topic Re: ER metformin in Wellness

ER metformin

cherry — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 02:48:22 GMT

I go to my endocrinologist on Mon, and I am going to see if ER metformin might help me with morning highs

My bedtime sugar is about 117...I eat nothing after dinner which is around 3 or 4PM. I test about 3 AM and my sugar is 156

It does drop when I test in the morning, but I hope I can get it to lower numbers. It is always under 150, but I really want it to be lower. This only started a year ago, before that my morning glucose was always around 108 , today it was around 122

Re: ER metformin

BirkiLady — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 02:53:51 GMT

@cherryHave you tried eating something before bed and again about 3:00 AM? I eat very small meals throughout the day, too, rather than a regular-sized portion. It helps keep my sugars even throughout the 24-hours. (I am on Metformin ER tablets.)

Re: ER metformin

cherry — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 02:56:26 GMT

I did try eating some nuts, but it made no difference. One of my Drs thinks its my stomach issues ,that raise my blood sugar. I wake up a couple of times at night needing meds

I don't eat after a certain hr ,because it causes gerd

Re: ER metformin

Moonchilde — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 02:59:10 GMT

wrote:
@cherryHave you tried eating something before bed and again about 3:00 AM? I eat very small meals throughout the day, too, rather than a regular-sized portion. It helps keep my sugars even throughout the 24-hours. (I am on Metformin ER tablets.)

@BirkiLady I have suggested this to cherry, but currently she has several other issues, largely gastric, that are complicating her diabetes. She had reasons why she couldn’t. My doctor switched me to ER when I complained of Dawn Effect and it did help.

Re: ER metformin

Trinity11 — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 03:06:00 GMT

wrote:
I did try eating some nuts, but it made no difference. One of my Drs thinks its my stomach issues ,that raise my blood sugar. I wake up a couple of times at night needing meds

I don't eat after a certain hr ,because it causes gerd

@cherry.....could it be the meds you need to use for your stomach issues and they are raising your blood sugar? I know I get a lot of stomach upset from Plavix and around 2 in the morning I take Tums. They always raise my blood sugar and I need extra insulin to cover them.

Re: ER metformin

cherry — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 03:20:12 GMT

Zantac and Nexium doesnt raise blood sugar, and neither does DGL Licorice tablets....the only other thing I take is thyroid pills. I checked them out for side effects ,and nothing is listed ,relating to blood sugar

The Dr seems to think it is related to sleep disturbances

Re: ER metformin

Moonchilde — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 03:24:50 GMT

wrote:
Zantac and Nexium doesnt raise blood sugar, and neither does DGL Licorace tablets....the only other thing I take is thyroid pills. I checked them out for side effects .and nothing is listed relating to blood sugar

The Dr seems to think it is related to sleep disturbances

Sleep disturbance, when it gets to be chronic, definitely affects blood sugar. Tying in with the stress caused by the sleep disturbance. I struggled with sleep deprivation the last 12 or so years I was working.

Interesting - I had the triple-whammy of menopause (which screwed my sleep up for a good 5 years), my noisy living conditions which also kept me from a good night’s sleep, and job stress. I wonder if years of all three around the same time tipped me over into diabetes.

Re: ER metformin

cherry — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 03:28:20 GMT

It well could be @Moonchilde..I am down to waking up two times a night ,since the nexium

It used to be every two hrs...so things are looking up

Re: ER metformin

BirkiLady — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 03:42:36 GMT

@MoonchildeActually, eating several small meals has also helped with my problems (diahrrea). Also, changing to a very healthy diet with lots of mixed nuts (for protein), frozen fruits, frozen mixed berries, frozen veggies, omelets, dark chocolate of course, oatmeal, etc. Love fresh green mixed lettuce salads w/peppers, onions & baby tomatoes in season (no dressing). Notice lots of roughage in my diet? LOL Who knew it really helps? Cannot eat mayo, salad dressing, beef, pork, anything "heavy" or greasy. I do enjoy Thai food, Mexican (fixed with chicken) food, Greek food (fixed with lamb), etc. Also love spicey foods, which seem to keep my entire system working well. It's taken a very long time to find out what works with my system and the various meds I'm taking. Hope both you and Cherry are able to feel better. I'm under the impression you are younger than me; you both deserve to feel better for years to come. Best wishes on your quest for better health.

Edited: Never, ever, thought I'd share this personal stuff on-line!

Re: ER metformin

Daysdee — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 03:56:56 GMT

@BirkiLady I also have Type II diabetes and the "D" problem. I eat pretty small portions, but sometimes my after dinner glucose level is a little higher than it should be. Maybe I should cut that meal to even less. I eat early and I always have a snack before bedtime. Overall my A1-C is good. I take Janumet and since I have been on that my "D" has become worse.

Re: ER metformin

BirkiLady — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 05:55:24 GMT

@DaysdeeOh no; I have no suggestions, other than to add fiber. In addition to the foods I noted above, I also now eat a lot of legumes (beans) in salads or baked. The fiber actually does help with the D. Never would have believed it, but it works.

After years of checking my sugars, I began tapering off the regular blood sugar checks (with my PCP's knowledge) about three years ago. I've actually gone 14 months without checking once. Never thought I'd see that day! I have my A1C levels tested every three months and they run 5.9 to 6.1, which is fine with my PCP and me after years of Hxxx. Now it's other health issues which cause problems. Guess if it's not one thing, it will always be another! Diet, short daily walks in my neighborhood and swimming laps Monday & Thursday have made the difference. (Although I've always done the laps; swimming is my favorite sport. Actually, it's my only sport now that I'm older!) Sending you healthier wishes.

Re: ER metformin

Moonchilde — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 06:10:57 GMT

Thank you, @BirkiLady, that’s sweet ❤️

I’m actually doing very well these days healthwise except for my musculoskeletal issues, the most serious of which was caused by all my inactivity during my “dental months.” I was actually fine taking 1000 mg of Metformin twice a day when I was working and on a schedule, but once I retired and had the dental issues, together with not eating a lot of solid food for awhile, it definitely affected me as far as the Metformin. Currently I’m taking 500 mg ER, which I think is not enough (I think 750 ER is better). I don’t have a lot of problem, but still some.

@cherry can tell you I eat pretty much what I want to, but in small portions. I don’t ever tell myself “never”about food or drink, I just make sure it’s not all that often. I also take Prandin with a higher-than-normal-carb meal.

I’m someone who has always loved a well-prepared meal, and I couldn’t totally change my diet - nor would I want to - but after diagnosis of course there are things I have rarely or in smaller quantities.

I love ethnic food and eat most of it, love Thai and Indian, Persian and many others. I don’t do really hot spicy, though.

Age? More than legal retirement age and less than 70 ;-)

nighty-night! :-)

Re: ER metformin

hyacinth003 — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 10:15:54 GMT

wrote:
wrote:
I did try eating some nuts, but it made no difference. One of my Drs thinks its my stomach issues ,that raise my blood sugar. I wake up a couple of times at night needing meds

I don't eat after a certain hr ,because it causes gerd
@cherry.....could it be the meds you need to use for your stomach issues and they are raising your blood sugar? I know I get a lot of stomach upset from Plavix and around 2 in the morning I take Tums. They always raise my blood sugar and I need extra insulin to cover them.

There are sugar free "Tums." I don't think Tums makes them anymore, but I have found Extra Strength sugar free at Walmart in their brand. Sometimes you have to look a little, but they are like an orange creme color and flavor. Or check other store brands to see if you can find sugar free. I always buy 3-4 bottles at a time!

Hyacinth

Re: ER metformin

151949 — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 11:55:50 GMT

What on earth are you doing getting up at 3AM to test blood sugars? Your body senses your glucose has dropped so your liver releases glucose it has stored . The best way to control it is to eat about 10PM - you need to eat more than nuts - in the hospital they give the patients a half a sandwich and a piece of fruit. I usually eat fruit. However, I still get sugar spikes in the morning.My doctor says not to give it a second thought.I take metformin ER - it does not control this, though in theory it should.

Re: ER metformin

cherry — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 12:16:43 GMT

I did it because it is one of the ways you can tell if your blood sugar has spiked. It is recommended on diabetic websites to test for liver dumping. My morning sugars are high and my bedtime reading are good

I got up to take meds and to go to the bathroom @151949 is that OK with you????

Re: ER metformin

cherry — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 12:17:51 GMT

PS I have gastritis and gerd and am not supposed to eat anything that late in the evening

Re: ER metformin

Trinity11 — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 14:26:57 GMT

wrote:
wrote:
wrote:
I did try eating some nuts, but it made no difference. One of my Drs thinks its my stomach issues ,that raise my blood sugar. I wake up a couple of times at night needing meds

I don't eat after a certain hr ,because it causes gerd
@cherry.....could it be the meds you need to use for your stomach issues and they are raising your blood sugar? I know I get a lot of stomach upset from Plavix and around 2 in the morning I take Tums. They always raise my blood sugar and I need extra insulin to cover them.
There are sugar free "Tums." I don't think Tums makes them anymore, but I have found Extra Strength sugar free at Walmart in their brand. Sometimes you have to look a little, but they are like an orange creme color and flavor. Or check other store brands to see if you can find sugar free. I always buy 3-4 bottles at a time!

Hyacinth

Thank you @hyacinth003. I didn't know that. I do purchase Reli-On glucose strips at Walmart, so I will look for them too. I really appreciate your feedback.

Re: ER metformin

BirkiLady — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 14:38:46 GMT

@151949 I'm the one who eats mixed nuts and frozen mixed fruits . . . and my sugars are so well controlled that I haven't had to test in the past 15 months. Read the posts before jumping on anyone, please. Why didn't you notice we were sharing private information? It was a post to simply scroll past. (Unfortunately, we don't have a way to speak off this Forum and were forced to continue.)

Re: ER metformin

BirkiLady — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 14:40:00 GMT

@Trinity11I'm avoiding sugar-free everything. After reading about the chemicals involved, those products seem more dangerous to me than they are worth. I don't have any sugar or flour in my home and have learned to live fine with it. No longer have a craving for sweets. I do enjoy a bite of the "good" dark chocolate each day. Honey also is used if baking, which seldom happens now that I'm alone. It's easier to cheat with a real dessert once and a while! Doesn't seem to hurt and it's SO delicious. Like you, I do use Tums (but only a few nights per month anymore). Blessings.

Re: ER metformin

Trinity11 — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 14:48:38 GMT

wrote:
@Trinity11I'm avoid sugar-free everything. After reading about the chemicals involved, those products seem more dangerous to me than they are worth. I don't have any sugar or flour in my home and have learned to live fine with it. No longer have a craving for sweets. I do enjoy a bite of the "good" dark chocolate each day. Honey also is used if baking, which seldom happens now that I'm alone. It's easier to cheat with a real dessert once and a while! Doesn't seem to hurt and it's SO delicious. Like you, I do use Tums (but only a few nights per month anymore). Blessings.

Morning @BirkiLady. I know what you mean about if you do not eat sugar or flour chances are you will stop craving it. I eat desserts rarely but when I do, I need to take an enormous amount of insulin because I have now developed insulin resistance. I take metformin off label for Type 1 diabetes to supplement my insulin. The metformin doesn't do much, though. I think after nearly 50 years of this disease, I have tried just about everything.

My husband's 70th Birthday party is this weekend so I am getting a gluten free cake with icing for him at the bakery. I may just indulge!