My early 50s husband ignored his Type 2 diagnosis for the past decade. Any readings he did were usually around 20, so this was not some prediabetic or low diabetes situation. But he refused to do anything about it, including not taking medication. Two days ago he finally agreed to take one dose a day metformin, plus insulin injections. Since starting two days ago he has felt very ill – painful muscles, fatigue, flu-like symptoms. I believe that after a decade of uncontrolled untreated diabetes his body somehow adapted to it (while damaging lots) and is responding to getting numbers under control by making him feel unwell. I have googled trying to find information about this but everything just points to the reasons why you shouldn’t ignore it. Can anyone point me in the right direction for this specific issue? Did his body just get used to living with very high blood sugar levels and getting it under control is actually making him feel sick, even if its helping? Much thanks all.
Starting met and going right to insulin could be quite a shock.
I don’t have diabetes, but my brother Has Type 1. I manage his healthcare. Is it possible the metformin is making your husband feel bad? I don’t know anything about type 2, but it’s my understanding there are a lot of medications for type 2. Your husband probably won’t want to try something different. Also, he might have to try a different provider. We finally found an endo nurse practitioner who is much more knowledgeable than the endocrinologists we’ve seen.
Metformin might cause gastronomic issues. Even slight ones could cause distress.
I was unable to find the exact information you requested. I am so sorry. I can tell you that as for me the adjustment is rough. When I started to click back to near normal it was rough. My new normal is around 6.0 my old normal was around 12.0 Those six points involved not seeing well, feeling awful, and constant hunger. My heart rebelled and my whole body hurt.
Today I woke up around 200. I was desperate to get back to 120. I pushed and pushed and it was the longest 4 hours I have had in a few days. Lord have mercy what was I thinking before.
It depends on the person I guess. I feel terrible when I’m over 160. I don’t feel low until I’m in the 50s.
If I go over 200 for any length of time I get sick to my stomach.
My body really doesn’t let me be out of control much.
But it could be because I’m used to it
It is not unheard of for someone to feel hypoglycemic when they are not clinically experiencing low blood glucose if they have previously maintained their blood glucose at a very high state. This feeling will go away as his body get used to his new normal.
Fatigue, Pale skin, Shakiness, Anxiety, Sweating, Hunger and Irritability are some of the things he might be experiencing right now.
I second the opinion that metformin might be causing the aching and fatigue! I’ve had that problem with many medications, especially Januvia. Good luck with everything. It’s not always easy or simple but worth it to get blood sugars under control.
I think your husband should join this site and consult his doctor. He can ask the questions that are important to him. At this point, I can see him stopping and blaming the drugs.