A Good Delima To Face.

[Aurelius]

Since my dx, several months ago, I have lost over 40lbs and have seen my numbers drop into the 78-110 range testing 3-4 times daily with medication.

This is probably way too soon to even think about this but if given the opportunity to go off of meds was given to me, I am not sure what I would decide to do.

If given this opportunity, I have thought that perhaps staying on a minimum dose of Metformin wouldn't be such a bad idea since it really does your body good from what I understand.
I also wonder if staying on some meds might help keep my pancreas from crapping out from over-production of insulin sometime down the road. I guess a lot of it would depend on my A1C score too.

What would you do if given the opportunity?

I ask this because I find hearing everyones views to be educational. No arguing please :)


Thanks

[BlueSky]

.... I also wonder if staying on some meds might help keep my pancreas from crapping out from over-production of insulin sometime down the road. ....
The best way to relieve stress on your beta cells is to continue with what you are doing - reduce carbs, lose weight and improve insulin sensitivity with exercise. Taking metformin might help, but you want to keep away from drugs that increase insulin production. Insulin sensitizers (Actos and Avandia) arguably prolong beta cell life, but they have nasty side effects.

My philosophy is, the less drug intervention you indulge in, the better of you are likely to be long term. I don't take any drugs personally (insulin is a natural hormone ...).

[Hammer]

I would keep taking the metformin for the reasons that you mentioned. It just seems that if you can keep your pancreas cells from working too hard, they'll last longer. Plus there's the added benefit that metformin is supposed to be good for your heart and reduce the fattiness of your liver.(if your liver is fatty).

[Lulika]

I had this conversation with my doctor, as I too take Metformin (500mg daily) and have lost weight and increased my exercise. I asked her if I could eventually be drug free and she said that yes, maybe I could, but that it was worth continuing with Metformin in any case as it protects your heart. If ever I get to the stage where I have to decide, I will re-think the question again :)

[Kim_in_TN]

I have asked myself the same questions recently! My DE even suggested that we might start cutting back on my meds when I go back in 6 months, IF my A1c starts getting lower in the 5.0 range. I am glad to read the other benefits of Metformin in this thread ... that was something I did not have a clue about! I have been told years ago that I had a fatty liver, so if the Metformin will help with that, then I don't see ever stopping it. If given the chance, I will cut back on dosage and possibly stop the Januvia portion of my meds but I think I'll now plan to keep the Met. Thanks for asking this question as it was beneficial to many of us!

Congratulations on your weight loss ... that is fantastic!!!

[MJB]

I started on Actoplus Met twice a day.

Then 500mg met twice a day.

Now 500mg met once a day.

My last A1c was 5.8

How many non-diabetics are prescribed metformin because it is good for the heart?

I guess my take is to take the meds you need to be healthy but no more than necessary.