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Diabetes Prevention:Metformin or Avandia?

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Posted 3/15/2007 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
hello all

Have any of you who are pre-diabetic or are in the know had experience with going onto either metformin or Avandia to prevent the onset of diabetes?

I have read a few articles about this but don't know anyone who has personally tried this. would love to know more about this.

also I am still seeing my GP regarding my diabetes but i was wondering if there is any merit to seeing a doctor who specializes in diabetes to consult regarding diet, exercise, test results (including A1C which i have not had done yet) and to discuss the future etc.

thanks in advance

deb

(the signature is regarding my posts with my husband on the prostate cancer board)

Posted 3/15/2007 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
You betcha - for the 2 years they thought I was a Type2, I was on ever increasing doses of Avandia, Metformin, and Glyburide. They're all drugs that either work with your liver, your pancreas or your "receptor" cells. Only your doctor can provide you with the best course of action when it comes to prescribing them. It's usually your GP that manages/monitors the pre-Diabetes stage, unless other mitigating factors require that you see a specialist, an Endocrinologist.

Your GP should set you up with a Diabetes Education Class or a Dietician, or Nutritionalist, or Diabetes Educator - any one of which will help you set up a meal & exercise plan that suits you personally and provide you with the info you need to understand how everything works together for better health. Pre-Diabetes means you're a prime candidate for preventative therapy so get him to set you up with one of the mentioned and keep on reading what you can. (Get that A1C test done, too, k?)
Posted 3/15/2007 3:27 PM (GMT 0)

Deb,

about Avandia- my doctor's office just sent me a letter about a recent study (3-5-year) that showed that women who take Avandia and Actos have a higher percentage of fractures of the hands, feet, legs, and arms (non- osteoporosis places- no hips or spine) than those who take metformin or pancreas stimulating drugs. Both Merck and Takeda were required to inform physicians of this finding by the FDA.

You can do a search of Avandia,fracture on Google to find the actual FDA directive, and summaries of the research studies.

You might want to re-consider asking for Avandia as a preventative- it has a lot of other nasty side-effects (like congestive heart failure) too.

sandy

Posted 3/15/2007 4:03 PM (GMT 0)

hi Sandy

thanks so much for the response, that is just the kind of info i was curious about. since this post i have read that metformin can affect the liver in some people and i am already on a medication that requires that i have regular liver tests so that might be out for me too but at least now i have some knowledge to take with me when i talk to my GP.

deb

(my signature is mine and my husbands for over at the prostate cancer forum)

Posted 3/15/2007 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Deb,

I take metformin and have had no problems with it. It is my understanding that liver problems are very rare and were strongly linked to a predecessor of metformin that was removed from the market.

It's almost a senior drug for diabetes - so many people have taken it that its side effects are well-documented by now.  It is used in the treatment of PCOS, and I think it may be sold as a diet aid in Europe where it was prescribed long before the FDA allowed it to be sold here.

There's plenty of info available through Google too- if you are a pre-diabetic, you may have time to change your diet and exercise program enough to bypass the diabetes diagnosis. If you go over to 'the dark side' you'll have to do that anyhow :-)

Best of luck to you! sandy

Posted 3/15/2007 9:19 PM (GMT 0)

what is PCOS Sandy?

deb

Posted 3/16/2007 12:11 AM (GMT 0)
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Posted 3/16/2007 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Posted 3/16/2007 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
thanks for the answer- appreciate it

Posted 3/17/2007 12:58 AM (GMT 0)

eyes  I hate to be the bearer of doom and gloom, BUT, My mother had diabetes and took glucophage for many years.  Her dr. changed her medication to Avandia skull and within a year she was dead.  She had congestive heart failure.  She had had no previous problems before taking this medication.  I am now following in her footsteps and have been taking Amaryl for quite awhile.  The NEW dr. that I have changed me to januvia which isn't working so he added Metformin.  I'm afraid I'm going to have side effects of the BAD kind.  I used it before and had diahrrea from it, but the Januvia causes constipation so maybe it will even out.  I know this is tmi (too much information)... but thought I'd share. 
Good luck

Posted 3/17/2007 4:53 AM (GMT 0)
Dremr,
D from metformin is usually a side effect of eating too many carbs. Check your total carb intake at the next few meals, then lower it and see if the D doesn't subside. My doctor told me with metformin, "If you overdo you go Pooh!" and he was right. Whenever I have problems I can immediately look back on my carb intake and see where I overdid. Good luck with this.
Posted 3/17/2007 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
Jeannie,
Thanks for the info. I'll be sure and watch the intake!
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