Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Hana Rous on February 2, 2011 at 1:12am

I've been on minimal Metformin [2 x 500 mg.I each night and morning] for 8 years and never experienced any of what you describe. I think you should talk to your doctor about it. Have you looked up the usual list of side effects? Metformin doesn't usually act fast so swings are uncommon.

Permalink Reply by pinkyspurse on February 2, 2011 at 7:27am

This isn't listed under any of the usual side effects. My doctor isn't sure if it's because I'm sensitive to the medicine or not. I used to feel tired after eating carbs or sugars. Now that I'm on Metformin, I get sugar buzzes. But at least I know it's working because my blood sugar is under control.

Permalink Reply by Hana Rous on February 2, 2011 at 8:00am

Of course haveng good bg numbers iss the priority. Has your doctor suggested a differnt brand of Metformin? It could be that the fillers in the tablets are causing the problem
Hana

Permalink Reply by pinkyspurse on February 6, 2011 at 8:28pm

I also have been noticing the fact that my fasting BG levels are different on different days. I tried low carb like you recommended, but I felt like I just kept crashing today (this is the 2nd time since I started metformin). I'm waiting to hear about my A1C results before going to my PCP. If my A1C is low, she'll treat me directly. If it's high, she's supposed to refer me to an endocrinologist. If you want to know what my diet and fasting BG readings I've been getting are, just look at my blog. Maybe I should take only 500 mg because of these weird side effects? I dunno, just waiting to find out which doctor I get to question about this next.

Permalink Reply by Sweet Kate on January 28, 2012 at 9:27am

From what I understand, Metformin does not cause lows....ever. It could be what you're eating or possibly a reaction to the meds. The best thing to do, imho, is to see what the A1c tells you. If your morning numbers are good and your A1c is ok then maybe you can cut back on the evening dose to see what happens. I take 1000 mg at night and have never had the reactions you mention. Good luck!

Permalink Reply by Hana Rous on January 29, 2012 at 7:57am

I'm sure you are right Sweet Kate
Metformin doesn't cause lows and it's probably down to eating. However low blood sugar is not exclusive to Diabetes. Strict weightloss dieters and others get it too. In addition people with diabetes get used to running on high sugars, so that normal levels of about 4.7mmol/l [85mg/dl] feel low.
I run my sugar at around 5mmol/l [90mg/dl] most of the time and frequently get asked by other diabetics AND healthcare professionals whether I feel hypo a lot of the time. I don't! I'm used to it as are nearly all non-diabetics. My Hba1c hasn't been out of the 5%s for years. I'd like to get it into the upper 4s, but haven't succeeded yet. i don't want tto take more medicine.