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hello just diagnosed yesterday

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melxxj

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Type 2
hello everyone i was diagnosed yesterdy and have been put on medication today is anyone else on metformin and how do you find it

xx mel xx
 
Hi. Fellow T2 on metformin, 500mg twice a day, who's 15 months in. Well, my HbA1c has gone down. I don't actually have anything to say about the metformin. Haven't noticed any side effects.
 
melxxj said:
hello everyone i was diagnosed yesterdy and have been put on medication today is anyone else on metformin and how do you find it

xx mel xx
Click to expand...
Hi Mel, welcome to the forum 🙂 How did your diagnosis come about? Many people find that the metformin can cause tummy upsets for a couple of weeks as you get used to it, but then the side-effects should reduce. If you find you have real problems with it there is another slow-release version that some people get on better with 🙂

I would suggest having a read of Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter in order to get a better understanding of diabetes and how to deal with it. It would also be a good idea to get a copy of the excellent Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker, which many of our members have found really useful 🙂

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns and we will be very happy to help! 🙂
 
Hi and welcome to the forum :D

I am on metformin twice a day. I had no gastric problems until a week in Budapest and a meal that was mostly potatoes!

Seems that keeping the carbs low is the right way to go for me.
 
Hi Mel, I'm on 2000mg metformin once a day, I use the slow release, I have to eat then take them straight after my meal then sit still for 15 to 20 mins, if I get up and about I get stomach cramps. Anyway welcome and I hope you get on ok, lots to take in at first. Al
 
Hi and welcome to the forum. Im on metformin too, found at first I sometimes got bloated, so I just take a windeze tablet to help relieve it, but I very rarely get that now.
 
I was put on Metformin at first, when misdiagnosed as type 2. I didn't get any reaction at all ( I didn't even know it was a common problem) but I think this was because I was low carbing to try and quell my BGs.
 
thanks guys its very daunting isnt it just looking at life changes which i know what i should be doing but it seems a lot to take in

mel xx
 
Yes Mel - there is shed loads of info to take in! If you are looking at reducing your BG then do have a look at lowering your carbs. It can be very simple to start with - cut out any food that is white (unless it is cauliflower!)

That's bread/rice/pasta. Any food that has sugar and flour in it (cakes biscuits *sigh*).

Make sure you don't fall into the low fat trap - whole natural foods that contain fat are good for you. The fat will stop the body absorbing any 'sugars' as quickly.

Keep cheese (babybel) in the fridge for snacking on if you get the munchies between meals (eat enough natural occurring fats and you wont have any hunger).

Plenty of fresh meat and veggies and salads will help you to reduce your BG nicely. No gravy for your green beans? Slather them in butter for a real decadent treat 😉

Don't sweat it if it doesn't happen instantly - you body will have to go through a period of adjustment.

Are you testing? I found it invaluable to know what was going on with my BG. Diabetic nurse says not to test! Dr knows I test and approves wholeheartedly although she will not fund me a meter and strips *sigh*

SD Code free is the cheapest strips to fund yourself. Have a look at it on Amazon. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Codefree-Gl...-1&keywords=sd+codefree+blood+glucose+monitor

If you have any questions just ask away. :D
 
hi Lynn

thankyou so much for all the info im really struggling to get my head around it but im doing lots of research it is just finding out what i can and cant eat il get there no im not testing at the mo i thought about getting one but the nurse says sometimes it makes you obsessed so im not sure

mel x
 
Hi Mel,

Welcome to the forum, I'm just a little further down the road, and have been on Metformin for around two weeks. Started on two 500mg tablets and just moved up to three per day. I've not found it too bad, although my doctor warned me that the effects on the stomach would actually be quite severe. Some diarrhea and a little grumbling and bubbling, but nothing to be too worried about if I'm honest. I've found that thinking of it as a weightlifter's diet (chicken, fish and the occasional steak, plus veggies) provides a good basis for my diet, and I'm not too bored of it yet. Cutting crisps and chocolate has been my biggest challenge, but I ate far too much of both.

Best of luck, you'll be fine.
 
melxxj said:
hello everyone i was diagnosed yesterdy and have been put on medication today is anyone else on metformin and how do you find it

xx mel xx
Click to expand...
Hi Mel, it is incredibly daunting when you get your diagnosis, I am on my 3rd month of metformin, although I take the slow release, as I am pretty sensitive to most meds. After the initial week or so, hopefully any side effects will settle and you'll soon begin to see some positive results, if you start monitoring your blood glucose levels. Most type 2's rarely get offered a meter, but this is a ridiculous attitude of the medics.. how are we supposed to know if what we are eating is damaging our bodies, or not, as the case maybe. Keep reading as much as possible, find a local group, via diabetes.co.uk if there is one close to you. Talking to others with the same condition as you, will really give you the best education, there's a lot of trial and error to go through while you're testing which foods you can tolerate, don't beat yourself up about these though... It's a hell of a fast learning curve that you have to get your head around. We're all here for support... blast any questions and someone will soon answer, I am sure. ☺
 
Carol Robinson said:
Most type 2's rarely get offered a meter, but this is a ridiculous attitude of the medics.. how are we supposed to know...
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We're not supposed to know anything.
 
melxxj said:
the nurse says sometimes it makes you obsessed
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How can it be classed as an obsession! It is a tool to find what foods impact on you and what doesn't! If you dont test then how are you supposed to find out.😡

Personally I find testing keeps me on the straight and narrow - If I don't test then I don't know so if I am not going to see it in black and white it isn't happening which in turn opens just about every door imaginable!!!

I grant you I don't test as often as I did in the first 3 months - I know what is going to work and what won't so there is no real need to test constant.

It's your health and you are the one in control - if you want to test then you blooming well test!
 
Welcome Mel
I am no help on the meds as I am on insulin alone.
I hope that you find the forum helpful. I know that I do.
 
Lynn Davies said:
How can it be classed as an obsession! It is a tool to find what foods impact on you and what doesn't! If you dont test then how are you supposed to find out.😡

Personally I find testing keeps me on the straight and narrow - If I don't test then I don't know so if I am not going to see it in black and white it isn't happening which in turn opens just about every door imaginable!!!

I grant you I don't test as often as I did in the first 3 months - I know what is going to work and what won't so there is no real need to test constant.

It's your health and you are the one in control - if you want to test then you blooming well test!
Click to expand...


yes i thought the same Lynn so i am going to get one then i can keep a check on things that like you said will hopefully keep me on the straight and narrow
mel
 
Yes I think I'm going to adopt the same approach with my car. After all it would only worry me if the oil went too low or a flashing light came on. Better to leave it until the service (Hba1c) and let someone else take responsibility for the problem. Why do they think we'd want to monitor our own bodies anyway? Pfft! 🙄

I like this saying;

'Don't base your decisions on the advice of those who don't have to deal with the results.'
 
LOL - they use any excuse not to prescribe strips! - I'm afraid the REAL reason is, that they believe that they cost too much. They ARE expensive it's true but this country carries out many more amputations on 'uncontrolled' diabetics than almost anywhere else in the world. Amputations and any complications are FAR more expensive than supplying strips ........

Seriously - if you value your own health, and want to have a future that's equally healthy from a diabetes POV - buy your own. And LEARN from the results your meter provides and try HARD to avoid doing whatever causes them to be higher (or indeed lower!) than they should be, in future.
 
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