Endo visit, Med change

[meg]

Hello,
I finally saw my Endo yesterday, she was nice and bubbly and easy to talk to.
I have ended up just on Diamicron MR 30mg 1x with breakfast, no more Meformin and other stuff. This DR. was of the opinion that people only lost weight on Met. because they felt so miserable while on it, they just couldn't eat!
I will have to be careful because I dont want to gain weight on this new medication. I just dont feel happy carrying any more weight, I get miserable and depressed. Is calorie counting the best thing to do? Will I feel more energetic and exercise more when my numbers are lower?
I think I had a hypo today at the supermarket, I was a little late and it was time to eat, I had 3 jellybeans but still felt shaky, sweaty and weak.
Thanks, Meg

[Jaclyn]

Hello,
This DR. was of the opinion that people only lost weight on Met. because they felt so miserable while on it, they just couldn't eat!
Meg

That might be true in SOME cases but not all. I felt great on Met and lost 37 pds in 5 months. I never heard of your new med so I looked it up and I can say that I would of rather stayed on Met then this . The side effects are pretty bad. I do hope you dont get them and I hope you do better on this.
oh, I never had any eating issues with met.

Diamicron MR

# Visual disturbances

# Low blood glucose level (hypoglycaemia)

# Indigestion (dyspepsia)

# Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

# Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)

# Skin reactions such as rash and itch

# Disturbances in the normal levels of blood cells in the blood

# Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain

[Lex4153]

How did YOU feel on Metformin? It doesn't affect everyone the same way. I felt fine with Metformin, but I did get sick when combining it with Byetta. If you're looking for a way to lose weight, Byetta is a good option to try. It's done wonders for me.

How was your control when on Metformin? Was there a reason your endo wanted to change it? Did you feel sick or did it just not work well?

I'm glad you like your doc. That's a very important and vital aspect of diabetes control. Good luck to ya!

[4519]

This DR. was of the opinion that people only lost weight on Met. because they felt so miserable while on it, they just couldn't eat!

I don't want to just beat a dead horse here - but you just can't let a statement from a doctor that is so wrong go by.

When a doctor makes such an across the board statement about a medication that has been documented in great depth you have to wonder what they really know about it in the first place. She might be the best you can get and do you well, she surely has started off saying something very stupid and not what you would expect from an expert in the field.

[Stewpot]

I have ended up just on Diamicron MR 30mg 1x with breakfast, no more Meformin and other stuff. This DR. was of the opinion that people only lost weight on Met. because they felt so miserable while on it, they just couldn't eat!
Hi Meg
:wavey:
Did your endo tell you how your new medicine worked or is she the "trust me I'm a doctor" type?

FYI:
You have been prescribed a sulphonylurea which works by stimulating the failing beta cells in your pancreas to produce more insulin.
This will provoke faster burn-out of the remaining beta cells and hasten the day when you will need to inject insulin. You can get hypos with this medication which the doc should have warned you about (because the effect is similar to injecting insulin).

I have not heard of metformin making people miserable. It can cause gastric upset in a minority of people and this is often got over by slow introduction or using the extended release (XR) version. Metformin helps by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing glucose production. In other words it doesn't contribute to the progression of diabetes like your new drug.

Sorry, but nice and bubbly your endo may be but she wouldn't last long with me if she tried prescribing that stuff. If I were you I would take your pills back and tell her they make you feel really bad. Ask if you can try a glitazone which can be used with your metformin to improve insulin sensitivity.

Of course you may have done this already and in that case I would still take the pills back and ask if you can inject insulin instead. At least that will help preserve the beta cell functionality you have left against future therapies that may be able to regenerate beta cells that are not yet dead.

You need to control your diet of course.

Good luck!
:egg:

[lilituc]

I found metformin made me feel full all the time, so I was inclined to eat less. I believe something like that is listed as a side effect in the full FDA information. Other people I know have said the same thing.

[meg]

I actually think you are more likely to be right and I have done my own homework, is Diamicron MR (gliclazide) the same as Amaryl?
Yes, I was seduced by her "throw caution to the wind, get out live and enjoy your life" line.

I was starting to feel better on Metformin, my stomach was getting less bloated, gassy and nausea was not constant, but still very tired.
After my first day on Diamicron Mr my fasting was 170, up a bit.
When I asked about the high a.m numbers she went on about cortisol, but nothing else.
I do value your opinions, and it helps me to be pro-active, but I feel I really let myself down and have ended up on the wrong drug. The weight issue is because of my background in classical ballet, I teach now, but the thought of losing control of my weight is a REAL issue for me. ( it is a cruel disease )
Thanks again, Meg

[darksheep]

I am not currently on any meds, but all the type2 diabetics that I know that are on metformin really have had good experiences. Now, some have had stomach distress, but they mostly have solved that by using the extended release and starting with half dose and moving up.

Metformin increases insulin sensitivity and does not stimulate production of insulin. As a member said earlier, your new drug will eventually burn out the beta cells in your pancreas that make your insulin. When they are gone they are gone! And then you will have to take insulin. No choice and insulin is the fat making part of it all....

Please reconsider.

[meg]

I will talk to my Dr. this week, I'll be getting the results of some kidney and bladder tests as well. If my kidneys are o.k I'll suggest another go at metformin as I really regret being so easily led by the Endo. I'm not sure if we have the extended release type of diaformin in Australia.
Thanks again, Meg

[Jaclyn]

Maybe he can start you out on smaller doeses and then build you up.

[Stewpot]

I will talk to my Dr. this week, I'll be getting the results of some kidney and bladder tests as well. If my kidneys are o.k I'll suggest another go at metformin as I really regret being so easily led by the Endo. I'm not sure if we have the extended release type of diaformin in Australia.
Thanks again, Meg
Good for you!

One last suggestion, I started metformin with just 1/2 tab/day for a week then 1/2 twice a day, etc leaving my system plenty of time to settle and didn't have any bad effects. I have been on 850mg standard metformin 2xday for some time with no issues.
That's not to say it will work for you, just something to try if you didn't already.

Good luck!

:egg:

[Funnygrl]

Just because sulphonyureas increase insulin production, I am not of the opinion that they should be avoided at all cost. Though I will admit o having never been on oral meds personally. However, I do think non-sulphonyureas are a better first line of action, since they do exhaust the beta cells, however, that is a natural progression of the disease and I am not of the opinion that insulin is something to be feared or avoided either.