7 months in and struggling

[LaurenNicole]

Hi all.
So I'm seven months in. I was diagnosed with Type 2 in October 2021 with a blood test result of 62 and put on 1000mg of Metformin. Had my very delayed first review last week and... My blood sugars are only down to 60.

I just despair to be honest. I just don't understand why it's still so high. After being low key unwell with the metformin all that time too. Anyway I was put in an extra 500mg metformin and, as you can guess from what I've said previously, it hasn't gone well. I was so ill last night I could not move without wanting to be sick and my stomach spasming.

I'm going to ask for slow release on Monday and I'm going to attempt to do more walking, but I just don't know what else to do. Disclaimer - please don't mention I go on a diet or cut carbs/ attempt restricted eating of any sort. I used to have an eating disorder and this is far too dangerous for my mental health.

I do know there's probs not a good answer for me, I'm just venting, looking for solidarity. Honestly I'm so afraid of what could happen to me, my body and my mind and as I have depression anyway I've started having some unpleasant desperate thoughts because I know there's no real way out of this.

Just how do you cope with this?

 

[Melanie64]

Hi all.
So I'm seven months in. I was diagnosed with Type 2 in October 2021 with a blood test result of 62 and put on 1000mg of Metformin. Had my very delayed first review last week and... My blood sugars are only down to 60.

I just despair to be honest. I just don't understand why it's still so high. After being low key unwell with the metformin all that time too. Anyway I was put in an extra 500mg metformin and, as you can guess from what I've said previously, it hasn't gone well. I was so ill last night I could not move without wanting to be sick and my stomach spasming.

I'm going to ask for slow release on Monday and I'm going to attempt to do more walking, but I just don't know what else to do. Disclaimer - please don't mention I go on a diet or cut carbs/ attempt restricted eating of any sort. I used to have an eating disorder and this is far too dangerous for my mental health.

I do know there's probs not a good answer for me, I'm just venting, looking for solidarity. Honestly I'm so afraid of what could happen to me, my body and my mind and as I have depression anyway I've started having some unpleasant desperate thoughts because I know there's no real way out of this.

Just how do you cope with this?

Hi I have had pre diabetic blood sugar for a few months I have found calling the diabetic nurse at my drs useful. I have now lost over a stone doing low car diet and now don’t need a blood check for a year. Hope you find some help xx

 

[IrvineHimself]

I used to have an eating disorder and this is far too dangerous for my mental health.

Sorry about your eating problems, is more intense exercise an alternative? If so take it slowly and gradually build up to the point where you can really burn off a few more carbs.

After being low key unwell with the metformin all that time too. Anyway I was put in an extra 500mg metformin and, as you can guess from what I've said previously, it hasn't gone well. I was so ill last night I could not move without wanting to be sick and my stomach spasming.

Metformin is the standard treatment, but, for some people, it can be tough on the old tummy. There are potential alternatives here, and this is a research proposal. Maybe you should ask your Doc about them? Anyway, it is always good to have a little rant at life's injustices. So let it out girl, we have all been there and we all understand.

I do know there's probs not a good answer for me, I'm just venting, looking for solidarity. Honestly I'm so afraid of what could happen to me, my body and my mind and as I have depression anyway I've started having some unpleasant desperate thoughts because I know there's no real way out of this.

You have my solidarity, and, with my own problems (mainly bureaucratic, but diet is also a factor), I truly sympathise.

Just how do you cope with this?

Everybody handles it differently, for me, being on this site helps: I get a lot of useful ideas to look into, and I find that focusing on other peoples problems stops me from fretting about my own situation.

Just remember, don't let things get you down. For the first month or so of my travelling career, I would regularly wake up with rucksack, kit, clothes and everything else seriously soaked. This not only makes one cold wet and miserable, it adds about 10 to 15 kg to the weight of the rucksack. Seriously depressing stuff: The worst combination of being both life threatening and a real motivation killer. But, just around the corner there is always that little ray of sunshine, or, even better, a laundrette.😎

 

[Docb]

Hi @LaurenNicole. I have sent you a PM.

 

[gll]

Hey @LaurenNicole

In addition to the links already sent, this one will show you the guidelines and med flowcharts for T2 : https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/nice-sign-flowchart-for-t2-medication.99813/

There's plenty of alternatives than metformin so don't panic if slow release doesn't work well either. Side effects happen and the GPs won't force you to stay on something that is making you feel so ill but they would reasonably want you to give it a go and allow it time to settle if the symptoms are mild.

If you are still struggling today to the same level as yesterday, maybe give 111 a wee call and ask for some advice but defo call GPs tomorrow.

 

[LaurenNicole]

Hey @LaurenNicole

In addition to the links already sent, this one will show you the guidelines and med flowcharts for T2 : https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/nice-sign-flowchart-for-t2-medication.99813/

There's plenty of alternatives than metformin so don't panic if slow release doesn't work well either. Side effects happen and the GPs won't force you to stay on something that is making you feel so ill but they would reasonably want you to give it a go and allow it time to settle if the symptoms are mild.

If you are still struggling today to the same level as yesterday, maybe give 111 a wee call and ask for some advice but defo call GPs tomorrow.

Thank you I'm a bad one and am only taking two again. I'm far too afraid to experience what I did in the week re being really unwell. Good to know there are alternatives to metformin in case this is a running issue. The annoying thing is that I was fine on 2 a day, a little mildly nauseous sometimes but fine. And I was even fine the first two days I took 3! But after that the pain and nausea has been unbearable. I'm going to ask for slow release tomorrow morning.

 

[LaurenNicole]

Hi I have had pre diabetic blood sugar for a few months I have found calling the diabetic nurse at my drs useful. I have now lost over a stone doing low car diet and now don’t need a blood check for a year. Hope you find some help xx

I'm so glad this has worked for you, however in my situation a low carb diet would be dangerous to my mental health as I mentioned above. I hope I can find an alternative to that.

 

[LaurenNicole]

Hello!

Thank you for your reply I'm loving the emphatic but positive attitude you put across. Yes more intense exercise is an option but I don't enjoy a lot of it I'm trying to walk more and perhaps swim. Doing something I don't enjoy is not really what I want as I want it to be sustainable.

I will definitely ask for alternatives to Metformin if the extended release version doesn't work out for me, but I think it's worth a try.

Yesterday was one of those days like what you mentioned about your kit being rained on! I'd been to a 30th birthday party, felt guilt for eating a slice of cake, heard the eating disorder thoughts come back into my head and also felt sad I couldn't join in drinking because the Metformin was making me feel sick. I felt old before my time and just wished for the good old days before diabetes back. It felt like such an injustice. I know it could be worse, but for me it was something I just needed to rant and rage about.

Most of the time I try to focus on other things; doing up my house, my career, enjoying time with family and friends. But diabetes is always that spectre in the corner of my mind asking 'should you eat that?' a question I promised myself I'd never ask again.

Sorry about your eating problems, is more intense exercise an alternative? If so take it slowly and gradually build up to the point where you can really burn off a few more carbs.


Metformin is the standard treatment, but, for some people, it can be tough on the old tummy. There are potential alternatives here, and this is a research proposal. Maybe you should ask your Doc about them? Anyway, it is always good to have a little rant at life's injustices. So let it out girl, we have all been there and we all understand.


You have my solidarity, and, with my own problems (mainly bureaucratic, but diet is also a factor), I truly sympathise.


Everybody handles it differently, for me, being on this site helps: I get a lot of useful ideas to look into, and I find that focusing on other peoples problems stops me from fretting about my own situation.

Just remember, don't let things get you down. For the first month or so of my travelling career, I would regularly wake up with rucksack, kit, clothes and everything else seriously soaked. This not only makes one cold wet and miserable, it adds about 10 to 15 kg to the weight of the rucksack. Seriously depressing stuff: The worst combination of being both life threatening and a real motivation killer. But, just around the corner there is always that little ray of sunshine, or, even better, a laundrette.😎

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @LaurenNicole

Sorry to hear you are having a tough time with Metformin, and thank you for being brave and open enough to share your experience with recovery from disordered eating. That must have taken a lot of courage and effort to work through.

Hope you can find a combination of medication and activity/menu that helps support improvement to your blood glucose levels without negatively impacting your mental health.

Just know even if we don’t have any practical suggestions to offer, that we want you to be well, and are all rooting for you.

Diabetes is a relatively slow-moving foe, so while your obvious keenness to reduce your HbA1c are understandable, don’t put too much pressure on yourself with the feeling that this has to be ‘fixed’ immediately. You have time to explore your diabetes more gradually and find your way through it step by step. And we’ll be right alongside every step of the way 🙂

 

[Joyce2730]

Carbs can't cure anything to do with mental health and eating too much of it can cause lethargy. I have tried to kill myself over 20 times in two years and have spent months in mental hospitals but on getting a reading if 51 I started to reduce my antidepressants with a view to stopping them and ditched my high sugar and carbs intake. It can be done - if I can do it anyone can x

 

[Leadinglights]

I wonder if you are under the misapprehension that low carb means you have to be ultra restrictive about what you eat and it may just be a matter of being a bit more selective about what you are having without depriving yourself of foods you enjoy.
Although this link is a low carb approach there may be some ideas you could use to modify your meals as it is a way with real foods. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/ .You don't need to look if you don't think it will help.
Whatever you do has to work for you and be a balance between managing blood glucose and your other health issues.

 

[LaurenNicole]

Welcome to the forum @LaurenNicole

Sorry to hear you are having a tough time with Metformin, and thank you for being brave and open enough to share your experience with recovery from disordered eating. That must have taken a lot of courage and effort to work through.

Hope you can find a combination of medication and activity/menu that helps support improvement to your blood glucose levels without negatively impacting your mental health.

Just know even if we don’t have any practical suggestions to offer, that we want you to be well, and are all rooting for you.

Diabetes is a relatively slow-moving foe, so while your obvious keenness to reduce your HbA1c are understandable, don’t put too much pressure on yourself with the feeling that this has to be ‘fixed’ immediately. You have time to explore your diabetes more gradually and find your way through it step by step. And we’ll be right alongside every step of the way 🙂

Thanks so much. I just need to speak about it sometimes and thought I have lots of family and friends rooting for me, they don't quite understand what it feels like. The diabetics close to me, my dad and nan don't like talking about it, so this forum is a great way to get things off my chest.

Thanks for putting into perspective that it's not the end of the world I don't have it sorted yet re blood sugars. I have anxiety so tend to worry far too much and need to be taken back down to earth.

 

[lbd]

I only joined this forum tonight Lauren, I should have done years ago because it does help talking to others. I can't help because I am type 1 but what I can say is and I know it is easier said than done, don't put that pressure on yourself. Tomorrow, phone a nurse at your clinic to discuss it.

You are doing the right things, you are concerned about your health and not ignoring it which is the most important thing. Worrying about it is just putting unnecessary stress in your life and it won't help.

 

[IrvineHimself]

@LaurenNicole, This may sound stupid, but have you ever thought about a dog?

It's not for everyone, but, for comfort food, a big, friendly, vacuum hoover of a dog can be surprisingly effective. The basic idea is that when you have that piece of cake, (or comfort food of choice), you share it with the dog.

Note: sharing the piece of comfort food can have a similar psychological affect as eating the comfort food.

As an added bonus you get this very loyal, life long companion which needs:

• A brisk half hour walk in the morning before breakfast
• At least half an hours brisk walk in the evening, followed by at least half an hour of ball play and socialising with other dogs
• Regular, weekly/fortnightly long walks in the country.

This is why people with dogs are generally: healthier, happier and live longer.

However, think long and hard about this: Labrador dogs live for between ten and fourteen years. Only get a dog if you are serious about giving it the care and attention it needs, (as outlined above). And remember, dogs don't do well with chocolate. If it's a piece of chocolate cake you're sharing, you have to break off the icing and other bits of chocolate and eat those yourself 😉

Edited for bad grammar

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

And remember, dogs don't do well with chocolate. If it's a piece of chocolate cake you're sharing, you have to break off the icing and other bits of chocolate and eat those yourself 😉

Dried fruit is also toxic to dogs.

Mine loves apple and carrot though (and will eagerly snaffle bread/cake/whatever given half a chance, despite having a wheat intolerace!)

Dogs are great though. They get you out every day, and are great confidantes.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

If you've not come across them before @LaurenNicole the charity BEAT aim to help people who live with / have lived with disordered eating.

The UK's Eating Disorder Charity - Beat

Struggling with an eating disorder? Caring for someone who is? Beat is here to support you.

www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

 

[Mrs Mimoo]

I'm so glad this has worked for you, however in my situation a low carb diet would be dangerous to my mental health as I mentioned above. I hope I can find an alternative to that.

rather than a radical low carb diet perhaps do some substitution gently? so in stead of potato, try celeriac, or instead of ordinary bread, livlife bread? I understnad your sensitivity on the eating disorder. My cousin's girl has problems here. But carbs and type 2 can be a bit of an issue.

 

[Yepitsinthefamily]

You’re absolutely right to balance your mental & physical health. I also had trouble with Metformin and am on slow release. The side effects haven’t gone away but are less severe & my nurse said that I can delay increasing my dosage if I’m having too many tummy problems. Perhaps a follow up call with your surgery to discuss your medication options will help to come up with a tailored solution.

As for all the other advice on diet and exercise, you can only do your best. I know it’s disappointing to see your levels drop by a little, but they HAVE dropped & that’s fantastic! So, well done for sticking with medication that’s made you feel so bad!

I have complex PTSD & it’s hard to balance this with diabetes, as it makes me hyper vigilant. It’s not the same thing as an eating disorder, but I’ve learned to not neglect my mental health in this period of adjustment and recent diagnosis. Not sure if you’re talking to a therapist or peer support group for your eating disorder, but I just wanted to say that it’s ok to seek more support on the mental health issues, even if you are managing your eating disorder well. If you feel at risk, that can be enough.

It’s good that you’ve set boundaries for yourself. In time, you may feel able to move them. Just notice what you HAVE done & keep on doing your best!

Hang in there.