Metformin XR 500MG

[northeast]

I was diagnosed with Reactive Hypoglycemia (I get false lows not real lows) and Borderline Pre-Diabetes. My a1c was 6%. Since then I have been watching what I eat. My fasting BS are 96-99 most days. I had one 103 this week. My after meals are 90-100. I am not sure of my spikes. I caught two...highest was 143 after cereal. I did test 1 hour after dinner once and it was 126. Perhaps it was higher 45 minutes or 30 minutes after. I determined to find my spike time ...lol.

My doctor prescribed me with Metformin XR (Glycophage XR) 500 mg 1x per day at dinner. Here is my question. I know this drug can have GI side effects. My husband and I will be going on vacation in about a week and a half for a 10 day vacation.

Do you think it would be okay to start this Metformin when I get back? I'd hate to ruin my hubbys vacation with me have cramps and stomach issues. I have been checking my numbers frequently and I'm not getting really bad numbers. The only thing is if the Metformin would help with my reactive hypoglycemia then perhaps I would feel better on vacation and not have these reactive false lows. I know this drug can take anywhere from 1-6 weeks to really kick in.

I am so torn what to do. I am extremely sensitive to medications and I am afraid to get my GI all messed starting this now and be on vacation with all these side effects and possibly spoil my husband's vacation.


Your thoughts?

[Moonglo]

How likely are you to eat the way you should on vacation? I say this because my experience has been that the worse I eat (and the more carbs I eat) the worse the side effects of the metformin can be. The flip side of that is that, since he gave you the xr version, side effects will probably be less than they would on the regular.

I would say you really may want to call your doctor's office on that one, just my opinion.

[northeast]

I will probably jump off the wagon a bit when on vacation. I will watch and not be as bad as I normally would on vacation, but we will be eating out alot so I know it won't be as good as I should be. However, we are going to the beach so I will be eating more seafood (versus carbs) so maybe that will help.

[princesslinda]

I'd encourage you to go ahead and start it, even with vacation. If you have problems, you can stop it and start again after vacation.. You may be like me, I started it w/o any problems at all, as have others here. There is a correlation for me between grease and the gastric symptoms.

Enjoy your vacation. I find my blood sugars are better on vacation because i'm much more active and less stressed. Just watch the bread/breading, rice, pasta.

[Moonglo]

The good news there is that seafood is relatively easy to eat and manage bg, especially if you can work in as many veggies as possible and eat your main course grilled instead of fried. Everyone wants to take a break from their healthier eating on vacation from time to time, but be careful because you are still trying to get your numbers under control, so your body may not be ready to handle a "break" yet, IMHO. But, like I said before, ymmv. :)