Diabetes low BG

hey, I want someones opinion on this I have talked to my doctors LPN and had a check up last monday had my A1C done and it's a 5.7 i guess. I talked to my so called doctor about taking me off one of the pills but her reply was ppl are usually on 2 a day.

So yesterday my BG went down to 47. Scared the hell out of me! I only take metformin, I think I need to change docs because when i called the clinic i got a call back from the LPN 2 hours later! she just told me to stop one pill. I had questions that the LPN couldn't answer.

My Fasting this morning was 105 . 5 over i guess but concidering i had to eat a **** load of candy then couple fiber one bars and finally some reg coke it my Blood came back up to 93. and then to 153 but went down to reg fast.. I only had the morning pill yesterday. The doctor didn't even say not to take the damn night time pill just to go to one pill for now on and that metormin pills don't usually give you so low BG . I don't understand how she can be a medical professional.

I'm scared as hell to take my night time metformin! My husband is out of town . thank god for my neighbor! i don't know what i would of done yesterday.

Has anyone had a bg so low? I told the LPN i don't think i have diabetes anymore. she didn't have a reply ,,

Replies

  • From what I know from my research, metformin rarely causes hypoglycemia due to the way the drug works in your body -- it's very different from insulin. In theory, a healthy person could take it without hypoglycemia.

    A couple of thoughts: Did you feel low or have other symptoms? Could it have been a meter issue? How often are you testing? Does your doctor want you to test regularly?

    My A1C was 5.1, and I only take 500mg once each day, but obviously our health situations may be different.

    If you're not comfortable with the doctor's advice, see someone else! I don't know why they make it so hard, but I regularly *force* them to answer all my questions until I'm satisfied.

    Keep in mind that diabetics sometimes have lows due to infections or illness -- Could you have a UTI? How are you feeling otherwise?
  • Also, congrats on the weight loss!!!

    Hopefully, you'll be able to come off the meds soon, if not quite yet. But, again, you need to have a supportive medical team to guide you as your body changes, so find another doctor if this one's not on board with your success! :)
  • I am an insulin dependent diabetic, but have had extensive diabetes education.

    Have you ever met with a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)? They can usually be found at hospitals or special Endocrinology doctors' offices. If you have insurance, a visit is usually covered to see them. They are often much more clear about diabetes and how your body works. I would suggest calling and scheduling an appointment.

    My next suggestion is perhaps you do not need metformin at all. If you have had a dramatic weight loss, your pancreas is working much differently. If you had excess weight or if you were sedentary, changing your diet and fitness will have a definite effect on how much medication you need (oral or insulin). Type two diabetics can sometimes stop taking medication if they lose some weight or become more physically active. A visit to an endocrinologist can help a lot.

    I have experienced low blood sugar as well and it is not pretty. I have been as low as 31 and it is very scary. If you are by yourself, you should always treat a low blood sugar by taking 15 grams of carbohydrates, waiting 15 minutes and checking your glucose again. If you are unable to check your glucose and you feel low, you should treat it as a low blood sugar just in case.

    These are just my two cents. Hope this helps. Low blood sugar (and diabetes) is never fun! Congrats on your weight loss.
  • aura82
    aura82 Posts: 27 Member

    Have you ever met with a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)? They can usually be found at hospitals or special Endocrinology doctors' offices. If you have insurance, a visit is usually covered to see them. They are often much more clear about diabetes and how your body works. I would suggest calling and scheduling an appointment.

    This (and would put a pointing up arrow but can find it on the keyboard).

    Diabetes is quite individual. IMO diabetic Education is vital for any diabetic or pre-diabetic.
    I have had patients who say they have hypo symptoms at 70 or more, especially if they have been high for a long time.
    I am not diabetic, but when I would take my BSL (to show someone how or something) it has been around 35 and I get round fine at that.

    Note:
    I worked as a Nurse in a Doctor's practice. Our policy was that any patient with pre-diabetes or diabetes were automatically referred to a Diabetic Educator.
  • MrsMohawk
    MrsMohawk Posts: 74 Member
    thanks for the advice. My nurse practitioner is suppose to be a diabetic specialist in my clinic. But i don't think she really is..lol

    My husband came home yesterday from hunting. he wanted me to try not taking a pill at night, I was leary at first, I had at least 36 carbs in my meal . 2 hrs after my bg was only 97, If I took a pill I would of went low again! I continued to check my bg before i went to bed it was 88... ya i don't think i need the pill anymore but will continue to check my blood to make sure. why keep eating carb after carb just to bring my blood up when that's what i want is to not have pills for this.

    :)