topic Re: Metformin in Wellness

Metformin

QVCkitty1 — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 23:44:16 GMT

I'm not asking for medical advice, just some personal experience. It has been suggested that since I test pre- diabetic that I start taking metformin, and I would just like to hear your experience with the drug . TIA.

Re: Metformin

docsgirl — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 23:52:27 GMT

Hi Kitty,

I have been on Metforim for about 1 1/2 years and have no adverse effects. My doctor put me on it when he diagnosed me with diabetes. I DO NOT adhere to the food I'm expected to eat as I'm a carb addict but my A1C remains below 7, pleases him. I guess the Metforim is doing its job.

By the way, I have an indoor kitty. He's a big trouble maker but I llove him with all of my Good luck with Metformin. docsgirl

Re: Metformin

colleena — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 23:54:50 GMT

@QVCkitty1:

I also test pre diabetic or just under for the last year plus & my doctor wanted me to take metformin but I refused & am trying to take care of this w/diet & excercise. What has really helped me is I'm in a CDC program put on through our local hospital & the Y & this includes weekly meetings to begin with, every other week & now we're in monthly meetings plus the book we're given is full of I think really helpful information.

Good luck on what you decide.

Re: Metformin

QVCkitty1 — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 00:05:48 GMT

Thank you for responding. For the last few months I've been taking BP meds, and now potassium, because mine is low. I read the possible side effects , and it makes someone like me who up until 6 months ago had no meds, queasy.

Re: Metformin

QVCkitty1 — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 00:07:05 GMT

@docsgirl wrote:
Hi Kitty,
I have been on Metforim for about 1 1/2 years and have no adverse effects. My doctor put me on it when he diagnosed me with diabetes. I DO NOT adhere to the food I'm expected to eat as I'm a carb addict but my A1C remains below 7, pleases him. I guess the Metforim is doing its job.

By the way, I have an indoor kitty. He's a big trouble maker but I llove him with all of my Good luck with Metformin. docsgirl

@docsgirl, we indoor kitties try and stay out of trouble, but it is so hard. LOL

Re: Metformin

Little Way — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 00:23:24 GMT

My mother has been taking medicine, including Metformin, for years. The Metformin was causing her severe stomach issues (gas, diarrhea) recently and so just this week one of her doctors told her to get off of it.

Re: Metformin

phoenixbrd — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 00:35:40 GMT

I wouldn't take it, but I wish you the best!

Re: Metformin

QVCkitty1 — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 00:46:52 GMT

@phoenixbrd wrote:
I wouldn't take it, but I wish you the best!

I'm leaning that way.

Re: Metformin

m0rgan — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 00:47:01 GMT

I have been taking metformin for about 3 months. I was worried about the side effects but the doctor told me to take with a full glass of water and after a full meal. Since I didn't want any of the side effects I followed this advice to the letter and have had no side effects. My husband just watched a vidoe that states you must take a B12 or you may have memory problems or even dementia. I have not been taking B12 and will start immediately.

Re: Metformin

SilleeMee — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 01:36:25 GMT

I was prescribed a statin then that caused my A1C to go up and it put me in the pre-diabetic status. My doc suggested metformin and I refused and asked my doc to give me a year to get it my numbers in order. My doc agreed and said if my numbers don't come back where they should be then the statin and metformin would be prescribed indefinitely.

I'm happy to say that I got my numbers where they should be and I no longer need the statin or have the need to take metformin. What I take is berberine and that takes care of both my cholesterol and my blood sugar. My doc was very impressed and asked about the berberine. I left the doctor's office that day feeling good about everything.

Metformin vs Berberine:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5839379/

Re: Metformin

cherry — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 01:13:59 GMT

I have been on it for 5 years. My A1c is 5.4. I take the ER, because it can be hard on your stomach

Metformin protects your heart ,and they are now finding, it also gives you some protection against alzheimers disease

Diabetes can be a killer, and I would advise you to keep your blood sugar numbers as low as you can

I walk at least 1 mile eveyday ,and eat a low carb diet. The best advise I can give you is, to eat to your meter. A meter doesn't lie, and it will tell you how well your diet is working for you..

Re: Metformin

conlt — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 01:59:38 GMT

My 92 year old mother has been on Metformin for some time and she seems to have not ill effects from it.

Re: Metformin

BirkiLady — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 02:51:19 GMT

@QVCkitty1 Metformin ER (Extended Release) has been a wonder drug for me! I've been on it for about 10 years. Tried the Metformin first; had side effects. My PCP put me on the Metformin ER, B-12 and suggested I take it within 30 minutes of eating. I take my meds and fix breakfast (usually oatmeal). No problems ever. My A1C is consistently 5.4 and I no longer check my sugars daily; maybe three times each week and my PCP is aware of that!

I eat very well: most fresh veggies, mixed nuts, greens, mushrooms, salmon, lentils. Nothing canned/packaged from the grocery store, no sugar or flower in my house, portions are no larger than the size on my fist (about 4 oz.). I snack on green, red, orange and yellow bell peppers! They are zero calories, crunchy, tastey and filling. Plus, I add them to whatever I'm fixing for dinner. Same goes with onions and garlic, which are so healthy and keep your immune system strong.

Metformin is the first drug of choice recommended by physicians. Why are you hesitant to give it a try? That warnings list everything that anyone has ever experienced using it. It's been on the market for decades! Nothing to fear. It's a very, very safe medication. Has been proven to prevent dementia and heart disease. I haven't found anything close to it that keeps my sugars so well in balance (other than watching my diet and exercise . . . which I do).

Good luck and wish you a healthy future.

ETA: I'm 70 and my PCP has never suggested a Statin along with Metformin. That, I would be leery about taking!

Re: Metformin

QVCkitty1 — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 03:08:57 GMT

@BirkiLady wrote:
@QVCkitty1 Metformin ER (Extended Release) has been a wonder drug for me! I've been on it for about 10 years. Tried the Metformin first; had side effects. My PCP put me on the Metformin ER, B-12 and suggested I take it within 30 minutes of eating. I take my meds and fix breakfast (usually oatmeal). No problems ever. My A1C is consistently 5.4 and I no longer check my sugars daily; maybe three times each week and my PCP is aware of that!

I eat very well: most fresh veggies, mixed nuts, greens, mushrooms, salmon, lentils. Nothing canned/packaged from the grocery store, no sugar or flower in my house, portions are no larger than the size on my fist (about 4 oz.). I snack on green, red, orange and yellow bell peppers! They are zero calories, crunchy, tastey and filling. Plus, I add them to whatever I'm fixing for dinner. Same goes with onions and garlic, which are so healthy and keep your immune system strong.

Metformin is the first drug of choice recommended by physicians. Why are you hesitant to give it a try? That warnings list everything that anyone has ever experienced using it. It's been on the market for decades! Nothing to fear. It's a very, very safe medication. Has been proven to prevent dementia and heart disease. I haven't found anything close to it that keeps my sugars so well in balance (other than watching my diet and exercise . . . which I do).

Good luck and wish you a healthy future.

ETA: I'm 70 and my PCP has never suggested a Statin along with Metformin. That, I would be leery about taking!

@BirkiLady, thank you for your response. I guess I'm just thrown, because I'm a healthy eater, and have lost weight since my high BP became an issue. I too have cut out processed foods because of the salt. I will freely admit I'm phobic about meds, but I will give it my consideration. I just want to do what is best.

Re: Metformin

BirkiLady — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 03:24:30 GMT

@QVCkitty1You physican is trained to treat you. If he/she is well-respected in your community and you trust him/her, I hope you will follow his/her suggestions for your health issues. Whatever you read on the web is often untrue. There are many other threads on these Forums about Metforum. In the longrun, your physican is your caregiver and knows your history and how to treat you. Best wishes on a healthy lifestyle. PS: If you do have side-effects, talk with your PCP immediately. He/she may have suggestions. The 30 minutes within a meal was something I would never have considered! My PCP is a wealth of knowledge on all kinds of subjects.

I cut out the canned goods because of the mystery chemicals in them. Felt if I couldn't pronounce them, I shouldn't be ingesting them. Also, I have several autoimmune diseases which require additional medications. Don't need to be asking for more trouble than I was born with! I'm grateful to have been around this long.

Re: Metformin

Nugbucker — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 04:05:46 GMT

I’ve been on metformin for about 7 years now. I have PCOS and with that comes an elevated A1C. My doctor prescribed it to help regulate things and it’s been a wonder drug for me. I can’t say I’ve had any issues with taking it, either. I asked my doctor last summer about whether to continue with it and she said she sees no reason for me to stop if it’s helping. She’s someone I consider to be a friend so I trust she wouldn’t have me on it if she didn’t believe it would help me.

Re: Metformin

QVCkitty1 — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 04:14:48 GMT

Again thank you all for being so generous with your information. My doctor is not a great communicator, so thank you so much.

Re: Metformin

cherry — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 10:22:35 GMT

@QVCkitty1make a list of everything you are concerned about. They next time you visit your Dr, take it with you ,and tell them this is what concerns you

You can drop your cholesterol, just by being more active. Mine has dropped from 215 to 191, and I don't take a statin. If you are able to walk, that will help you a great deal

Aging is a big factor in Type 2 diabetes, and there isn't an earthly thing we can do about it, but take the best care of ourselves that we can

Re: Metformin

meem120 — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 13:25:43 GMT

Im interested in Berberine. Coukd you tell me the brand name and dosage?

Re: Metformin

goldensrbest — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 14:09:27 GMT

I took it for many years, i slowly started to have stomach issues, this went on for years, i told doctors, then it got so bad about 3 years ago,i had to satay home ,could not go anywhere,4 to 5 days a week ,finally i was told to stop it,within 6 days ,my issues got so much better. My A1C,is 4.9 i take ceylon cinnamon,not on any meds as of now.