Wellness

[cherry]

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..

[conlt]

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

[BirkiLady]

@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!

[QVCkitty1]

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@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!

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@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. 

[BirkiLady]

@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. 

[Nugbucker]

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. 

[QVCkitty1]

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

[cherry]

@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

[meem120]

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

[goldensrbest]

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.