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Just diagnosed with Type 2

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beran

beran

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I've just been diagnosed with type2. It wasn't the biggest chock as my dad suffers from it too however I thought I would get it in my 60's like my dad and not at 39!
I've been given medformin and took one this morning! I've been sick as a dog all day and had to go home from work because of it! On top of all the normal side effects I've also felt faint and really tired and sleepy! I've called the doctor who said that they wouldn't try other medicine before trying this one for a couple of weeks! As if having to change my whole diet and lifestyle isn't bad enough ( and I'm happy to make the sacrifice if my health benefits from it) but I'm being given a medicine that's stopping me from doing anything! How am I supposed to cope when I work full time and I have a 3 1/2 years old that I need to take care of??
Any of you have experienced this medicine?
 
Hi Beran, welcome to the group that nobody wants to join.

Metformin does have a tendency (in some people) to cause tummy & bowel issues, that's why the Dr.'s wean people onto it for a week or so..... For people who still cannot tolerate it then there is an Extended Release version. I have not heard of fatigue & faintness being an issue, though fatigue is more associated with high BG.
What are your BG levels? Do you test your BG levels, most of us (on this forum) advocate self testing as (despite what the medical community think) it's essential that we understand what our bodies reaction is on a taily (or sometimes hourly) basis.
 
Martin Canty said:
Hi Beran, welcome to the group that nobody wants to join.

Metformin does have a tendency (in some people) to cause tummy & bowel issues, that's why the Dr.'s wean people onto it for a week or so..... For people who still cannot tolerate it then there is an Extended Release version. I have not heard of fatigue & faintness being an issue, though fatigue is more associated with high BG.
What are your BG levels? Do you test your BG levels, most of us (on this forum) advocate self testing as (despite what the medical community think) it's essential that we understand what our bodies reaction is on a taily (or sometimes hourly) basis.
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Thanks Martin!
That's the faintness and tiredness that got me worried as I had read about this stomach upset side effects! On a practical side I don't know how I will be able to work or care for my son if I'm spend my time in the bathroom...
As my dad has had diabetes for 3 years and he's super serious about it, I've been testing my blood glucose for the 2 weeks since I realised there was an issue. I started prior dieting at 15mmol/l now I'm down to 9.5-9.9 before breakie. I've started before dinner also yesterday and I was at 7.8... Do you think that it could be that?
 
beran said:
time in the bathroom
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I find that it passes, ehem, quite quickly....

Is this tiredness new? Can you pin anything specific to it (eating/not eating/exercise)
 
From experience 😉 how long do you think the tummy side effects last for (days, weeks?)
I've been really tired for a long time but I always put it on my son as he doesn't sleep very well and I've had broken sleep since I was pregnant 4 years ago!
Since I've been on strict diet I've been feeling more tired and lethargic but yesterday it was starting to be better. But the faintness I believe was a direct result from the medicine as it was 2 hours after I took it. I guess I should try to be patient and go through the worse before it gets better!
Thanks for you support 🙂
 
beran said:
tummy side effects last for (days, weeks?)
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I had no problems at first, but this year I started to have "Metformin Days", probably related to the fact that I don't eat until about lunchtime!!!!

It may be worth asking for Extended Release, they don't like to prescribe it as it's somewhat more expensive.

The diet certainly may well be playing a part, many of us have gone low carb (despite what the "experts" tell us we must eat). Personally I find that LCHF gives me all the energy I need & I'm feeling way better following this Way of Eating. Basically I ditched the carbs... no bread, rice, pasta & starchy vegetables... Processed food can also add hidden carbs.
 
Hi Welcome Sorry to hear this. Did you by any chance take metformin A while before eating ? as its better to take it with or just after a meal, I believe some people found that cutting down on carbs has helped with the tum upsets.
I think it would be best to get the tiredness and feeling faint checked out by GP.
I hope your symptoms clear up quickly
 
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I've been eating the same thing for 2weeks ( and I'm happy with it). I've got 2 toasts for breakie with an orange juice, a little bit of boiled potatoes with green beans and carrots and a protein for lunch and tomato cucumber and salad for dinner! It's been working quite ok as my BG has gone down! I feel I still need (want) a bit of carb but reduced right down.
I'll ask for the slow release medicine if it continues!
 
Ljc said:
Hi sorry to hear this. Did you by any chance take metformin A while before eating ? as its better to take it with or just after a meal.
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Hello! I waited until the end of my breakie to take it
 
welcome to the forum! Looks like you are being very proactive about getting on top of everything. Most people feel exhausted with high blood sugars, so hopefully that will ease as your bs get lower (although there is no cure for the side effects of looking after a small person!) I would recommend not having the orange juice at breakfast - that is a very quick acting carb and may contribute to you feeling more tired as your bs rises quickly. Could you try a bit of protein or fat at breakfast instead?
Hope your stomach settles down quickly, do go back and ask for the slow release form of Metformin if not. 🙂
 
stephknits said:
welcome to the forum! Looks like you are being very proactive about getting on top of everything. Most people feel exhausted with high blood sugars, so hopefully that will ease as your bs get lower (although there is no cure for the side effects of looking after a small person!) I would recommend not having the orange juice at breakfast - that is a very quick acting carb and may contribute to you feeling more tired as your bs rises quickly. Could you try a bit of protein or fat at breakfast instead?
Hope your stomach settles down quickly, do go back and ask for the slow release form of Metformin if not. 🙂
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Thanks a lot for the advice! I've been finding hard not to have juice... I'm reducing every day how much of it I drink! And I'll try the protein also. That's what my dad does and it works for him! Breakie has been the hardest thing to change so far! But I'm on to it!!! :D
 
I agree, breakfast is hard to change - as a nation we eat a really high carb breakfast. Also, if you are anything like me, I can't be bothered with scrambled egg etc first thing when I have to go to work. A cooked breakfast takes me a bit of working up to! I sometimes have full fat greek yogurt with some berries in it. Some people find porridge is ok (others don't). If you do have toast, people on here recommend Burgen (soya and linseed) at only 11g of carbs a slice. Am now feeling hungry...
 
beran said:
Breakie has been the hardest thing to change so far!
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One of the things that you will find out is that our Insulin Resistance can change throughout the day, Many T2's do not tolerate carbs for breakfast (hence the suggestion of protein & fat) yet the same meal later in the day may not have such a dramatic effect on BG. D is such a fickle beast!!!!
 
Yes!! I just need to change my habits!! It'll come eventually!!! I'm happy with eggs in the morning (I'm dairy intolerant so yogurts are a no no, and porridge is the same), just need to integrate it in my work routine! I'll looking into the bread you mentioned!!! Thanks!
 
Martin Canty said:
One of the things that you will find out is that our Insulin Resistance can change throughout the day, Many T2's do not tolerate carbs for breakfast (hence the suggestion of protein & fat) yet the same meal later in the day may not have such a dramatic effect on BG. D is such a fickle beast!!!!
Click to expand...
I've noticed, that's why I'm eating the same things everyday with slight alterations so I can understand how my body is reacting! That's how I did when I had gestational diabetes and it worked pretty well... Just need a bit of time ...
 
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