Hello.

[SMoomin]

Hi All. Diagnosed a couple of weeks ago with type 2. Currently a bit scared and struggling with the side effects of Metformin.

 

[Felinia]

Hi and welcome
Oh, the dreaded Metformin!! I suggest you request the slow release version as that is kinder on your tummy. It should be taken in the middle of a meal - a sort of pill sandwich!
It would help us help you if we know a bit about yourself, such as your HbA1c on diagnosis, how your diagnosis came about (did you have symptoms?), an idea of your lifestyle (your food and exercise regimes), any other issues and medications. Everyone is initially overwhelmed, but as you learn more you will find things easier to manage. It may be you need small adjustments, or perhaps a bit more - everyone is different. The Learning Zone is a good place to start, but take it in small bites, so you can absorb the information.

 

[Wheelz]

Scary times? Yes, of course. But diabetes is not a death sentence. It WILL get easier and less scary.

Plus, it's a perfect opportunity to develop a healthier lifestyle/diet. Try & look for the silver linings.

 

[SMoomin]

Hi and welcome
Oh, the dreaded Metformin!! I suggest you request the slow release version as that is kinder on your tummy. It should be taken in the middle of a meal - a sort of pill sandwich!
It would help us help you if we know a bit about yourself, such as your HbA1c on diagnosis, how your diagnosis came about (did you have symptoms?), an idea of your lifestyle (your food and exercise regimes), any other issues and medications. Everyone is initially overwhelmed, but as you learn more you will find things easier to manage. It may be you need small adjustments, or perhaps a bit more - everyone is different. The Learning Zone is a good place to start, but take it in small bites, so you can absorb the information.

Thanks Felinia. Am waiting for a phone call back from the Doctor this morning to ask about the slow release. My IBS probably doesn't help with tolerating the Metaformin.
Finding my way around the forum so have just added a little bit more info in the signature. My diabetes was found "by accident" when I had a blood test for joint pain. I'd put all the feeling thirsty, extra pees, fatigue, etc down to the menopause. 🙄
Exercise - not a huge amount but I do walk my dog every day. That can be 15 minutes forced march/trot round the block (led by her) or longer but slower strolls in the countryside. Perhaps I should do the vacuuming more often.
I've been calorie counting since being diagnosed and have cut out things like chocolate, cakes, crisps, alcohol for the time being until I bring my weight and HbA1c down (or for ever - I tend to binge!). Have been eating approx 1200 cals a day since the 20th and already down from 85.3kg to 82.7kg. Not sure about the diet side yet re. carbs but am getting all sorts of useful info from this website and books.

PS. Doc is putting me on the slow release. Fingers crossed. 🙂

 

[SMoomin]

Scary times? Yes, of course. But diabetes is not a death sentence. It WILL get easier and less scary.

Plus, it's a perfect opportunity to develop a healthier lifestyle/diet. Try & look for the silver linings.

Thanks Wheelz. That's reassuring. It's been a bit of a harsh kick up the butt to lose the weight "I've been meaning to" for ages and get healthier generally but I WILL think of it as silver.

 

[Felinia]

Thanks Felinia. Am waiting for a phone call back from the Doctor this morning to ask about the slow release. My IBS probably doesn't help with tolerating the Metaformin.
Finding my way around the forum so have just added a little bit more info in the signature. My diabetes was found "by accident" when I had a blood test for joint pain. I'd put all the feeling thirsty, extra pees, fatigue, etc down to the menopause. 🙄
Exercise - not a huge amount but I do walk my dog every day. That can be 15 minutes forced march/trot round the block (led by her) or longer but slower strolls in the countryside. Perhaps I should do the vacuuming more often.
I've been calorie counting since being diagnosed and have cut out things like chocolate, cakes, crisps, alcohol for the time being until I bring my weight and HbA1c down (or for ever - I tend to binge!). Have been eating approx 1200 cals a day since the 20th and already down from 85.3kg to 82.7kg. Not sure about the diet side yet re. carbs but am getting all sorts of useful info from this website and books.

PS. Doc is putting me on the slow release. Fingers crossed. 🙂

Hi
The carbs you might wish to cut down on are potato, rice, bread, pasta, cereals. It's not just sugary things, as carbs turn to glucose in the blood. This might mean reducing portion sizes and having more veggies, or making substitutes, like courgetti for spaghetti, cauliflower for rice or mash. The best fruit to have is berries, as some other fruits, particularly tropical ones, are sugar bombs. A portion size is 80gm, and I was told only 2 portions a day max.
I have Diverticular Disease - similar pain and symptoms to IBS. I found I could only tolerate 500mg of SR Metformin, so I now also take Canagliflozin as well, and my HbA1c is slowly reducing from 88 (after I was ill).
I am guessing you are still working, so can't do the exercise I do - Aquafit. But daily dog walking will help. There are things you can do at home, like YouTube videos, or a mini exercise bike.

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks Felinia. Am waiting for a phone call back from the Doctor this morning to ask about the slow release. My IBS probably doesn't help with tolerating the Metaformin.
Finding my way around the forum so have just added a little bit more info in the signature. My diabetes was found "by accident" when I had a blood test for joint pain. I'd put all the feeling thirsty, extra pees, fatigue, etc down to the menopause. 🙄
Exercise - not a huge amount but I do walk my dog every day. That can be 15 minutes forced march/trot round the block (led by her) or longer but slower strolls in the countryside. Perhaps I should do the vacuuming more often.
I've been calorie counting since being diagnosed and have cut out things like chocolate, cakes, crisps, alcohol for the time being until I bring my weight and HbA1c down (or for ever - I tend to binge!). Have been eating approx 1200 cals a day since the 20th and already down from 85.3kg to 82.7kg. Not sure about the diet side yet re. carbs but am getting all sorts of useful info from this website and books.

PS. Doc is putting me on the slow release. Fingers crossed. 🙂

I hope you get on better with the slow release metformin but dietary changes are still necessary so as said reducing carbohydrates in your diet. Your HbA1C at 80mmol/mol is quite high so there is a bit of work to do.
This link might be useful in outlining a good low carb regime with real food which has helped both in reducing blood glucose and for weight loss. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @SMoomin

Congratulations on the weight loss, and well done on your great start so far!

Sorry to hear Metfartin is living up to its nickname. Hope the gastric upheaval settles down for you over the next few weeks and/or switching to slow release helps. The tip about taking mid-meal only applies to regular, rather than SR Met I think, but is certainly worth trying.

Be kind to yourself as you begin to adapt to your new way of living and eating. A diabetes diagnosis can feel a bit overwhelming n the beginning and you may go through a process very similar to grieving, with some quite profound and unpredictable emotional responses.

Try not to be disheartened about your diagnosis though, as you’ve suggested, people on the forum often later reflect that their diagnosis became a kind of catalyst which prompted them to make positive changes towards a healthier and more active life. Perhaps changes that they had been intending to make for years. Diabetes is a serious condition, but it’s also one that can usually be managed well with a few changes and adaptations - it’s something that you can learn to live well with, and it shouldn’t stop you doing things you enjoy.

Often you don’t realise how weary, worn down and lethargic you have been feeling. Erratic and elevated blood glucose levels can be exhausting and are linked with low mood, but this may have come on quite gradually. Making a few positive changes like you are doing can give you more energy, a clearer mind, and a brighter outlook. Plus the regular checks you get after a diagnosis with diabetes mean that any potential problems may be spotted earlier, and can be sorted out sooner.

And keep asking questions on the forum too. Nothing is too trivial, and nothing will be considered too obvious or ‘silly’ 🙂

 

[harbottle]

I ended up being diagnosed to leg/knee pains, which I believe was a side effect of high BG.

Mine was 83 and low carb got it down to 36 in three months (Just booked for my next 3 month test, so we shall see what has been going on.) Weight loss was good as well.

I was only ever on 2 Metformin tablets (500mg in the morning, same in the evening) yet people with lower hba1c than me have been put on more - strange, I wonder if different health authorities have different guidelines?

Luckily I had no side effects (Diet caused more!) apart from a lot of blowing off.

Good luck and keep working at it!

 

[Mrs Mimoo]

Thanks Felinia. Am waiting for a phone call back from the Doctor this morning to ask about the slow release. My IBS probably doesn't help with tolerating the Metaformin.
Finding my way around the forum so have just added a little bit more info in the signature. My diabetes was found "by accident" when I had a blood test for joint pain. I'd put all the feeling thirsty, extra pees, fatigue, etc down to the menopause. 🙄
Exercise - not a huge amount but I do walk my dog every day. That can be 15 minutes forced march/trot round the block (led by her) or longer but slower strolls in the countryside. Perhaps I should do the vacuuming more often.
I've been calorie counting since being diagnosed and have cut out things like chocolate, cakes, crisps, alcohol for the time being until I bring my weight and HbA1c down (or for ever - I tend to binge!). Have been eating approx 1200 cals a day since the 20th and already down from 85.3kg to 82.7kg. Not sure about the diet side yet re. carbs but am getting all sorts of useful info from this website and books.

PS. Doc is putting me on the slow release. Fingers crossed. 🙂

I am now on modified release metformin and it's much better - I have IBS too. EAting lots of green leafy veg, cabbage, kale brocoli (300g a day minimum) has almost sorted my IBS.

I seem to have got my HbA1C from 55mmol/l to 37 by using the Prof Roy Taylor Newcastle diet and low carbing afterwards on a maintenance diet of 950 cal a day (i am a middle aged woman, don't need more energy than that).

 

[SMoomin]

Thanks everyone. It definitely helps knowing there's help and advice out there from people who know what it's like and what to do. So reassuring! The Learning Zone is fab too.
I started the slow release Metformin yesterday evening and so far haven't had to rush to the loo but I felt nauseous and really tired this morning. Is that normal?
I'll see how it goes. 🙂