Hi there,
One of the things to keep in mind about
diabetes meds is that there are drugs (Metformin, Actos, Avandia, glyburide, etc) and there are hormones (insulin). One is synthetic and the other is something the body produces naturally.
With all types of diabetes, it is a condition that does not allow our bodies to metabolize carbohydrates effectively. Sometimes our pancreas does not produce enough/any insulin, sometimes our cells are not receptive to receiving the insulin in our system, and sometimes it's a combination of both.
For a doctor to determine which category you fall under, a number of tests, personal history, lifestyle, blood glucose levels (BGLs), and more need to be considered. Unfortunately, there is no one test that can make the determination. Metformin is one of the first drugs prescribed for those thought to be Type2/insulin resistant. It does take some time for the body to climatize to the drugs so, you can probably expect to see your doc in 2-3 week intervals until your BGLs settle into an acceptable range. This is normal procedure - get you on a drug that'll help your body use the insulin it produces more effectively. Next would be a drug that will help your pancreas produce more insulin. Next or in some cases, INSTEAD of a drug that makes your pancreas work harder, insulin might be prescribed to "supplement" the body's stores. There is a belief among some docs that it is better to preserve the body's insulin production by not stressing it out with drugs but by supplementing with the insulin it needs instead.
Most importantly...Diet plays a huge role in Diabetes. I understand you've got some nutrition classes coming up? It's what we put in our mouths that directly affects our blood sugar levels. Understanding nutrition is vital for managing this condition. Following the "nothing white but cauliflower & cottage cheese" diet plan is often a good place to start while you're learning more about
nutrition and it's own effects on you personally. Everyone's situation differs slightly and the only way to know just how particular foods affect your BGLs, is to test. It may seem like a pain for a while but, if you really want to make sense of your diabetic situation, you need to start a log book (if you haven't already). Note every BGL test, food, meds, exercise, and the times for each. I guarantee you'll start to see patterns pretty quickly. Even if you just do it for a while, the information you'll be able to share with your doc(s) will be invaluable to them in helping put you on the right course of action. I still do this every day.
I can also tell you, as someone who injects insulin 5-7 times/day, it's not nearly as bad as the finger picks
If you ever do get put on insulin, it would probably be a long-acting (works over 24 hour period), like Lantus or Levemir. Both are once a day, or in some cases like me (Type 1), twice a day, injections. I use injection needles that are much finer than the finger pick stick and don't even feel them. Just want to say not to fear insulin if that's the route your doc wants to go.