Metformin etc

[type2boy]

Hi all.
New boy here although have had type 2 for 16 yrs. Im currently on 1000mg metformin 4 times a day +Linagliptin once a day + atorvastin every other day. My blood sugars hover around 6.0 to 7.0 No matter how hard i try it never stabilises around 5.1 to 6.0 My hbac tests at doctors say it,s acceptable as they never give me any warnings /change. So i will pursue my normal routine of eating healthy with no sugar in any products i use. Sweetners are just as bad for us as cane sugar. I seem to be surviving on my course of daily life. I recently have had cramps in bed for no reason, so now take Magnesium twice a day to relieve symptons. Diabetes condition apparently causes loss of magnesium & electrolites im sure. So if you can relate to my conditions i would be gratefull of your input.
PS i have also posted on another section on here yesterday re itchy skin and ankles.
Regards type2boy.

 

[Leadinglights]

Those levels don't seem too unreasonable being in the range 4-7mmol/l for fasting and before meals. Whatever you are doing in terms of diet and meds looks to be keeping you on track.
I assume you have a regular HbA1C.
If you are worried then you could do some meal testing to see if any of the foods you are having are not so good.
I often get cramp and find it is if I haven't drunk enough fluid but have found magnesium gel pretty effective.
If you feel your electrolyte balance is off then you could try the rehydration sachets that are suggested if people have a dodgy stomach.

Have you had your B12 checked as metformin can interfere with absorption of Vit B12 from foods.

 

[rebrascora]

I think it likely (or hope anyway) that you have made a mistake with your Metformin dose as that is double the maximum dose unless I am misunderstanding your post. 1000mg 4 times a day is 4000mg or 4g but the max dosage in 2g per day I believe. The normal tablets are usually 500mg so you would take those 4 x a day but the slow release version is sometimes 1000mg (or 1g) per tablet so you would only take 2 of the 1000mg tablets for the maximum daily dose.

I wonder if the cramps you are experiencing might be linked to vitamin B12 deficiency which long term use of Metformin can cause. If you haven't had your Vitamin B levels checked, it might be worth asking in view of the issues you are having. Vitamin B12 is essential for healthy nerves, so could possibly cause the itching as well as the cramps. Unfortunately taking an oral Vitamin B supplement doesn't usually help as the Metformin blocks the absorption, so a course of injections are needed to boost levels. Certainly something worth asking your GP about or investigating yourself.

I should add that those BG readings you are getting are reasonably good so don't be too disheartened.

 

[type2boy]

Those levels don't seem too unreasonable being in the range 4-7mmol/l for fasting and before meals. Whatever you are doing in terms of diet and meds looks to be keeping you on track.
I assume you have a regular HbA1C.
If you are worried then you could do some meal testing to see if any of the foods you are having are not so good.
I often get cramp and find it is if I haven't drunk enough fluid but have found magnesium gel pretty effective.
If you feel your electrolyte balance is off then you could try the rehydration sachets that are suggested if people have a dodgy stomach.

Have you had your B12 checked as metformin can interfere with absorption of Vit B12 from foods.

Ok and yes i have been given folic acid tablets for a 3 month course. So far my absorption is ok. Yes i am aware that metforim causes the defficiency. I am due another check up in 6 mths. Dehydration im aware of very well, my daughter is a PTrainer and is always checking that i drink enough fluids.

 

[type2boy]

I think it likely (or hope anyway) that you have made a mistake with your Metformin dose as that is double the maximum dose unless I am misunderstanding your post. 1000mg 4 times a day is 4000mg or 4g but the max dosage in 2g per day I believe. The normal tablets are usually 500mg so you would take those 4 x a day but the slow release version is sometimes 1000mg (or 1g) per tablet so you would only take 2 of the 1000mg tablets for the maximum daily dose.

I wonder if the cramps you are experiencing might be linked to vitamin B12 deficiency which long term use of Metformin can cause. If you haven't had your Vitamin B levels checked, it might be worth asking in view of the issues you are having. Vitamin B12 is essential for healthy nerves, so could possibly cause the itching as well as the cramps. Unfortunately taking an oral Vitamin B supplement doesn't usually help as the Metformin blocks the absorption, so a course of injections are needed to boost levels. Certainly something worth asking your GP about or investigating yourself.

I should add that those BG readings you are getting are reasonably good so don't be too disheartened.

Hi. My appologies, the dose of M/formin is 500mg 4 times a day not 1000mg. they are the S/R tablet but seem to have a lot of wind somedays (burping) There seems to be a lot of downsides to taking medications.
Cheers type2boy.

 

[type2boy]

Those levels don't seem too unreasonable being in the range 4-7mmol/l for fasting and before meals. Whatever you are doing in terms of diet and meds looks to be keeping you on track.
I assume you have a regular HbA1C.
If you are worried then you could do some meal testing to see if any of the foods you are having are not so good.
I often get cramp and find it is if I haven't drunk enough fluid but have found magnesium gel pretty effective.
If you feel your electrolyte balance is off then you could try the rehydration sachets that are suggested if people have a dodgy stomach.

Have you had your B12 checked as metformin can interfere with absorption of Vit B12 from foods.

Hi. yes i have been tested for vitamin B12 several times and received a course of folic acid tablets for 3 months. The doc,s know that metformin causes B12 absorbtion problems, yet are still dispensed same tablets for years. Do you know of alternative tablets to Metformin, never been discussed at my GP surgery.
Regards type2boy.

 

[trophywench]

Folic acid tablets are given to increase the haemoglobin ie the red blood cells, so the phrase 'low ferritin' can be mentioned, ie low iron. Ladies planning pregnancy or in the early stages of a pregnancy are prescribed them almost automatically bearing in mind they're sharing their blood supply with the baby and the focus is on both of em being healthy. However! people with diabetes, should they need folic acid prescribing for anything whether pregnant or not, need higher dose tablets to do the same job as the smaller dose ones do for the other people without diabetes.

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi. yes i have been tested for vitamin B12 several times and received a course of folic acid tablets for 3 months. The doc,s know that metformin causes B12 absorbtion problems, yet are still dispensed same tablets for years. Do you know of alternative tablets to Metformin, never been discussed at my GP surgery.
Regards type2boy.

I know there are people who cannot tolerate even the slow release metformin and are taking other medications one of which you are already taking. The other alternative is additional dietary measures.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @type2boy

Well done on the progress you’ve made over the years. Hope the forum ‘hive mind’ can help you with some of the challenges you are facing.

Sweetners are just as bad for us as cane sugar.

That hasn‘t been my experience to be honest. I don’t have that many diet drinks, but I still enjoy them, and they have no effect on my glucose levels as shown on my continuous BG monitor.