Hi, I've had type two diabetes for about 8 years. I've been on metformin still am. I now have neuropathy and trying to find out what else. The metformin will help but what I have learned way to late is that really its all about diet and exercise.
I wish I had taken care of myself and got off the metformin a long time ago.
My goal is to get off it now.

I agree with you 100%. I am being vigilant about my diet. I have dropped 30 pounds. Exercise is difficulty with the neuropathy. I am having difficulty working with the neuropathy. I just wondered if anyone had any improvement with the Metformin once the neuropathy set in. I am thinking I may have to go on disability. May A1C was 5.7. I believe the hyperglycemia comes after I eat. I have asked for a glucometer to try to get a clearer picture.

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.

Dear Sandylyn,

Diet and exercise are a first step in controlling blood sugar levels but sometimes diabetes is NOT under our control. It is not quite that simple. There are situations when diet and exercise just don't work alone and medication is necessary. There are people that have never been "out of shape" and develop type 2 diabetes. They have never been overweight. They have always exercised. I used "out of shape" terminology intentionally because some people may be a proper, normal weight but still not be physically fit, or in other words "out of shape". Yes, obesity "can" lead to diabetes but it is not the sole cause of type 2 diabetes. (I am NOT implying that YOU were ever obese. I know nothing about your weight or fitness level) There are a lot of very obese people walking around that do NOT have diabetes and some very thin, fit people, that DO have diabetes. Do not beat yourself up about not taking better care of yourself in the past. You may have developed diabetes no matter what your prior lifestyle.

You are to be commended for your desire to "get off of your Metformin" as that means you are taking all the steps possible to deal with your diabetes and lower the complications. If you are striving to lower your A1C enough to be free of medication in the future, that is a great goal and will keep you diligent in your efforts to control your blood sugar levels. Be proud of yourself. Diabetes is a disease. It is not something one brings upon themselves although the media would have you believe that. Yes, if insulin resistance is caught early, diet and exercise MAY prevent or delay type 2 diabetes but as I have been told by many physicians, a diabetic will always be a diabetic, even if control is obtained after medication is no longer needed. Even if you have NORMAL A1C's with no medication after having been a diabetic, you are still a diabetic,.... just one that has controlled it and no longer need medication. Now, many may argue that, but I am only going by what I have been told by many physicians.

The only analogy I can think of is an alcoholic. Just because an alcoholic has not had a drink in 30 years does not mean he is NOT an alcoholic. It means he has his alcoholism under control.

Well, that is how it was explained to me. Keep up the good work and maybe you will reach the day you can be free of diabetes medication. It matters not how or why, what matters is what we do now. The past is behind us. Best wishes to you.