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New T2 - symptoms queries

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andyp64

Active Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi,
Was told I was T2 just under a month ago :(
Very high blood sugar, cholesterol and suchlike (can't remember the quoted figures as was shell-shocked).
Told I had the risk of stroke or heart attack of someone who has already had one (I haven't).o_Oo_Oo_O
BMI of 27-ish but have since cut my food portions significantly, nothing with sugar (cakes, choc, sweets, juice) and trying to go low fat (using traffic light system to guide me).
I'm on atorvastatin 80mg dose a day.
On Sukkarto 500mg three a day now (from one per day to four per day next week).
A few questions:-
  1. Getting thunderous headaches (can sometimes hear pulse!) - especially hour or so after meal.
  2. Getting cold feet (never had them before).
  3. Slight occasional blurring of vision (esp. short distance).
  4. Some dramatic diarrhea .

Are these effects of my body learning to cope with lower sugar levels (my morning levels are between 5 and 6).
I've lost 6-8 pounds but seemed to be a bit stuck - is this a side effect of the meds?
 
Hi @andyp64 I was diagnosed a month and a half ago. I've googled the side effects for Sukkarto and they are:
"Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach ache or loss of appetite. If you get these, do not stop taking the tablets as these symptoms will normally go away in about 2 weeks.It helps if you take your tablets with or immediately after a meal.

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
Taste disturbance.

Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people): Skin rashes including redness, itching and hives.
Decreased vitamin B12 levels."

So the diarrhoea might be that. Are you drinking enough water and fluids? I get headaches if I'm a bit dehydrated and if you've got diarrhoea, that'll be draining your fluids.
I understand that blurred vision is to do with the concentration of sugar in your fluids dropping in your eyes, and it takes a while for them to readjust, but some of the more experienced diabetics will be able to confirm.
I didn't have any stomach problems with my metformin, but I always take them with food, and think I'm on a lower dose than you.

No idea about the cold feet.

If you're suffering with your medications, can you make a phone appointment with your GP or practice nurse? They can give you a different prescription or give slow release instead.

Hope you can get it sorted, and welcome to the forum, best wishes, Sarah
 
also googled atorvastatin and it's side effects are:
" headaches, feeling sick (nausea), diarrhoea and cold-like symptoms. "
So you might be getting the double whammy of side effects from both.

Hopefully the more knowledgable members of the forum can share their experiences.
 
Windy said:
also googled atorvastatin and it's side effects are:
" headaches, feeling sick (nausea), diarrhoea and cold-like symptoms. "
So you might be getting the double whammy of side effects from both.

Hopefully the more knowledgable members of the forum can share their experiences.
Click to expand...
Hi Windy,
Thanks for the quick reply.
Phew - bit of a relief what you've written.
I did speak to my diabetic nurse but she said "we'll just put it all down to diabetes". A helpful answer without helping (I guess she was very busy).
I have a formal review telephone call with her end of next week so will be able to probe more. I'll also get my measurements again so I can try and track my progress.
 
Excellent advice on lipid management here.


As to the other symptoms, yes, they do sound like a reaction to a change in BG, and possibly the meds.
However, it always takes at least two weeks before any change with diabetes settles down,
That fasting level is very good.

Headache is very often common after changes in BG, and eating will raise it again temporarily.
Cold feet isn't unknown as you lose weight.
Blurry vision is your eyes reacting to the changes in BG.
Diarrhoea is a reaction to the Sukkarto, it'll pass. (Maybe after next week though)
 
I think the Sukarto is the slow release form of metformin but just check as it should say SR or similar and should cause less stomach issues than the normal one.
Issues with the eyes are than as your blood glucose starts to come down the eye environment changes and changes the focal length.
You need to remember it is ALL carbohydrates that convert to glucose not just sugar so the traffic light system is not very useful as things can be low sugar but still high carbohydrate so it is the labelling on the back of the packet you need to look at for the total carb value.
Yes it is a good idea to find out your HbA1C as that will indicate how much work on your diet you need to do.
Meanwhile have a look around the forum and the Learning Zone which is full of useful information and then you can be prepared with a list of questions for your phone app or feel free to ask on here.
 
I also completely forgot my results the second I left the gp surgery. I asked at next appointment and promptly forgot them again (hah).
Anyway I phoned the surgery and got the receptionist to tell me them again 😉 Just phone them when it is less busy and they (reception) should be able to tell you.
 
Welcome to the forum @andyp64

Well done on cutting out the sweet stuff, and cutting down of portion sizes.

It’s not at all unusual to feel more than a little befuddled at your diagnosis, and to get bamboozled with all the numbers thrown around. If you can ask for your HbA1c result, that’s one which can be helpful to monitor overall progress over the months.

Your morning fingerstick BG readings of 5-6 are excellent, so well done on those. Yes some newcomers do experience a bit of fallout when they make dramatic changes to their menus - including blurred vision. Hopefully this will resolve in time.

Many members find it helpful in fine-tuning their meals to take a reading immediately before and again 2hs after eating, looking for a rise of no more than 2-3mmol/L (and reducing the carb portions of meals that give bigger rises, or trying swaps to slower-absorbed alternatives)

Well done on your good start. Keep going, and keep asking questions 🙂
 
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