I have been taking Metformin (1500 mg) for about 6 weeks now. I have never felt bad. Am I the only one? I'm not complaining. It just seems that everyone who starts this medicine goes through a rough stage and some have to quit completely. I wake up everyday and expect to get sick, but never do. Is this usually something that's at the beginning of treatment or am I past that? I hope so because then I can just look forward to it helping me and not making me sick.

hi...im also on metformin, i started on it 6 weeks ago also, stsrted with 1000mg now up to 2000, havent had any problems with it, i like it actually its working real well my levels are at or lower than where the doctor wants them...125

I don't have a glucose monitor, so I have no idea what my levels are. I am insulin resistant with a possible pituitary problem. He said if things weren't straightened out quickly, I would be diabetc before I could blink my eyes. I eat well and exercise, but until I started on the Metformin, I couldn't lose a pound. Now, I'm down 5 pounds.....woo hoo.
I guess we're past the stage where we'd get sick huh?

Been on 1500 a day for 3 years. Only problem was diarreah for the first 2 weeks. After that not a single problem.

I have been on metformin for over a year and have never had a problem. Most people don't have problems with it. A few will have a little trouble in the begining.
Jody

Oh, as much as I read, I was just assuming it was the other way around. I thought I was in the minority.
It's good to know though. Thanks!!!

I have been on it about 4 month and no problems that I know of. ;)

i have been on metformin for over a year started at 1000 mg a day now up tp 2000 mg a day have never had any problems with it

I'm on Avandamet ( 2/500, half a pill twice a day ) which is Avandia with metformin. I had a bit of a problem with upset stomach att he beginning, but doing fine now and blood sugars staying below 120.

I've had to stop taking Metformin, 500 mg., after about 16 horrible days of profound diarrhea--I thought I was starting to adapt a little and tried taking a 2nd pill over this past weekend and it about did me in!!

I am pretty disappointed but not surprised, as I seem to be unable to tolerate a vast array of prescribed meds. I did manage to lose about 5 pounds, but there is no way I can function at work with this side effect.

I am trying a supplement called pycnogenol, which is supposed to lower glucose levels and is an anti-oxidant of some sort. My fasting glucose at last check was 106, I'm taking Armour thyroid, 60 mg. (for past year) but having a really hard time losing all the weight I gained before being diagnosed.

I hope I'm not giving up on the Metformin too soon, but since most of you aren't having any problems, I am reluctant to try again for fear of doing myself harm. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

Bless your heart.
How are your thyroid levels? I am also hypothyroid and have just now gotten my levels close to where they should be.

Thanks Miper!

I am feeling rather pathetic at the moment! I haven't had blood drawn since last September (about 3 months after starting the Armour)--my TSH was at .01 (At my worst, it was only 1.78) and my Free T-4 was 1.4 (they did not do a Free T-3) I am very needle phobic, so I am glad he does not go overboard with the frequent blood work! I am pretty sure I have Hashi's but my tests came back negative (I had already gone gluten-free by that time, and suspect the gluten of having caused by thyroid issues)

I am supposed to have more bloodwork at the end of July with the Free T's done as well as a metabolic panel. I actually feel very well as far as thyroid symptoms are concerned, but I was hoping to maybe bring my T-4 level up a bit with some added synthroid, but my Dr. wanted me to try the metformin instead.

My main complaint is inability to lose weight (I'm doing low-carb, am on gluten-free diet) try to exercise at least a little every day (treadmill & strength training with weights) Since I need to lose at least 40 more pounds, doesn't it seem like they should be coming off faster?

Thanks for your thoughts,
Jasmine

Trust me, I know. This time last year, I weighed 170-175 lbs. I was in a size 10-12 even at that weight and felt good. The Doc took me off all meds to do a thyroid scan and I put on 35 lbs. in 6 weeks. This was last September and I've been trying ever since. This is the first time that I have been able to lose ANYTHING at all. My TSH is also at .01, but my Free numbers are low. My Endo. is looking at possible pituitary problem. I take 2 grains Armour and 50 mcg Synthroid and still have low Frees.

This thyroid disease is a baffling, complex thing and seems to have so many strange variations! You must have been frantic to have gained 36 pounds back so quickly! I'm surpised that your free numbers are still so low with the meds that you're taking--that must be so frustrating. What has helped you to start losing weight again?

I remember reading about "thyroid hormone resistance" (can't remember where, though) and it was likened to insulin resistance where the tissues aren't able to use the available hormone. What would be prescribed differently if it was determined that there was in fact a problem with your pituitary? The reason I ask, is that when I was in my 30's I had elevated prolactin and was being monitored for a pituitary problem, but I believe now that it was a precursor of thyroid issues to come.

I really don't know. I go back in July and I guess I'll find out then.

I truly believe the Metformin has finally helped me to stabilize my glucose levels so that now all of this exercise and eating right is paying off. I would like to think I did it on my own, but the Metformin has been a God send.

That's wonderful that you are finally seeing some payoff for all your hard work!

I wish I could have stayed with the metformin as I did manage to lose about 5 pounds in the short time I used it. I'm guessing that the blood glucose issues are what is impeding my weight loss also.

I have started taking an anti-oxidant called "pycnogenol" which is supposed to help with glucose issues as well as bloodpressure and cholesterol levels. I may as well resign myself to a long road ahead to losing this weight!!

Keep us posted on how you are doing on the metformin & weight loss--best of luck & thanks for your support--

Jasmine

Metformin 1000/day for 2 years, no problems. Well, other than I am a gavone who eats too much sometimes.

I take 1000mg. a day. The doctor just reduced it from 1500mg. because my glucose it under good control. He is working on taking me off altogether. I am really strict about my diet and walk 3 miles a day.
In the beginning, I had the worst diarrhea you can imagine and I was freezing all the time. I couldn't even get warm under covers with all my clothes on. That passed after almost a month and I have had no problems since then, which is about 5 months.

Probably this wouldn't happen to a younger person, but when you're taking an awful lot of metformin/glucophage, it can cause musicle pain, and even a LACTIC ACIDOSIS which can be fatal.

My arm muscles, mostly biceps but it was spreading to other parts of the body, were unbearably painful, even when taking a muscle relaxant, methocarbamol, because he assumed it was just pulled muscles/worn rotator cuff/shoulder/bursitis and like that.

Yup I'm always been hypothyroid, taking levothroid, was on 5 pills a day of the metformin/glucophage, almost 3000 mg I guess, besides some other diabetes meds, glyset and glucatrol10XL. Atkins really helps. I love it.

Also raw green beans help, just a few, if you're way out of control in spite of everything and trying to wait for your next appointment, having to start a new med very slowly in case of a reaction, and lots of water/anti-oxidants to flush out buildups of whatever. Anyone know anything about Actos?

Metformin/glucophage arm pain stops within 5-days to a week, if you've hit on the right cause. I took one more to make sure, and had awful pain again for 5 days just from one pill. Had taken glucophage for years, and it helps you lose weight, but so does Atkins.

Good luck, everyone.

when you had arm pain was it a tendonitis type of pain?

I am down 7-8 lbs. and still going strong. It's very slow, but I don't mind at all as long as I'm losing.

I don't know, never had anything diagnosed Tendonitus pain. Is it possible to describe that?

I've been on a low carb diet, Atkins, and think the muscle pain is a combo of maybe what you said and bursitus and rotator cuff, don't think the doctor knows either so I'm searching the web. Printed out some articles about LowCarb diet and the different kinds of ketoacidosis and related ailments, haven't started reading yet. Lactic Acidosis from metformin can be fatal, I read. I'm off that, now taking Actos, asked at a pharmacy this morning and it's similar, may not help. My mother was on sulphaneurylias (sp?) until she died at 84. They always worked by her.

There are PH strips, available in NY, can't find them around here, and if anyone's interested, here's one site: (It says cancer can't live in an alkaline environment, Ph normal 7.4, so I sent the link via the webmaster to Tammy Faye, hope he'll forward, her situation's so serious.) http://www.alkalizeforhealth.net/salivaphtest.htm

http://www.alkalizeforhealth.net/salivaphtest.htm

Hello! My name is Patty Lamb & just yesterday I went in for my yearly physical & found out I was Pre-Diabetic.The Dr. put me on Metformin (500mg) twice daily. Already the diarrhea has started. I'm going to try to tough it out. I wish the Dr. had told me something about this. Are there any websites on diabetes that can tell you what to expect? I mean if I'm borderline, when do I become a full fledged diabetic? Is there something that I can do to keep from going all the way? Will I have to take these pills forever? I appreciate any information....Thanks, Patty

Hello! My name is Patty Lamb & just yesterday I went in for my yearly physical & found out I was Pre-Diabetic.*** Dr. put me on Metformin (500mg) twice daily. Already *** diarrhea has started. I'm going to try to tough it out. I wish *** Dr. had told me something about this. Are ***re any websites on diabetes that can tell you what to expect? I mean if I'm borderline, when do I become a full fledged diabetic? Is ***re something that I can do to keep from going all *** way? Will I have to take ***se pills forever? I appreciate any information....Thanks, Patty
:bouncing: Patty, I was also pre diabetic b4 becoming full diabetic. I was told to lose a few founds and to watch my diet. I was told I could turn things around and was assigned a dietician. Because I was in denial, I continue smoking, eating poorly and not changing my lifestyle. Six months later, I was being trained to inject insulin. Even that did not stop me. I continue my same bad habits, shot *** insulin and kept going. ***n in 1999 I got where I could not climb stairs. Finally, in 2000I had a heart attack, and my diabetes was out ** control. Just last Thanksgiving, I met with a compassionate endo and a dietician that really explained everything to me. I have lost 65 lbs, tried alot ** bp, cholesterol, diabetic and thyroid meds. Finally got a combo that works for me (except cholesterol) and watch my diet. if you would like to stave **f full diabetes, start an exercise (walking) program and add veggies to your diet. Ask your dr for a referral to a dietician that could help you with meals and portion sizes. I also stop going to my general practioner and went to an endo.You can also to to ***** and ***y have alot about diabetes. I wish you well and i hope you can turn things around.

Guess you've read this whole thread, where I think we said it's a good idea to do an internet keyword search about your med and side effects, for instance muscles and diahrrea. Sometimes there are conflicting reports, so you get the pro's and con's. There's lots of warnings about long term use of metformin and glucophage, which are the same thing, and Actos, an article from probably Japan, saying if I remember correctly that it's simply toxic and has been banned there.

When I was prediabetic, about 25 yrs ago, they didn't have me do anything. It wasn't considered serious.

Most of us started out with low thyroid, which I read may somehow cause diabetes, and probably most of us hate to exercise, but it's going to be important. Got an exercise bike or stepper or something?

Varicose veins, I found out the hard way, can be a result of jolting aerobics, running in place.

Guess you've read this whole thread, where I think we said it's a good idea to do an internet keyword search about your med and side effects, for instance muscles and diahrrea. Sometimes there are conflicting reports, so you get the pro's and con's. There's lots of warnings about long term use of metformin and glucophage, which are the same thing, and Actos, an article from probably Japan, saying if I remember correctly that it's simply toxic and has been banned there.

When I was prediabetic, about 25 yrs ago, they didn't have me do anything. It wasn't considered serious.

Most of us started out with low thyroid, which I read may somehow cause diabetes, and probably most of us hate to exercise, but it's going to be important. Got an exercise bike or stepper or something?

Varicose veins, I found out the hard way, can be a result of jolting aerobics, running in place.

Eagle, are you saying that 25/30 yrs ago there were no info on diabetes. Odd, because exactly 32 yrs ago, my mom was diagnosed with diabetes and she was referred to a dietician and given a list of do's and don'ts. Not only would I research the internet about different meds, but I would also suggest talking to the pharmacist. My pharmacist is quit helpful. For instance, glucophage can help with weight loss and Avandia can cause weight gain. But nothing is absolute. Each person has duty to take their own health in their hands. Are you taking Actos. I took amaryl. Now I only take humalog and lantus.

Eagle, are you saying that 25/30 yrs ago there were no info on diabetes. Odd, because exactly 32 yrs ago, my mom was diagnosed with diabetes and she was referred to a dietician and given a list of do's and don'ts. Not only would I research the internet about different meds, but I would also suggest talking to the pharmacist. My pharmacist is quit helpful. For instance, glucophage can help with weight loss and Avandia can cause weight gain. But nothing is absolute. Each person has duty to take their own health in their hands. Are you taking Actos. I took amaryl. Now I only take humalog and lantus.

Hi, JTU. Thanks for the reply, which posted twice, you may not have noticed. No, I wasn't saying there was no diabetes info 35 yrs ago, didn't mean anything like that.

Well, I changed doctors, and now I'm on Avandia, twice a day, 4 mg each, trying to avoid going on insulin because I may get Alzheimers, or arm tremor, seem to have an injury, either from metformin and glucophage, which are the same thing, or from hedge trimming or quinalone antibiotics or SOMETHING.

Arm pain is getting better since stopping the metformin/glucophage, but still comes back about every 8-12 hours or so, a puzzlement. I don't know if I had LACTIC ACIDOSIS, using antioxidants (Vitamin C and E together, and garlic pills) and lots of water, hoping to clean out any buildup and also improve PH balance, supposed to be about 7.0, test strips probably available at larger health food stores.

I know, I may gain weight, but you can't have it all. I'll stick pretty close to my Atkins way of life diet. Thanks again and please keep us posted.

Hi, JTU. Thanks for the reply, which posted twice, you may not have noticed. No, I wasn't saying there was no diabetes info 35 yrs ago, didn't mean anything like that.

Well, I changed doctors, and now I'm on Avandia, twice a day, 4 mg each, trying to avoid going on insulin because I may get Alzheimers, or arm tremor, seem to have an injury, either from metformin and glucophage, which are the same thing, or from hedge trimming or quinalone antibiotics or SOMETHING.

Arm pain is getting better since stopping the metformin/glucophage, but still comes back about every 8-12 hours or so, a puzzlement. I don't know if I had LACTIC ACIDOSIS, using antioxidants (Vitamin C and E together, and garlic pills) and lots of water, hoping to clean out any buildup and also improve PH balance, supposed to be about 7.0, test strips probably available at larger health food stores.

I know, I may gain weight, but you can't have it all. I'll stick pretty close to my Atkins way of life diet. Thanks again and please keep us posted.
Hi Eagle, sorry to hear you have so many problems with your illness. i was thrown on glucophage back in 1999 and that's when all my problems began. Before that i was still employed and working feverishly. i was happy and pain free. No high cholesterol. no diabetes problems, no problems whatsoever. Then i relocated, went to a free clinic, and a dr's asstnt gave me glucophage and seven other horrible bp pills and trouble started. Todate, I have gotten off ALL diabetic pills and most bp pills, I took my life into my own hands. i now tell my dr what i want and what treatment I expect. i advise them to work with me not dictate to me. If they insist on giving me meds that disagree with me, i let them know I won't take them. They now have a greater understanding of how far i'm willing to go. I now walk 3 to 4 miles a day and plan tomorrow to increase to 5 miles aday. I learned the hard way that I must take care of me and not put too much trust in my dr. I am on a very strict diet (high fiber low fat). I learned also from my mom who is now 80 yrs old, lost 100 lbs and walks 12 miles a day. She also returned to work part time.

Wow, JTU! You and your mom are wonders. I don't want to be a wet blanket and probably this wouldn't happen to you, but a doctor told my aunt who was about your mom's age to start walking 3 miles a day and it wasn't long until she died of a heart attack.

Thanks for verifying that glucophage causes problems. That doctor was going to put me on "drugs" for my arm pain instead of finding out the cause.

I've already changed doctors, have a woman now, and had an echocardiogram, results tomorrow. They found I have an artery blockage in my ankle, reason my foot ulcer won't heal.

Thanks, everyone.

Not me. I may have conquered my diabetes, but then my cholesterol is too high and my bp is too higjh. It's always something. I luv Mindy's saying"about waking up with good health". although I walk alot, I still have other problems that seem to not want to go away. Like you I guess I'll be battling my illnesses with all I got. I'm really scared about this cholesterol thing because i don't quite understand it. Diabetes I finally got the jest of it, thanks to members on this board.

I'm obviously not a health professional, but this antioxidant seems to really help with cholesterol and plaque. (Not just one pill, 3 or 4 or more at a time depending on how intense your problem is.) And some say it's just an antioxidant to help get rid of free radicals, but some professionals say it has more antibiotic than....I forget what. I used to have frequent ear infections due to dust allergy, only get a little discomfort once in a while now. It lowered my b.p. too. I'd been taking Dyazide maybe 40 years, and about a year ago b.p. went too low, so I was off one of my meds.

At first I worried that it might be Addison's, glad I don't have to take cortizone, which causes a lot of unsightly swelling. Thank God for garlic.

I'm obviously not a health professional, but this antioxidant seems to really help with cholesterol and plaque. (Not just one pill, 3 or 4 or more at a time depending on how intense your problem is.) And some say it's just an antioxidant to help get rid of free radicals, but some professionals say it has more antibiotic than....I forget what. I used to have frequent ear infections due to dust allergy, only get a little discomfort once in a while now. It lowered my b.p. too. I'd been taking Dyazide maybe 40 years, and about a year ago b.p. went too low, so I was off one of my meds.

At first I worried that it might be Addison's, glad I don't have to take cortizone, which causes a lot of unsightly swelling. Thank God for garlic.
Thanks Eagle for the advice. I do the garlic thing 2 cloves a day. I am interested in the dyazide you're taking. have you had any horrible side effects from it. I really need help lowering my bp (top #). I'm not too concerned about the cholesterol or the diabetes at this point. With all my exercising the bp stays at 140/70. Diet doesn't seem to help. I wondered what bp meds diabetics on this board found favorable. Any info would be appreciated.

About 2 or 3 years ago, not sure of exact date, could look up the old bottle if it's important to anyone, the doctor said my b.p. was "too low". I had some dizzy, lightheaded spells, so I knew he was right. Since then I've heard from other sources, it's not necessarily good news when going too low happens.

Anyone know if it can mean kidney damage from 17 years of diabetes? My right arm muscles really hurt from even a little bit of glucophage or glucophage XR which is for children I think, under 10, and called metformin. I have been taking it for years.

Can't find a list of ingredients on the web to see if I'm allergic to any of them and if all the oral meds have whatever it is. I'm at a turning point, have to get a new combination of meds, and just discovered all previous doctors were supposed to test kidneys, liver, and heart functions annually. Now I don't exactly trust their tests, if they did finally do them. I've been given some wrong advice and might not get correct results. Of course I'm looking around to change doctors.

Is it okay to give a link? It's been so long since I read TOS I forget. Maybe we can't post our email address either.

try just putting the drug name in your browser you may find a site for med help its woth a try

Oh, I did that, and I nearly have enough for a book, but none of the sites give the ingredients, or Ingredients all oral diabetes meds have in common...I think I'll try that one again. It ought to have something.

Thanks.

if i dont get introuble for this try med-help.net i used this site all the time

Is it okay to give a link? It's been so long since I read TOS I forget. Maybe we can't post our email address either.
Can't do either - I was recently banned for a week for that. I think you can get moderator permission for a website, but they turned down my last request.

INGREDIENTS:

GLUCOPHAGE tablets contain 500 mg, 850 mg, or 1000 mg of metformin hydrochloride. Each tablet contains the inactive ingredients povidone and magnesium stearate. In addition, the coating for the 500 mg and 850 mg tablets contains hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (hypromellose) and the coating for the 1000 mg tablet contains hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and polyethylene glycol.

GLUCOPHAGE XR contains 500 mg or 750 mg of metformin hydrochloride as the active ingredient. The 500 mg tablets contain the inactive ingredients sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, and magnesium stearate. The 750 mg tablets contain the inactive ingredients sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and magnesium stearate.

About 2 or 3 years ago, not sure of exact date, could look up the old bottle if it's important to anyone, the doctor said my b.p. was "too low". I had some dizzy, lightheaded spells, so I knew he was right. Since then I've heard from other sources, it's not necessarily good news when going too low happens.

Anyone know if it can mean kidney damage from 17 years of diabetes? My right arm muscles really hurt from even a little bit of glucophage or glucophage XR which is for children I think, under 10, and called metformin. I have been taking it for years.

Can't find a list of ingredients on the web to see if I'm allergic to any of them and if all the oral meds have whatever it is. I'm at a turning point, have to get a new combination of meds, and just discovered all previous doctors were supposed to test kidneys, liver, and heart functions annually. Now I don't exactly trust their tests, if they did finally do them. I've been given some wrong advice and might not get correct results. Of course I'm looking around to change doctors.

Is it okay to give a link? It's been so long since I read TOS I forget. Maybe we can't post our email address either.

I am stepping into this thread late, so forgive me if I am not fully understanding the questions. My understanding is that taking metformin with a diazide or any BP medication is extremely dangerous - not only causing low BP but also can cause serious kidney problems.

I also read that anyone taking metformin needs to increase their B vitamins - apparantly metformin inhibits the body's absorption of B vitamins. I imagine that not taking a supplement could result in muscle and nerve pain (if a B deficiency is occurring).

Eagle - if you are experiencing muscle pain and weakness, or nerve pain, or symptoms of neuropathy, try taking a high quality multiple B supplement. The best kind will have you take 3 doses per day since your body cannot store the B's for more than 3-4 hours. And you don't have to worry about taking too much - the excess just gets excreted in your urine.

I do have and take some B vitamins, but didn't know you could take them so often and excess would be excreted. Soon as I finish this I'll go get some, and I'm also taking Co-Enzyme Q10 and other antioxidents, beginning to feel a lot better. You did know a lot about the subject after all.

PS, editing to say I no longer take dyazide, b.p. even went "too low" after about 40 years of taking it twice a day. Thanks for caring and posting info and Good Luck to you.

I do have and take some B vitamins, but didn't know you could take them so often and excess would be excreted. Soon as I finish this I'll go get some, and I'm also taking Co-Enzyme Q10 and other antioxidents, beginning to feel a lot better.

Eagle, Make sure the B vitamins you get have a dosage recommendation of 3X per-day - those are the ones you want. You don't want to take the 1X per-day more often! If you shop for supplements online it will usually tell you on the info page for the product.

So sorry about that experience. I know just how you feel.

I have this chart from http://www.diabetesinmichigan.org/Chapters/QuickCh5.htm which lists Amaryl, then Prandin, then Starlix, I was going to ask about, all new to me.

Is Prandin good? Starlix?

:wave: I am stepping into this thread late, so forgive me if I am not fully understanding the questions. My understanding is that taking metformin with a diazide or any BP medication is extremely dangerous - not only causing low BP but also can cause serious kidney problems.

I also read that anyone taking metformin needs to increase their B vitamins - apparantly metformin inhibits the body's absorption of B vitamins. I imagine that not taking a supplement could result in muscle and nerve pain (if a B deficiency is occurring).

Eagle - if you are experiencing muscle pain and weakness, or nerve pain, or symptoms of neuropathy, try taking a high quality multiple B supplement. The best kind will have you take 3 doses per day since your body cannot store the B's for more than 3-4 hours. And you don't have to worry about taking too much - the excess just gets excreted in your urine.
:wave: JD thank u so much for the info. For yrs I could not understand why i couldn't take glucophage. It seems all my problems started in 1999 when a dr's assistant put me on glucophage and 3 bp meds. You are a great researcher and usually give very helpful info. Thanks again. :)

:wave:
:wave: JD thank u so much for the info. For yrs I could not understand why i couldn't take glucophage. It seems all my problems started in 1999 when a dr's assistant put me on glucophage and 3 bp meds. You are a great researcher and usually give very helpful info. Thanks again. :)

Your very welcome... I am motivated o learn as much as I can because I don't believe doctors know as much as they should. if you think about it, we get confused just trying to figure things for our own selves - doctors are juggling this info for all their patients. They barely have time to see their patients, let alone research all they need to.

Doctors could do a much better job with their patients informed and taking responsibility. The problem is that doctors fear their patients will discover something they don't know, which is why they have a tendency to ignore us or belittle us.

I used to have a doctor that always wanted to know my input and always asked me if I had learned anything or wanted to explore something further. But he left his practice to go into nursing home medicine... I really miss him!

I just wanted to add that the only thing that Metformin did for me in the beginning was squelch my appetite which was good because I followed my diet better. I never had any ill effects from it and have been on it 7 years !

There's usually a caution that it's contraindicated for people with kidney problems, I just recently found out after having taken it for years until my muscle problem came up.

When I go to the store I'll look for a better kind of B vitamins, but if they're not stored in the body longer than 3 or 4 hrs, why couldn't you take just whatever brand you have?

Yes, you do contribute awesome info! Thanks!

Yes, that's it, male doctors are often afraid we'll find out something they don't know and if you do, you may almost get attacked. "Denial".
I too used to have an unusually nice one. Got spoiled.

Is it hard to find a lab that will let you see and have a copy of all your tests, that isn't too expensive? Specifically I'm speaking of kidney tests.
How about the C-Peptide test that shows whether you're still producing any insulin at all? Is that expensive, painful , or anything?

When one of you said, Can't you control b.s. with diet, it finally sank in, do you mean boycott doctors that don't appreciate us or use faith healing or what? lol, Raw green beans and onions are supposed to help, but you have to eat an awful lot of them. I'm going to be getting a bit more exercise for one thing, had been trying to offload a foot ulcer that never gets any better.

Eagle, are you in the US? My understanding is that anywhere in the US you are entitled to copies of your lab tests. They belong to YOU! Regardless of the fact that insurance may have paid for the tests or it was built into an office fee, they still belong to you and you are entitled to them. Don't ask the doctor for them, ask the front desk - they may have a release form you need to sign and they may tell you it will take 10 days - thats okay - its just redtape with all the new HIPAA laws. Tell them tocall you when they are ready to be picked up and/or have them mail them to you. I am persistant - I will call and remind them that I don't have them yet so they stay on top of it. I don't think anyone should charge you for copies - that would be unreasonable IMO. If you are in another country I do not know how this is handled.

I have a terrible time getting my labs from my GPs office, but now I can get them easily from my Nephrologist. He just hands them to me or his secretary faxes them to me. And they even send me the results of tests they didn't request - they have access to all!

When I go to the store I'll look for a better kind of B vitamins, but if they're not stored in the body longer than 3 or 4 hrs, why couldn't you take just whatever brand you have? I suppose you could, but I don't think its quite the same. the high quality supplements are formulated to release the proper amounts with each dose. Also, synthetic supplements (typically purchased in the grocery store or drug store) are not going to work as well as the natural supplements.


When one of you said, Can't you control b.s. with diet, it finally sank in, do you mean boycott doctors that don't appreciate us or use faith healing or what? Not sure what you mean here - I may have really been asking if you have attempted to control your blood glucose levels with diet alone. Doctors won't even tell you this is possible - they push the pills. For some it is not possible, but for many it is. You could work with an RD on this. How often in a day do you test your bg levels?

When I was first dxd my doctor handed me a bag full of sample pills - Amaryl for my diabetes, WellChol for cholesterol, Norvasc for BP, and I was already taking synthroid for Thyroid and a diaretic+diazide for kidney problems. Then I got sick. My GP was TRIED to get me to take anxiety meds! Then I started studying and studying. I consulted with experts other than my own drs. I studied more. And I learned. Finally I TOLD the doctor what I was going to take and not take. Now, I only take synthroid and just started lisinopril for my kidney disorder. I take NOTHING else. My bg is completely controlled, my BP is normal, I have NO anxiety (never did), and I finally feel like a healthy person!!!

Each specialist? Bless you forever for telling me what I didn't think to ask. Yes, I'm in the U.S., Michigan, and nobody's charged me because I haven't yet asked for any copies, but now I'll know the score. Thank you again and again and again. Maybe I'll ask my podiatrist tomorrow.

Just had an A1C which I guess they lost, so took blood for another one and I didn't say call me or anything, may check with them tomorrow. Also had a liver test I'd like a copy of. Each kind of doctor has access to all and can get you a copy? Faxed to his ofc I guess. My puter has fax but I'm not signed up with the phoneco or whatever.

I have been on it for over three years and it has worked very well. In the beginning the first couple of weeks, I was getting major headaches and after a while it went away.........Thank God....

Yes, I took glucophage for a lot of years, had a buildup, and read online that lactic acidosis problems may not develope until patient is taking nsaids, like aspirin, along with it. Probably would take many years.

I just read that a new oral drug, Starlix, also causes muscle pain. Probably older peoples' muscles are more sensitive, and those who've had this for decades. It's really helpful to do internet searches about every med.

Now I'm on Prandin, you take when you're going to eat, can take two or three I think, (still researching proper dosage, doctor absent-minded) and don't take if you're not going to eat, also taking a sulphonylurea, Glucatrol 10, and Avandia, last two weeks, seem to be settling down. Hope I don't have to add insulin.

There's been one Avandia lawsuit, heart failure I think, so you just watch if your ankles start swelling and make sure you change meds I guess.

Good luck. Everyone.