Metformin/Glucophage (blood, diabetic, doctor, diet)

[OREGONRAIN]

How many people take this drug for diabetes. If so how does it work for you? Has it caused serious sideffects? How long have you been taking it? I also have heard that doctors are prescribing it for some not all ,that take insulin shots.

[princessvanessa]

Hi, I take Metformin. 1000 mg once in the morning and again at night. I also take 30 units of Lantus (injectible insulin) at night, and 5 mg of Glipizide in the morning.

I had trouble getting going on Metformin. About 7 years back, before the generic came out, I took Glucophage and had diarrhea really bad so that doctor put me on Precose (which gave me flatulence really bad) and Avandia, instead.

I no longer take Precose or Avandia and my present doctor put me on 500 mg of Metformin to start and okayed the use of Immodium AD to stop the diarrhea. I gradually stopped the Immodium and the doctor upped the Metformin dosage to 1000 mg. I've been on Metformin now for a year. It works good, but some people have the diarrhea problem so talk to your doctor about using Immodium AD to control that.

Good luck on controlling your blood sugars, it is always an uphill battle for me.

[OREGONRAIN]

Thank you for the reply, yes we certainly have our work cut off for us, and you do extremely well, I must add. I started this drug 3 years ago and became very sick with it, I was put on glyburide and it helped tremendously. I recently changed doctors and he does not believe in using glyburide because it burns out the pancreas. I am now on glucophage again, I started almost 2 weeks ago, I am already up to 500mg in the morning and 500mg at the evening meal, I am tolerating it well so far, knock on wood, I know I haven't been on it long enough for the side effects, but I hope they do not materialize this time on it. I had recently started having serious low blood sugar problems on glyburide, and I can understand the doctor taking me off that drug. Good Luck to you and again thanks for the reply.

[MotleyCrew]

My daughter took the glucaphage for about two years for Poly Cystic Ovarian disease with good results. Her new doctor took her off of it because she was concerned about her liver, which she had tested once a year. The new treatment is not a successful so she may end up going back on the drug.

[southernlady5464]

I'm on metformin (1000 mg 2 x a day) because of PCOS. I am a type II diabetic on an insulin pump as well. If you have gastric problems because of the Metformin/Glucophage try eating yogurt (unsweetened or sweetened with splenda). Yogurt helps the tummy troubles settle down. Liz

[OREGONRAIN]

Thank you, maybe that is why I am not having the gastric problems this time around with glucophage, I eat yogurt every day. Thanks

[OREGONRAIN]

I am now on 1000mg 2 x a day. My glucose reading in the morning has been from about 110 to 136. So far during the day I have noticed it can still climb to 200 or so and then start to drop down. I am going to check with the doctor as I need to know just how much this drug actually controls the glucose. Has anyone felt the drug didn't do as much control as they thought it would, or does one need to be on it for a longer period of time before better control is noticeable.

[southernlady5464]

I am now on 1000mg 2 x a day. My glucose reading in the morning has been from about 110 to 136. So far during the day I have noticed it can still climb to 200 or so and then start to drop down. I am going to check with the doctor as I need to know just how much this drug actually controls the glucose. Has anyone felt the drug didn't do as much control as they thought it would, or does one need to be on it for a longer period of time before better control is noticeable.

It will help but your eating habits have MUCH more effect on your blood sugar than any medication. If you can, pay attention to what you ate when your sugars went to 200 after a meal. Liz

[OREGONRAIN]

Thank you, I always thought I ate very well, and Im not sure there is much more I can do diet wise, except only to eat jello and of course that is not the answer. I will have to ask the doctor. Thanks.

[southernlady5464]

Thank you, I always thought I ate very well, and Im not sure there is much more I can do diet wise, except only to eat jello and of course that is not the answer. I will have to ask the doctor.

Actually, pay attention to what your meter tells you. Test before you eat and then 2 hours after you eat. You should not be more than 20 points above where you started.

Example, if you were at 100 prior to eating, you should not be above 120 at the two hour mark.

Your meter is your best friend. Liz