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Low Carbs??

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tomtat

Active Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Can anyone tell me why I'm feeling very light headed & slightly dizzy on bending? I'm on 2x500 Metformin, don't have a meter but trying very hard to stick to low carb diet. Last night after a meal of cauliflower cheese I felt really squiffy so had a slice of pizza which did the trick. Am I taking low carbs too far?
 
Hi,
It could have been that the cauliflower cheese lowered your blood sugars too quickly and the drop made you feel bad. You do not know what they were before or after the meal.
You really cannot gain control without a meter or see how many carbs are suitable for you though. It does vary from person to person as to how many carbs they can eat.
 
Thanks Cherry. My nurse insists I don't need a meter so I'm trying it her way until I go back in 3 months then if my sugars haven't altered I'm going to insist on a meter. Take my hubby for support lol:D
 
Thanks Cherry. My nurse insists I don't need a meter so I'm trying it her way until I go back in 3 months then if my sugars haven't altered I'm going to insist on a meter. Take my hubby for support lol:D

If at all possible, I would get a meter and not wait for 3 months as this period is one where you really need to be getting a feeling for what types of food suit you best. If you begin making records now then you will have evidence to present to your doctor/nurse showing how you are using the information to improve your understanding and management of your diabetes - many members have found that this will then show them that you are motivated and making good use of the strips and will then put them on prescription.

I would suggest reading the following (if you haven't already done so!):

Diabetes UK's position statement on self-monitoring, Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter, and Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S .

Effective control of your diabetes comes from knowledge and experience, unfortunately you are currently unable to acquire this vital information as you have no real way of knowing from day to day if your food choices are suitable or not.

Sometimes the health professionals will claim that testing may make you obsessed or downhearted if you see poor numbers, but if you see each new piece of information as a positive contribution to your future health then this is unlikely to be the case - indeed, some people feel more concerned if they don't know what their levels are!

If you can't afford the strips, then I would strongly suggest returning to your GP armed with the information I have given you above and explaining why you wish to test. If doesn't have to be forever, as once you know how most of your regular food choices work for you, then testing can be significantly reduced. Good luck! 🙂
 
Sounds more like low blood pressure to me, this can be caused by not eating enough.
 
Thanks for all your help & advice. I don't normally have a problem with low BP, I take tabs for high BP but there's a first time for everything. I have looked at that meter on Amazon & I think I'll buy that. Perhaps the Easter Bunny will get it instead of an egg (but I know which one I prefer lol).
 
if you are getting these symptoms i would request an earlier review ...when i was first dx i was put on 3 x 500mg metformin within 3 months it was reduced to 1 x
you need to explain to your nurse that you will be buying a meter as you need to find out what you need to do to get control. ask also which meter that will they prescribe strips for ...I found out, for example, that i am allowed 100 strips a year ...I am fortunate that a member here had spares that she gave me ...ask now for your 100 strips ... say i want this for a certain period of time to do this and educate myself.good luck
x🙂
 
Thanks for all your help & advice. I don't normally have a problem with low BP, I take tabs for high BP but there's a first time for everything. I have looked at that meter on Amazon & I think I'll buy that. Perhaps the Easter Bunny will get it instead of an egg (but I know which one I prefer lol).

I suggested it because I take 2 lots of pills for Blood pressure and I found first thing in the morning i was feeling a bit dizzy, tested my BP and is was 87/64. Standing up from sitting or bending over gives the dizzy effect. Might be worth getting a BP meter.. Take control.
 
Some of the meter companies are happy to supply a meter for free as they make their money on test strips.

How fast your glucose levels drop depends on many things, like how many carbs you have eaten and how active you have been. It is different for all of us. I hope you get something sorted soon.
 
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