Yes, the metformin helps with cholesterol. I've used it twice...
but both times after a few months, my GI tract goes haywire and I can't live like that anymore. Usually the lowering of the cholesterol takes a few months, it is not rapid in onset.

Not everyone responds to metformin this way, however. So maybe you will be lucky. I've found information that metformin increases serotonin in the GI tract which results in more motility.
Metformin is tried in people with gastroparesis for this reason.

You should really try the R-lipoic stabilized....it can lower blood sugars. Be sure to test frequently to see how it reacts in you while you are on the metformin.

There are other nutrients found to help diabetics. There are papers on these too.

1) magnesium --- this is lost in the urine of diabetics, but the cause is still not figured out. So eating foods high in magnesium and/or taking a good supplement (not OXIDE form) may help.
my magnesium thread with information:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread1138.html
start at 1/2 the RDA or 200mg elemental.

2) Taurine has be found to be of benefit for diabetics. At least 1000mg a day.

3) Inositol is also lost in the urine of diabetics-- at least 1 gram a day.
This comes as a powder that is inexpensive and mixes into liquids. Has a mild sweet taste.

I have a prescription for gabapentin. I had taken it just a couple times when I began the R-Lipoic Acid, which worked incredibly for me (not typical at all) - 48 hours, and I haven't needed/taken any gabapentin since (about a year now). I experienced further improvement when I added pantothenic acid (B5). I tried Acetyl L-Carnitine but I don't think it was doing anything much, and have recently discontinued it. There are other things I've been meaning to try, but expense is a barrier right now. Dropping the ALC should enable me to try something else (I have a list someplace....)

At the risk of "Do as I say - not as I do" I went about this wrong. I started a few things at once because I was anxious for relief. I read on one site (which I neglected to bookmark and have regretted since) that the sooner RLA is started, the sooner and better it works, so I jumped in with both feet. The better/preferred method is to try/add/discontinue one thing at a time, so you know what's working and what's not.

It's certainly possible some antidepressants may contribute to PN - anything's "possible", but I tend to discount most reports like that because there's no way to tell what else may be going on/responsible that those "reporters" aren't mentioning. IME, the internet tends to be a very hypochondrial place. I've found it's also not a bad idea to put things into context; a few instances out of how many millions? Again, anything's possible, but... like a jigsaw puzzle, all the pieces need to be assembled in order to get the whole picture.

I get the scarines concerning your vision. I've had a few scares myself after having better than average vision my first 50 years, and my aunt is currently going blind with macular degeneration (and not taking it well at all - who can blame her?)

Doc

@ Tommy:

Please read this thread I started with info on diabetic neuropathy:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread158275.html

post #9 on that thread:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post839633-9.html
Discusses new information that some statins actually contribute to developing type II diabetes: included is your Zocor.

I venture to say that the drug reps are NOT sharing this new information with doctors, and hence many doctors probably haven't seen it yet.

I am weaning off meds cause for me they did not help though not sure now so may go back on them but I was on a combo of neurontin,cymbalta,klonopin and serequel. I understand your worry about the side effects but for myself I feel they list every possible side effect and I just tell my doctors my concern. I get to the point though that I have to try something to make things better and I always start the smallest as I am very cautious about procedures etc.
I do have vision issues but mine actually have gotten better then pre all meds so maybe that was help will see and I am in a flare so the meds may have helped with the PN and RSD. I went to 50 apts in a year for my eyes and dozens of specialist. Mine was more severe pain,pressure etc. Have you had an mri of your brain? What about scan of your eyes?

iI have had an MRI and CAT Scan of my brain, both normal. I am not sure what an eye scan is. I've had numerous tests at the opthamalogist's, they did a computer scan of my eyes and took a picture of my optical nerves etc., a very through exam I think, but I don't have anything else to compare it to. I have another appt tomorrow at the opthamalogists, we'll see how it goes.

Tommy

Glad to hear you have had success with the R-LA and B5. I'm ordering some R-LA and a few other supplements.
This whole thing is confusing and frustrating. I'll have a few good days in a row and just when I think I'm improving, BOOM, it's back with a vengance.

I truly hope you are getting Doctor's Best stabilized form of R-lipoic.

No explanation at the opthamalogist other then my eyes might be dry. suggested using lubricating drops and call if it gets worse.

I'm headed to another Rhematologist today for a second opinion. My neurologist suggested it. Don't know what they might be looking for, all my blood work has come back ok. Does anyone have any suggestions for me to ask the Rhemy?

That's very typical with a lot of conditions. There are no quick fixes, and healing can take time. It may help to chart your progress, so you can look back and determine any trends. It can also help with things like, "Did ABC start happening before or after I began doing XYZ?"

Doc