Metformin or insulin injections

Insulin is for serious diabetes concerns where the numbers are high enough to cause damage to your health. Metformin does not respond as much as insulin and my doctor said it doesn't do much. It did cause stomach problems for a while so now that my numbers are well controlled with diet, I only take one Metformin a day and if I forget to take it, I am still fine in the morning. I have never needed insulin except for one time in the hospital when the opioid for pain cause a spike in blood sugar. I hope we have convinced you that you may be in the "serious group" of diabetics and could have further damage to you health. We are here to support your desire to lick this problem and be in good control for many years. We care about your success. Dorisena

Dorisena Is correct, I started with metformin and have added other medications to it over the years but have still been able to stay off insulin. The metformin does very little to my blood sugar at this point, I could skip it for several days and wouldn’t notice a change.

However it is possible since you just started insulin, that you could make enough of a change in your lifestyle (food & exercise) that your doctor may be willing to try something less. If you stay where you’re at, the only change would be for increasing dosages of insulin. This is an option well worth trying.

The other issue is that continuing to have high blood sugar numbers for even part of a day and then adjusting it downward with insulin leaves the body subject to damage possibilities over the long term because the lower numbers are not achieved for the entire 24 hour period. This is difficult to explain but what I mean is that you are not getting healthier or having much lower risk for complications if the numbers are down part time. That is how the numbers can creep up over time regardless of the meds. This up and down cycle can't be good for the body over the years. What you don't eat can't hurt you. Dorisena

My son reported that his blood sugar was 259 this morning, so his diet and metformin program is not controlling his blood sugar well. After reading on the web, I urged him to see an endocrinologist to see if he might have been misdiagnosed and he needs insulin for type 1 diabetes. I have observed his cooking and eating over time, as he eats from our gardens and he cooked lunch with me for two months this spring due to the shutdown. He is not doing well and I am quite concerned. We thought the problem was caused by his prostate cancer treatment, but that is finished and he is cancer free. Dorisena

He needs to get to an endocrinologist but I would bet it’s the diet and exercise (or lack of it). He probably needs more than just metformin, as it loses it’s effectiveness over time.

You may ask what he’s eating for dinner, if/what he’s snacking on, how long before eating and bed. Other factors might be not enough water (ask what he’s drinking), other medication he may be taking, not enough sleep, and other things. Additionally, the volume of food is often overlooked, and plays a huge part in blood sugar control.

My son has done all these things for a several years now, and I notice that the instructions he gets from his doctor are not at all the same program I follow.
He sleeps with oxygen, as does his brother now. He eats too many calories but cooks very balanced meals and eats lots of vegetables. He drives home for lunch to cook so he doesn't go to restaurants or pack sandwiches to avoid much bread. Yesterday he was shaking while working in the shop and said he had eaten a good lunch. with his usual meat and veggies. He ate here all spring during the shutdown and I watched him cook, so I know he is doing pretty ell at that. His wife does not cook, and has lived this way for 30 years. I fear his pancreas is not working and he has type 1 diabetes. 259 is a serious fasting number. He knows all this. He is recently recovered from cancer treatment after surgery. He tested free from cancer and free from cancer in his colon.
I think if it more than just cutting down on calories. Yes, he is overweight and has a desk job. He is active at home with outside work and upkeep.
My daughter said he told her he was feeling fine. As a former paramedic, he knows he needs insulin shots at least temporarily. I didn't know that Metformin loses its effectiveness over time because I have been able to cut down from 2 pills at night to only one. I am hungry in the morning, so that means I am doing well. If I cut down calories any more I am awake in the night. I am able to avoid afternoon snacks, so that is fine with me. I lost my husband at 71 and I don't want to have a disabled son when he is only 63 and still working. Dorisena

If I eat a large meal for dinner, my fasting blood sugar level could go that high as well. His doctor would probably up his medication, but have him try eating 12 ounces only of food at dinner with a small snack at night for a few days and see if it improves. The amount of food can definitely send blood sugar that high.

It helps for me to eat a full lunch, with hot food and then try to be active in the afternoon and eat a lighter dinner. But that works well with or without diabetes.
I think my son eats two huge meals a day and that is overdoing it a little. He is overweight and has lost weight in the past but now has a desk job and a bad back so that limits his exercise. I also think it helps your health if you have a spouse who makes you happy to live with them. I didn't have that for 50 years, and it took a toll on my nerves, I'll admit. I am healing and learning about PTSD. I think I can beat it mentally. It would be fun to be an old lady who laughs every day and people come to visit to enjoy the good attitude. And the no sugar snacks. And the sunshine. And the blessings we have. Dorisena