Diabetes Talking

Question:

My mother is 72 and has been on glucophage from the moment she was first diagnosed, one year ago.  She has had a lot of luck with glucophage; brought her bgs way down without undue intestinal distress and moderate weight loss.  I would suggest getting a second opinion.

Response:

Hi Silvester,     Yes, I had the same advice from my endo when I was in a mood to try to lower my highs.  He pointed out the my highs were not a serious problem (only occasionally, in the 200-240 range).  He basically said the same thing to me that you were told.  I don’t have a weight problem and my last HbA1c was 4.5; I’m told "…whatever you are doing, continue to do it…."     My sense is that your doctor is not steering you wrong.  But, remember, there’s always the option of a second opinion.     Good luck.     TedK – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Type 2, diagnosed in December. Weight 186. After four months on glucotrol 5mg I have gained 10 pounds, even with careful diet and moderate exercise. I asked my doctor about Glucophage and he said he only recommends it for severly overweight patients. I believe that glucotrol is causing a weight gain. He says that because of my age (51) and success of the dosage, I should not use glucophage. As a newbie, I wonder if others with a similar diagnosis have had the same advice. It would be great to lose weight and get the BGs constant. Any help appreciated!!!!! SQ

Response:

Try another doctor. (Or better yet, go to a diabetes specialist.)    I lost thirty pounds in about 9 months and I’d have lost more if I followed my diet more closely and exercised more ! !  Glucophage (metformin) is a drug well suited for adult onset diabetics who are insulin resistant, i.e. they have plenty of natural (endogenous) insulin that they don’t utilize for some reason or another.  Some adult onset diabetics may have as much as six times more endogenous insulin than "normal" (non-diabetic) people.   Glucophage helps the body use its own insulin, thereby bringing down blood sugar levels.  Weight loss is often a highly desirable  side effect of metformin therapy.  Weight gain is a frequent result of traditional oral hypoglycemic agents such as glucotrol. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Type 2, diagnosed in December. Weight 186. After four months on glucotrol<BR 5mg I have gained 10 pounds, even with careful diet and moderate exercise.<BR I asked my doctor about Glucophage and he said he only recommends it for<BR severly overweight patients. I believe that glucotrol is causing a weight<BR gain. He says that because of my age (51) and success of the dosage, I<BR should not use glucophage. As a newbie, I wonder if others with a similar<BR diagnosis have had the same advice. It would be great to lose weight and<BR get the BGs constant.<BR

Response:

Type 2, diagnosed in December. Weight 186. After four months on glucotrol 5mg I have gained 10 pounds, even with careful diet and moderate exercise. I asked my doctor about Glucophage and he said he only recommends it for severly overweight patients. I believe that glucotrol is causing a weight gain. He says that because of my age (51) and success of the dosage, I should not use glucophage. As a newbie, I wonder if others with a similar diagnosis have had the same advice. It would be great to lose weight and get the BGs constant. Any help appreciated!!!!! SQ

Response: