Does this sound right?

[Namaste]

Hello
I'm type 2 diabetic and I have been instructed to double the amount of metformin I'm taking, which I have done. I have started testing more often and despite the increased dose, my blood sugar just before dinner was 13. It was 8.8 before lunch and I ate oatcakes 6, taramasolata, an apple and some cheese. I have a similar result with any carbs at all eg bread. I'm very confused as I was told to eat a normal diet with reduced carbs but I don't seem to be able to tolerate any carbs at all.
Any ideas or help welcome. I'm currently following a very low carb diet but I have tried it before and don't find it sustainable.

Many thanks Jane

 

[Inka]

Hi @Namaste

How many carbs a day are you aiming for? Did you also test 2 hours after your lunch as that’s a useful time to test. Have you tried experimenting with less carbs at lunch? I work your lunch out at about 45g carbs.

What was your last HbA1C result?

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear your BGs are playing up @Namaste

Good to hear that you are checking your BG more, it’s a great way to see exactly how your body is responding to different amounts and types of carbs.

How many oatcakes did you have? I can’t quite tell whether it was 6, or whether that was a phone keypad glitch / autocorrect.

The 13 does seem like the oatcakes and apple were rather too much for you carb-wise. It can be a bit frustrating when you are trying to cut back and eat sensibly, but keep seeing big rises. But it is worth persevering, swapping and reducing to see if you can find something grabbable that works. Could you halve the oat cakes, add a hard boiled egg and switch the apple (~20g?) for a smaller satsuma or clementine (6-12g)

Does the same happen when you eat no carbs at all (eg an omelette and salad)? Or just some chunks of cheese?

Metformin doesn’t work directly on food carbs as such, as I understand it - it helps reduce insulin resistance and suppresses glucose output from the liver. The effects seem to ‘ramp up’ over a few days or weeks after a dose change.

Keep experimenting and try not to get disheartened. You will get there.

 

[Namaste]

Hello,
Thank you so much for the replies. I'll keep persevering. I can't remember what my last blood test was and I'm overdue one but not allowed to go to the Dr surgery to get it done :-(
I had no carbs for dinner (salad with ham, chorizo and a bit of "bread" (a very low carb recipe). My bloods were 13 before but now 8. I've also taken the second dose of metformin.
I'm so very frustrated. I just can't seem to get this right. Testing frequently really helps me but I've been told that I can't have any more test strips so will have to buy them. I don't mind but it doesn't seem helpful when trying to control things.
I don't think I can manage with absolutely no carbs but I don't seem to tolerate the ones I am having.
Thank you for the suggestion of the clementine. Unfortunately I am intolerent of citrus fruits so have to limit them.
Many thanks
Jane

 

[silentsquirrel]

You could try a smaller apple, or just 1/4 or 1/2 of one.
I have a non-D husband who will happily eat what I don't, but otherwise you could clingfilm the rest.

 

[Eddy Edson]

Hello
I'm type 2 diabetic and I have been instructed to double the amount of metformin I'm taking, which I have done. I have started testing more often and despite the increased dose, my blood sugar just before dinner was 13. It was 8.8 before lunch and I ate oatcakes 6, taramasolata, an apple and some cheese. I have a similar result with any carbs at all eg bread. I'm very confused as I was told to eat a normal diet with reduced carbs but I don't seem to be able to tolerate any carbs at all.
Any ideas or help welcome. I'm currently following a very low carb diet but I have tried it before and don't find it sustainable.

Many thanks Jane

People react differently to different types of carbs. It seems pretty common to have a particularly pronounced reaction to grains (not just for diabetics). Besides the oatcakes, the tarama is probably made with bread, so maybe you're just getting too much of a "grain load" with this lunch. The best way to get a handle on what's what for you personally is probably by keeping a record of what you eat, with the type and amount of carbs, and what yr BG is before and after eating.

 

[DaveB]

Hi. As others have said, Metformin doesn't relate to meals as such as it works over many hours/days so just take it as prescribed. You should be able to have some carbs and still stay outside of the teens. Do you have excess weight or are you slim? The GP can prescribe further meds so if your meter shows figures in the teens 2 hours after a typical meal do ask for further meds and check your HBa1C figure. NICE provides a flow chart on the web for what action the GP should take as the HBA1c figure increases. This blood test is very reliable and a good reference for how you are doing.