[FTW]

I took my first does of Metformin XR, 500 mg last night. I asked for the prescription during my last doctor's visit because my fasting BG was running high, (usually 110-130). This morning I tested at 93.

I delayed starting the meds because I was in China for a week and I didn't want to start a new drug that far from home. By coincidence, I read the following on the ADA board after getting the prescription which reinforced it was the right thing to do for me.

The following is copied from part of this post by oldal4865, a very respected contributor to the alt.support.diabetes newsgroup:

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Metformin is an odd drug. Doctors prescribe it to help control blood sugars but when you look at all the effects, it seems to be more of an anti-death pill for diabetics. For sure, it's an anti-heart attack pill (the #1 problem for T2 diabetics is premature heart attack)

Some reading on metformin:

I am a "metformin pusher" in the diabetic newsgroups, i.e. “in my opinion”, start taking it as soon as possible. Talk to many diabetic educators and you will get the recommendation to put all Type 2 diabetics on metformin as soon as diagnosed.

Some say put them on metformin before they are diagnosed! !

Some reasons for that enthusiasm:

a. Metformin reduces blood sugars
Metformin, Glucophage and Glucovance

b. Metformin improves cholesterol and triglycerides
Diabetes Self Management

c. Metformin cuts heart attack risk in T2
Diabetes In Control Dot Com. The weekly newsletter for medical professionals in Diabetes care.
http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/article...

also,

“Common diabetes drug lowers risk by inhibiting proinflammatory factor”
Heart Disease Weekly, July 27, 2003

"This action of metformin may help prevent Atherosclerosis," said Dandona, "and may explain why persons with type 2 diabetes who are treated with metformin are at lower risk of dying from heart disease."

(BTW, so do the TZD, Actos and Avandia)

d. Actually, Metformin just plain reduces overall mortality rates among T2 diabetics
http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract...

e. Metformin probably protects dying beta cells which are the proximate cause of T2. Metformin restores insulin secretion altered by chronic exposure to free fatty acids or high glucose: a direct metformin effect on pancreatic beta-cells
“. . . These data raise the possibility that, in diabetic patients, metformin (in addition to its peripheral effects) may have a direct beneficial effect on the beta-cell secretory function. . . .”
Metformin restores insulin secretion altered by chronic exposure to free fatty acids or high glucose: a direct metformin effect on pancreatic beta-cells -- Patane et al. 49 (5): 735 -- Diabetes

Pancreatic Islets from Type 2 Diabetic Patients Have Functional Defects and Increased Apoptosis That Are Ameliorated by Metformin Piero Marchetti, Silvia Del Guerra, Lorella Marselli, Roberto Lupi, Matilde Masini, Maria Pollera, Marco Bugliani, Ugo Boggi, Fabio Vistoli, Franco Mosca and Stefano Del Prato
Pancreatic Islets from Type 2 Diabetic Patients Have Functional Defects and Increased Apoptosis That Are Ameliorated by Metformin -- Marchetti et al. 89 (11): 5535 -- Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism

Diet and Exercise Dramatically Delay Type 2 Diabetes: Diabetes Medication Metformin Also Effective
NIDDK : Welcome : News Briefs : Diet and Exercise Dramatically Delay Type 2 Diabetes: Diabetes Medication Metformin Also Effective

(Regular, heavy exercise is an extremely potent defense against the host of T2 "bad effects". Metformin is decidedly in second place [see DPT-2} when compared to, say, becoming an aerobics instructor. However, if you are exercise-restricted, metformin becomes a "miracle" drug)

f. Metformin protects against the formation of Advanced Glycosylation End Products (A.G.E.)

Humans “must” die because of two factors involving DNA replication, and a third factor, the formation of Advanced Glycosylation End-Products (A.G.E.) which slowly destroy organs. Since A.G.E. formation is proportional to blood glucose level, diabetics encounter more A.G.E. production and therefore die prematurely.

We can’t do a thing about the DNA (except not smoke). Metformin protects against A.G.E. and, in fact, folks are thinking about using it in non-diabetics to extend life spans.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query...

g. Metformin simulates exercise
University of Dundee, Press Release

h. Metformin helps folks lose weight (though usually only in the first year)
metformin information supplied by manufacturer

i. However, metformin can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency and a related high homocysteine levels.
News - Metformin Treatment Leads to Increased Homocysteine, Decreased Vitamin B12 and Folate in Type 2 Diabetes Patients

IMHO the benefits far outweigh the risks. I hope this helps in making your decision.

FTW