Hello!!!

[Jillybobs]

Hi everyone
Happy to be accepted as I have just been prescribed Metformin after my annual type 2 review showed an increased level of 71
It has increased over the last few years so they have said I need medication now.
I’m a tad concerned about having to take meds and feel like I’ve failed so am hoping for some reassurance that I’ll be fine
Thank you in advance

 

[Lucyr]

Welcome. What exactly are your concerns about the medication?

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi everyone
Happy to be accepted as I have just been prescribed Metformin after my annual type 2 review showed an increased level of 71
It has increased over the last few years so they have said I need medication now.
I’m a tad concerned about having to take meds and feel like I’ve failed so am hoping for some reassurance that I’ll be fine
Thank you in advance

Welcome to the forum. Some people find themselves in your situation with increased HbA1C and that can happen for a number of reasons, sometimes a change in circumstances like retirement when your routine changes or diet has slipped and you are eating more carbs or you have become less tolerant of the carbs you are eating.
People can often feel they are eating a healthy diet but newer thinking is that adopting a low carb regime can be the factor which is the most important in reducing and keeping blood glucose well managed.
However there are some people who will need medication of some sort to help their body cope with even a reduced amount of carbs.
It would be a good opportunity to review your diet as there may be something you can do there to help. Have a look at this link for some ideas for modifying your diet which many have found successful.

Freshwell Low Carb Project - Home

lowcarbfreshwell.com

 

[Jillybobs]

Hi
Thanks for your reply.
I do worry about possible side effects with the metformin which I know may seem a bit over the top but I’m a worrier I’m afraid
I was hoping to manage with my diet etc but struggling to understand about reducing carbs.
I know medication has to be a way to get the levels down but would like to be able to reduce it naturally if at all possible
I see there’s a link to low carb diet so I’ll spend some time having a good look around the site.

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi
Thanks for your reply.
I do worry about possible side effects with the metformin which I know may seem a bit over the top but I’m a worrier I’m afraid
I was hoping to manage with my diet etc but struggling to understand about reducing carbs.
I know medication has to be a way to get the levels down but would like to be able to reduce it naturally if at all possible
I see there’s a link to low carb diet so I’ll spend some time having a good look around the site.

Metformin can only do so much and it is still needed to reduce your intake of carbs. The metformin helps the body use the insulin it produces more effectively and reduces release of glucose by the liver but it does not magic away the carbs in the foods you eat.
It is suggested that a good starting point for reducing carbs is having no more than 130g carbs not just sugar per day. Cutting out cakes, biscuits, sugary drinks including fruit juice and reducing portions of high carb foods like potatoes, bread, rice, pasta, pastry, tropical fruits, breakfast cereals and basing meals on meat, fish, eggs, cheese, dairy, nuts, vegetables and salads and fruit like berries with only small portions of those high carb foods or finding substitutes which can be equally if not more tasty.

Some people do get stomach issues from the metformin but for others there is no problem, taking mid meal is supposed to help or if it affects you the slow release version is supposed to be better. Introducing the dose gradually over a few weeks also helps.

 

[PerSpinasAdAstra]

Hi
Thanks for your reply.
I do worry about possible side effects with the metformin which I know may seem a bit over the top but I’m a worrier I’m afraid
I was hoping to manage with my diet etc but struggling to understand about reducing carbs.
I know medication has to be a way to get the levels down but would like to be able to reduce it naturally if at all possible
I see there’s a link to low carb diet so I’ll spend some time having a good look around the site.

Metformin isn't a bad one as medications go. Some people do experience problems but the reason the doctors usually prescribe Metformin first is because most people tolerate it just fine after a few weeks, and generally speaking it's very safe.

When I first started Metformin I did experience a little nausea after taking it but it didn't last long and it was pretty much gone after the first two weeks. These days I don't notice any side effects at all, and I'm happy to be on it while I get to grips with my weight and continue my exercise and diet investigations.

Best of luck 🙂

 

[Drummer]

Just in case you do experience a strong reaction to Metformin I really do advise not going out after taking it during the first few days as explosive faecal incontinence is excruciatingly embarrassing even in the privacy of ones own home.

 

[Jillybobs]

Metformin isn't a bad one as medications go. Some people do experience problems but the reason the doctors usually prescribe Metformin first is because most people tolerate it just fine after a few weeks, and generally speaking it's very safe.

When I first started Metformin I did experience a little nausea after taking it but it didn't last long and it was pretty much gone after the first two weeks. These days I don't notice any side effects at all, and I'm happy to be on it while I get to grips with my weight and continue my exercise and diet investigations.

Best of luck 🙂

Thank you! That’s very reassuring

 

[Jillybobs]

Just in case you do experience a strong reaction to Metformin I really do advise not going out after taking it during the first few days as explosive faecal incontinence is excruciatingly embarrassing even in the privacy of ones own home.

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[Tdm]

I had no issues with metformin.

 

[rebrascora]

One of the most important things with Metformin to mitigate the risk of digestive upset is to take it mid meal with a substantial amount of food and to build the dose up gradually over a period of weeks. I had very minor episodes of diarrhoea and occasional colicky, windy pains when it didn't feel safe to let rip unless I was on the loo, but I never had an accident or felt that I couldn't leave the house and that was the regular Metformin. If you do have problems with it, there is a slow/modified release version which is usually more gentle on the digestive system, so if it doesn't settle down or the side effects are unreasonably bad then do ask your nurse/GP for the slow/modified release version.

As @Leadinglights mentioned, dietary changes are still important to help the medication.

If you would like to post the sort of things you typically eat for breakfast, lunch and evening meal, we can perhaps make suggestions to help you make some lower carb choices.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hi
Thanks for your reply.
I do worry about possible side effects with the metformin which I know may seem a bit over the top but I’m a worrier I’m afraid
I was hoping to manage with my diet etc but struggling to understand about reducing carbs.
I know medication has to be a way to get the levels down but would like to be able to reduce it naturally if at all possible
I see there’s a link to low carb diet so I’ll spend some time having a good look around the site.

Welcome to the forum @Jillybobs

The vast majority of people with T2 who are offered Metformin are able to take it either without any negative effects, or if there is a small amount of digestive upset it doesn’t last for long.

Feeling a little apprehensive about taking medication is perfectly natural. But metformin doesn’t necessarily have to be forever. We have members who have started on Metformin, found it helped them for a while. But as they continued experimenting with their menu (and perhaps lost weight) they found it was no longer necessary, so discussed stopping with their Dr or nurse.

Of course we do also have some members whose side effects didn’t fade over time, or who had a very significant reaction.

But the only way you’ll know of Metformin will be a help for you persnally, is to try it for a while and see how you get on with it. And to keep looking for the right balance of menu and meds 🙂