Hello - I'm a Newbie

[hippiechick]

Hello 🙂

I was diagnosed back in April of this year with Type 2 and I'm finding it all really hard to come to terms with.

Initially, I was controlling my levels with diet alone. However, I haven't been able to regulate my levels in between my 3 month check ups so now find myself taking Metformin 3 times a day. I am also trying to steer clear of carbs, as advised by my diabetic nurse, which is no easy thing for a passionate lover of pizza, bread and jacket potatoes

Recently, and I do mean in the last 2/3 days, I've noticed that I am really not feeling right. My levels are dropping low before lunch (around 4, when they are 6(ish) in the morninig) and that I feel just awful after eating lunch (mostly a soup and a no sugar jelly). For example, I am sitting here now feeling quite clammy, light headed/dizzy, incredibly agitated and a little confused. I felt like this on Wednesday and had to leave work early as I was told that I looked dreadful. I have a check with the Drs on Tuesday of next week but wonder if any of you lovely people have any advice on what I can do to feel better🙂

Really looking forward to getting some great tips and making friends along the way xxx

 

[Robster65]

Hi hippiechick. Welcome 🙂

It sounds as though you are feeling hypo (albeit not dangerously low, but low all the same). I'm type 1, so not qualified to offer advice, but I would imagine you could do with either a snack mid morning or maybe a lower dose of metformin. Hopefully someone with a clue will be able to offer helpful advice

Rob

 

[vince13]

Hi, I may be wrong but I think I've read on here that metformin alone won't bring on hypos. Gliclazide, I know, does because I get exactly those symptoms mid/late morning and I'm on a mix of metformin and gliclazide.

I'd make an appointment to get advice as we're not allowed to say "do this" etc but do be careful as it does seem like you're getting hypo and, when I do, I get some jelly babies or hobnobs into myself pretty quickly and then test again after about 15 minutes. Pure fruit juice (apple or orange) work even faster.

Someone else on here will give you more precise advice I'm sure.

All the best,

 

[Copepod]

Welcome Hippiechick.
I'm not sure how recently you started taking Metformin, but it's possible that your body is experiencing hypoglyclaemia symptoms at higher than "true" hypo levels, because you've been accustomed to higher levels for a longish time. A reading of 4.x isn't considered hypoglycaemia.
Your nurse might have meant "cut down on carbs" rather than "cut out completely", so worth checking with them for exact advice.
Are you eating breakfast, as you didn't mention any?
Anyway, hope the appointment next week can sort things out for you.

 

[MargB]

Welcome Hippiechick - sorry you are feeling poorly.

Are you new to Metformin? are you having the usual side effects of gut rot? I could not tolerate the full dosage of 3 x 500mg tabs so settled on 2 x 500mg and my results are great. If you are having the usual runs then do remember to drink plenty of liquid and after really bad sessions use the re-hydration powders although they say not suitable for diabetics. Between the devil and the deep blue sea? Don't suffer in silence but phone your doctor or diabetes team. I now have a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack of a piece of fruit. Don't always feel I need it but it has become a good habit.

I have not cut out carbs as i believe we need a balanced diet but do watch what I eat, especially portion sizes.

Hope you are feeling better soon.

 

[teapot8910]

Welcome to the forum hippiechick! 🙂

 

[Emmal31]

Hi

Welcome to the forum hippiechick, I hope you get the answers that you need x