Newly Diagnosed

[HelenJ]

Hi. I have just been diagnosed with steroid induced diabetes that hasn’t gone after finishing the dreaded steroids at the end of last year. I also have a fairly new permanent ileostomy so I think I’m going to have issues with the metformin and diet. After ten years of suffering from ulcerative colitis I had my large bowel and other parts removed in January and felt like I’d won the war and now another one has started. Anyone else have an ileostomy with diabetes? I’d love for some help re this. Thanks

 

[HelenJ]

My blood test came out with a result of 76 and was normally in 30s

 

[Ralph-YK]

Welcome to the forum Helen.
At a guess, would your 76 be a HbA1c result?

 

[HelenJ]

Welcome to the forum Helen.
At a guess, would your 76 be a HbA1c result?

Yes sorry I didn’t put that. I think that’s a bit high?

 

[grovesy]

48 is the cut off for Diabetes. We don't seem to have any regular posters with Ileostomy, those that have posted in the past find it more tricky as some of the foods are not compatible to both. I too would think Metformin would be a no too.

 

[trophywench]

So have you actually been prescribed Metformin or if not, what?

 

[HelenJ]

So have you actually been prescribed Metformin or if not, what?

Yes I’m just waiting for the chemist to text so I can pick it up

 

[HelenJ]

48 is the cut off for Diabetes. We don't seem to have any regular posters with Ileostomy, those that have posted in the past find it more tricky as some of the foods are not compatible to both. I too would think Metformin would be a no too.

What do you mean about 48 being the cut off for diabetes?

 

[grovesy]

What do you mean about 48 being the cut off for diabetes?

That is the figure for the HBA1C is the threshold for Diabetes being diagnosed.

 

[Ralph-YK]

I think that’s a bit high?

We've got people on here who were higher, and some lower, than that when diagnosed.
30(?) - 41 is classed as "normal"
48 and above gets you a diagnoses of diabetes. (Even if it then goes below this, you're still marked down as diabetic).

People have been diagnosed with a HbA1c of 100 or more.

 

[jackie 111]

We've got people on here who were higher, and some lower, than that when diagnosed.
30(?) - 41 is classed as "normal"
48 and above gets you a diagnoses of diabetes. (Even if it then goes below this, you're still marked down as diabetic).

People have been diagnosed with a HbA1c of 100 or more.

mine was 140

 

[jackie 111]

mine was 140

but im working hard to reverse it with no meds

 

[HelenJ]

but im working hard to reverse it with no meds

I’m going to try the meds first and see how it affects my ileostomy

 

[trophywench]

Not sure whether the gastric prob often caused by metformin literally happen in the stomach itself or a bit further along the digestive tract. However - you might be soon able to tell us. There is an 'extended release' form of Metformin available that suits some people better, if it isn't that which is going to be prescribed in the first place. In any event, if your body can't handle it you'll soon know and be able to inform the GP so he can prescribe something else.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @HelenJ

Hope your ileostomy copes OK with the metformin

@mikeyB has been living with ulcerative colitis for a while I think. ive not seen him on the forum for a week or two though.

 

[HelenJ]

Not sure whether the gastric prob often caused by metformin literally happen in the stomach itself or a bit further along the digestive tract. However - you might be soon able to tell us. There is an 'extended release' form of Metformin available that suits some people better, if it isn't that which is going to be prescribed in the first place. In any event, if your body can't handle it you'll soon know and be able to inform the GP so he can prescribe something else.

Hi. Unfortunately when you have an ileostomy the slow release meds tend not to work and also no capsules either as I found out after they all ended up in my bag fully formed.

 

[trophywench]

I have heard there is a liquid form of metformin but I honestly do not know whereabouts in the digestive tract the body absorbs the drug in order to do its stuff so whether it can be effective if it can't get any further than the stomach.