Ok. Hello to all. I was using Januvia 100mg at the morning and a generic metformin 500 mg twice a day (12pm and 7pm). After reading lot of Januvia possible issues reported by latest journals, I decided to stop Januvia.
I am a male 204lbs. 6’, with hA1 readings decreasing during the past 3 testings, 10.5, 8.5 and 7.0. My fastings average 150 and the top peak after meals are 200 avrg.
Couple of months ago with little diet and exercise my fastings went down to 120 and peaks after meals to 150 avrg. But I was feeling dizzy with those low readings (after being with no control on 250’s for 1-2 years) and I stop the exercise. Plan to start making exercises and diet tomorrow again.
My question is that I order genuine Glucophage 500mg, since I feel that sometimes when I buyed from different suppliers the control on my BS changed. It is safe and possible to take the Glucophage 500 three times a day? One with each meal and of course I will be testing my BS daily and performing the usual snacks.
I believe there is a max dose of 2550 per day with Metformin. Before making any changes to your medications it might be a good idea to talk with your doctor first.
You can sometimes feel low at those reads (120-150)if you have been running high for a while. Although you are not low your body feels low because its lower that its use to being. I wouldn't give up, that low feeling is only temporary as your body adjust to the new normal it will feel Ok at a more normal BG level.
I started taking Metformin 500mg 3x per day in June. It's the first time I really feel like I've had control in more than a year. On the other hand, because I'm better controlled, I don't eat as well because I'm not spiking to 160 from 20g of carbs anymore. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
1500mg per day is perfectly safe. (And I'm 5'2, 142 pounds--so if it were unsafe for you, it would definitely be unsafe for me.)
Actually, there has been some interesting research about how Metformin helps the body fight cancer-type cells...even if it turns out I'm not T2, I'm not sure I want to get off of it for this reason.
When I feel low when I'm not actually low, I eat something low-carb, which usually tricks my brain into thinking everything's fine and I stop shaking. Even something like cucumber slices helps.
That's is the issue. For example today I took one 500MG this morning with breakfast, I tested and get BS at 149 two hours after breakfast. At lunch I took half 500MG pill, and tested two hours later at 130, prior to dinner I was at 147 and 1 hour after dinner at 172. Right now before sleep writing to you I tested again and was 149. But I feel a little shaky.... So will go to the fridge to get some Strawberries before bed. Hope to be 120-130 on fasting tomorrow, if that works I will continue with the half 500MG tab after lunch for a week and then continue with the 3 tabs a day after meals. Thanks for your friendly advice !!!
It is important to consult with your doctor on questions of dosing. In the US, metformin is a prescription controlled medication, so you need a doctor to write you a prescription. That being said, it is quite reasonable to ask your doctor to support a more aggressive goal of getting your blood sugar down and a key part of that could be taking metformin at up to a maximum dose. I take metformin at a maximum dose.
And many people believe that it is true that generic metformin varies. Dr. Bernstein actually recommends the brand Glucophage, believing that it is superior to the range of generics on the market. Sadly, few insurance companies in the US will cover a branded medication like Glucophage when generic metformin costs $4/month. My insurance will allow me to get Glucophage, but I have to pay half, so I just stick with generic.
And yes, if you have been running high for some time, then when you blood sugars get down to 120s you may feel hypos. But they aren't real hypos, they are false hypos. They will go away after a couple of weeks as your body gets accustomed to normal blood sugars. I'd encourage you to get back to exercise. For many of us with T2, a low carb diet and exercise can do wonders, far more than any pill.
ps. And most of the effect of metformin builds up over time reach peak effectiveness after 6-8 weeks.
I agree that some of the generic metformmin are putting out less metformin in the blood stream and as a result Liver ignore the metformin. I agree about the Brand Glucophage as they always worked well. Some generics like Teva and a few others are short sisters and one needs to up dose of those generics.
Me, I was spoiled watching my metformin work on a cgms and I could tell as the metformin got up to strength in 2.5 hours and liver would flatline and stop leaking glucose into blood. This would last 2 hours for me and it was rated for 1 to 3 hours.
For me I did not see the increase of effectiveness of metformin over time.
I also used up to 2500 mg of metformin in a day but for me spreading 500 mg doses around clock - one at each meal and 2 doses late at night - one at 10:00pm and one at 12:00am - that always hammered back the dawn effect. Taking one large dose at night did not work for me.
