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@Nicola dawn Were you given advice on diet?
Many type 2s really can't cope with the carbohydrate we are all advised to eat as it is considered a healthy choice - and I was put straight onto Atorvastatin and Metformin. In a few weeks I was suicidal I felt so ill.
 
I have depression but iv been well for years on antidepressants. I feel life's pointless but I'm not suicidal. I can't face meat n carbs as I get sick on the metformin tablet if I eat them
 
Drummer said:
@Nicola dawn Were you given advice on diet?
Many type 2s really can't cope with the carbohydrate we are all advised to eat as it is considered a healthy choice - and I was put straight onto Atorvastatin and Metformin. In a few weeks I was suicidal I felt so ill.
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Are ok now emotionally I mean ?
 
Nicola dawn said:
Are ok now emotionally I mean ?
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Absolutely - never felt better.
The Metformin really made me feel dreadful - the 'digestive upset' description did not cover the dreadful daily horrors I went through. So embarrassing.
 
Nicola dawn said:
I have depression but iv been well for years on antidepressants. I feel life's pointless but I'm not suicidal. I can't face meat n carbs as I get sick on the metformin tablet if I eat them
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Sorry to hear that you’re finding it difficult with the medication, it does tend to get easier as your system gets used to them. How many metformin tablets are you on, and did you increase the dose after a week or two?
 
Hi and welcome. Many people find the diagnosis initially overwhelming, but with time and a change in lifestyle, acceptance does come. Like you, I had terrible problems with Metformin - it does sound like it really does not suit you. I asked for and was switched to the slow release version, but I could only stomach (literally) the minimum dose. So now I am on other diabetes medications. The side effects are now minimal and my body has adjusted.
Are you willing to share some information with us - for example, your HbA1c and how you came to be diagnosed? It will help us make suggestions to you.
You might like to look through the forum Food/carb queries and recipes, to see if it gives you some ideas of what you might like to try and eat. I personally find I don't want food first thing or before an exercise class, so often have a Tesco or Exante diet shake made with water / unsweetened almond milk. I also have a lot of home made soups made without potato/thickeners, which I puree, as they slip down easily.
Please ask any questions you may have - nothing is silly as we have all been through what you are experiencing. Sadly many people don't get the support from their GP surgery that they need, but we have a wealth of experience here, and are happy to share.
 
Sussexmax said:
Sorry to hear that you’re finding it difficult with the medication, it does tend to get easier as your system gets used to them. How many metformin tablets are you on, and did you increase the dose after a week or two?
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Hi I'm on 2 x metformin tablets a day each being 500mg I increased after first week. Thank you for your reply
 
Drummer said:
Absolutely - never felt better.
The Metformin really made me feel dreadful - the 'digestive upset' description did not cover the dreadful daily horrors I went through. So embarrassing.
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Hi I understand the embarrassing horrors. I been shaky all day I feel tired n I'm really nervous about food but I'm eating little and often it helps
 
Felinia said:
Hi and welcome. Many people find the diagnosis initially overwhelming, but with time and a change in lifestyle, acceptance does come. Like you, I had terrible problems with Metformin - it does sound like it really does not suit you. I asked for and was switched to the slow release version, but I could only stomach (literally) the minimum dose. So now I am on other diabetes medications. The side effects are now minimal and my body has adjusted.
Are you willing to share some information with us - for example, your HbA1c and how you came to be diagnosed? It will help us make suggestions to you.
You might like to look through the forum Food/carb queries and recipes, to see if it gives you some ideas of what you might like to try and eat. I personally find I don't want food first thing or before an exercise class, so often have a Tesco or Exante diet shake made with water / unsweetened almond milk. I also have a lot of home made soups made without potato/thickeners, which I puree, as they slip down easily.
Please ask any questions you may have - nothing is silly as we have all been through what you are experiencing. Sadly many people don't get the support from their GP surgery that they need, but we have a wealth of experience here, and are happy to share.
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Hba1 c ? Is that blood sugar levels?was told I'm in the fourties rang think it was 43
 
Nicola dawn said:
Hba1 c ? Is that blood sugar levels?was told I'm in the fourties rang think it was 43
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If the 43, that would be mmol/mol, and would be the result of your HbA1C which is an average blood glucose over the previous 3 months and is the test used for diagnosis.
However 43 would only put you in the 'at risk of diabetes' zone as it is over 47mmol/mol that would have given you a diabetes diagnosis. I am therefore surprised even dismayed that if that is the result you have been prescribed metformin as some modest dietary changes are usually all that is needed to reduce blood glucose to a normal level of below 42 mmol/mol. Even with levels in the 50ies people are given 3 months to make dietary and lifestyle changes before medication.
I would double check your result as it maybe you heard wrong or your GP has been over zealous with his prescription pad.
 
Leadinglights said:
If the 43, that would be mmol/mol, and would be the result of your HbA1C which is an average blood glucose over the previous 3 months and is the test used for diagnosis.
However 43 would only put you in the 'at risk of diabetes' zone as it is over 47mmol/mol that would have given you a diabetes diagnosis. I am therefore surprised even dismayed that if that is the result you have been prescribed metformin as some modest dietary changes are usually all that is needed to reduce blood glucose to a normal level of below 42 mmol/mol. Even with levels in the 50ies people are given 3 months to make dietary and lifestyle changes before medication.
I would double check your result as it maybe you heard wrong or your GP has been over zealous with his prescription pad.
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It's 47 sorry I made a mistake. I think Iv been worrying alot n I cut out carbs then I found out a small amount of carbs is ok so I just ate 8 pieces of Penn pasta n a chicken in wholemeal wrap with salad n I don't feel unwell now. I was not well at all this morning. I find some food helps but if I wait too long to eat something I feel unwell. But yes I said wrong result earlier. I'm still processing it all n I'm not coping with the stress but iv got good friends that are supporting me. And I now have the help line numbers n my diabetes nurse I can contact.
 
Nicola dawn said:
Hi I'm on 2 x metformin tablets a day each being 500mg I increased after first week. Thank you for your reply
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I’m glad to hear that it’s settling down and hopefully you can keep on that level. Really hope in a week or two the side effects will have worn off
 
Nicola dawn said:
It's 47 sorry I made a mistake. I think Iv been worrying alot n I cut out carbs then I found out a small amount of carbs is ok so I just ate 8 pieces of Penn pasta n a chicken in wholemeal wrap with salad n I don't feel unwell now. I was not well at all this morning. I find some food helps but if I wait too long to eat something I feel unwell. But yes I said wrong result earlier. I'm still processing it all n I'm not coping with the stress but iv got good friends that are supporting me. And I now have the help line numbers n my diabetes nurse I can contact.
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Even at 47 that is just at the upper end of 'at risk' and really some modest changes to your diet should be fine without the metformin for now.
Ask your nurse if they are really needed and say you are willing to make some dietary changes (if you are) and give you 3 months to see how you get on.
Getting an idea of what foods have the most carbs and keeping an eye on your intake of those would be a good start.
I highly recommend the book or app Carbs and Cals as it gives carb values for various portion sizes of a whole range of foods and meals and will help you see what you can have and keep your carb intake to a moderate amount.
It is suggested that no more than 130g total carbs not just sugar per day is a good starting point. You can still have carbs just not too many and make your carbs worth it for flavour and enjoyment and not wasted carbs in sugary or bland foods.
So if you have pasta for example have less pasta ( though just 8 pieces sounds a bit minimal) and more sauce and add lots of veg or salad. Be careful of wraps as if big ones they are quite high carb.
This link may give you some food ideas. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
 
Nicola dawn said:
Hi I found out I'm type 2 diabetes only 3 weeks ago this was such a shock I'm struggling with my depression now.
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Hi Nicola, welcome to the forum. Being diagnosed with diabetes can be really overwhelming and shocking, and I'm so sorry to hear that you are struggling with depression alongside this, It's good to hear that you have supportive friends, do feel free to tell us more about how you're doing and how you're feeling as the forum is a supportive and safe environment. It's so understandable that you feel nervous about food, as said above our members have a wealth of knowledge and there's so many resources available to help you manage diet and time will help you adjust and learn what works for you 🙂. If you scroll up there's an orange tab that says 'learning zone' and there's lots of information there about food which may help you. How are you feeling now?
 
Nicola dawn said:
Hba1 c ? Is that blood sugar levels?was told I'm in the fourties rang think it was 43
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HbA1C is the blood glucose measurement done from a blood sample. An HbA1C reading of 43 is only just in the pre-diabetic range.
So I think that you HbA1C number must be higher, since if an HbA1C is as low as 43 (in current UK measurements) then it's unlikely that Metformin would be prescribed.
 
Nicola dawn said:
Hba1 c ? Is that blood sugar levels?was told I'm in the fourties rang think it was 43
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Hi
I've had a look at all your replies and you have been given some excellent advice. If your HbA1c was indeed 47, then you are pre-diabetic, on the threshold of becoming diabetic. But that can easily be addressed, as people have suggested, by modest changes to your diet. I admit I do feel annoyed at medical practitioners who go thundering in with medication, particularly for pre-diabetics, without giving the person the opportunity to make lifestyle changes. These medications have side effects, and in your case have caused you distress.
As you have discovered, your body (and everyone's body is different) does need some carbs. In fact if you cut back carbs drastically too quickly, it can affect your eyesight temporarily. It is suggested that having no more than 130gm carbs a day will help reduce blood glucose. I experimented between 50gm and 130gm, settling on 75gm-90gm a day.
The best way to ensure this is to keep records. Many of us use an app - in fact it was the first thing I got once diagnosed. I use NutraCheck, which is UK based, offers a 7-day free trial then there is a small fee (works out at less than the cost of one coffee a week!). Others use MyFitnessPal which is USA based and free. I weigh my portions (no guesstimating) but over time I've learned portion sizes and control, no longer weigh my above ground veggies, just weigh meat and carb items.
Like you I don't feel like eating first thing, but I do have a glass of water, some weak tea or coffee, and a cholesterol lowering drink with my medications. That does settle any queasiness I occasionally get. Instead of breakfast, I often have a diet shake after a couple of hours, like Exante or Tesco, made with water or unsweetened almond milk. It gives me a few carbs and energy for my morning exercise classes. I have a lot of home made soups and salads, plus quite a few eggs in various forms - poached, boiled, omelette. I have the occasional slice of bread from a small wholemeal loaf, or a couple of new potatoes and soybean pasta or cauliflower rice.
But if you plan in advance you can have small portions of food you enjoy and still restrict your carbs. I actually had great fun trying out new foods and recipes, and learned to love cauliflower and my slow cooker.
 
Nicola dawn said:
It's 47 sorry I made a mistake. I think Iv been worrying alot n I cut out carbs then I found out a small amount of carbs is ok so I just ate 8 pieces of Penn pasta n a chicken in wholemeal wrap with salad n I don't feel unwell now. I was not well at all this morning. I find some food helps but if I wait too long to eat something I feel unwell. But yes I said wrong result earlier. I'm still processing it all n I'm not coping with the stress but iv got good friends that are supporting me. And I now have the help line numbers n my diabetes nurse I can contact.
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With a Hba1c of 47 you are not even in the diabetes range. Hba1c reflects how high, on average, your blood glucose has been in the last 3 months.
I would advise a rethink on what you regard as carbs though. Pasta and bread/pastry have very little nutritional value . My carbs come from yoghurt, salad, veges, mushrooms and berries, all different colours, with inbuilt vitamins.
 
Nicola dawn said:
It's 47 sorry I made a mistake. I think Iv been worrying alot n I cut out carbs then I found out a small amount of carbs is ok so I just ate 8 pieces of Penn pasta n a chicken in wholemeal wrap with salad n I don't feel unwell now. I was not well at all this morning. I find some food helps but if I wait too long to eat something I feel unwell. But yes I said wrong result earlier. I'm still processing it all n I'm not coping with the stress but iv got good friends that are supporting me. And I now have the help line numbers n my diabetes nurse I can contact.
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Sorry to hear you’ve been knocked a bit sideways by your diagnosis news @Nicola dawn - it can have a big impact on mental health, and unfortunately this isn’t always taken into account in the way the information is shared with people :(

It does sound like you are right on the edge of a diabetes diagnosis, so some fairly modest changes to your menu might be all you need.

Be encouraged - we have had lots of new arrivals on the forum who have started at the same sort of point as you, and have been able to get their levels back into the non-diabetes zone with the support and encouragement of the forum 🙂

Be kind to yourself, and give yourself time to adjust and adapt.

We are rooting for you 🙂
 
I'm waiting for an ambulance iv got clamy hot skin feeling faint my hands n feet ate numb n tingling I feel shaky my Drs not given me a blood sugar test kit until I'm on a course in may so an ambulance is coming out to do a test. Iv been ill day but possibly not eaten enough. I'm really not sure on managing the diabetes with food and meds as I'm not coping with management of food. I'm surprised when told by NHS 111 yo have sugar in my tea n eat jam I thought those things will make me ill
 
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