Newly diagnosed

[andy hutch]

Hi

I've only been diagnosed, with Type 2, since Wednesday. Lots of information to take in. My doctor has put me straight onto Metformin pills to be taken daily. not sure if this is normal or not to be honest 🙂

I'm also a Ceoliac, not sure how much this will impact on my diet but looking forward to looking into recipe ideas etc.

I'll do my best not to annoy everyone by bombarding you all with questions.

Cheers

Andy

 

[grovesy]

Welcome.

 

[Ljc]

Hi Andy. Welcome.
You bombard away, we're a tough lot us diabetics
Metformin is normally the first choice of meds for T2s, how are you getting on with it.

 

[andy hutch]

Thanks for the 'welcomes'
it all seems a bit overwhelming at the minute. I'm sure i'll get my head around it sooner rather than later. But this looks a lot more in depth as such than just avoiding Gluten.
I have a phone appointment with my GP 2 weeks on Monday, so hopefully that will help shed some light, but for now it's an immediate start on changing my diet I guess. Not that it was that bad to start with, but always room for improvement.
I suppose my first question will be what is best - Avoidance of certain foods or moderation of the said foods?

with regards to Metformin, I have only just started taking it yesterday and all seems ok at the minute. Lets hope it stays that way

 

[Grogg1]

I was put on Metformin immediately. I found the best advice on diet from this site. Basically restrict carbs, which all turn to sugar. Ignore traffic light system on food, just look at total carbs. I restrict rice, bread, pasta and potatoes. I don't avoid good fats or wine! You obviously have other dietary requirements so hopefully someone with more knowledge will come along with advice.

 

[Martin Canty]

My doctor has put me straight onto Metformin pills to be taken daily. not sure if this is normal or not to be honest

Welcome Andy,

Yes, I believe it's very common.... Along with advice to adjust diet & exercise.

 

[Ralph-YK]

Welcome from a fellow T2.
I've been told everyone is put on metformin straight away.

 

[Bubbsie]

Hi

I've only been diagnosed, with Type 2, since Wednesday. Lots of information to take in. My doctor has put me straight onto Metformin pills to be taken daily. not sure if this is normal or not to be honest 🙂

I'm also a Ceoliac, not sure how much this will impact on my diet but looking forward to looking into recipe ideas etc.

I'll do my best not to annoy everyone by bombarding you all with questions.

Cheers

Andy

Hi Andy...just wondering how your diagnosis (DX) came about...and what your levels are... have you had an HbA1c test... given any advice on self testing... I was started on Metformin immediately at DX...not everyone is...there are several members here who have never taken Meds...manage with diet & exercise only...and some who have started on metformin and have managed to come off it. (with approval from their GP's or DSN)..at the risk of getting shot down in flames...I suspect it may depend on what your BG level was...initially I had real problems with Metformin...the 'usual'...however after a few weeks once I got used to it...the symptoms did subside...and it has helped me to lower my BG...hoping to come off it...or reduce it (currently take 21 500mg twice daily) in the near future...as grogg says it is all about restricting those carbs...lots of advice here on how to do that...and I believe we have several coeliac members here who can advise on the additional problems it may present...bombard with questions...expected here...good luck...be interested to hear of your progress.

 

[Carolg]

Hi and welcome to forum. Ask loads of questions

 

[Ditto]

Hello Andy and welcome. 🙂

 

[andy hutch]

Hi Andy...just wondering how your diagnosis (DX) came about...and what your levels are... have you had an HbA1c test... given any advice on self testing... I was started on Metformin immediately at DX...not everyone is...there are several members here who have never taken Meds...manage with diet & exercise only...and some who have started on metformin and have managed to come off it. (with approval from their GP's or DSN)..at the risk of getting shot down in flames...I suspect it may depend on what your BG level was...initially I had real problems with Metformin...the 'usual'...however after a few weeks once I got used to it...the symptoms did subside...and it has helped me to lower my BG...hoping to come off it...or reduce it (currently take 21 500mg twice daily) in the near future...as grogg says it is all about restricting those carbs...lots of advice here on how to do that...and I believe we have several coeliac members here who can advise on the additional problems it may present...bombard with questions...expected here...good luck...be interested to hear of your progress.

Hi Bubbsie
I was diagnosed about 5 years ago with Pre-diabetes. so was on 6 monthly checks. I had a lot going on personally and to be honest I let these slide, the last test was about 3 1/2 years ago. I called the doctor about something unrelated and he told me off for not having bloods done recently so I got booked in. Had the HbA1c test and this came in at 49. To be honest it's better I found out now rather than a year or so ago, I wouldn't have been in the right place to really care, where as now I do. Like I said over the last year I have made massive changes to diet and exercise etc. I think that's why I was shocked really.
The carbs thing should be easy enough, I don't really do a lot of those anyway, but reading through there seems to be a lot of foods that can catch you out even though you would think normally they're quite healthy for you.
I have a follow up appointment on Monday, so based on the outcome from that I'll decide whether or not to buy myself a blood testing kit and got from there. Keep a food diary etc. see what sets my sugars off 🙂

 

[Bubbsie]

sQUOTE="andy hutch, post: 690610, member: 17913"]Hi Bubbsie
I was diagnosed about 5 years ago with Pre-diabetes. so was on 6 monthly checks. I had a lot going on personally and to be honest I let these slide, the last test was about 3 1/2 years ago. I called the doctor about something unrelated and he told me off for not having bloods done recently so I got booked in. Had the HbA1c test and this came in at 49. To be honest it's better I found out now rather than a year or so ago, I wouldn't have been in the right place to really care, where as now I do. Like I said over the last year I have made massive changes to diet and exercise etc. I think that's why I was shocked really.
The carbs thing should be easy enough, I don't really do a lot of those anyway, but reading through there seems to be a lot of foods that can catch you out even though you would think normally they're quite healthy for you.
I have a follow up appointment on Monday, so based on the outcome from that I'll decide whether or not to buy myself a blood testing kit and got from there. Keep a food diary etc. see what sets my sugars off 🙂[/QUOTE]
Hi Andy...sorry to hear things have been so tough for you...we all get side tracked by life's difficulties...particularly personal matters which need to take priority... your levels are not too bad...at 49 whilst this does take you into the diabetic range...I would imagine with a little bit of effort you can manage to get those numbers back down reasonably soon...the guidelines for diagnosis are below:

• Normal: Below 42 mmol/mol (6.0%)

• Prediabetes: 42 to 47 mmol/mol (6.0 to 6.4%)

• Diabetes: 48 mmol/mol (6.5% or over)

You are only just in the diabetic range...some work to do admittedly but likely not as much as you feared...in respect of testing your BG levels...I would strongly advise you to invest in a Blood Glucose meter...you say you want to 'see what sets my blood sugar off'...this is one sure fire way to do that...testing before you eat...and then testing two hours after your meal will show you what effect the food you have eaten has on your BG...it gives you a spot check...tells you what your BG is at that moment...as opposed to the HbA1c test which will give you an average of your levels over the previous 2/3 months...well worth the investment...I also take Metformin...have done since July last year...although my levels at diagnosis were high 17.4...with the Metformin... diet & exercise have managed to reduce those to an average of 6.3...I doubt I would have managed that without testing regularly...and the advice & support from the members on this forum...I still have some work to do...but heading in the right direction...you are right when you say some foods are surprisingly bad for diabetics...and can catch you out...in addition what suits one diabetic may not suit another...again an advantage to test regularly...I eat bananas...some find they spike their BG...I also eat bread...albeit a high protein one...again doesn't suit others...don't rush...diabetes is a lifelong condition...so find a routine that you can sustain long term...at your own pace...and for information I would recommend a book that was a great source of source of help for me...Type 2 Diabetes The First year by Gretchen Becker...herself a type 2 diabetic...she takes you through her first year month by month...answers so many questions...why...how...what to do...testing...recommended that book so many times...which I had a share in the profits..it is a really easy read too...good luck with your appointment...would love to hear how you get on.

 

[Nomad]

Welcome Andy, don't worry about bombarding this board with questions, that is what it's for and there are plenty of helpful soles willing to give you advice.

 

[ianbilly]

Welcome from a fellow T2.
I've been told everyone is put on metformin straight away.

@Ralph-YK , not quite true. I was diagnosed last November & my GP & DN just said no medication just diet control trying a LCHF diet. I do have a statin to control my Cholesterol but no other medication since. I've had a couple of reviews and they are happy so far for me to continue as i am.

 

[Amigo]

@Ralph-YK , not quite true. I was diagnosed last November & my GP & DN just said no medication just diet control trying a LCHF diet. I do have a statin to control my Cholesterol but no other medication since. I've had a couple of reviews and they are happy so far for me to continue as i am.

I wasn't put on metformin straight away either. In fact it wasn't suggested initially but it depends on your initial levels I suppose and risks. My doc has always been happy for me to do it by Diet control.

 

[James 048]

Hi

I've only been diagnosed, with Type 2, since Wednesday. Lots of information to take in. My doctor has put me straight onto Metformin pills to be taken daily. not sure if this is normal or not to be honest 🙂

I'm also a Ceoliac, not sure how much this will impact on my diet but looking forward to looking into recipe ideas etc.

I'll do my best not to annoy everyone by bombarding you all with questions.

Cheers

Andy

Hi Andy
Warm welcome to the forum.

 

[Ditto]

I'm not on Metformin. I was diagnosed and then nothing! Well doc did suggest a diabetic course but I blanked that. Now I'm trying to do exercise and less eating, but that's off my own bat. This Friday I go to the diabetic course at last. I was in denial for a year. How stupid. I hate to think of the damage I caused by another year of pigging out. 😱

Hope you can get a handle on your D asap. 🙂

 

[Wirrallass]

Hi Bubbsie
I was diagnosed about 5 years ago with Pre-diabetes. so was on 6 monthly checks. I had a lot going on personally and to be honest I let these slide, the last test was about 3 1/2 years ago. I called the doctor about something unrelated and he told me off for not having bloods done recently so I got booked in. Had the HbA1c test and this came in at 49. To be honest it's better I found out now rather than a year or so ago, I wouldn't have been in the right place to really care, where as now I do. Like I said over the last year I have made massive changes to diet and exercise etc. I think that's why I was shocked really.
The carbs thing should be easy enough, I don't really do a lot of those anyway, but reading through there seems to be a lot of foods that can catch you out even though you would think normally they're quite healthy for you.
I have a follow up appointment on Monday, so based on the outcome from that I'll decide whether or not to buy myself a blood testing kit and got from there. Keep a food diary etc. see what sets my sugars off 🙂

@andy hutch. Hi & welcome. I absolutely totally agree with you having a meter to keep an eye on your bgls Andy, you can then test your bgls::-

a) upon waking,
b) pre each meal
c) post each meal 2hrs later.

Doing this will indicate as to what foods/drinks affect your blood glucose levels. It's a case of trial & error.

Don't forget that exercise is really important too, if you are able. Good luck

DX Type2 April 2016
Metformin withdrawn
Diet & exercise only

 

[Wirrallass]

I'm not on Metformin. I was diagnosed and then nothing! Well doc did suggest a diabetic course but I blanked that. Now I'm trying to do exercise and less eating, but that's off my own bat. This Friday I go to the diabetic course at last. I was in denial for a year. How stupid. I hate to think of the damage I caused by another year of pigging out. 😱
Hope you can get a handle on your D asap. 🙂

@Ditto. Plzd to hear about the Diabetic course, you'll learn a lot there. Also you'll meet like diabetics. I think you'll make much progress from now on which has eluded you so far. Good luck x

 

[andy hutch]

thanks for all the welcomes and advice, much appreciated. I will be purchasing a Blood Test kit this week.
Quick update - I spoke too soon about lack of side effects from the Metformin, my poor old belly is doing somersaults 24 hours a day right now, hopefully this will subside some time soon.
first real question, which I am sure I've seen the answer to somewhere but now cant find again - What level of Carbs per 100gm would people say is too high? or should I be looking at a total percentage of something if eating less than 100gm?
Sorry if this answer is easy to find and thanks in advance