Getting Diabetes under control

[dchilvers]

I was diagnosed in January 2008 with Type 2 . I have been on Metformin about 6 weeks. I take 4 a day @ 500mg ea.. This morning was my lowest reading yet at 14.3. Does anybody know how long it takes for it to fully work or should I be seeing it in control by now. When I started taking it I was in the 22-24 range.

[Cramster]

sounds kind of high, did they give you insulin when you were diagnosed to bring it down? and do you mean 500mg rather than 50mg?

[wiseguy]

The Metformin (I think you mean 500 mg) should be working for you by now, if it's going to work. Of course, it is not a miracle drug. You still need to closely watch your diet and get daily exercise.

[dchilvers]

I was surprised they did not give me insulin right from the start. I corrected my post to say 500mg.Thanks

[dchilvers]

I exercise regularly but I am just in the testing food phase to see what effects me. I corrected my post with the dosage.Thanks

[princesslinda]

Generally, it takes about 3 weeks for the metformin to reach optimal results...though I could tell SOME difference that first week.

I'd suggest you contact your doctor and let him know your recent readings so that you can get on the med(s) that will most quickly bring your blood sugars under control.

Also, if you have been testing the 2 hr after meals, you should by now know what foods cause the least rise in blood sugars....and should eat those foods until your numbers are more normalized....THEN, when your numbers are better, you can try adding more/different carbs.

Call your doctor soon.

[UpNorth]

14.3 being the lowest after 6 weeks of treatment :eek: I'm surprised you didn't get insulin to get your sugars down :s: But who knows... Maybe metformin is not the right medication for you:confused: Have your doctor tested you for the possibility of being type 1?


I'm type 1, and i dare say that when i go above 10mmol/l, i feel like ****:(

[davef]

This morning was my lowest reading yet at 14.3. Does anybody know how long it takes for it to fully work or should I be seeing it in control by now. When I started taking it I was in the 22-24 range.

When I was diagnosed in November'07 I was up at 21, I'm on Metformin 500mg twice a day and it did take 2-3 weeks for a real improvement. You don't mention anything about what you are eating, have you cut down on carbs since being diagnosed? How often are you testing? Is your 14.3 a fasting number?

[Cramster]

Mind if I ask your age and if youre overweight? I'm wondering if you might be type 1 or at least 1.5

What tests were done for your diagnosis?

[mortis505]

I'm curious about what your diet is. Were you told about the types of foods that you need to cut back/out? Pastas, breads, rice, potatoes, etc. Do a search for glycemic index and and do a little reading.

Also is the 14 a fasting number or an after meal number? Are you doing any post meal checks at 2 hours after the first bite?

Perhaps a consult with your Dr. about upping the dosage may bring the numbers down.

[dchilvers]

14.3 is a fasting number!

[dchilvers]

I am 45 and 165 lbs. Dec 2006 I was 195 lbs. I decided to start eating better. By Aug 2007 I was down o 170 but started getting the unquentionable thirst and there was times where I was just exhausted. In January 2008 I went for a physical and thats when I was diagnosed.

[MClark]

dchilvers,
I know that it took about 10 weeks for me to see the full effect of the Metformin. My thoughts are that you may be eating too many carbs?
Cheers.
Mylene

[missusg]

I'm awaiting diagnosis, anyone have any advice on the oral glucose tests? they give me quite bad hypos and I'm so scared to take it! they want me to fast for 12 hours which is sometimes impossible (im up at 5 oclock am) and labs dont open until 9, by then I've woken up mildly high (not bad sometimes 7 or 8, then it drops by the time I go to take the test) my endo and doctor wont budge, they're making me take it, even though my a1c is 6.3 (just over guidelines) any advice???
also, advice on eating in a day?