Morning Hatters!! Just back frm the lake; been on a course all week but starting on evening shift today so will have my mornings free again for walkies yay! Thanks for all the support... you guys rock.. frustrating yes but no other option but for us to all keeping working towards our goals right ladies?? will catch up over the weekend but wanted to pop in say hi and thanks!!

Oh Patrice..... I completely feel for you....and im sorry to hear about the diagnosis...

I still remember the day my doc said my A1C was 8.2 and had to go on metformin. here above 7 is full on diabetic) I was scared sh!itless quite frankly.. and I was really angry too.. and bummed... my doc actually warned me about some feelings that might crop up including denial, anger, depression, etc ... I brushed em off at the time but looking back now...it took a few months of rebellion and eating crap too before I started learning about the dangers of high blood sugar.. and I did indeed experience all those. I resisted and also asked for the six months grace period.. and she did but made me go to the diabetes day class... and when I learned what the disease does and how the blood sugar coursing thru your body aims for all your organs; I went on the metformin to protect myself while I was determined (and still am) to get off it again (seehe if you recall did succeed in getting off it - you might want to chat with her as well). I was only put on a "half dose" 500mg 2x a day... and even tho my A1C is now down to the 6 ish range.. my goal is normal which is 5ish.. im still on the metformin for the protection part until it gets down to normal - which I am determined it will. But its important to protect your organs as well while u do so... and its only a decision you and your doctor can make together...

but yes I DO think you CAN take those six months and get your A1C back to normal .... I truly do. Fear is a pretty damn good motivator in my opinion; its actually what brot me here to MFP originally, and sometimes its too easy to forget why I came here .. whatever you decide, know we will support your decision and help you any way we can.. the only unsolicited advice otherwise I have is learn as much as you can.. I wasted almost six months thinking "sugar" was the bad guy and reading labels for sugar, when in fact, its carbs that spike us (among other things but its the big culprit - simple carbs (white food lol) turn to sugar in our blood in a nutshell... and that sugar running around with nowhere to go since our pancreas wont take it, sends it off to our kidneys and eyes and anywhere else it can go... we need carbs of course, but complex carbs are the key and making sure you eat a protein or fat with all carbs (whether its cake or broccoli) helps slow down the release of the converted sugar as it has to get thru the protein or fat before it converts and releases ... so it help keep your blood sugar levels even all day and prevents the spiking which is what causes the damage.

That's really just an eyeball view as such; but its important to know what high blood sugar does to you when making your decision about the meds, and also in helping you reach your goal without it.... I promise I wont turn this into a diabetes discussion board any further LOL... and wont say anything else about it but if you want any help or info or resources let me know in a PM and i'll pass on the info... knowledge is power... and your best friend in fighting back ...

Hugs and let us know how you're doing with the emotional end of this as well k??

I had a bit of diarrhea the first two weeks if I recall....usually within 1/2 hr of taking the pill in the morning (weirdly the night one didn't bring it on) but certainly manageable and once my body got used to the meds, that disappeared. Some people apparently get weight loss on it too.. sadly I didn't get that side effect LOL. But have no side effects now.... I did see you post walking in Alaska I thought.. and commented but don't remember seeing a repy.. were you actually IN Alaska?? I am completely jealous - hope you had a fabulous time!!