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Newbie - 2 weeks in...

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Mark Gudgeon

Mark Gudgeon

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi all,

Was diagnosed with T2 2 weeks ago, have been put on Metformin 500mg twice daily. Been back to Dr today as the side effects have not been good - not been going far from the house if you know what i mean!! Dr has changed my medication to Metformin SR, but has said to stop taking the current Metformin for a week before i start on the SR. Not sure if this makes sense.

I have a couple of questions about my current BG levels if someone can offer some advice:

My initial BG reading was 20.2 which was taken at A&E as i almost collapsed at work. I have managed to reduce my average daily BG to 8.6, but I have had to be very, VERY strict on my diet and am only having around 11g carbs per meal - any more than this and i am spiking to 11 / 12. I obviously want to bring these levels further down, but not sure how i can cut anything more out of my diet, or am I expecting too much too soon?

I also know i need to increase my exercise, but the effects of these Metformin have not helped on that score.

If and when i bring my HbA1c levels down to a more acceptable level (from 86), will that mean i will be able to be a little more lenient with regards to diet, or is this now me?

Have read through a lot of these threads and i can honestly say that I have gained a hell of a lot more information from here that i have from the diabetic nurse at my GP surgery.

TIA
 
Hi Mark and welcome to the forum, it can take time for your levels to come down. Things wont happen over night. Hopefully the SR version of metformin will be better for you.
 
Mark Gudgeon said:
Hi all,

Was diagnosed with T2 2 weeks ago, have been put on Metformin 500mg twice daily. Been back to Dr today as the side effects have not been good - not been going far from the house if you know what i mean!! Dr has changed my medication to Metformin SR, but has said to stop taking the current Metformin for a week before i start on the SR. Not sure if this makes sense.

I have a couple of questions about my current BG levels if someone can offer some advice:

My initial BG reading was 20.2 which was taken at A&E as i almost collapsed at work. I have managed to reduce my average daily BG to 8.6, but I have had to be very, VERY strict on my diet and am only having around 11g carbs per meal - any more than this and i am spiking to 11 / 12. I obviously want to bring these levels further down, but not sure how i can cut anything more out of my diet, or am I expecting too much too soon?

I also know i need to increase my exercise, but the effects of these Metformin have not helped on that score.

If and when i bring my HbA1c levels down to a more acceptable level (from 86), will that mean i will be able to be a little more lenient with regards to diet, or is this now me?

Have read through a lot of these threads and i can honestly say that I have gained a hell of a lot more information from here that i have from the diabetic nurse at my GP surgery.

TIA
Click to expand...
Hi Mark ...early days yet...I wouldn't rush if I were you...that's the first piece of advise I got when I joined the forum last year...my BG levels were only slightly lower than yours when I was diagnosed...the second & possibly the best advice was to test my BG regularly...on waking...before eating...then two hours after meals...that way you can see what effect the food you are you eating has on your BG...are you testing...have you been given any advice about that?...its not as dire as you may believe...the obvious foods are white bread...rice...potatoes...anything which is carb heavy...most people (non diabetic) assume it just sugary sweet things we need to avoid...its all about avoiding those carbs as you have rightly said...my BG is now in 'normal' range...taken me nine months to get there...I had to find a regime that I could maintain long term...much of what I do now seems routine...second nature...so I would advise take your time...do things at your own pace...test your blood sugars (if not already)...lots of information...advice & support will be available here...read...Gretchen Becker's book Diabetes The First Year is a valuable source of information...she is diabetic...covers her first year month by month...addresses many of the issues you raise above...why...how...what to do...highly recommend it...the Metformin...what can I say?...had similar problems at the start...thankfully after a week or so...that subsided...the extended release Metformin is said to be 'gentler' on the system...hopefully that works for you...honestly it is a daunting prospect initially...it does get better...it does get easier...change of lifestyle...diet...increase your activity...surprisingly you may find once you have the 'hang' of this...you feel better than you have for a very long time...ask what questions you need...someone will be along with answer...or suggestions...good luck...be interested to hear of your progress.
 
Thanks for the welcomes and replies.

I have purchased a glucose monitor as my GP surgery do not provide one for T2. I have been testing as suggested (morning, before meals and 2 hours after). finding it very frustrating that i cant bring it below 8, but as said, it is going to take time. I have been expecting to see pretty much immediate differences with the change in my eating habits. think I need to be a bit more patient (!).

I will have a look at Diabetes - the first year. Any information has to help.

It has really got me down over the past few days - i guess it has just hit home. Need to give myself a kick up the a$$ and get on with it.

before diagnosis we have booked an all inclusive holiday!!! guess i can eat as much lettuce as i want 🙂

have also been told my cholesterol is high so also need to be aware of that with my diet, was offered medication but want to try and bring this down on my own first. I have been given 3 months to show an improvement. My blood pressure is a little high as well, but i suppose that could be the current situation and will settle down.

Was very surprised at the lack of information from the diabetic nurse. Have found a hell if a lot more information on here that my appointments.

Thanks again for the support.
 
I never have problems at all inclusive places. We go to lanzarote every year and never struggle with food, always plenty of fresh fish and meat and lots of fresh salads.
 
Hello & welcome.

Hope things are now beginning to improve. Metformin SR is often better tolerated. The idea of having some time without medication is to give the side effects a chance to settle before you start taking metformin SR.Keep in regular contact with your GP and let them know how things are going

Good luck. Things do get easier
 
Hello Mark,
Like most have said slow a steady is the best way, especially as you find food you like and dislike.
Also you do not want to put yourself in the position where you stop enjoying eating and food.
I've said it before I had an awful diet prior to my diagnosis, and was very lucky my doctor recognised the signs early.

To start with I struggled with the diet, I found I could only eat stuff I didn't enjoy. Leading to depression and a 'what's the point of being alive if you can't live'. Dramatic I know, but I missed my old life styles.
Beer, Burgers, More beer, Chocolate, all washed down with Pizza and more beer. I think you get the message.
In an earlier post I referred to it as the Elvis Presley diet plan.
I was a 'TOFI' as my doctor put it, due to my walking to the work and back clocking up 6 miles a day.

Because what I was eating would make me feel better I would then gorge in self denial for a day. Wake up the next day feeling dreadful, so eat healthy again, feel better, then rinse and repeat. This went on for a year or so and was good for the body or the mind.

Now on a more even keel thanks to this site and some of the recipes, I've really turned a corner.
As for exercise, I have found swimming to be great option for me.
You can get a really good workout. I do a mix of power up the pool to the deep end like a sprinter, and then slow and gentle return.

Also good to test prior and post exercise so you can monitor the benefits.
 
Thanks All.

Have had a few down days, but have decided that it is what it is and that I just need to get on with it! Now got an exercise bike 🙂 so lets see if i can keep that up.

Not too bad food wise as I ate quite well (just added crisps and sweets on top of the healthy food) before the diagnosis. just portions and carb counting that is difficult, but after while it will become second nature.

I feel that i am doing everything i can at the moment, so just need to keep it up and see if things improve.

Once again, thanks for the welcomes and support. Its good to know that help is at hand
 
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