I have been T2 since 1995 and on Metformin from 1996. I have recently been having problems with pain in my body, my GP has taken me off Metformin. The pains have largely subsided but my blood sugar levels are all over the place i.e from 13.7 down to 3.7 then upto 21.5 and this morning starting at 15. What alternative is there to Metformin
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Metformin
- Thread starter hamperelf
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Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi hamperelf, welcome 🙂 It's very odd to get such a variation in levels just due to the removal of metformin from your regime. How long have you been off it, what levels were you getting prior to stopping it, and are you on any other medication? As @mikeyB suggests, a question for your GP who knows your circumstances. I haven't personally heard of any other member having such an extreme outcome from stopping metformin alone.
Hello there hamperelf. Welcome to the forum.
You really need to discuss with your GP all the alternative medications (because there are many, not excluding insulin itself). But you also need to take in to account your diet and exercise regime because that has a very large input in to the kind of medications you need. But I won't go in to detail because there is a danger of teaching grannies to suck eggs given that you've been diagnosed so long.
But, feel free to come back and ask more. But give a little more detail about what you do diabetes wise. It'll help to tailor any advice.
Andy 🙂
You really need to discuss with your GP all the alternative medications (because there are many, not excluding insulin itself). But you also need to take in to account your diet and exercise regime because that has a very large input in to the kind of medications you need. But I won't go in to detail because there is a danger of teaching grannies to suck eggs given that you've been diagnosed so long.
But, feel free to come back and ask more. But give a little more detail about what you do diabetes wise. It'll help to tailor any advice.
Andy 🙂
Steff
Little Miss Chatterbox
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi hamperelf,
A warm welcome to the forum sorry to hear about issues with met as Alan said ive not seen anyoone on here whos has such radical bs due to metformin.I dont know how you feel about injecting but theres a drug called Byetta which may be worth talking to your GP about this is comparable to Metformin
A warm welcome to the forum sorry to hear about issues with met as Alan said ive not seen anyoone on here whos has such radical bs due to metformin.I dont know how you feel about injecting but theres a drug called Byetta which may be worth talking to your GP about this is comparable to Metformin
Thanks for all your replies. I have been disabled since an accident in 1986 and use an electric wheelchair. I do take a lot of other medication for pain control, blood pressure and cholesterol. My blood sugar levels do fluctuate between 5 and 10 most days, my diabetes nurse is generally happy with what I am doing but noticed a significant variation after coming off Metformin (levels between 10 and 20) The last blood test (before coming of Metformin) put my diabetes at a very well controlled level
HiSteff I inject insulin 4 times per day so am ok with needles
Thanks Andy. Exercise is tricky due to being in the wheelchair but manage to keep active doing jobs around the house. in fact I have been able to lose a bit of weight
Steff
Little Miss Chatterbox
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Ah ok sorry didn't realise so Byetta wouldn't be an option then would it
Up until now I take Novorapid 3 times per day and then Levimer last thing at night. That was supplemented by 2 x 500mg metformin morning and evening.
Not heard of Byetta. I take it iByetta would conflict with Insulin?
Steff
Little Miss Chatterbox
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I really don't know tbh would be worth talking to your GP I guess
.says don't use byetta with long or short acting insulin when I looked it up
I am seeing GP soon and will ask about alternatives. Thanks for your imput.
mikeyB
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Blimey, that's a bit of a curveball not telling us you used insulin as well. It's always best to mention all the diabetic medication you are on from the get go, because it helps with the advice that you will get.
Best of luck with the GP, and keep in touch. Keep asking questions about anything that isn't clear to you,there's usually someone around who can help.
Best of luck with the GP, and keep in touch. Keep asking questions about anything that isn't clear to you,there's usually someone around who can help.
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