Yes, you need to start testing yourself and see how meals are affecting your levels. You might also consider posting on the diabetes forum also.

There are plenty of ways to obtain a FREE meter. The expense comes in for the test strips. If you have a prescription and insurance, the strips are not too expensive, especially if you are not testing often.

When I was first diagnosed with diabetes, my doctor did NOT give me a prescription for a meter or test strips but told me I should be testing myself daily. I went to a pharmacy and bought a meter and test strips. (FULL PRICE) I don't remember how long I was purchasing my test strips at full price when another customer told me that if I had a prescription, it would be much cheaper. Even though I had insurance, it was not covered unless I had a prescription for the test strips. I got a prescription. The meter itself is sold pretty cheap even full over the counter price, about $20 depending upon the meter you chose. Some can be pricey. Some can be obtained for free. It all depends on some of the bells and whistles. A basic meter works fine. Many mfgs. offer their meters free so that you will be buying THEIR test strips that fit their meter. That is where the big cost comes in.

In MY (unprofessional) opinion, if you are having diabetic neuropathy symptoms with an hemoglobin A1C of 5.7, you may be having high post prandial spikes that come down quickly to give you an overall lower A1C. It would be very interesting to know what your post prandial readings are running and how long it takes for them to return to a normal range.

Another thing to consider is that your blood sugar levels may NOT be the cause of your neuropathy. Just because someone is either insulin resistant, pre-diabetic, or insulin dependent diabetic does not mean that any and all neuropathies are from diabetes.

Are you under the care of an endocrinologist? Have you seen a neurologist about your neuropathy symptoms? Did a PCP / GP put you on the Metformin? It is a GREAT drug and can be very beneficial in preventing or delaying one from moving from pre-diabetic to full diabetic while they are undertaking a diet and exercise approach to changing matters.

Best wishes to you in your work toward controlling your blood sugar levels.