Well the fun is over.

Just got back from my Doctor, pre-diabetic with sky-high blood pressure. I said "can I have the rich people medication where you lose 30 pounds without trying?" he laughed and said - we can't even get it. So metformin here I come. I hate getting older.

OP, what is the name of the "rich people medication'?

R1, Probably Mounjaro (Tirzepatide). It's a weekly injectable and is about $1200 a dose.

It’s Ozempic R1 where have you been? It’s all the rage lately and being discussed.

r3 yeah that one lol. I always confuse it with the nexium generic.

You could do like normal people and use will power to keep excessive amounts of food out of your mouth.

You're lucky OP I've had sky high BP and was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I'm still getting used to it and I was on Metformin but I switched to a slow release form of Metformin called Glumetza and I also take Gliclazide. Yes the fun is over, no more devouring big bags of Malteasers and having to drink diet soda instead of regular. I wish you the best OP I'm not sure how old you are ( I was 57 when diagnosed ), maybe it's easier if you are younger and can salvage something. I feel like there is nothing but illness and pain ahead for me especially as a single gay male. These things are so much easier if you are partnered with a loving helpful family. I'm pretty much on my own now and I'm beginning to realize that things will become even more difficult as time goes on. Do all that you can to avoid full on diabetes, my mother managed to reverse pre-diabetes in her late 60's.

Diet and exercise, OP. There’s no pill that’s better. You can try to make an end run around your disease with a pill, but diet and exercise are the best way.

OP Ditch the meds they only make your diabetes worse. In another five years you'll be injecting insulin. I was diagnosed same condition Type 2 diabetes with a A1C of 10.5 My Persian doctor is a long distance runner he said change your diet and exercise. He gave a me this picture and and said " You can eat everything in this picture" I taped to my fridge. A year later my A1C is 4.7. Fasting BS is 80-90 range. Worked for me.

Why isn’t anyone taking about extreme low carb for blood sugar and blood pressure control? It does work.

R9, I was going to suggest it, but people jump all over you for it.

My late mother became a Type 1 diabetic due to a pancreatic tumor. It runs in the family, anyway. My grandmother and great-grandmother also had it. Which is why I’m a keto convert. I BEGGED her to adopt it, but her doctor had her on a vegan low-fat diet.

OP, while you won’t lose a lot of weight on Metformin, it at least helps you from gaining unless you drink alcohol or pig out on the regular. Some diet clinics prescribed Metformin alongside Phentermine for this reason.

Metformin is not bad -- it will keep your skin young looking. Glipizide is shit. Do it for six months and, when your A1c does not go down, insist on Farxiga or Victoza. Then your A1c will drop and you will lose weight.

Wow okay assumptions are bad. I just turned 50, 5'11" 199 pounds. I eat pretty healthy and work out. My family has a history of heart disease and high BP. My dad took bp meds his whole like and was an avid runner. I don't drink, quit smoking 20 years ago and the hardest drug I do is a THC gummie at night. Doctor said cut down on breads, rice, pasta and potatoes.

My mother took that medication, OP. Her endocrinologist only prescribes it to 5 of his non-diabetic patient and she’s friends with a pharmacist who honours her prescription.

She lost a lot of weight.

OP, are you fat, or just old?

The body always betrays us in the end, but we betray it first by eating garbage and popping pills instead of exercising and keeping it tight.

OP get one of those 5 ingredient or 20-minute meals or one-pot meals cookbooks for Keto diets and start there. Losing weight means that thinking about and preparing food becomes a rather boring chore but it makes it easier to form good habits it’s quicker.

Luckily, a meal of, say, fish/tofu/good-quality meat and vegetables prepared with high quality fat and a serve of fruit is pretty nutrient dense.

I just came off my hbp meds, in the last year I lost 50 lbs thank God, I was very afraid of diabetes too. My triglycerides stay high though, I'm not worried about that.

R7- I agree. The NYT had an article about six weeks ago that said after you eat a high carbohydrate meal you only need to exercise for two to five minutes ( just walking) to lower your blood sugar significantly.

Yeah I can lose about 40 pounds..but I am hardly obese. My cousin collapsed dead at 23 with a 99% blocked coratid and she was tiny less than 100 pounds but she smoked, ate like shit and used. Lots of CV problems in my family. Just bad genes.

R8, your doctor showed you a picture of a cow? He told you to eat the cow or the grass?

Holy shit these meds work. MY BP is 127/78 now previously 175/100 and I feel much better.

[quote] It’s Ozempic [R1] where have you been? It’s all the rage lately and being discussed.

I was busy getting fat.

So I've seen the commercials and since I'm not diabetic (yet) I didn't really hone in on its efficacy as a weight loss drug. I will talk to my doctor.

[quote] You could do like normal people and use will power to keep excessive amounts of food out of your mouth.

I have found that method woefully ineffective.

I just got approved for Ozempic. Hoping it helps.

I say just do a 30 day water fast. Every ailment you have will be alleviated.

Go to the gym 5 times a week, stop Eating bad stuff, and stop drinking. It works

Blood pressure medications are not evil. Insulin is not evil. We get it that diet and exercise help maintain health, but sometimes despite our best efforts we wind up with chronic conditions that need to be treated with meds. I think it’s uncivilized to nag people incessantly about how they should eat a certain diet, when instead they should be encouraged to go to the doctor and work from their on diet and exercise.

Yes, take meds if necessary, but also change lifestyle. Bigtime change

[quote] I have found that method woefully ineffective.

If you don’t care enough to use your own will power to stop yourself from gorging on food, is your life really worth saving? Why bother?

[quote] If you don’t care enough to use your own will power to stop yourself from gorging on food, is your life really worth saving? Why bother?

This is a very means spirited comment. You don't have to "gorge" to have hypertension or diabetes, everyone's physiology is different.

Family member in mid 50s went from pre-diabetic with gout & bad cardiac everything to stellar labs by going mostly vegan. The change was pretty rapid. Also walks a few miles a day & does 20 min yoga. Lost around 15 lbs.

One side effect of this "miracle drug" is explosive diarrhea. Seriously. And it hits weeks or months later. No warning.

I was also diagnosed as "pre diabetic" with high BP. I now take two BP meds and I am dealing with my sugar by eating healthier and getting more exercise. Stop looking for miracle pills and do the work.

R13 is right. For years I had borderline A1C results ( high 5s, low 6’s indicative of pre-diabetes) and got by with Metformin and diet. Once it got close to “diabetes” my cardiologist put me on Farxiga. The A1C result last week was 4.8. Farxiga is a heart med that lowers both BP and blood sugar.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t do as much to lower urine glucose, so I still have to limit sugar and excessive carbs and keep going to the gym. Both my parents were, like me, type 2 diabetics and my treatment regime is a lot easier than their’s was: no finger strips, no needles, no insulin, etc.

If you hate getting older, metformin is a good drug to take

Come on guys, why are you all looking for a miracle drug to eliminate high glucose levels without putting any work in? The remedy is actually elementary. Change your diet. Cut out all sugars, breads, pastas, sweets, sodas and processed foods. I recommend a Healthy Keto diet. Moderate protein, moderate fats, high fiber, low carbs and low sugars. I was also prediabetic and instead of taking my doctors' prescribed drugs, I instead changed my diet, lost 55 pounds over the course of a year and have kept it off. My sugar level and blood pressure aand lipids are all super healthy now.

R-37 here, by the way I am over 60. If I can do it, so can you.

[quote][R8], your doctor showed you a picture of a cow? He told you to eat the cow or the grass?

Yeah, I’m with r21. Your doctor told you that you could eat cow, grass, mountains, trees, and air? Did the doctor elaborate, or was that the extent of their medical advice?

Be glad it's all you're fighting OP.

Cut carbs, get Alphabetic multi vitamins and watch your diet. Fight it NOW.

Fat AND old.

Buckle up, OP. Life's about to turn to shit.

[quote] Come on guys, why are you all looking for a miracle drug to eliminate high glucose levels without putting any work in? The remedy is actually elementary. Change your diet. Cut out all sugars, breads, pastas, sweets, sodas and processed foods. I recommend a Healthy Keto diet. Moderate protein, moderate fats, high fiber, low carbs and low sugars. I was also prediabetic and instead of taking my doctors' prescribed drugs, I instead changed my diet, lost 55 pounds over the course of a year and have kept it off. My sugar level and blood pressure aand lipids are all super healthy now.

Just not realistic. There is too much joy to be derived from food and drink, and the camaraderie that accompanies it. I can make moderate adjustments -- which won't really help -- but I cannot completely overhaul my diet and maintain any quality of life.

If Ozempic keeps me alive and less infirmed for longer then I'm taking it...as soon as it's back in stock.

R42 Sure you can.

There are a few things you could do without it sounding like someone asked you to sacrifice a spare fucking kidney or something.

No late night eating

Don't eat a big ass carb meal after 6 or 7 pm. Give your body time to process those carbs. Sure, have a small plate of pasta or a slice of pizza. Just not the entire box.

Who knew fatty meats and dairy cause heart problems?

And ditch the diet soda, because anything with aspartame is shit that just makes you want to eat more.

[quote] Don't eat a big ass carb meal after 6 or 7 pm.

What about eating a big ass, no carbs?

R47 It's only going to make you hungry again an hour later.

isn't everyone pre-diabetic anymore?

LOok. It's not that difficult. How often are you mindful while eating? How often do you eat things out of habit or custom, and you aren't even enjoying them? I have learned to love brown rice and lentils. I never eat white bread. Processed meats have no taste, IMO. And you can buy bacon without nitrites or nitrates. As for eating, be sensible. Look at what you're shoving in your mouth. Read labels. Most cereals have too much sugar. And most processed foods too much sodium. Fresh vegetables, and chicken or fish , nuts like Pecans, Almonds and Walnuts, or a Granny Smith apple with peanut butter on it (natural peanut butter) is delicious. Use olive oil when cooking, And turn your back on french fries. The other night I had a cauliflower crusted pizza which I added fresh mushrooms, extra cheese and cherry tomatoes to the ground beef, and pepperoni. Added some garlic powder, and crushed red pepper, drizzled some olive oil over it, and it was absolutely delicious. Fresh spinach sauteed with olive oil and garlic, add some cherry tomatoes and cannellini beans and you have an entree' that is heavenly.

A while ago I went to the Dr and my PA said I had high normal BP. I had a TTE and it showed a thickening if my Left Ventricular Wall. I asked what caused the thickening and he said high blood pressure. So high normy is not normal? I asked him to put me on a "baby" dose of meds. My systolic dropped 30 points into the New Normal numbers and on a subsequent TTE, the LV wall thickening disappeared. By the time doctors put people on BP meds, their heart is already damaged. I am going to get a CAC next to get a baseline on artery plaque.

[quote]I am going to get a CAC next

CAC? Is that the new 'cock'?

Daily fail located a Dr who asserts mice given the drug developed small intestinal blockage.

[quote]where you lose 30 pounds

OP, we think you had a typo.

What numeral did you mean to enter after "30"?

A "9," perhaps?

Make sure you get the slow release Metformin. Otherwise you’ll never get off the toilet.

What was the fun you had that stopped?

Bakeries and pastry shops within a 10-mile radius of the OP's house are worried about losing their businesses, after this thread.

On the other hand, PEPSICO shares are up and production of Diet Pepsi has added a shift.

I was just put on Metformin. I haven't had any problems with diarrhea or any problems with it at all. It is supposed to help reverse some aging. Apparently I have high blood sugar. I only eat a couple of meals a day. mostly a peanut butter sandwich for lunch and some baked chicken for dinner. I never snack but I don't get much exercise due to severe neck and back pain.

Look at the bottle, R58. Does it say Metformin SR (Sustained release)? Same stuff, just enters your bloodstream over a longer period of time.

If it doesn't and you're like most people, you'll be shitting a lot.

No, It says Metformin HLC 500MG. I have been on it for a month and so far no side effects whatsoever.

^^^I take it with dinner It says to take with food.

Metformin sent me into hypoglycemia and the emergency room. I had borderline high A1c and doc said it could help me lose about 30 lbs.

Nope. Couldn't tolerate the lowest dose.

I don't even WANT to lose 30 lbs. it would put me at 180 and I told my cardiologist I was happy at my weight. I like the way I look at my weight. When I was 180 and 6 feet tall in college I felt scrawny and twinkish. I've embraced my bear hood and I don't want to be 180. I'm already on the lowest possible dose blood pressure, and statin they can prescribe but I have dilated cardiomyopathy (that's genetic) and she just wants me at 180 for absolute minimal risk of a cardiac event.

Metformin will definitely give you the shits trust me.

R60 Look again and see if the initials are HCI. They stand for hydrochloride. The generic name for the medicine is Metformin [bold]H[/bold]ydro[bold]C[/bold]lor[bold]I[/bold]de. The original trade name for Metformin is Glucophage and it comes in more than half a dozen variations, both generic and brand name.

About 25% of patients who take the HCI version are reported to get diarrhea. You're doing the right thing by taking it with food. If things change and you find yourself on the john a lot, ask the doc if he can give you the SR version. It's actually cheaper (less than $5/month for 60 500 mg tabs) than the non-SR versions, another reason most docs prefer it.

Metformin ER (SR, XR-all the sustained release versions) of Metformin are Metformin HCL. It's a salt. I don't think you can find another rx Metformin salt (although there are other salts that have been studied for cancers. I don't know if any of them are approved.).

r37, there is no such thing as a "healthy" keto diet. It's been rated the worst diet in America time and time again. It's horrible for you.

I'm sorry to hear that you received some unwelcome news from your doctor. It's understandable to feel frustrated and disappointed, especially when facing health challenges that require lifestyle changes.

However, it's important to remember that there are many things you can do to manage your pre-diabetes and high blood pressure. Metformin is a commonly prescribed medication that can be effective in controlling blood sugar levels, but it's also important to work on making healthy lifestyle changes, such as incorporating regular exercise, adopting a balanced diet, and reducing stress.

Remember, getting older can bring its own set of challenges, but it's never too late to make positive changes and improve your health. You can do this!

Can you even get Metformin extended release of any kind in the US anymore? I'm honestly asking, Google isn't being too helpful here. I know the FDA recalled it in 2020 and 2022 but I'm not sure if it's officially banned.

r67 is the AI robot again. Somebody is having fun tonight.

[quote]The remedy is actually elementary. Change your diet. Cut out all sugars, breads, pastas, sweets, sodas and processed foods.

About three years ago I stopped drinking my 8 oz of juice in the morning, stopped having Gatorade occasionally for hydration, and stopped drinking diet soda. At that time I'd also cut out white breads, most processed foods, and slashed my dessert/sweets intake (no snacks anymore but I do still have some chocolate after dinner). Increased proteins and vegetables. I lost 30 lbs.

Then it all came back plus an additional 20 lbs when I had COVID and I haven't made ANY changes to my diet. I can look at my calorie counter from 2019 and compare to 2023 and there's just no difference there. It's not like I started eating candy bars and Big Macs again and just wasn't thinking about it.

My doctor couldn't understand how I gained weight during COVID. He upped my dosage of Metformin just in case, but it didn't do anything. I started adding another round of exercise per day (which isn't much, an old injury keeps me from exercising more than maybe 10 minutes straight before I have to stop, but all told I do 45 minutes total per day of stretch, weights, and light cardio) and I gained three pounds.

Got prescribed Ozempic last week and I'm going to do it, not because it's an "easy fix" but because something is fucking wrong with me.

OP I think the name for the rich people medication is Cocaine.

Are the diabetes/weight loss drugs really that hard to get? I thought everyone was getting Ozempic a.nd the other one

[quote] Yes the fun is over, no more devouring big bags of Malteasers and having to drink diet soda instead of regular. I wish you the best OP I'm not sure how old you are ( I was 57 when diagnosed ),

No wonder you were diagnosed with diabetes if you were still eating like that at 57.

My female friend who’s maybe 20 lbs. overweight got prescribed Jardiance. I think it was Jardiance. She stopped taking it because she was thirsty all the time, plus I think her heart was beating fast.

IMO, her diet is crappy and that’s the problem.

[quote]Can you even get Metformin extended release of any kind in the US anymore?

Yes. The metformin that put me in the ER (r62) was metformin XR (they're extended release ER or XR, sustained release SR but they're all the same) was just a few weeks ago and I still have the bottle.

Thanks r75, and sorry about the problems you had. When I started on Metformin I was VERY worried about lactic acidosis because it is no joke. Hopefully you're better now.

Thanks r76. I was only on it for 4 days. After two days, I had to piss like every 20 minutes. I messaged my doctor on a Friday night and said "hey you probably won't see this until Monday, but here's what's going on". He messaged me Saturday and said that it sounded like I had too HIGH blood glucose and urged me to go to the ER at his hospital. Was kinda shocked that it was actually hypoglycemia (too low blood sugar).

ER docs said stop taking it and follow up with your primary care. I saw him the next week and I'm off it and we're not trying an alternative.

I was in a foul mood for about 2 more days (but the constant having to piss stopped almost immediately).

^oh! And I was eating donuts for two days trying to raise my blood glucose!!

Medicinal donuts.

I lost 50 lbs over the last two years, I came off my BPM and feel much better. Type II is due to obesity, lose the weight fatties.

A friend and I are currently losing weight. I'm eating healthy and exercising like crazy. She's on Ozempic and isn't exercising at all. We're losing at about the same rate. The difference is, my body is so much healthier than hers. She doesn't like exercising and gets take out almost every night. She was prediabetic. I was not. I had breast cancer and was told losing weight would reduce my chances of it coming back. Plus, I had a partial mastectomy and one lymph node removed and was told I had to move my arms after so that I would regain full use of that arm. I started a drumming game in VR (Smash Drums) where I burn almost 500 calories every time and I ride a bike when the weather allows. One year after my surgery and my arm is full use.

I worry about my friend as we are the same age. I was tempted to go on Ozempic but have not because to me it's not sustainable. Sure you'll lose the weight but if you go off it, there's a danger of it coming back unless you adopt some really great habits. I'm down 62 lbs in a year and I feel better than I ever have, despite having gone through cancer treatment. I didn't need chemo THANK GOD.

What was the fun that ended, op?

This sounds like a job for ME!!!

I have a stellar track record when it comes to whipping fat, lazy porkers into shape!

Too bad I'm dead.

Here's a helpful hint from the Great Beyond, though

Ex-Lax! Works WONDERS.

I'm shocked that there are grown men and women who still drink soda daily. Soda is for kids. You're drinking sugar and it doesn't even help with your thirst. I'm always weirded out when I go out with friends in their 50's who order Coke or Sprite. It's just so bad for you and diet sodas taste like shit so what is the point? Unsweetened iced tea or water are my go to drinks.

r70, as we all age, our metabolisms slow down. Male or female this happens. You have to eat less, move more as we age. I had to go from 3 days a week working out to 5-7 in order to see any weight loss. I don't mind because my body is getting creakier and older and I want to have a stronger body as I move into my old age. I stretch every night before bed which helps.

R84 Just to clarify your statement, it's actually rarely the metabolism that slows down when we age, it is almost always the body's diminishing ability to absorb and digest the nutrition from the foods we eat. That is why avoiding processed foods and eating healthier is as important as remaining physically active.

Oh. Oh. Oh . Ozempic!! (sung to the the tune of "Magic" by Pilot)

[quote]Just to clarify your statement, it's actually rarely the metabolism that slows down when we age, it is almost always the body's diminishing ability to absorb and digest the nutrition from the foods we eat.

You just described in layman's terms what metabolism is.

Actually, that is the description by biophysicist Andrew Huberman on metabolism and aging.

Andrew Huberman is a hot daddy

I'm in my late 60's and having absorption issues. Doctor said I have to take vitamins and get B12 shots. Also "Pre diabetic."

OP. Got to Costco and get a big jar of their mixed nuts unsalted. It's cashews, pistachios, almonds, pecans and something else. Anyway, they are great for a snack, and they will not fuck up your blood sugar levels.

R90 You are right. Unsalted if possible or at the very least the ones with less salt. The best nuts that are more easily absorbed by the body with the least digestion issues are hazelnuts, pistachios, pecans, macadamias, brazil nuts.

Ozempic is available.

I use it and I don’t have diabetes. It’s called semaglutide and you can get it from doctors who run weight loss clinics. Costs $200-300 a month. It’s made in a compounding pharmacy so it doesn’t interfere with the sales of Ozempic to diabetics.

And OP - it was hard for me to lose 30 lbs. I’ve been on it since January and just today hit the 35 lb mark. My goal is 40 lbs. Maybe if you weigh 300 lbs it’s easy to lose 30 lbs, but for me, it wasn’t. It has uncomfortable side effects.

My regular dr prescribes it for me because she runs a weight loss clinic on the side.

Take once daily Jardiance at each day’s start

What kind of fucking quack doctor do you go to? Mounjaro, Ozempic can be gotten unless he is starting off with Metformin. If your a1c does not go down it will help to get the Mounjaro or Ozempic from insurance and covered.

At 63 my A1C was 6.2. My doctor explained that I was pre diabetic but just under the level for diabetic. He also explained that these labels are adopted measures but that once the A1C gets above 5.7, damage to the body and organs begins. He prescribed 500mg of metformin twice a day, along with a low carb eating plan and exercise. I never had any gastro problems or serious side effects. The only side effect has been my nails getting brittle, skin and hair dryer. My doctor prescribed B12 supplements since metformin affects the ability to absorb B12 efficiently after about 4 years. Also selenium and DHEA, since I have a sluggish thyroid and take synthroid.

When I follow a healthy eating plan, getting most of my carbs from vegetables, beans, and fruit and walk 30 minutes most days, my A1C is 5.6 or 5.7. If I go off that plan too often, it may get as high as 5.8. When I really get religious about it, 5.4.

You don't have to go full keto or carnivore, just avoid bread, rice, potatoes, sweets, processed foods and don't go overboard on fruit.

r98 exactly the same circumstances except I had sky-high BP and I already was Keto. Even with Metformin my A1C was 6.9. My doctor put me on Ozempic since metformin alone was not budging it. Holy fuck did it change my life. Been a fat kid my whole life. Even with keto and working out, I carried about 30 pounds extra. I tried extreme cardio, heavy weight lifting, lighter weights higher reps, nothing. I was starving myself at one point down to 1200 calories a day, shitting water and enduring endless stomach cramps, and still could not ditch the weight or put it right back on if I ate anywhere near a normal diet, even keto. Enter Ozempic. Long story short, it fixed my insulin resistance. Sugar no longer languished in my bloodstream. I was processing carbs! A month into it I had lost 29 pounds. Two months into it I was eating regular food, off Keto because I was losing too much weight and risking Ketoacidosis. It is weird. Things I avoided most of my adult life I now enjoy. Ice cream, pizza with a crust! I used to check my blood sugar daily but now I don't have to. My last A1C was 4.9 and that was me eating like a regular American. That 30 pounds is gone. I no longer spend 100s on protein and supplements. This is what it feels like to be normal!