Getting scared...

Planetary · #1 (**permalink**) 07-11-2007, 04:59 PM

hello all! new here. sorry about the conditions.
anyway, i'm 42. i've had type 2 for about a year and been on Glucophage/metroformin 1000 mg twice a day. i'm also what i suppose would technically qualify as an alcoholic (**** i'm sure i am). so after i was first diagnosed i stopped drinking completely for about 4 months. then, like a moron, i started "socially" drinking again. once every weekend or every other one. no probs. suger in check. eating good. then after a few months i started drinking more. 2-3 times a week. i noticed that when i drank my blood sugar seemed to stay low on it's own, w/o even taking the meds. went to the doc regularly. got those tests where it averages out the last 3 months, which all came back fine. now the problem and why i'm getting worried...

about a month ago stuff hit the fan and life went crazy as it so often can and i drank most every day for that month and neglected to take sugar reading for most of that time. one morning upon waking i felt "weird" and took my blood expecting it to be low like it usually was after drinking. it was 345. i'm like WTF!!?! it was always low when i drank! now i can't seem to get it down no matter what and i'm always sleepy. haven't drank in 4 days. eating barely any carbs/sugars. even taking more Glucophage then i'm supposed to and it keeps staying around 250. even green beans seems to raise it. my questions...

have i screwed my pancreas and it's stopped working altogether?

could it be my liver? one Dr. told me that the Glucophage works by sending excess sugar to my liver. could there be just a huge amount of sugar still in my liver being slowly released?

do i need to go to insulin injections?

i'm guessing it's time to go back to the doc grr.

any help would be appreciated. thank you!

shockme · #2 (**permalink**) 07-11-2007, 05:12 PM

hi planetary and welcome to df!see your dr.and yeah-probably time for insulin.diabetes is progressive...if you think your drinking is a problem,maybe get some help?your month long bender prevented you from taking proper care of your diabetes...take care,trish

pdxdennisj · #3 (**permalink**) 07-11-2007, 05:23 PM

As a person in recovery for 24 years now, please get help. There are well known 12 step programs and private recovery programs as well as lesser known programs such as Rational Recovery.

Alcohol is distilled sugar or carbohydrates (potatoes, grains). It will supress BG readings initially. They will then cause irratic response when combined with diabetes medications. Alcohol is a depresses endorphin production (addicts are typically deficient in endorphins to begin with) and the results in gradually more severe depression. Please take care of yourself.

My mother died of kidney failure. She was removed from dialesis for non-complience. She literally drank herself to death.

pdxdennisj · #4 (**permalink**) 07-11-2007, 05:25 PM

Sorry for the grammer mistakes - I should have proof read it first.

Mom was a diabetic as well as an alcoholic.

xMenace · #5 (**permalink**) 07-11-2007, 06:32 PM

I think you answered your own questions. A doc visit is in order and quitting drinking, at least regularly if you can, are in order.

I also think you need a little education about this disease. Just coming here and reading posts then researching many of the points raised on my own has done wonders for me. Lots of great people here, great information, and lots of help.

jerryn · #6 (**permalink**) 07-11-2007, 06:51 PM

Dude. If you take Metformin and drink a lot of alchohol you have a death wish. Don't take my word for it, google it!
I don't think your Dr. understands how the drug works. Your liver acts as a resevior for glucose. Metformin keeps your liver busy with the detoxification of the drug, so much so that it does not detox alcohol as effeceintly. Since your drinking you probably noticed it takes less alcohol to get you drunk now. Well that's the reason.

barko · #7 (**permalink**) 07-11-2007, 10:04 PM

Planetary...

Skip the sauce and metformin combo - it can cause lactic-acidosis, which is serious stuff (as in you can die).

note:
---------
Glucophage could cause a rare, but potentially fatal--side effect known as lactic acidosis. It is caused by a buildup of lactic acid in the blood. The problem is most likely to occur in people whose liver or kidneys are not working well, and in those who have multiple medical problems, take several medications, or have congestive heart failure. The risk also is higher if you are an older adult or drink alcohol. Lactic acidosis is a medical emergency that must be treated in a hospital. Notify your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:

* Symptoms of lactic acidosis may include:

Dizziness, extreme weakness or tiredness, light-headedness, low body temperature, rapid breathing or trouble breathing, sleepiness, slow or irregular heartbeat, unexpected or unusual stomach discomfort, unusual muscle pain.
------
Seriously - you have already answered your own question, as one poster has stated. See your Dr. and...get help with your drinking issues. You can do it and you already said that you know you need to. Let us know how you are doing.

barko · #8 (**permalink**) 07-11-2007, 10:25 PM

BTW - if you ever did end up with lactic acidosis, its only treatable in the ER by prompt hemodialysis to correct the acidosis and remove the accumulated metformin.

About hemo

Sounds like a serious drag to me!

I used to drink way more than I should while on 2000mg of Glucophage XR, Avandia, etc. - a simple death wish. I am glad I stopped. You can too!!!

notme · #9 (**permalink**) 07-11-2007, 10:50 PM

Planentary, good for you for coming and looking for help. What the good people here have been telling you is right on. Go to your doctor and tell him what is going on. Your playing a dangerous game.

I am glad you joined and hope you stick around and let us know of your progress. Welcome to the forums.