Sudden changes

[Lurius]

Well im new to the forum, this is actualy my first post. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes late summer last year, im 17 about to turn 18 soon. I started by monitering my diet and still I needed medication, so my doctor prescribed me with Glucophage XR 500mg, 2 pills a day taken at same time. They worked great, I never had a problem, then last month my glucophage was substituted with Metformin ER 500mg, same dosages, I noticed changes after about a week, my sugar was higher then it was on average with Glucophage, so I mentioned it to my mom, we kept monitering it, after about a month of being on it my blood sugar level was getting pretty high.. 2 hours after a normal sized meal(only 60-70 carbs) my bloodsugar was about 250-350, so we got the glucophage back finally, its been three days now and my blood sugar is still staying pretty high.

What im wondering, is it common for this to happen? is it because of medication switching(ive heard that metformin is **** compared to glucophage)?.. Or maybe is my situation getting worse and my body isnt able to produce insulin as well as it was when I was first diagnosed?

Thanks for the help, it is much appreciated,
Michael

[JDRF-Team-wak]

I am not a physician, but a mom of a child with type one diabetes.  I would suggest that you contact your doctor and your pharmacist in order to find out the difference between the 2 different medications.  I would also discuss your concerns about the high blood sugars with your doctor to see what can be done to lower your blood sugars.

[JDRF-Team-LRS]

Lurius,
I know that you said you've been diagnosed with Type 2 and yet I wonder.  Have you been diagnosed by an "endocrinologist" or a diabetologist?  These folks specialize in treating our disease.

Many type 1s begin our journey with a "honeymoon" where our bodies still produce some insulin, but the pancreas is sort of sputtering & spitting instead of humming smoothly along.  

It is good to get an accurate diagnosis.  If you are in the honeymoon phase, you will gradually need insulin.  About 35 years ago, I was diagnosed as a teen.  I was treated with oral meds for about a year.  I'm not certain that 35 years later, an endocrinologist would suggest that course of action.  I'm not a physician, but I remember reading that low doses of insulin can actually work well to ease the strain on a stressed pancreas.

If you are considerably overweight, then it is likely that you have some insulin resistance and that might well be Type 2.  I'd just like to encourage you to see a specialist if it's at all possible for you to do so.

[Lurius]

Im about 170 lbs now, i used to weigh about 215 when I was diagnosed. Im about 5'10" so my weight now matches by height. Ill try and see a specialist soon, thanks for the advice and warnings.

Lurius