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Metformin

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Lucy77

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Gestational
Hi All,

Newly diagnosed the other week and overweight, doing slimming world.

Diabetic nurse has put me on 2000grams of metformin a day.
2 in morning, 2 at teatime. When I asked her that's seems a blinking lot, she said it gives us somewhere to go as I lose weight she will reduce them. Horrendous diahorrea side effects already. Diabetes nurse said hba1c was 7.7% and was to high, plus my cholesterol was 5.3 and she threatened statins if it hadn't come. Down Blood pressure 120/80. Asked for sr metformin and she said no!!! Asked for blood testing meter and she said no point. Well bugger me I thought as I left!!!!
 
It is unusual to start on the maximum daily dose of metformin. It's more usual to start with 1 tablet or possibly two, and build up over a few weeks to four tablets. As your gut effects are dramatic, I'd suggest asking again about dosage.
As well as diet (lower carbohydrate to reduce blood glucose levels, low calories to loses weight), it's also important to be physially active - walking, cycling, gardening, sports - the important thing is to do something you enjoy, so that you'll continue.
 
Sorry to hear you had a poor experience with the nurse, Lucy :( As Copepod says, did you go straight in at 2000mg? I don't think I've ever heard of anyone here saying that they were started on the maximum dose, sounds like a mistake to me. Also, I'm not keen on any healthcare professional threatening medication of the patient doesn't improve, it's totally unproductive and unhelpful and just sours your relationship with them - they should offer a positive and clearly explained path to solving the problems. Knowing your total cholesterol (which isn't that bad actually - non-diabetics are asked to achieve 5.0, diabetics 4.0) is only part of the story, there is a ratio within that of 'good' and 'bad' cholesterol, and if your 'good' level is high then it makes things far less of a problem. Statins are something you would need to research first, they are not necessarily the panacea they are often claimed to be, and no-one can force you to take them - they must clearly explain the risks and benefits.

I would query the dose of metformin if you can't tolerate it as it stands, you should not have to suffer just because they have decided you have no choice - tere is a choice and the extra cost to the NHS of the SR version is negligible. Your quality of life is worth much more, so stand your ground! 🙂 Oh, and she's is wrong regarding the meter and testing, as thousands of others would attest, having used them to master their blood sugar control! Grrr!!!
 
Does seam strange that she has put you on the max dose of metformin from the start, as already been said you should really build up to the max dose and as you are suffering the side effects of standard metformin, they should of allowed you to switch over to the slow release version.

Doctors do like to put us on statins to help reduce cholesterol, but some of these can have side effects and would wait to sort out the metformin side effects first.

My old doctors hired a new diabetic nurse who was a dictator and would not listen to what the patient was saying, one appointment with her was the final straw and I moved GP practices.

As Alan has said meters are the way forward, but a lot of GP's wont prescribe the test strips for the meters. If you want to test yourself and have to pay for the test strips the SD code free meter is a popular choice as the test strips are around £7 to £8 for a pot of 50 compared to the £25 plus for a pot of the bigger brands of meter.
 
Good luck & keep us informed how you are doing, some of members of NHS are not as good as they think 🙂
 
It sounds to me, like some idiot has told her that Metformin itself reduces blood sugar - it does NOT.

I would complain and request to find out who told her that and that they be dealt with too!
 
Thanks everyone!!!! I will be ringing my Gp tomorrow and asking to switch to sr, and query the doseage, as its bloody horrible!!!! I shall also be asking if I can still take my prozac alongside with it as it wasn't mentioned, as when I've done a bit of research on it I'm not sure if prozac interacts with metformin and the blood sugars!!! Getting the hubby to build my rowing machine today, hopefully get to go on it, got 4 young kids who are excited to get on it!!!
 
Lucy77 said:
Thanks everyone!!!! I will be ringing my Gp tomorrow and asking to switch to sr, and query the doseage, as its bloody horrible!!!! I shall also be asking if I can still take my prozac alongside with it as it wasn't mentioned, as when I've done a bit of research on it I'm not sure if prozac interacts with metformin and the blood sugars!!! Getting the hubby to build my rowing machine today, hopefully get to go on it, got 4 young kids who are excited to get on it!!!
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Good luck Lucy 🙂 I'd suggest having a word with your pharmacist as they often know far more about drug interactions than GPs or nurses 🙂 I have a rowing machine - perfect for low-impact, aerobic, full-body workouts that can be done progressively and don't have to take a lot of time out of your day. It will be wonderful for your blood sugar control also! 🙂
 
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