[MWsmee]

I felt so ill on metformin when my dose increased and injection was proposed that I took matters in my own hands.
I stopped taking metformin and went on a very strict carbohydrate diet (atkins based).
For the first month I ate no carbohydrates at all and even now some 4 months later I only eat very little. I feel wonderful but my cholestrol levels have increased a bit.
My GP however still insists that I take a low dose of metformin. Can anyone tell me the benefits of this?

[princesslinda]

Welcome to the forums! Metformin works by helping your body better use the insulin you are making. We T2s often have insulin resistance, our bodies are still making plenty of insulin, but we can't properly utilize it and therefore our beta cells (which make and release insulin) are overworked/stressed.

Some find the metformin-ER (extended release) help minimize the side effects.

Exercise and weight loss also helps improve insulin resistance.

[tiny]

Metformin works. I am on 1000mg 2x a day (total 2000mg a day) I don't feel sick when I eat, I don't vomit after eating sweats and I no longer get headaches. The first 3 months of being on it was extremly hard and i lost 30pounds, but now I feel great. I still follow the low glycemic index, but otherwise love metformin.

[Subby]

It might help too, to understand that metformin works as a liver inhibitor. How does that matter, you ask. Here's my rough understanding of it (happy to be corrected):

What we take in as carbs, is only one source of energy we have to contend to. Another is that our bodies have a store of glucagon (sugar) inside muscles and the liver. It's in the liver that proteins and fats get converted into glucose. This gets stored and released in a steady stream through the day for the general tasks of functioning, as well as when "asked for" such as when exercising or getting a hormonal response from stress.

The sugar that is release from the liver, affects our blood sugar like eating sugar does. As a type 2 your internal insulin will be doing its best to allow this energy to be accessed and utilised, (thus helping stabilise BGs) to a varying degree. It could be doing a reasonable job, it could be doing a not so good job. It's a hard task as people with type 2 may be releasing a lot more internal sugar than non diabetics.

You'll know how well "the battle" is playing out from your fasting BG levels. It can also be contributing to higher post meal levels as a kind of layered effect.

That's where metformin comes in. It dampens this production of sugar in the liver, effectively cutting down the work your internal insulin has to do.

So you can see it's another approach to reducing the workload on your insulin. It is similar to, but not the same, as going low carb. There may be a stage that low carb is not enough, you need something to deal with the internal sugar releases too.

Metformin does more, too, I'll quote wikipedia: Metformin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In addition to suppressing hepatic glucose production, metformin increases insulin sensitivity, enhances peripheral glucose uptake, increases fatty acid oxidation,[45] and decreases absorption of glucose from the gastrointestinal tract.

You mention your cholesterol, what about your A1c or BG results in general?

[mosaic]

I hate the side-effects too. But I setup an appt tomorrow to see if I can get on Metformin ER instead. According to my meter, Metformin brings my numbers down -20 points across the board. I'm already slashing carbs left and right, so it's nice to have a little extra help.

But then, I developed Charcot foot before I was diagnosed and have some eye damage too (reversible, hopefully), so I am VERY motivated to put up with anything if it further helps lower my blood sugar.

If your diet keeps your sugar down, more power to ya - that's awesome! Unfortunately, for me and others, our bodies currently need the extra help afforded by that oval-shaped, white pill.