Ongoing advice please

[Wendyjoy18]

I was diagnosed in Oct 20 with a count of 107. By January I had reduced it to 41. I then reduced my Metformin from 3 tablets a day to 2 tablets per day.
I have just had another test and I have remained at 41.
I now plan to reduce to 1 tablet per day until I have another texts. I can’t get to speak to a doctor so I’m doing this on my own. I hope to be off Metformin completely within a year. Does anyone else have experience doing this? I don’t test daily because basically I don’t want to. 3 monthly blood test are fine by me.

 

[Drummer]

Your blood tests are more likely to be annual or even less.
I was in such a dreadful state with the side effects of the tablets, Metformin and Atorvastatin, that I just stopped taking them.
I got better.
Being able to leave the house might have had something to do with it.
If you get to speak to your GP or nurse then you ought to discus it with them - and I believe that you no longer qualify for free prescriptions if you are not taking anything for the diabetes - though you may qualify in some other way, of course.

 

[rebrascora]

People overestimate the power of Metformin. If you have modified your diet, perhaps lost weight and taking some daily exercise like walking then that will be massively more effective in controlling your diabetes than the Metformin is. If you are not doing a daily walk or other exercise then start that whilst reducing the Metformin and it should more than negate the impact of the medication reduction.

 

[Wendyjoy18]

People overestimate the power of Metformin. If you have modified your diet, perhaps lost weight and taking some daily exercise like walking then that will be massively more effective in controlling your diabetes than the Metformin is. If you are not doing a daily walk or other exercise then start that whilst reducing the Metformin and it should more than negate the impact of the medication reduction.

Thank you. I’ve lost 3 1/2 stone and go to the gym now plus I’ve dramatically cut carbs. I know this is for life but I actually like what I’m eating so no problem.

 

[Wendyjoy18]

Well done with bringing your HbA1c down, not just below diabetic level but below pre-diabetic level, and keeping it there. That's a great achievement.

I was only on Metformin for a short while but after coming off it - at my DN's suggestion, I hasten to add - I've been fortunate in having been able to put my diabetes into remission according to the generally accepted definition (two HbA1c results below pre-diabetic level without taking any medication). I do, though, still test on waking and post-prandial so that I can graph my results and hence get a rough idea as to where my HbA1c might be.

Attached is something I found online about remission, which you might find useful if your ultimate goal is to continue to maintain or reduce your HbA1c and drop the Metformin altogether.

Martin

Thank you. I’ll take a look.

 

[Leadinglights]

Thank you. I’ve lost 3 1/2 stone and go to the gym now plus I’ve dramatically cut carbs. I know this is for life but I actually like what I’m eating so no problem.

You are absolutely right, you have to like what you are eating and then it is no effort to keep it up. Fantastically well done on the weight loss and having the motivation to go to the gym.

 

[Wendyjoy18]

You are absolutely right, you have to like what you are eating and then it is no effort to keep it up. Fantastically well done on the weight loss and having the motivation to go to the gym.

Thank you

 

[rebrascora]

Sounds like you are doing absolutely brilliantly with your huge weight loss, exercise regime and low carb diet. Well done you!!
I very much doubt you would see any deterioration in your readings if you dropped the Metformin altogether and you could always start it again if you did, but do discuss it with your health care professionals and work out a plan of action with them.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Congratulations on your results so far and your weight loss @Wendyjoy18

Glad to hear you are keeping active too 🙂

 

[goodybags]

Great result there @Wendyjoy18 well done on bringing down your Hba1c & the weight loss !

 

[Maca44]

My Hba1c was 125 in November 2020 now off meds (Metformin) and in remission with a HbA1c of 38 but still test BG twice a day. I cut carbs to 80-100g per day and exercise but not crazy stuff but all of this has been under the care of the DB nurse so I would not advise changing meds without informing your GP's. You say you don't want to test but it is the only way to keep on track if your trying new foods etc.

 

[Wendyjoy18]

Thank you. Looks

Great result there @Wendyjoy18 well done on bringing down your Hba1c & the weight loss !

like you’ve done well too!