Hi Allen when i first got diabitis the doc put me on metformin and actos boy the metformin gave me a gut ache that i thot was going to kill me i have ibs too whatever that is the docs just use that name for any stomach problems that they dont know what is. But the metformin one pill was enough for me then a nurse a couple of months later talked me into trying another one and took my stomack pills with it the pain was worse this time than it was the first time i could feel the pill going thru taking the pain with it was terrible.......the only thing that helps my stomach pains when i get them is paragoric and when u ask the docs for that they come unglued they even start hollering how terrible that stuff is will kill ya they dont even make it anymore they start telling lies as fast as their mouths will move . but sometimes i doc will give me the smallest bottle made the bottle makes mini bottles look big but in twenty minutes my stomach ache will go away it is like a miricule cure...then i started reading about the actos and its sister med dont remember the name but it was proven that it causes major problems so i didnt want to take either one so then glipizine was used but it didnt do much so then i started on the injections it is by far better my biggest problems is i dont like the things i am supposed to eat. I dont know why they dont say dont eat anything good if ya dont like it that is what ya have to eat so needless to say my sugar always suck as so does my ac1 is always way to high...well thats my story and i am sticking to it so good luck with the metformin hope it dont kill u it would me....have a great day..Alan

I went to my doctor yesterday to get my bloodwork and physical.
My a1c went from over a 9 back on sept 6th, down to a 5.1.
My doctor lowered my dose of onglyza, said he was very proud of me.
I dropped over 45 lbs so far, and overall, its not as hard as I thought, just to eat correctly, and add a tiny bit of excercise.
Its nice to see my doctor smile once in 20 years.

That's great! Thanks for the update!

I just got my A1C this week.... from 6.4, to 5.7 and NO drugs
for months! I stopped the Glumetza because it was beginning to torture me too.

What I am using however, is R-lipoic acid (stabilized) by Doctor's Best. 100mg a day. This new form is good for neuropathy, and I guess it really is working on my A1C.

I also use 300mg SunTheanine at bedtime and 150mg of Benfotiamine. The theanine is suggested for PN also. I have seen some suggestions that it lowers cortisol, which may be why my A1C fell that much.

Since Sept I also drink 4 ounces of Kefir daily, and this has really helped my GI tract (which the metformin trashed).

So I am just controlling now with diet and my supplements, and testing daily. I've lost some weight too, but not as much as you!

It's great to hear that you are doing well also!

Mrs. G. Where do you get your R Lipoic Acid from?

Thanks much

Melody

It is available from iherb.com

But I am finding Amazon competitive now in price and
free shipping for smaller orders... $25.

So my last order came from Amazon. Doctor's Best. R-lipoic stablized 100mg

Good for you WAY TO GO!!!!

Melody

Hi I also have MG and type 2 Diabetes. It is a balancing act with meds etc.

I was also having problems with Metformin. My doctor told me to reduce my dosage to a level where It was not causing stomach Cramps. I was able to reduce from 3000mg daily to 2000mg but I had to increase my insulin.

Having MG gives you higher blood sugar readings (due to meds etc). There are some similarites between the 2 conditions. Because of the MG I cannot exercise a lot. A couple of hundred yards walk wipes me out for the day.

Keep your chin up.

People on metformin for a long time, need to take a supplement of B12. This drug affects B12 absorption, and depletes it in the body.

Here is my B12 thread with more information:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread85103.html

and

I have just been to see my GP about stomach problems re Metformin.


I have now been told to stop taking Metformin for 2 weeks then start taking it again: 1 tab at night for 2 weeks then increase by 1 tab per day every 2 weeks until tummy problems start. (1 tab per day first week then 2 per day a fortnight later and so on)
Then stay on the last dosage when no tummy problems exsisted. Clear as mud. Can but try it.:

I havent been here for quite a while.

the happiest day of my recent life was when I stopped taking the metformin.

I dropped 50 lbs, gained back 10, but Im struggling again to get on track with the diet, I still walk my 2 miles each morning, and stay as active as I can.
My A1C has been no higher than 5.5 the last 6-8 months.
My glucose readings are always near normal, seems the diet, the little excercise I get, and the onglyza(2.5mg) daily are keeping the diabetes under control.

Cautiously, I can say Ive been feeling pretty good lately, or as well as a heavyset man in his late 50s can feel.
The myasthenia hasnt held me back much, just not driving much at night as I dont feel as alert and my eyes feel weak, but its nothing that bothers me much anymore.
Im sure alot of my problems are just old age creeping up on my slowly, and me not being used to it.

I hope everyone is feeling strong and healthy.

Id like to thank all those here and in the myasthenia section for all the great advice and comradery.
seems talking or chatting with people who understand what I was going through eases the panic and discomfort, at least for me it did.