Affects of T2 Diabetes Meds on Weight Loss Efforts?

dimplez711

Sorry sorry sorry I just realized I misspelled Effects

Hello! Hoping to get some insight from the group.

I was diagnosed in late 2009, I don't remember my A1c level from the diagnosis, but I am now down to 6.5 (woohoo!).

I've been on Byetta (10mcg), Levemir (20 units), and Metformin (1000mg) since about June 2011. What I've been noticing is that although my blood sugar levels are much better, I feel hindered when it comes to my weight loss efforts.

While on the meds, I constantly feel sluggish, tired, hungry, and irritable. So I went anti-meds for a week, and poof! Had loads of energy, could go from meal to meal without the starving feeling, I was in a pleasant mood, and I lost 3 pounds! My blood sugar levels started to climb again towards the end of the week, so I knew I had to go back to the meds.

I'm planning on talking to my doc about this, but I just wanted to see if anyone else has gone/is going through something similar.

Bevkus

Metformin is supposed to be very good for weight loss....there is lots of research on the internet on that...try googling it. I don't know about the others...google them....then ask your doc, armed with the info u found on the net

Congrats for controlling your blood glucose

cindysess

I have been a type 2 diabetic for aboout a year now. I'm on 4- 500 mill. of metformin a day. 2 in morning, and 2 with dinner. Haven't gotten really serious about my diet untill the past few weeks, so that dose was working good for me. Now without taking any med. at all, my sugar readings are 120's in the morning, and 130's at night. Is that good or too high? I'm afraid to take 4 now that my eating is under control. I've also never heard or had an A1C test done. never heard of it. My Dr. put me on 4 of metformin a day, and doesn't need to see me for a year. This doesn't seem right to me. This is just my family Dr. thinking maybe I better see someone else. Any suggestions?

chipper15173

dimple...i was DX in 06. i take victoza. love it. it works well as an appetite suppressant. it is a shot in a pre-measured pen.i have been on it since it came out. almost 2 yrs. i use to use metformin and it was ok. didn't really help. it's suppose to work for weight loss also. it was ok for me. the most important thing as a diabetic is to follow a good eating plan. i can't stress that enough. eating right and getting some exercise is the key to hoping to come off meds. most deafeningly talk with your doctor about it and you may get to lower some of the meds.
cindy.....you need another doctor for sure. a diabetic should be seen every 3 months for blood work. they need to check your A1C and kidneys, liver, all that stuff. How did he diagnosis you without an A1C. (scratching head). that is the test that determines it or not. the reading are on the high side. someone did post what the standard readings were in another post.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/441543-glucose-readings-101
these are just standard. your doctor should have sent you to a nutrition class for diabetic to learn how to count your food. carbs are very important to a diabetic. also to know when and how to test.

good luck to both of you.....

cindysess

I'm not sure what they do for an A1C reading, but all they had me do was fast the night before, and then I went in to have blood drawn the next morning. And the results were that I was diabetic. I went for my first appointment because i was tired all the time, and dropped 10 lbs. without even trying. I think I'm gonna contact a specialists for diabetics this week. All I know is I don't dare take 4 of those pills right now, with doing good on this diet. I'm afraid sugar will drop too low overnight, while sleeping. maybe not. guess thats one for a real Dr. to figure out. Thanks for the information. Hope I never have to do the needle thing, cause don't think I could do it..Thanks also for adding me as a friend. Any information you give will be very helpful.

chipper15173

cindy....you need an endrocrinologist. they will help you. you should have been told your A1C number. it's the most important number to know. as for taking your meds. be careful just stopping them. you may do more harm than good. the shots aren't bad. i don't take insulin it's another kind of medication for type 2's.
take care of yourself and get ahold of an endrocrinologist. i see mine on monday.
have a good weekend.

edit. that is how your A1C is done. by a blood test with fasting

c1yfdbfd

The A1c test is a good diagnostic tool. It only takes a finger prick to get a small blood sample. No fasting needed because the test indicates your blood sugar levels over the last 2 to 3 months.

Gbelk1

I cannot speak for the other 2 but I am on Metformin and my doctor told me it would make it more difficult to lose weight. I have found that I must watch my diet and get my exercise in to keep the weight off I have lost and to continue to lose. MyfitnessPal web site has been a help with this. I joined to help my son who what put on a great deal of weight on but found it helped be also. You are correct in talking to your doctor about the weight and being tired. Maybe he can change your meds.
Good luck.

LeannSz

I too had trouble losing weight not just after diagnosed with Diabetes even before. Now I have had great success with Janumet it is a type of metformin, but it's a combo drug it aids in the production and absorption on insulin I immediately saw result when combined with a good diet and some exercise. I started slow so it wouldn't mess with my stomach which was a big problem for me when I was on types of metformin.

Good Luck

travisseger

This is something that I am really struggling with. In the year leading up to being diagnosed last September, I lost a total of 115 lbs. At diagnosis, I was prescribed Metformin (500 mg 2x per day), and my doctor told me that this should not hinder my weight loss efforts and may even be of some help. In the 9 months I have been on Metformin, I have bounced around in the same 5 lbs. range no matter what I do. I've not been over on calories one day during this time, and most days burn at least 500 calories through exercise. It's worked wonders for my A1C, going from 14.2 in Sept. '11 to 5.1 in Jan. '12, but the weight just will not come off. It's very frustrating.

I go back to see my doctor for my new A1C next week. I plan on having a very detailed conversation on this subject. From my personal research, and talking to others I know, I hear two things. One area of thought is that I'm not on enough Metformin and need to have the doctor bump me up to at least 1,500 mg per day to experience the weight loss effects of the drug. I have talked to others who have told me they couldn't lose weight until they quit taking Metformin. If my A1C is still in the general range that it was in January, I think I'm going to experiment with going off the Metformin and see if I can lose weight that way while still keeping my glucose in good control. In the meantime, I'll keep doing what I'm doing - at least I'm not gaining.

Sharonks

I have been taking met for so long I have no idea if it helps or hinders or does nothing for my weight loss. I have plateaued for the last few months. When I saw my dr. the other day he felt I may not be eating enough and told me to eat a couple hundred more cals than I've been eating. So far no loss but no gain either. Meanwhile, I've been working out a lot and seem to be swapping some fat for muscle which is good but I'm still not really shrinking much.

mikeyboy

Do not lose sight of your MAIN goal which is to kick that DM2 can down the road as long as you can. This means to keep your BS (HgA1c) as close to normal as possible WITHOUT going hypoglycemic (low BS).

Metformin is the wonder drug for DM2. It is the first drug of choice for every DM2 patient. Do not be afraid to take it to the limit of dosage which is 2.5g per day and 2g per day if using Actos.

Regarding your weight loss BE PATIENT. We DM2 have a heck of a time losing weight. Keep chopping at the tree. It will eventually fall. You are doing very well as a DM2 pt. Don't knock yourself.

This is something that I am really struggling with. In the year leading up to being diagnosed last September, I lost a total of 115 lbs. At diagnosis, I was prescribed Metformin (500 mg 2x per day), and my doctor told me that this should not hinder my weight loss efforts and may even be of some help. In the 9 months I have been on Metformin, I have bounced around in the same 5 lbs. range no matter what I do. I've not been over on calories one day during this time, and most days burn at least 500 calories through exercise. It's worked wonders for my A1C, going from 14.2 in Sept. '11 to 5.1 in Jan. '12, but the weight just will not come off. It's very frustrating.

I go back to see my doctor for my new A1C next week. I plan on having a very detailed conversation on this subject. From my personal research, and talking to others I know, I hear two things. One area of thought is that I'm not on enough Metformin and need to have the doctor bump me up to at least 1,500 mg per day to experience the weight loss effects of the drug. I have talked to others who have told me they couldn't lose weight until they quit taking Metformin. If my A1C is still in the general range that it was in January, I think I'm going to experiment with going off the Metformin and see if I can lose weight that way while still keeping my glucose in good control. In the meantime, I'll keep doing what I'm doing - at least I'm not gaining.

Stay away from Actos, some real health concerns with that drug. Victosa injections are working great for me and am losing weight. 2 weeks ago my A1c was 6.2. Good luck to all of you.

mikeyboy

The main reason most of us T2's have trouble losing weight is we have Metabolic Syndrom. Lots of excersize, weight training, and proper nutrition will break that cycle and you will burn fat like a "normal" person.

mikeyboy

I'm not sure what they do for an A1C reading, but all they had me do was fast the night before, and then I went in to have blood drawn the next morning. And the results were that I was diabetic. I went for my first appointment because i was tired all the time, and dropped 10 lbs. without even trying. I think I'm gonna contact a specialists for diabetics this week. All I know is I don't dare take 4 of those pills right now, with doing good on this diet. I'm afraid sugar will drop too low overnight, while sleeping. maybe not. guess thats one for a real Dr. to figure out. Thanks for the information. Hope I never have to do the needle thing, cause don't think I could do it..Thanks also for adding me as a friend. Any information you give will be very helpful.

Yes! Go see an expert. As far as the needle thing... it is very small, painless and it takes a short period of time to get used to it!

robert65ferguson

Cindy, the advice given by your Dr seems very strange. Chipper and others make very valid points. The A1c figure must be our watchword because it acts as an early warning if things are going wrong. I'm in the UK and testing of A1c every three months is standard. You need to have regular checks for Retinopathy to detect any warning signs of sight problems. Neuropathy tests to ensure that you do not develop foot problems. As Chipper advises you need to get on a Diabetic Education course to learn about diet, foot care and the general things you need to know in order to live a healthy and active life. Joining this group on MFP was a great move because you will get lots of help and encouragement from the people in the group. I wish you well for the future

Crochetluvr

When I told my Dr. that I was trying to lose weight, he upped my metformin to 1000mg 2x a day. Problem is I spend the rest of the day running to the bathroom and have an upset stomach. So when I went back to him, he asked me what my average FS was and I said between 95 and 120 so he said to stop taking the metformin and he would reevaluate me in 3 months. I havent had any real problem with the weight loss...I know it will be slow but thats probably for the best, I am just glad to be off the metformin....that stuff is NASTY for me.

mikeyboy

When I told my Dr. that I was trying to lose weight, he upped my metformin to 1000mg 2x a day. Problem is I spend the rest of the day running to the bathroom and have an upset stomach. So when I went back to him, he asked me what my average FS was and I said between 95 and 120 so he said to stop taking the metformin and he would reevaluate me in 3 months. I havent had any real problem with the weight loss...I know it will be slow but thats probably for the best, I am just glad to be off the metformin....that stuff is NASTY for me.

I am alergic to Metformin also. I had the same issue as you plus a few more side effects.

Crochetluvr

I am alergic to Metformin also. I had the same issue as you plus a few more side effects.

I cant imagine having other side effects. Mine were bad enough. My Dr. did tell me that there were other options but I am hoping that I wont need them.

poodlelaise

I am on metformin, actos, glimepiride, lantus (insulin) and victoza. I believe the Victoza has really turned things around for me in terms of diet and weight loss. Since starting Victoza about 2 1/2 months ago I have cut my insulin in half, lost 15 lbs and have much better control in terms of both fasting and post prandial bg readings. I suppose it could be a coinsidence, since I started MFP about 2 days after the Victoza, but I really do think it kick started the process for me.

sunshine1946

I think you need to change doctor. I am a diabetes T2 my Dr. want to see me every three to four months for blood work and check to see how am doing with my metformin, because I take 2 tablet every 12 hours. For you not to see your doctor for a year is a NO!!! NO!!!:sad:

mikeyboy

I completely disagree regarding Actos. The main problem with Actos is that it can triple your risk for bladder cancer. Homework assignment. What is your risk for bladder CA?

Up until this got discovered, I would consider it MEDICAL MALPRACTICE if Actos were not the first or second medication Rx'd for DM2.

This is the order of drugs I would use for a typical DM2 pt: 1. Metformin 2. Actos 3. Januvia (or other newer drug in same DPP-4 inhibitor class) 4. Byetta, Victoza (the Gila monster drugs) 5. Insulin

Stay away from Actos, some real health concerns with that drug. Victosa injections are working great for me and am losing weight. 2 weeks ago my A1c was 6.2. Good luck to all of you.

My endrocrinologist will not prescribe Actos anymore, the others at the same office will prescribe it only if there is no other options. The higher the dose, the higher the risk. There is now a government warning about this drug. I was taking the highest dose for 2.5 years and had limited results although at that time I had not changed the way I was eating. Part of being a type 2 is that that can increase your risk for any kind of cancer, the way your body fights it. I was diagnosed with bladder cancer in November with Actos being one of the causes, not the only one. There are a heck of a lot of risks for bladder cancer from smoking to working where they make rubber products. Truck drivers and beauticians have higher risks. More testing is being done on Actos.

Nothing works as well as excersize & weight loss for T2. Good luck everyone, and keep fighting!