New, how long to get levels down, takeout choices, getting off metformin

[MarkH]

Hi everyone I’m Mark. 48 years old. Diagnosed a week before Xmas. They think it’s T2, just waiting for next test results to confirm. I walk 6 miles 3/4 x a week and gym 2/3 x a week. I was 14 stone, but fit, so shocked to accept this. I’ve always ate what I want inc choc and dessert as I exercise but decided to drop some weight for Xmas. It was coming off way to easy (I’m now 12 stone 10lb) I had a well man check (bloods). My 3 month test reading was 98. 2 years earlier it was 35. I’ve been put on metformin 500, week later 1000 .. building up to 2000 in a couple of weeks.

My question - How long did it take everyone to get from starting to desired blood glucose level on metformin, and what were those starting and desired numbers. I don’t want to lose further weight.

What kind of percentage of people get off metformin and what’s the criteria to do so?

What U.K. restaurant chains/ fast food chains have anything on the menu that I can eat? That Pizza Express pizza with the hole in it is ridiculous so don’t even suggest it. Nando’s wrap? Mixed kebab? Curry with half rice? Or am I condemned to chicken and broccoli

Thanks,

Mark

 

[Drummer]

If you go low carb then as soon as you change how you eat the numbers will be coming down.
There is likely to be some suggestion of remaining on Metformin for life - even if it is reduced, but I could not cope with the side effects and stopped taking the tablets.
As I have never used fast food outlets I can't advise, though as carbs are cheap they are likely to be high on the menu.

 

[MarkH]

If you go low carb then as soon as you change how you eat the numbers will be coming down.
There is likely to be some suggestion of remaining on Metformin for life - even if it is reduced, but I could not cope with the side effects and stopped taking the tablets.
As I have never used fast food outlets I can't advise, though as carbs are cheap they are likely to be high on the menu.

Thanks Drummer,
What was your starting number for the 3 month test and how long did it take you to get down to desired range?
How long after did you get off metformin?
Apologies for the barrage of questions this is all a bit of a shock

 

[Lily123]

If it’s any help the 3 month test is a HbA1C

 

[Bruce Stephens]

That Pizza Express pizza with the hole in it is ridiculous so don’t even suggest it.

I must admit I rather like those. (Leggera Pizzas, which are normal sized pizzas only with a hole in the middle where they put salad.) However, tastes vary...

 

[Leadinglights]

Many people when diagnosed do need to make some substantial changes to their dietary regime, reducing takeaways and restaurant meals to occasional treats rather than the regular norm. Some meals will be better than others as it is ALL carbohydrates you need to be careful of, things like steak and salad with coleslaw rather than chips, burger with only half the bun and no chips, Caesar salad, Salmon with loads of veg, just not so many potatoes, Nandos with a low carb choice of sides. Indian food which are sizzler dishes rather than in sauces are better but go easy on rice or Naan.
So eating out is possible.
Have a look at the thread What did you eat yesterday in the food forum for ideas of the huge variety of tasty meals people have, just bear in mind that people will be on different carb amounts depending on medications or just dietary managed.

 

[Gwynn]

I may be an odd case. HbA1c at diagnosis Christmas 2020 was 140.

I was initially diagnosed as T1 and put immediately on insulin injections and metformin then about a month later as a T2 and I took myself off all meds (with GP agreement). Went low carb, higher fst, higher protein, and for me the blood glucose dropped almost instantly and the first HbA1c after 1 month was 46. The next after 3 months was 39. Then three months later 34. I am awaiting the next test.

I dropped my weight by about 35Kg that was almost 40% of me gone.

Started exercise after 6 months (I really could hardly move before that)

So the blood glucose came down into range and into control very quickly.

I still don't know why, after a week in hospital, they thought I was a T1

Does that help?

 

[MarkH]

I must admit I rather like those. (Leggera Pizzas, which are normal sized pizzas only with a whole in the middle where they put salad.) However, tastes vary...

Lol I like them, I’d just rather have the entire pizza and a side salad 🙂

 

[Leadinglights]

Metformin alone without dietary changes will not be the magic bullet people imagine as it only helps the body use the insulin it produces more effectively but you still cannot overload the body with carbohydrates. As everybody is different in how committed they are to making changes in their lifestyle and how their body responds to that it is difficult to say how long you would expect it to take.
It is often better to reduce levels slowly to avoid issues with eyes and nerves.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

Lol I like them, I’d just rather have the entire pizza and a side salad 🙂

I think I'd just like half a pizza and a small salad (which is roughly what they are). And a desert.

 

[MarkH]

I think I'd just like half a pizza and a small salad (which is roughly what they are). And a desert.

Yeah the Tiramisu is pretty good

 

[Stuvart]

As a t2 at diagnosis in March this year(2021) i had an hba of 143 in October this year it was 48 that was done on diet change and 2k of metformin a day and I've finally stopped losing weight in December this year (was averaging 3/4 a stone every 3 month's). Exercise for me is not an issue (12 mile cycle a day for work & physical job).
sadly each person is different so generally cutting carbs plus snacks worked for me(don't like chocolate/fizzys etc but loved my breads.) And seems to work for most people.
Its a marathon not a sprint. Good luck on your journey.

 

[Windy]

Hi Mark, sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I appreciate it's not easy.

If you're going out for a meal, you can plan ahead to avoid the most carb rich foods, so I've looked at Pizza Express and they publish their allergen and nutritional information and you can try and see which of the lower carb options looks best beforehand. I skim read the menu, and if I were a meat eater and going out there, I'd choose:
Starters: olives, garlic king prawns (don't eat the dough balls, or only eat a couple), lemon herb chicken wings, halloumi bites, salad, hummus, buffalo mozzarella and tomato salad, slow roasted tomatoes
Mains: Melanzane, bolognese (ask if they can do it with half the pasta), caprese and prosciutto, nicoise salad

Not all of them, clearly, as I'd be sick as a dog.

But if you avoid the pizzas and pasta dishes, there's a fair bit on there so that you can eat something nice.

Ditto if you went for a curry, you could have tandori chicken or chickpea curry, but not have rice with it, or only a little bit. And ask if they can do you an omelette and have that wrapped round the chickpea curry instead of a naan.

But loads of advice from my more knowledgable fellow forum members, keep asking and you can make a plan and not feel like you're only going to eat lettuce for the foreseeable future!

Best wishes, Sarah

 

[Leadinglights]

Yeah the Tiramisu is pretty good

I suspect a pizza even with salad, tiramisu would be 3 days worth of carbohydrate for many people who are following a low carb regime. You might enjoy but not much good for your diabetes.

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi Mark, sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I appreciate it's not easy.

If you're going out for a meal, you can plan ahead to avoid the most carb rich foods, so I've looked at Pizza Express and they publish their allergen and nutritional information and you can try and see which of the lower carb options looks best beforehand. I skim read the menu, and if I were a meat eater and going out there, I'd choose:
Starters: olives, garlic king prawns (don't eat the dough balls, or only eat a couple), lemon herb chicken wings, halloumi bites, salad, hummus, buffalo mozzarella and tomato salad, slow roasted tomatoes
Mains: Melanzane, bolognese (ask if they can do it with half the pasta), caprese and prosciutto, nicoise salad

Not all of them, clearly, as I'd be sick as a dog.

But if you avoid the pizzas and pasta dishes, there's a fair bit on there so that you can eat something nice.

Ditto if you went for a curry, you could have tandori chicken or chickpea curry, but not have rice with it, or only a little bit. And ask if they can do you an omelette and have that wrapped round the chickpea curry instead of a naan.

But loads of advice from my more knowledgable fellow forum members, keep asking and you can make a plan and not feel like you're only going to eat lettuce for the foreseeable future!

Best wishes, Sarah

What a good idea about the omelette, I never thought of that.

 

[MarkH]

As a t2 at diagnosis in March this year(2021) i had an hba of 143 in October this year it was 48 that was done on diet change and 2k of metformin a day and I've finally stopped losing weight in December this year (was averaging 3/4 a stone every 3 month's). Exercise for me is not an issue (12 mile cycle a day for work & physical job).
sadly each person is different so generally cutting carbs plus snacks worked for me(don't like chocolate/fizzys etc but loved my breads.) And seems to work for most people.
Its a marathon not a sprint. Good luck on your journey.

As a t2 at diagnosis in March this year(2021) i had an hba of 143 in October this year it was 48 that was done on diet change and 2k of metformin a day and I've finally stopped losing weight in December this year (was averaging 3/4 a stone every 3 month's). Exercise for me is not an issue (12 mile cycle a day for work & physical job).
sadly each person is different so generally cutting carbs plus snacks worked for me(don't like chocolate/fizzys etc but loved my breads.) And seems to work for most people.
Its a marathon not a sprint. Good luck on your journey.

Thanks
Any plans to get off metformin?
Do you ever have 1 night a week where you eat whatever you like?

 

[MarkH]

Hi Mark, sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I appreciate it's not easy.

If you're going out for a meal, you can plan ahead to avoid the most carb rich foods, so I've looked at Pizza Express and they publish their allergen and nutritional information and you can try and see which of the lower carb options looks best beforehand. I skim read the menu, and if I were a meat eater and going out there, I'd choose:
Starters: olives, garlic king prawns (don't eat the dough balls, or only eat a couple), lemon herb chicken wings, halloumi bites, salad, hummus, buffalo mozzarella and tomato salad, slow roasted tomatoes
Mains: Melanzane, bolognese (ask if they can do it with half the pasta), caprese and prosciutto, nicoise salad

Not all of them, clearly, as I'd be sick as a dog.

But if you avoid the pizzas and pasta dishes, there's a fair bit on there so that you can eat something nice.

Ditto if you went for a curry, you could have tandori chicken or chickpea curry, but not have rice with it, or only a little bit. And ask if they can do you an omelette and have that wrapped round the chickpea curry instead of a naan.

But loads of advice from my more knowledgable fellow forum members, keep asking and you can make a plan and not feel like you're only going to eat lettuce for the foreseeable future!

Best wishes, Sarah

Thanks
Yeah a bit of a shock!
This is going to take some investigating and some changes

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks
Any plans to get off metformin?
Do you ever have 1 night a week where you eat whatever you like?

What I now eat is what I like to eat and I don't feel deprived of anything. I am dietary managed and have never taken metformin.

 

[MarkH]

I suspect a pizza even with salad, tiramisu would be 3 days worth of carbohydrate for many people who are following a low carb regime. You might enjoy but not much good for your diabetes.

I may be an odd case. HbA1c at diagnosis Christmas 2020 was 140.

I was initially diagnosed as T1 and put immediately on insulin injections and metformin then about a month later as a T2 and I took myself off all meds (with GP agreement). Went low carb, higher fst, higher protein, and for me the blood glucose dropped almost instantly and the first HbA1c after 1 month was 46. The next after 3 months was 39. Then three months later 34. I am awaiting the next test.

I dropped my weight by about 35Kg that was almost 40% of me gone.

Started exercise after 6 months (I really could hardly move before that)

So the blood glucose came down into range and into control very quickly.

I still don't know why, after a week in hospital, they thought I was a T1

Does that help?

Hi Gwynn,
Congratulations on getting off meds

I may be an odd case. HbA1c at diagnosis Christmas 2020 was 140.

I was initially diagnosed as T1 and put immediately on insulin injections and metformin then about a month later as a T2 and I took myself off all meds (with GP agreement). Went low carb, higher fst, higher protein, and for me the blood glucose dropped almost instantly and the first HbA1c after 1 month was 46. The next after 3 months was 39. Then three months later 34. I am awaiting the next test.

I dropped my weight by about 35Kg that was almost 40% of me gone.

Started exercise after 6 months (I really could hardly move before that)

So the blood glucose came down into range and into control very quickly.

I still don't know why, after a week in hospital, they thought I was a T1

Does that help?

Hi Gwynn
Congratulations on getting off meds and weight loss
When you said high protein, high fat what kind of fats?
Thanks

 

[Windy]

I can recommend looking at the Learning Zone above, or looking in the book recommendations to see if there's anything that will help you manage your diabetes.
I've gone for low cal, low carb, as I need to lose weight, but I appreciate you're not looking to lose weight.
You can try swapping out carbohydrate rich foods like mashed potatoes for mashed cauliflower, and put some cheese and butter in it to pep it up a bit, or have omelette for breakfast, maybe with a kipper (do people still eat kippers?) or a bit of bacon and some mushrooms as it's low carb and filling, or Greek yogurt with some blueberries and a small portion of walnuts.
The whole food thing does get easier as the weeks progress, I stood and stared blankly at the fridge after I was diagnosed a couple of months ago and had no idea what I should eat, it's a lot easier now. I make soups for lunch, and chilli with guacamole or spaghetti bolognese with courgetti spaghetti and a bit of cheese, and it's ok. I miss the convenience of having a couple of bits of toast, but I don't miss the toast itself, it was just easy food to make.
Sarah