Am a Newbie....

Hello. I am Asian and a very active 65yr. old. However, I have lost 23 lbs in 8 mos.
On April 2013, i was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes wd 108 reading. My Internist
immediately had me take Metformin 1000mg/day. Being a newbie, I followed what the doc prescribed. After 2 days of taking Metformin right after meals (doctor's advice), I started feeling dizzy; no appetite, blurry vision, and sudden total loss of energy that lasts for about 30mins. I immediately called my doctor and he had the dosage cut in half.

I have been taking Metformin 500mg. for a month now.
I have not gained weight and I still suffer from dizzy/fainting spells.
Good thing my health insurance has an active Health Education Dept. and they are the ones monitoring my condition and helping me cope up with these changes in my physiological make up.

My next doc appt is June 10. Will somebody pls give me pointers on what to raise with my doctor. Thank you and God bless.

Hi Blue tabby:

Good questions and advice from Lanie.

Sorry, what does wd stand for? When was the 108 blood sugar taken? Is it a fasting blood sugar or after a meal?

I'd be interested if you tested during or shortly after these symptoms? I had similar symptoms(including fast heartbeat). I thought I was having a heart attack. It turns out that it was a panic attack and my blood pressure hit 177/90. That only happened twice thank goodness.

Another thought....is your Dr. sure that you are a type 2? You could be a Type 1.5.

I am a Type 1 not a Type 2, so I do not know how Metformin affects a person. Those symptoms that you mention are exactly what I've experienced countless times when experiencing a low blood sugar.

Depending how fast my sugar is coming down or how low it is. During different lows, I can also feel irritable, angry, feel like eating the house or nausea, so no food is tempting, giddiness, halucinating, confusion, blurry vision, headache, dropping things continually, argumentative, total fatigue and sometimes passing out, muscle weakness and more. Low blood sugars can sometimes happen after a meal. That's why it is good to test often. You never know. I carry a juice box, or easily edible candy or Glucose tabs with me, just in case I'm distracted and a low hits.

Are you on a Blood Pressure medication such as Altace(Ramipril)? Those are also the symptoms of that med and others. I mostly have normal to low blood pressure. My GP prescribed a BP med for me years ago to protect my heart and kidneys but I experienced the dizziness, nausea and I almost fainted a couple times. The only thing different was the Altace. I stopped taking it(Do that only with your Drs. consent) and the symptoms stopped.

Weight loss is a symptom of undiagnosed and uncontrolled Diabetes.
It can also happen with a new medication.
You say you are very active. That could also be the reason for your weight loss or if you are eating less or eating low carb meals.

Just a few thoughts. Hopefully you find the reason for your symptoms. Great luck at your appointment.

My goodness! I'm glad you're better but you've been through a lot! Many years ago I was put on a diuretic that also caused serious fainting in me because of low potassium. It also elevated my blood sugar. Now, if I'm prescribed any medication, I Google it immediately for side effects.

Please keep us updated. I hope you continue in good health!