[rdfrdf]

I've only been diabetic since January and I"m still learning. Wouldn't insulin allow me to adjust more easily to what I need? Two days ago I absent-mindedly drank my toddlers leftover cereal milk (I know, gross) and the sugar spiked me to 377. If I'd had fast-acting insulin, I could've used that. I felt so dizzy, but I forced myself to ride my excercise bike for 20 minutes and I guess that helped drop my numbers.
I had gestation diabetes with my last child and had to inject myself daily, so I'm not squimish at all with self-injections. I am however concerned about long-term effects of the Metformin on my organs.
BTW, my 2-hr afters are about 150-160, and my fasting numbers are about 100-110. I'm supposed to take 1000mg Metf twice daily, but at night sometimes I only take 500mg if I'm already down near 100.
I'd appreciate any advice!

[fgummett]

Your reasoning is good I started on insulin almost immediately after diagnosis. It made perfect sense to me and my Doctor. I guess the person you need to convince is your Doctor... having been on insulin for GD should be in your favour.

The big caveat with insulin -- apart from the risks, of which I am sure you are already aware -- is that it gives you the ability to eat as much as you like, cover it with insulin and still have great BG levels... a sure-fire recipe for weight gain

The trick is to manage what you eat so as to minimise your need for insulin.

BTW my son is now 18 but I can think of much more gross things I did than finish off his cereal milk

[cyberus]

Another caveat ....

.... metformin also helps reduce insulin resistance, all the insulin injections in the world won't reduce insulin resistance.

[princesslinda]

another caveat...metformin takes a little while to "build" in your system. Not taking a particular dose based on your current blood sugar wouldn't be that helpful, as you'd see the results of decreasing the dose in a few days, rather than in a few hours.

Metformin helps your body better use the insulin you're making, giving your beta cells a break, as T2s usually produce more insulin than we need (at least at first), but our bodies can't effectively use it.

[rdfrdf]

Thanks both of you! I sure don't need to gain any weight. I'm 31, 5'6, 264lbs and trying to come down. I've lost 35 since January 1. I don't want insulin just so I can revert back to my old ways, just to catch my mistakes. So is Metformin just as safe as insulin long term?

[foxl]

My only advice, as a fellow Mommy ... Keep your hands OFF the kids' food! This way lies PERIL and TRAGEDY!

I think that was what got me here, if the whole truth be known.

Last night I actually managed to THROW AWAY my eldest's grilled cheese remains. With pride. This morning ... my carb-restricted elderly cat was munching it, on the floor. Ya can't win.

[rdfrdf]

That's so funny! I definitely live vicariously through my 6- & 3-year olds. It's so hard to watch them waste the good stuff. My 3-year old loves saying "dia-bee-tees" and tells everyone he has it. He says my Glucerna cereal and other sugar-free foods taste like diabetes. The other day he said his Kung-fu Panda toy had diabetes, and now he calls him Diabetes Panda. Sometimes it almost feels like a good thing...

I didn't think about the Metformin that way(about switching up the doses). I'll go back to taking what I'm supposed to at night. I'm just so paranoid about dying in my sleep. I am a Dawner, however, so that's probably not anything to worry about. What does it feel like to wake up in the middle of the night LOW?

[rdfrdf]

Is 1000mg of Metformin twice a day a lot? I don't seem to see anybody else listing such high amounts in their signatures.

[lorilei]

tell your doc that you would like to consider insulin...and that you have no hesitation ....good luck!

[Deb S]

Originally Posted by rdfrdf

Is 1000mg of Metformin twice a day a lot? I don't seem to see anybody else listing such high amounts in their signatures.

rdfrdf,

I take 1,000mg of Metformin twice a day and have taken that dose for at least 5-6 years now.

Deb

[art]

I'm a T-2 on Janumet
1000 mg's 2x a day.
I also have insulin on hand for those spikes.

Having the insulin on hand gives me a great deal of comfort. I don't use it often but I like having it in the fridge.

Ask your doc for insulin and stay on the metformin. It's the best of both worlds.

Art

[moorejames]

Originally Posted by rdfrdf

Is 1000mg of Metformin twice a day a lot? I don't seem to see anybody else listing such high amounts in their signatures.

I've taken anywhere from 1,000 mg a day, to 1,500 to 2,000 over the last few years. Seems to have settled on 1,500 for now.

Insulin and metformin aren't mutually exclusive. There would certainly be valid reasons for a T2 to be taking both.

Give the Metformin a chance. It comes closer to solving your actual problem as a T2 (insulin resistance). You're more than likely making *plenty* of insulin, so dumping more into the system isn't necessarily a good thing - unless it's the only thing that will work for you.

Some doctors like to proescribe insulin to a newly diagnosed T2, especially if the initial readings were quite high, but most will try metformin first.

I had a fasting of 300 and an A1c of 10 when I was diagnosed. Went on metformin only and saw reduced numbers within a few weeks, and near "normal" (for a T2) numbers within a month. I also drastically cut out the carbs during that period.

Considering you've probably been running high numbers for quite some time, a few more weeks while the metformin "kicks in" probably isn't going to matter much in the long run.

[RobinP]

Originally Posted by moorejames

I had a fasting of 300 and an A1c of 10 when I was diagnosed. Went on metformin only and saw reduced numbers within a few weeks, and near "normal" (for a T2) numbers within a month. I also drastically cut out the carbs during that period.

Your numbers were close to what mine were at diagnosis. I just wish I could discipline myself with the carbs as well as you.

[moorejames]

Don't give me too much credit.... I have my moments....

[retired60]

I actually reduced the glucaphage that the doc had me taking from 2500mg daily to 1000mg daily by starting Lantus. For the last three years I have been able to get my a1c just about anywhere I would like it with out any problems.