Metformin makes you more sensitive to the insulin you are taking

Don't get discouraged! Remember, you are not taking a fast-acting insulin yet for the food you are consuming. The fact that Dr. New told you to test only twice a day makes me feel uncomfortable. But since it's only until next week, I guess it's OK. Forget about testing with both your meters since you say the numbers are comparable. Use the one that your insurance covers the strips and keep the second one in reserve. Metformin makes you more sensitive to the insulin you are taking. 1000mg of metformin is still below the *minimun effective* dose of 1,500mg. Dr. is bringing the dose up slowly to save you from intestinal distress. I have read that 2,500 is the maximum dose so there is a long way to go.

Your added weight can be from edema (water retention). Lantus can cause some edema. You could ask about switching to Levemir if the weight gain continues. Are you exercising? Even a slow hour walk each day can make a difference. If you work in an elevator building, walk the stairs. BTW, I avoid cottage cheese which usually contains 4mg carbs per serving. I sure hope that Dr. New is redoing all your tests. Two weeks will be up in a flash. Hold tight, see what happens, and let us know how you're doing.

I'm not doing much exercising at all right now. Psoratic Arthritis in my hips and knees is acting up, so I'm spending too much time sitting here in my chair. I also work here at home, on the computer, so no stairs. We've got the pool heated up now and we'll be getting in for the first time tonight. I can swim without ending up in pain like the walking does to me.

This new doctor says he'll probably crank me up to 2500 mg of Metformin but I won't be hitting that high dose until the end of a month of working up to it. He wants new tests for me but we may wait 2 months for that. He likes the lab I used for the last tests so he got a copy of my results and my A1c is really 7.9. He says that isn't a number to panic over but it does need to come down. BUT he doesn't want to see me get down to the number 5. He wants me at 6.?. It's his opinion that getting your numbers (including daily BG numbers) down TOO low puts a person at risk for Hypo and that's just as dangerous as going too high. He says a diabetic has to work hard to keep themselves within a relatively narrow range to avoid highs and lows. Our bodies can't self-regulate very well to quickly correct those highs and lows.