be some weight gain and I am not willing to sacrifice that. I have also heard there are other benefits to taking it. Take a look at a discussion from my page when I was wondering if Met was losing its affect. I would also be interested in any body who has had positive results. Thanks for the query and again nice job on your results.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Michelle Popols on February 21, 2011 at 6:51am

Yes, I have also heard that one of the benefits of Metformin can be increased metabolism, which is why I think I was able to lose so much weight. It's definitely something to consider, since the lower your body weight, the lesser the amount of insulin needed to control blood sugar. Thanks and congrats on your results too!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by tmana on February 20, 2011 at 9:38pm

I've been off metformin for about seven years now, though based on numbers and all, I may end up having to add it back in. My A1c has been as low as 4.5 (when I was down at a weight that was healthy for my height) and as high as about 6.0, 6.2 without the metformin. Last was 5.8 about 4 months ago (quarterly doctor visit's been delayed due to COBRA issues). I've been noticing fasting numbers creeping up since the summer...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by LaGuitariste on February 20, 2011 at 9:59pm

Hi Michelle. Congrats on your excellent self-care. ;0)

As others have mentioned, it's not just the A1C but also the post-prandials you need to watch.

If you test before you eat, at one hour and at two hours after breakfast one day, lunch the next, dinner the next (three controlled tests each day over a three-day period) when you're eating fairly normal meals with a known amount of carbs (not little bird salads unless little bird salads is normal for you) and getting fairly normal exercise (not a day or two post-marathon!) then you'll have a better idea of where your post-meal spikes are taking you.

If your one-hour is over 140 or your two-hour is over 120, you can use that information to make a better-informed decision.

Insulin resistance is progressive. If you're exercising most days and keeping your weight down, you might not need the Metformin. Then again, it might be prolonging the period of time when you won't need insulin by years.

If you can tolerate Metformin well, count yourself very lucky. I had to quit after two years of trying.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Michelle Popols on February 21, 2011 at 6:47am

Thank you so much for all the information. My mom had type 2 diabetes and had to take insulin for several years before she died at only 49. I want to stick around quite a bit longer and will do whatever it takes to keep my blood sugar under control. I never thought aout the Metformin prolonging the (hopefully not) inevitable insulin. I do tolerate the Metform fine ( I take 500 mg ER once daily), so I guess it doesn't hurt to stay on it!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by LaGuitariste on February 21, 2011 at 11:58am

I'm so sorry about your mom.

Not messing with what is working so very well might be wise. If you were diagnosed at only 33 and your mother (God rest her soul) was also type 2 and died so very young, then your family tree and personal history seems to me to be a strong indicator that your disease could progress more quickly without intervention.

I was 46 when I was diagnosed, but lots of people don't get diagnosed until their 50's or 60's or beyond. The progression of the disease really varies based on genetics, not just on lifestyle and weight.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Michelle Popols on February 21, 2011 at 1:26pm

I agree, if something isn't broken, don't try to fix it! I know diabetes is a progressive disease, my mom probably had it for many years and didn't know it. When I was first diagnosed, I was devastated. But now I'm glad I caught it while I'm young and there was no permanent damage done yet. I also think the metformin is what helped me to lost weight to begin with. Thanks again for your help!

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page