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Posted 1/1/2007 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
HI,

My doctor just gave me Metformin for impaired glucose tolerance, hopefully this is a temporary problem due to lyme disease, I have had gestational diabetes a few times and managed it with insulin, I am a bit confused how meformin works, I told my doctor I can stay off carbs so 500 mg will work twice a day to cover protein and vegetables I am having, but once a week I want bread so he said to double the metformin on that day, does metformin work as soon as its taken?  I would appreciate any help or explanation you can give me

Posted 1/1/2007 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
You can find some information at these links:

Type 2 Medications
Glucophage Explained
Hope this helps.
Posted 1/2/2007 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
To my simple mind I find using insulin for gestational is rather harsh, but your doctor knows best ... sometimes.  Similarly for "impaired glucose tolerance", two 500mg a day also seems a bit drastic.  Did the doc not suggest exercise?  Are you overweight?

Posted 1/2/2007 2:54 AM (GMT 0)

I'm on Metformin but I was only diagnosed 3 weeks ago so I am about as uninformed as you are. I have read a lot about this drug, but your questions have me more confused.

I don't understand, what has the number of carbs consumed  have  to do with the dosage of Metformin? And bread only once a week? I thought whole grain bread 2x a day was ok in the diet. Is it different because judy3 has IGT and not diabetes???

I feel that I am really walking around in the dark here and the more postings I read, the more confused I get... and I feel stupid asking questions that I should probably know. My dr. really hasn't given me much info, except that this is what you take and how many times a day you take it. Oh, and he measures my bp and weight. However,  he is sending me to a diabetic clinic in January, and in those 5 hours of instructions, I should most likely get answers to all my questions from dieticians and diabetes specialists.

Just when I think I have read and learnt something and moving ahead, I go back a few steps and I find I know diddley redface

Posted 1/2/2007 6:25 PM (GMT 0)

HI Chutsman,

Actually the insulin for Gestational Diabetes was great because once I had my numbers controlled I felt much better, for some reason I need my numbers at 90 after meals if not I feel very tired, as for Metformin for IGT I cannot exercise at the moment because I am very week from Lyme disease and I have fluctuating blood pressure I am in the process of getting meds for, I hope as soon as the bp is under control I will feel better and be able to start exercising, any other ideas would be greatly appreciated

Posted 1/2/2007 6:28 PM (GMT 0)

HI rose 118

It may be confusing at first but once we understand what we are doing hopefully we will be able to better take care of ourselves, thats exactly my question what you are asking "does carbs have anything to do with dosage of Metformin" I take 500 mg twice a day just to cover the carbs from veg and protein, no milk, fruit or starch, will 1000mg cover the carbs I eat over the weekend as my doctor claims, lets both keep searching for answers, as doctors have no time to answer out questions or they dont understand why we need to understand

Posted 1/2/2007 6:46 PM (GMT 0)

judy3 said...


as doctors have no time to answer out questions or they dont understand why we need to understand

Wow ... isn't THAT the truth!!! The more educated WE become the more in control we're able to be. Self knowledge seems to be where it's at for all of us ... but particularly those of us who fight the daily good fight of chronic disease!
Posted 1/2/2007 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
Valerie,
Please take another significant other to your diabetes classes, hubby, son or daughter so you have two people listening instead of just one. This will help significantly when you don't remember something clearly.

Chutsman,
Insulin for gestational diabetes has been found to be beneficial to both the mom and the baby. Helps save the mom's kidneys and prevents the formation of a very large child who will be more prone to diabetes themselves. It's a very good way to treat the problem and what could be more natural than using human cloned insulin? It's exactly what the mommy and growing baby need.

Judy,
Did your doctor use "Impaired glucose tolerance" as a diagnosis with you? To me this sounds like he/she is saying diabetes without using the real word. Just my 2ยข.
Posted 1/2/2007 8:54 PM (GMT 0)

Judy, exercise is so very important to diabetics.  Exercise does not mean going to the local gym or Y and doing 1 hour of sweat producing aerobics either.  A simple brisk walk for 20 minutes will help tremendously.  As one radio show personality says, walk away from your house for 10 minutes, turn around and come back - an easy 20 minutes.  Get into the habit of doing this and you will look forward to that little walk.

I do 1 mile on the treadmill every morning.  It has gotten so that sometimes I feel I don't want to walk, but something makes me get up and get on that treadmill and once I get going I feel so much better.

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