I have started taking a cinnamon capsule with my metformin in the morning and evening. I was just switched to only metformin and my readings are lower by about 20 points. Just wondering if anyone else has supplemented with cinnamon and seen good results. I read up on cinnamon in the internet and it sounds promising.
I was switched to metformin only because what I was on Prandin was dropping my levels down quickly and then they would go back up. Before on Metformin alone my levels would not come down enough at all.
Dr. said that if the metformin doesn't do it for me, he may need to add Lantis injections and I do not want to go there. I gained over 75 lbs when I was on insulin 5 years ago, of course that was when my eating habit were also way out of control.
I love cinnamon (as a seasoning) and I definitely think it can be beneficial for diabetes control. Must admit, I didn't even know it was available in capsules.
I would imagine, though, that most of the change in BGL is due to what is probably a slightly higher dose of Metformin (???). As an insulin user (along with Glyburide, Metformin, and Actos), I can definitely relate to your reluctance to start on Lantus. Have you and your doctor discussed maybe adding Actos to the Metformin? It has a pretty good reputation.
Have tried Actos. I'm trying to lose weight and have experienced weight gain, edema and shortness of breath on the Actos. I dont want to go there. I really want to just stay on metformin. Dr. is going to up my dose of that in 3 weeks. He will wait 2 months before deciding on adding Lantus, I'm worried about weight gain on Lantus too <sigh>.
What I have read about cinnamon is that your best BG levels are achieved after being on it for at least 30-40 days. But even after just 3 days, my fastings are a whole lot better. I'm very optimistic.
Any thoughts on Byetta, Rosemary? . . . It's not available in Canada so I have no first-hand knowledge, but a couple of our regular posters have had fair success with it.
Lisa . . . keep us posted on your experiences with the Chromium . . . I've read some good reports on it and then others that say it doesn't do much. At least not for full-fledged Diabetes -- maybe it's more powerful for reversing Insulin Resistance.
I actually took Byetta for a couple of months about a year ago. It was in combination with Prandin and it didn't lower my blood sugars any more than just the prandin alone. I believe Byetta works best when there is a signicant boost of carbs/sugars in your system. It may work differently with metformin and I may suggest trying again before resorting to the Lantus.
I to am taking cinamon capsules, have been for about a month. I have T2 but I'm not on any meds at present(and certainly don't want to be)! My fasting levels have slowly and steadily come down over the past month. Course, I have lost 25 lbs as well since June but man, I feel so much better! If only we could have some cooler weather now (was 105 degrees here in West TN today) so I could be outside a little more active and just more comfortable overall! Rhonda
Rosemary, I take Byetta and it has helped my bg levels tremendously. I take it in combination with Metformin. I shoot it twice a day, and I have not noticed that a significant boost of carbs or sugar is needed for it to work. Perhaps I am not understanding what you mean by that.
I am also just starting to use cinnamon to see if it will help keep my bg more stable. So far, I have only been taking it a few days, so I haven't seen any difference yet.
Cinnamon question
At least not for full-fledged Diabetes -- maybe it's more powerful for reversing Insulin Resistance.
