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Either be on it or off it. Don't take it some days not others.

Some control with diet alone; others benefit greatly from it.

I agree with those who say A1c is the more accurate overall assessment tool.

It isn't just a blood glucose drug; it is a longevity drug.

https://chriskresser.com/why-hemoglobin ... le-marker/

""Testing accurately for blood sugar is like putting pieces of a puzzle together. Fasting blood glucose, A1c and post-meal blood sugar are all pieces of the puzzle. But post-meal blood glucose testing is by far the most reliable and accurate way to determine what’s happening with blood sugar, and the most sensitive way of predicting future diabetic complications and heart disease.""

That is definitely been true in my case. Eating very high carb foods puts me in diabetic range but my highest A1C was 5.7. Recently, it was 5.4 but unfortunately, my PCP didn't take into account my anemia, which Chris Kresserm mentions can artificially lower the score.

Thank all ya'll for your comments. It was exactly what I was looking for.

Sheriff

"The Two Big Lies of Type 2 Diabetes. (1) that it's a progressive, incurable disease, and (2) that it's all about controlling blood sugar."

You might want to spend a few minutes and look this over. https://intensivedietarymanagement.com/ ... o-lecture/

I disagree with Slarty Bartfast, but that is neither here nor there. Intensive dietary changes will reduce, but not eliminate complications from diabetes once you have been diagnosed.

Can you take yourself off meds yourself and just go on? Well, if you have dropped down to 30-40 gr of carbs a day, sure, you could try that with your meter being your guide. I just don't think it's smart to drop them off cold turkey - cut 500 mg. a month and see how it goes. Of course, this depends on whether you have regular or extended release. You can't cut extended release in half. Keep in mind that you can never stop testing. Don't just stick with morning number. Make sure you test before and 2 hours after you eat at different times of the day during the week.

I have no problem with those who choose for themselves to stick with the mainstream approach to diabetes.

On the other hand, I believe that the information that Slartybartfast pointed to can be another option for a responsible approach to the disease. In my case, my doctor happens to agree with me, so I have adopted Fung's methods with good success so far. We'll see about the long-term.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/artic ... sting.aspx

jnk... wrote:I have no problem with those who choose for themselves to stick with the mainstream approach to diabetes.

Neither do I, but the OP wasn't asking about dietary suggestions. He was asking about whether dropping his med was a wise move or not at this time based on his fasting numbers AND being without a regular doc. Lots of people have to 'go their own way' either because they lack doc support or because their access to knowledgeable doctors is restricted. I want Sheriff to be here next year.

The one caveat that was referred to in an earlier post is that research has shown that even without higher blood sugars, metformin appears to lengthen lives by providing some kind of beneficial effect. Sheriff, you might want to do a little more research on that before making any decisions. I had to drop metformin permanently, so I don't follow the current research on it.

SewTired wrote: He was asking about whether dropping his med was a wise move or not at this time based on his fasting numbers AND being without a regular doc.

What I was addressing was the following:

Sheriff Buford wrote: My doctor, before the poor soul died, told me if my morning glucose reading was less than 100 (in the morning: fasting), no need to take my metformin pill. . . . When I ask other doctors if this is the right approach, most smile and don't want to contradict the advice I received."

So I personally would not characterize that as asking about the wisdom of dropping the med. A doc had already given him an approach and other docs are unwilling to contradict the first, as I read the above.

And I personally would consider it a false dichotomy to insist on differentiating between the "medical" and the "dietary" with a condition such as diabetes, in which the two are so obviously and intimately intertwined.

But hey, that's just me.

-jeff

Metformin has been used off-label to control inflammation.
Inflammation contributes to premature aging.

chunkyfrog wrote:Metformin has been used off-label to control inflammation.
Inflammation contributes to premature aging.

Of all the drugs that I could be taking, my two favorites, the ones I feel best about, are enteric-coated aspirin and extended-release metformin. I do not have adverse reactions to either of them, and I believe they do a LOT of good for a LOT of people.

I have chosen not to take either of them during my present fast, based on Fung's protocols, but I have absolutely nothing derogatory to say about either drug.

Because of the way metformin works, though, I believe that one should either (1) take it continuously or (2) not take it at all. Deciding to take it day-by-day depending on what that day's readings are would not be an appropriate use, in my opinion as a fellow patient. That's why I'm pretty sure the sheriff's (former) doc meant that as long as the sheriff's numbers were consistently below a certain mark, the doc would sign-off on the sheriff's not taking it at all--but that if the sheriff's numbers were consistently above a certain mark, the sheriff should take the drug and take it every day in the manner prescribed.

That is just an assumption on my part, based on my opinions as someone with no extra letters before or after my name.

As long as we are discussing extended release metformin,
I have found that the local Walgreens is the ONLY pharmacy that will special order the generic made by SunPharma.
The tablets are approximately 20-25% smaller than other generics, and easier to swallow/keep down, as well.
I also have generic Travaprost on order with them, as WalMart pharmacy said they "could not get it".
$2 vs $382+? No-brainer!
EDIT: RATS, NOBODY can order travaprost, even though it is listed on my freakin FORMULARY.
I called my PDP insurance with my tale of woe. I have not yet mentioned breach of contract, but it might fit.

chunkyfrog wrote:Metformin has been used off-label to control inflammation.
Inflammation contributes to premature aging.

I thank you for this, I use Glyburide tabs 2 daily, to work on my sugar, along with two types of Insulin, I thought WTH, had my doctor add Metformin HCL 500 mg daily to the mix. Over two weeks in now, Sugar no change, but it takes 30 days to build up.

The rest of the story: I also have been having pain in the joints, pelvis & both knees, came on suddenly about 3 months or so, I take a lot of Vit B but still had the problem , pain so bad I can't walk. I take Aleve one cap every 30 hours, so I can hobble in the house, I have to double dose to get down the stairs and to my truck, for doctor appts (way too many). Wife can't drive, she has to do everything shop, ect! I just sit and drive her.

Back to the point, I upped the Vit B, 2 days age my back pain overroad the hip pain, More Aleve, I was in bed too long 11 hours, starting yesterday, less hip pain, skipped the Aleve that was due this morning, back pain down to normal, leg pain normally 8 out of 10, down to 4 of 10, left off the Aleve that I should have taken last night. (for me the Aleve Gel seems to take 6 hours to kick in, then works for about 24 hours, so to go places I have to lead the dose.)

I saw this thread, decided to retry Medformin (took it 25 years ago) Saw ChunkFrog's post The light came on MAYBE this is what helped, if so that's great pelvis and knee repair not a option for me. Too many parts worn out. I'll keep you informed if it keeps helping, if it does that's one big load off my mind. Jim

P.S. Thank You for Starting this O.T. thread, they are a vital part of the forum. Jim

Goofproof, it used to be that I could hardly climb stairs at all if I had to stop metformin. My knees hurt so bad. Now I understand why it helped. Fortunately, the problem went away and stayed away despite having to drop metformin.

Have you considered seeing an arthritis specialist? My Mom resisted for a long time until the pain became excruciating and it turned out to be muscle inflammation, not arthritis causing most of the problems. Yes, indeed, she does have arthritis, but only in her hands and her neck. I had a lot of hand pain for some years and doc just said was arthritis. However, it cleared up entirely when I had to be on prednisone. Arthritis doesn't get better on that. I think it's worth checking it out. (and if you have seen a rheumatologist, just ignore this. )

SewTired wrote:Goofproof, it used to be that I could hardly climb stairs at all if I had to stop metformin. My knees hurt so bad. Now I understand why it helped. Fortunately, the problem went away and stayed away despite having to drop metformin.

Have you considered seeing an arthritis specialist? My Mom resisted for a long time until the pain became excruciating and it turned out to be muscle inflammation, not arthritis causing most of the problems. Yes, indeed, she does have arthritis, but only in her hands and her neck. I had a lot of hand pain for some years and doc just said was arthritis. However, it cleared up entirely when I had to be on prednisone. Arthritis doesn't get better on that. I think it's worth checking it out. (and if you have seen a rheumatologist, just ignore this. )

No, I just see a GP and 5 other doctors, I'm resisting adding more doctors. My XPAP use is causing the left ear to plug up, itJim used to take a hour in the a.m. to clear, lately it's taking 8 hours, putting that off too. The hip and knees still bad, but I've not taken Aleve in 4 days. I'll take that as a win.

You might want to read this article to see why achieving less than a 100 BS is not ideal:

https://chriskresser.com/when-your-%E2% ... al-part-2/

Achieving less than a 100 BS is not idea IF you are doing so with blood glucose lowering drugs (Metformin, BTW, does NOT lower blood glucose, it increases your cell's responses to insulin so that your body naturally lowers blood glucose). But keeping your fasting BG well below 100 through a good diet is fine not what they studied, and nothing is wrong with naturally occurring normal blood sugars. http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/35169265.php

Sew Tired said

"I disagree with Slarty Bartfast, but that is neither here nor there. Intensive dietary changes will reduce, but not eliminate complications from diabetes once you have been diagnosed."

Not true. Many people eliminate complications from diabetes by improving their blood sugar control within normal levels. Even if not eliminated, complications can often improve significantly. Diabetes is NOT a progressive disease, it only progresses because of the piss poor approach that has been developed in our medical system (feeding carbohydrate intolerant people with diabetes more carbs than the RDA and then treating them with medications is ludicrous!!!) The key is to achieve normal blood sugar levels (and not the ADA normal, but real normal, which is generally between 70 and 90 at all times) through diet and metformin if needed. http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/16422495.php

There ARE home A1c tests, but I've heard they are not all that accurate. Lab tests are better for A1c.

I tried going off my Metformin and found my A1C was creeping up, despite a good diet, so I chose to go back on it. Normal A1c is 5.2 or below. Every point higher increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and dementia. The ADA says 6.5 or lower is good, good for them to keep you sick and paying a lot of money to their corporate sponsors.

You're doing very well from the sounds of things and if your doctor is on board to help you back off the metformin to see how it goes, then give it a try. Metformin will still be there if it doesn't work out.