I Have Failed. How did that happen?

[Jeandp]

My previous HAb1c was 42, pre diabetic, so I persuaded my GP to let me stop all meds. Metformin (which upset my stomach terribly) and Atorvastatin. So for the past 3 months I have been med free.

BUT.......
My BG readings immediately changed from 5´s and 6´s to 9´s and 10´s and higher.😱😱 Literally overnight!
So I recently begged for a new test as these constant high figures really worry me, and I don´t seem to be able to bring them down. I have had a lot of stress from work on the house, and haven´t been well in general but nothing major. If anything I think I am making better food choices now as I am learning more along the way. Maybe I need the upset stomach from Metformin? I think it also acted as an appetite supressant as I lost a lot of weight while taking it. I went down to 8st 3lbs which is unheard of for me.

I have an appointment with the diabetes nurse on Thursday, but already know my new HBa1c is 53 from another appointment I had yesterday. I feel sure she will advise me to go back on Metformin, and she might be right. What do you think? Do some of us just need the meds regardless of diet? or am I not trying hard enough?

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Hi Jean,
firstly get it out of your head that you have failed, you haven't. All that has happened is your body saying I need a little bit more help please.
The Metformin you were on was it the slow release? If not then ask to try that as in theory the side effects are not as bad.

You also said your readings changed immediately! What time factor are we talking about because it takes about 6 weeks for metformin to build up in your body so does it take that long to leave as well? If that's the case then something else is going on causing your blood sugar problems.

 

[Bubbsie]

My previous HAb1c was 42, pre diabetic, so I persuaded my GP to let me stop all meds. Metformin (which upset my stomach terribly) and Atorvastatin. So for the past 3 months I have been med free.

BUT.......
My BG readings immediately changed from 5´s and 6´s to 9´s and 10´s and higher.😱😱 Literally overnight!
So I recently begged for a new test as these constant high figures really worry me, and I don´t seem to be able to bring them down. I have had a lot of stress from work on the house, and haven´t been well in general but nothing major. If anything I think I am making better food choices now as I am learning more along the way. Maybe I need the upset stomach from Metformin? I think it also acted as an appetite supressant as I lost a lot of weight while taking it. I went down to 8st 3lbs which is unheard of for me.

I have an appointment with the diabetes nurse on Thursday, but already know my new HBa1c is 53 from another appointment I had yesterday. I feel sure she will advise me to go back on Metformin, and she might be right. What do you think? Do some of us just need the meds regardless of diet? or am I not trying hard enough?

Jean I think that many of us underestimate the effect stress has on our BG levels in addition to illness...these are major factors in the diabetes 'battle'...and do contribute towards higher blood sugar levels...Metformin can suppress the appetite...it was originally marketed as an appetite suppressant before its benefit for T2 diabetes was realised...moreover Metformin does not lower our blood sugars per se it reduces the amount of sugar made by our liver... limits the amount of sugar absorbed into our body...making our insulin receptors more sensitive … this helps to cause a reduction in blood sugar levels...I wouldn't say you've failed its an interruption...possibly brought about by circumstances beyond your control...building work...the move from Spain… being poorly...discuss all of this with your nurse & explain how much pressure you have been under...let her know how unhappy you would be to restart the Metformin...she may decide to give you a grace period of another three months (the minimum period before another HbA1c test can be done) then retest...good luck.

 

[Beck S]

You haven't failed, you unfortunately just have a disease that can do that type of thing and can be an utter pain to control. As Bubbsie said, stress can really effect your BG levels, and any illness can also have a negative effect, so the combination could very well be effecting you.

 

[Jeandp]

You also said your readings changed immediately! What time factor are we talking about

Well within days of stopping the meds we went to Spain for a week, where I admit my food choices weren´t great and I didn´t take my tester with me. My first morning test, a couple of days after getting home was 9.8 and it has been in that region ever since. Today it was 10.4, and went down to 9.6 after a breakfast of weetabix protein and 2 sliced strawberries.

 

[Martin9]

Hi Jean,
firstly get it out of your head that you have failed, you haven't. All that has happened is your body saying I need a little bit more help please.
The Metformin you were on was it the slow release? If not then ask to try that as in theory the side effects are not as bad.

You also said your readings changed immediately! What time factor are we talking about because it takes about 6 weeks for metformin to build up in your body so does it take that long to leave as well? If that's the case then something else is going on causing your blood sugar problems.

Didn't know that it takes about 6 weeks for Metformin to build up , interesting Thanks 😉

 

[Bubbsie]

Well within days of stopping the meds we went to Spain for a week, where I admit my food choices weren´t great and I didn´t take my tester with me. My first morning test, a couple of days after getting home was 9.8 and it has been in that region ever since. Today it was 10.4, and went down to 9.6 after a breakfast of weetabix protein and 2 sliced strawberries.

Jean you need to take a step back & consider your options...I doubt it was stopping the Metformin that is the problem as @Pumper_Sue says initially the Metformin will take several weeks to get into your system...similarly it will take several weeks to reduce...I do think there is a strong possibility it's ill health (whether major or minor it all takes its toll) and stress that have elevated your BG levels … wait until your appointment...talk to the DSN...if you decide to restart the Metformin do that after a full & frank discussion but only if you feel it is right for you...diabetes often has no rhyme or reason...I'm sure you can work out a way forward...ironically the more you worry/stress about the rise in your HbA1c...the more it may affect your BG levels...give yourself a little leeway...with a little work...possibly a change to your routine you can reduce those numbers...you are just into diabetic range...that's not at all insurmountable...good luck.

 

[Martin9]

Just a blip, not a failure, sorry to hear you have so many problems with Metformin, keep at it though, holidays must be the worst time to keep up with any diet..too many temptations, I'm sure you will be back on track soon tho, take care ...

 

[Grannylorraine]

It is a bump in the road that we all get from time to time. If you have to go back on Metformin that is not a failure.

 

[Deleted member 21371]

My Hba1c is 34, and I was disappointed to be taken off metformin.
If it causes you an upset stomach though, that is different.
It is unusual to have an upset stomach for several months though, usually the doctor will have to reconsider metformin if you do have issues for such an extended period without it settling down.
Where you on SR?

 

[Drummer]

Well within days of stopping the meds we went to Spain for a week, where I admit my food choices weren´t great and I didn´t take my tester with me. My first morning test, a couple of days after getting home was 9.8 and it has been in that region ever since. Today it was 10.4, and went down to 9.6 after a breakfast of weetabix protein and 2 sliced strawberries.

weetabix protein is made from wholegrain, so about 2/3rds carbohydrate - I would not eat it - ever.
My limit is 10 percent carbs for almost everything, the one exception is a small amount of the lowest carb high cocoa chocolate I can find, and not every day

 

[Maz2]

you have not failed. Not everyone can manage without medication. This is what worries me about all these programmes on TV saying that certain "diets" and doing this and doing that has "reversed" diabetes. They only use a small sample and, in my view, deliberately go for the people for whom it has worked.

I went pre-diabetic, got out of it and am now back up to 42. I cannot see that I have done anything wrong, nor can my GP.

Please don't think you have failed jeanandp, you haven't. It may just be that the meds were helping to lower the blood sugar levels and, as other posters have said, it will take a bit of time to adjust. Also stress levels and illness make a difference too. A friend of mine has been hospitalised with a urine infection and, since that cleared up, his blood sugars have been really high. The practice nurse has got them back now under control but it has been a bit of a nightmare for him. He has been Type II for 12 years.

 

[Deleted member 21371]

you have not failed. Not everyone can manage without medication. This is what worries me about all these programmes on TV saying that certain "diets" and doing this and doing that has "reversed" diabetes. They only use a small sample and, in my view, deliberately go for the people for whom it has worked.

I went pre-diabetic, got out of it and am now back up to 42. I cannot see that I have done anything wrong, nor can my GP.

Please don't think you have failed jeanandp, you haven't. It may just be that the meds were helping to lower the blood sugar levels and, as other posters have said, it will take a bit of time to adjust. Also stress levels and illness make a difference too. A friend of mine has been hospitalised with a urine infection and, since that cleared up, his blood sugars have been really high. The practice nurse has got them back now under control but it has been a bit of a nightmare for him. He has been Type II for 12 years.

What protocol did you use to get out of the pre diabetic range?

 

[CathyB]

Something that has been on my mind recently about the metformin and the decision to stop it. I have Heart disease and take medication to help my heart function, so as long as I take my medication my heart manages pretty well, if I were to stop taking it, my heart would not function so well. I have asthma but as long as I take my inhalers I am really well. When I started the metformin my bg levels were sky high, I assume that diet change alone wouldn’t have worked, hence being given metformin.......so.....how come people are taken off metformin when it’s clearly working well and the bg numbers are in normal range? It doesn’t make any sense to me?

 

[Jeandp]

how come people are taken off metformin when it’s clearly working well and the bg numbers are in normal range? It doesn’t make any sense to me?

Hi Cathy, For myself, I desperately wanted to stop taking Metformin because of the terrible side effects, upset stomach to put it mildly 😱😳😳

 

[CathyB]

Hi Cathy, For myself, I desperately wanted to stop taking Metformin because of the terrible side effects, upset stomach to put it mildly 😱😳😳

I guess I’ve been lucky with that

 

[Martin9]

weetabix protein is made from wholegrain, so about 2/3rds carbohydrate - I would not eat it - ever.
My limit is 10 percent carbs for almost everything, the one exception is a small amount of the lowest carb high cocoa chocolate I can find, and not every day

Hi Jeandp..I'm so sorry to hear you going thro this, keep the faith x

 

[Deleted member 21371]

Something that has been on my mind recently about the metformin and the decision to stop it. I have Heart disease and take medication to help my heart function, so as long as I take my medication my heart manages pretty well, if I were to stop taking it, my heart would not function so well. I have asthma but as long as I take my inhalers I am really well. When I started the metformin my bg levels were sky high, I assume that diet change alone wouldn’t have worked, hence being given metformin.......so.....how come people are taken off metformin when it’s clearly working well and the bg numbers are in normal range? It doesn’t make any sense to me?

Unfortunately there is a lot of "peer pressure" as well.
I "claim" to have reversed my diabetes, but because I did it by the Newcastle diet, and have completely normal numbers, I did get a lot of diabetics claiming I couldn't have really done it, and the Newcastle diet couldn't work, as I still took 500mg of Metformin as the lowest dose possible.
Oddly, the same posters also claimed Metformin did nothing to lower BG in other posts?

At times it seems to simply be a status thing, and a massive label attached to be "med free"

 

[Bubbsie]

Whether anyone takes medication or not is a matter of personal choice...no explanation is necessary...if I do not need the medication then I will not take it...that's not a status decision...that's my decision.

 

[Maz2]

What protocol did you use to get out of the pre diabetic range?

Cut out pasta,rice, bread and potatoes. Cut to 2 fruits a day max and did not eat many desserts or cakes biscuits etc. Added in good fats. Not certain why gone back up but am testing various foods.