I am off all meds currently because I am not eating carbs....But do any of you that are on Metformin notice that when you have anything with caffene you feel a little sick to your stomach?? I had to give up all coffee and such when I was taking the metformin...If it were not for my pharmasist I would still be sick to my stomach....They do not tell you that these two things react to one another and give you flu like symptoms...mmm would have been nice to know at the start!!!
Alison
Full Version: Metformin and Caffeine
Don't know about the medicine but just wanted to say your picture looks great.
Allison, I second Patti's comment.
I've never heard of caffene and metformin being a problem. It doesn't cause a problem for me, but everyone has different reations. I know metformin can cause gastric problems in some people and maybe the caffene highlights them.
Thanks for the input. I may not have read the drug info carefully enough.
I've never heard of caffene and metformin being a problem. It doesn't cause a problem for me, but everyone has different reations. I know metformin can cause gastric problems in some people and maybe the caffene highlights them.
Thanks for the input. I may not have read the drug info carefully enough.
Thank you both!! As for the medication info....it is not in there to stay away from caffene but funny as it is as soon as I gave up my morning java....no more flu symptoms!!! I had been on metformin for 10 months before learning that a reaction can and does in some people!!
Alison
Alison
I am taking fortamet (metformin extended realease). Why did you stop taking the meds? Did you consult with your doctor?
I understand Metforming helps a little bit in weight reduction did you consider this?
I have to many questions for one post....
You look better , keep the good work
I understand Metforming helps a little bit in weight reduction did you consider this?
I have to many questions for one post....
You look better , keep the good work
I'd rather give up my carbs for good which I've done than go on Metformin again. It makes me so sick, I can barely get out of bed. Not really a good thing.
Even slowly building up the doses made me feel very ill.
Even slowly building up the doses made me feel very ill.
Renegade,
My dad has diabetes. He got it five years ago when he had to have huge doses of steroids to save his life. Unfortunate side effect of life saving drugs... He was injecting insulin for a short while, but is now only on an oral drug. It is not Avandia. He was on that and then quit a few months ago. I think that he is taking Metformin. I will talk to him tomorrow to be sure. But my question is this: If he is doing a low carb diet, is there a point when he can quit the drugs to see if the diet alone will control his blood sugar? These drugs are making it difficult for him to lose weight and they make him retain water. I don't know what I am talking about, of course, but it seems to me that if he went off the drugs and checked his blood sugar before and after each meal and only ate very low carb--then how can he go wrong? How would you proceed if you were a 64 year old man like my dad??
Kristi
My dad has diabetes. He got it five years ago when he had to have huge doses of steroids to save his life. Unfortunate side effect of life saving drugs... He was injecting insulin for a short while, but is now only on an oral drug. It is not Avandia. He was on that and then quit a few months ago. I think that he is taking Metformin. I will talk to him tomorrow to be sure. But my question is this: If he is doing a low carb diet, is there a point when he can quit the drugs to see if the diet alone will control his blood sugar? These drugs are making it difficult for him to lose weight and they make him retain water. I don't know what I am talking about, of course, but it seems to me that if he went off the drugs and checked his blood sugar before and after each meal and only ate very low carb--then how can he go wrong? How would you proceed if you were a 64 year old man like my dad??
Kristi
| QUOTE (krcarter66 @ Oct 4 2007, 10:32 PM) |
| Renegade, My dad has diabetes. He got it five years ago when he had to have huge doses of steroids to save his life. Unfortunate side effect of life saving drugs... He was injecting insulin for a short while, but is now only on an oral drug. It is not Avandia. He was on that and then quit a few months ago. I think that he is taking Metformin. I will talk to him tomorrow to be sure. But my question is this: If he is doing a low carb diet, is there a point when he can quit the drugs to see if the diet alone will control his blood sugar? These drugs are making it difficult for him to lose weight and they make him retain water. I don't know what I am talking about, of course, but it seems to me that if he went off the drugs and checked his blood sugar before and after each meal and only ate very low carb--then how can he go wrong? How would you proceed if you were a 64 year old man like my dad?? Kristi |
Kristi, your dad is probably on Actos (pioglitazone), which is in the same class as Avandia (rosiglitazone). Both drugs increase insulin sensitivity, but do cause fluid retention and weight gain. Avandia has been linked to an increased risk of heart problems while Actos has not.
Metformin (brand name Glucophage) is a different class of drug to improve insulin sensitivity and hinder release of glucose from the liver. It actually has an added benefit of helping weight loss. It think it's the best diabetes drug on the market. The main side effect is gastric distress, but no heart problems. I tolerate it very well, but others don't (as you can see from the replies). Metformin is the only diabetes drug I'm presently taking, along with lisinipril for blood pressure.
As for getting off drugs, that's for the patient & doctor to discuss. If your dad's glucose control is where he wants it, he could certainly approach his doctor with the idea of backing off or stopping the meds and see what happens. I wouldn't cancel the prescription yet. If he retains good control on reduced meds or no meds, then you can reduce or cancel the prescription. If not, then continue the meds. He might also ask his doctor about switchin to metoformin.
My glucose control far exceeds the ADA's expectations, but is not yet where I want it to be. I could probably get off the meds if I wanted to and I have reduced my meds. My doctor has given me the discretion of backing off when I think I'm ready. When I get consistent readings in the 80s & 90s, I will try it.
Hope this helps.
Krcarter66
I know you asked renegade your question but I would like to tell you my experience. I have been a type two diabetic for at least ten years! I was diet controlled then when I was pregnant I was on insillin and then ended up on glyberide and metformin. Since eating low carb (under 20g) I have been able to take myself off all diabetes meds. As always I am not a doctor and not giving medical advice but he should check with his doctor before starting or stopping any meds!!! In the beginning of eating low carb I checked my sugars 4 times a day...to be sure how I was feeling...then after the doctor told me I could stop taking the meds I still checked 2x a day. Now it has been 4 months and I periodically check my sugars to stay safe...It is all about health and how you feel!! Best of luck!!
Alison
I know you asked renegade your question but I would like to tell you my experience. I have been a type two diabetic for at least ten years! I was diet controlled then when I was pregnant I was on insillin and then ended up on glyberide and metformin. Since eating low carb (under 20g) I have been able to take myself off all diabetes meds. As always I am not a doctor and not giving medical advice but he should check with his doctor before starting or stopping any meds!!! In the beginning of eating low carb I checked my sugars 4 times a day...to be sure how I was feeling...then after the doctor told me I could stop taking the meds I still checked 2x a day. Now it has been 4 months and I periodically check my sugars to stay safe...It is all about health and how you feel!! Best of luck!!
Alison
Okay, just talked to Mom and he is taking Metformin. He is off Avandia. He is still on another drug that does two things--lowers bp and cholesterol... That doesn't sound like the best idea. But being on Metformin and off Avandia explains why his Atkins diet has been working for him lately! He eats very low carb--lower than most Atkins people cuz he hates his vegetables!
thanks Renegade and Alison. I might have more questions later!
Kristi
thanks Renegade and Alison. I might have more questions later!
Kristi
Hi,
I'm pretty much doing an Atkins/Dr. R. Berstein's diet of around 30 grams carb daily. I am type 2 diabetic and was diagnosed 2 and half years ago. We tried
doing just diet and it wouldn't work. Then Metformin twice daily and the low carb
diet and I have very good numbers and feel so much better. Loosing weight again and feeling good. I have never had a re-action to Metformin and coffee or tea.
barbo
I'm pretty much doing an Atkins/Dr. R. Berstein's diet of around 30 grams carb daily. I am type 2 diabetic and was diagnosed 2 and half years ago. We tried
doing just diet and it wouldn't work. Then Metformin twice daily and the low carb
diet and I have very good numbers and feel so much better. Loosing weight again and feeling good. I have never had a re-action to Metformin and coffee or tea.
barbo
Question to Renegadediabetic.
What is consistent reading in 80's and 90's? a few weeks in those ranges, a month, etc. Just asking so I can have a conversation with my doctor.
I am taking fortamet (brand name of metformin) and I called my doctor last friday because I was feeling sleepy, weak. Those are cause of alarm as stated by the side effects. This symptoms can be lactic acidosis so I called her and she told me to take only once a day a pill of 500 mgs.
My glucose levels are being upper 80's and low 90's for over 3 weeks.
I am a pre diabetic so I don't have full diabetic problem yet but I am the kind of people that don't like to take any medicine. so I always wonder when can I stop taking the medicine and doing only diet and exercise.
What is consistent reading in 80's and 90's? a few weeks in those ranges, a month, etc. Just asking so I can have a conversation with my doctor.
I am taking fortamet (brand name of metformin) and I called my doctor last friday because I was feeling sleepy, weak. Those are cause of alarm as stated by the side effects. This symptoms can be lactic acidosis so I called her and she told me to take only once a day a pill of 500 mgs.
My glucose levels are being upper 80's and low 90's for over 3 weeks.
I am a pre diabetic so I don't have full diabetic problem yet but I am the kind of people that don't like to take any medicine. so I always wonder when can I stop taking the medicine and doing only diet and exercise.
fidelfs, I haven't really thought about a time frame. Maybe a month or so. I say to use your judgement. Whenever you think you are ready to try it without meds, talk to your doctor. If you didn't notice any worsening of your glucose when you went to 1 pill, then it may be time to try it with no pills. If your glucose gets worse, you can always go back on the meds.
| QUOTE (Alison @ Oct 5 2007, 08:43 AM) |
| Krcarter66 I know you asked renegade your question but I would like to tell you my experience. I have been a type two diabetic for at least ten years! I was diet controlled then when I was pregnant I was on insillin and then ended up on glyberide and metformin. Since eating low carb (under 20g) I have been able to take myself off all diabetes meds. As always I am not a doctor and not giving medical advice but he should check with his doctor before starting or stopping any meds!!! In the beginning of eating low carb I checked my sugars 4 times a day...to be sure how I was feeling...then after the doctor told me I could stop taking the meds I still checked 2x a day. Now it has been 4 months and I periodically check my sugars to stay safe...It is all about health and how you feel!! Best of luck!! Alison |
Me too, Alison!
Hugs,
Lori
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