I totally realize that everyone is making the best decisions for themselves. As Graham mentioned, insulin is what worked best for me. the only side effects I have with insulin are some burning at the injection site depending on where I give myself a shot and bruising. I bruise easily.
Good Luck! I hope that you find what might work better for you :)

If you can't take metformin then a long acting (basil) insulin is the only other treatment that will have the same (essential) effect to deal with fasting sugars

All the other meds available are for mealtime sugars

Janyce switched to insulin and she often says it was the right change for her

Back in 2020 I advocated to get off of Metformin as it was wreaking havoc on my liver. I had joint pains then and low energy levels, Once the damage is done it is not easy to come back from. Lucky for me since getting off of Metformin I no longer have non-alcoholic Cirrhosis of the liver. My fasting blood sugars have also improved since getting off of metformin.

metformin is good for the longevity search about it and you find out,just play with the mg on the one you take it https://youtu.be/_ZSXgjgLfUw,i take metformin and a suplement call NAC,for other simptoms caused by the diabetes.

I take Mounjaro, and the benefits are great, controlling blood sugars well, and weight loss. But, although, I can't find too much online about muscle weakness and such, I feel my balance problems and weakness stem from the drug since I have never experienced this before taking it.