[OliversTwisted94]

I AM AN EPIC FAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am 18 years old, 498 pounds, and a type 2 diabetic. I was maintaining a 6.5 A1c level for about six months. On Wednesday, I had a blood test done; and now, my A1c level is a 7.0.
It's like "WHAT THE HELL!?!?!?!?!?!?!?"
I have lost 60 pounds in the last year, and the number has only gone up and up and up!!! When I around 458 pounds, I was still hanging at the "pre-diabetic" mark.... but now that I have lost all this weight, my health is getting even worse???
I don't understand- I thought your health was supposed to improve as weight improved. Even though I don't get a lot of exercise, I have been working immensely hard to lose weight.
(I have even resorted to unhealthy methods; which may or may not be a completely separate issue..... I guess it's best summed up as "restricting and purging". Just ask if you have any further questions)

Anyway, this is really, REALLY REAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYY bumming me out. I was so proud of my weight loss- even though it's not nearly enough- and now I can' t even enjoy that small victory

Now the doctor wants me to start Metformin- and I don't want to. I know it's supposed to be "good for you" and "good for losing weight" and a whole bunch of crap...... but the only reason you lose so much weight is because you either sit on the john with diarrhea, or in front of the john with vomiting. I was on the accursed drug three years ago, and it made me sooooooooooo freakin sick! On the one hand, I want to obey the doctors orders, and be better, lose weight and control my diabetes. On the other hand, I just don't want to because I know it will make me sick as hell.

Any advice???

[greenkittens]

You should not take it if you are not comfortable. Get a second opinion. To lose what you have already lost is good so continue to work it.
Of course, I am biased against ingesting chemicals, but you doctor is a professional that doesn't mean he knows everything or how you know it affects your body. He could prescribe something else if he knows you had bad experience the last time.
If I were you, I'd get a second opinion. And try to look at the positive side. Good luck, My Dear. Hugs to you...

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[greenkittens]

AND CONGRATS ON YOUR SIGNIFICANT VICTORY!!!!

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[CastlesInTheAir]

Congrats on being healthier. Have you considered a nutritionist?

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[Oxidopamine]

I would recommend seeing a dietician specializing in diabeties and/or obesity to help you lose weight in a healthy manner. I would also recommend getting a second opinion. Metformin is mainly used for managing Type 2 diabetes and the risk for cardiovascular complications in overweight people, without causing large changes in weight gain or weight loss. Metformin can cause diarrhea and vomiting, as you mentioned. You can either give it another shot since metformin is an extremely effective medication or you can tell the doctor of your past experience with it and perhaps have them prescribe an alternate medication.

[Yoda]

I am prediabetic and take metformin and it doesn't cause any problems. Perhaps you could try it again to see how you will do with it.

Please don't be discouraged because your A1c isn't where you want. Focus on healthy behaviors like nutritious meals and exercise like walking daily. I am proud of you for a significant weight loss.

I read in another forum that you had PCOS. Now, I am wondering if your weight issues and diabetes are due to that. Is this condition being treated?

Have you tried a weight loss program that focuses on life style and diet changes rather than short term solutions like fad diets and "restricting and purging"? (This will only cause the weight to accumulate even more.) You should ask your doctor about this. Perhaps this may be an alternate treatment to metformin in the future.

Keep trying. Oh, and congratulations on the weight loss!

[sabby]

It's so easy for us to negate our positive situations in life and that only helps to sabotage things......it sounds to me like these are two different issues at the moment.

I take metformin as well, but I cannot take a lot of it as it upsets my stomach horribly. I do deal with diarrhea from it even at a lower dose, but it's one issue that I'm willing to deal with. I can't take more than 500mg twice a day. My doc also put me on another med that doesn't cause me any issues, called glipizide. She did this because I couldn't take a higher dose of metformin.

I know it's hard when dealing with more than one issue (diabetes & weight). I wish you the best in finding what will work well for you that isn't something that is detrimental to your health in the mean time.

Take good care!
sabby

[krisakira]

Take the metformin. It will help you a lot. How long were you on it before? Did you give it a chance for the side effects to go away? It also helps to curb your appetite. I take metformin and I don't even have diabetes. I take it because I have poly-cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which causes me to have insulin resistance, which can lead to diabetes if not properly treated (medication and better diet). I am finding when I stop metformin, I have huge cravings for junk food. Now that I am on it, I've lost 10 pounds (I am 275 lb). Have you talked to your doctor about the possibility of having PCOS? It could have attributed to your weight. Congrats on losing 40 pounds though, that is awesome. I'd like to lose more, but I now have foot problems which limits my ability to walk long distances.

[bebop]

tell the dr what side effects the metformin does to you. I had to do that with it and went on glipizide! wow what a difference. I recently have lost 25 lbs and no longer have to take my meds. it is the food you eat. I have cut out all pasta, potatoes, etc. You are doing great losing the weight but you really have to watch what you eat. I do get my cravings and I was a carb junkie! you can do this. ask about a different medication.