Newly Diagnosed

[TLC55]

How is your digestive system coping with the prolonged release Metformin so far?

You could probably take 2 with an early lunch and 2 in the evening if you haven't had any gastric upset with them so far and the prolonged release should be less aggressive in that respect, but you might be best sticking with your current regime for now.

There are patients who have negotiated a 3 month hiatus on medication to give them a chance to try dietary and lifestyle changes to bring levels down first but since you are now on full dose Metformin you are probably best to stick with it for the time being.
Dietary changes are significantly more powerful in reducing BG levels than Metformin but sadly most GPs have no idea of that or that patients can be motivated to make those changes or that a BG meter can facilitate that. Many will even advise their patient's that they do not need to self test and actively discourage them. The vast majority of people here on this forum however would say that their BG meter was an invaluable tool in successfully managing their diabetes and helping them reduce their HbA1c.

It wasn’t in the beginning and I had terrible embarrassing side effects, I still do but they seem to be lessening since I started with the full dose. You are right about the self testing as I did ask and was told there is no need, but reading on here I am definitely going to invest in a blood glucose tester.. What are your thoughts on my GP saying I need to buy a blood pressure monitor, when I haven’t had it taken or never suffered with it.

 

[TLC55]

How is your digestive system coping with the prolonged release Metformin so far?

You could probably take 2 with an early lunch and 2 in the evening if you haven't had any gastric upset with them so far and the prolonged release should be less aggressive in that respect, but you might be best sticking with your current regime for now.

There are patients who have negotiated a 3 month hiatus on medication to give them a chance to try dietary and lifestyle changes to bring levels down first but since you are now on full dose Metformin you are probably best to stick with it for the time being.
Dietary changes are significantly more powerful in reducing BG levels than Metformin but sadly most GPs have no idea of that or that patients can be motivated to make those changes or that a BG meter can facilitate that. Many will even advise their patient's that they do not need to self test and actively discourage them. The vast majority of people here on this forum however would say that their BG meter was an invaluable tool in successfully managing their diabetes and helping them reduce their HbA1c.

It wasn’t in the beginning and I had terrible embarrassing side effects, I still do but they seem to be lessening since I started with the full dose. You are right about the self testing as I did ask and was told there is no need, but reading on here I am definitely going to invest in a blood glucose tester.. What are your thoughts on my GP saying I need to buy a blood pressure monitor, when I haven’t had it taken or never suffered with it.

 

[rebrascora]

Oh poor you! It can be wicked stuff but most people find their system settles down with it and copes after a week or so, but it is really antisocial medication often unaffectionately referred to as "Metfartin" here on the forum although we all know that wind can be the least of your worries with it! 😳 😱

As regards BP I find it quite odd that your doc would encourage you to get a meter which measures something that you can't do much about but discourage you from getting a bit of kit which could potentially help you manage your diabetes without medication... although that is not always the case for everyone, but even so, it still improves diabetes management. I do have a BP meter that I bought before my diagnosis when I was struggling with panic attacks and palpitations and I use it once in a blue moon. I can't see how checking your BP will improve your diabetes but there may be something else in your medical history which makes checking your BP more important and relevant... again talking to your GP should/may help shine light on it. Many here do monitor BP as well as BG levels. My BP has been pretty static for the last 5+ years so I can't really see the point.

 

[Leadinglights]

It wasn’t in the beginning and I had terrible embarrassing side effects, I still do but they seem to be lessening since I started with the full dose. You are right about the self testing as I did ask and was told there is no need, but reading on here I am definitely going to invest in a blood glucose tester.. What are your thoughts on my GP saying I need to buy a blood pressure monitor, when I haven’t had it taken or never suffered with it.

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I wonder if it was just a slip of the tongue and he really meant a blood glucose monitor.
He may be thinking that if you are overweight that can go hand in hand with high blood pressure so worth keeping an eye on.

 

[trophywench]

One of the main things about diet (in terms of 'what food you consume' rather than 'to lose weight' ) is portion control. It is precisely that which has become ridiculously large in modern times, in comparison to what it actually sufficient for an adult human being. The protein element of a normal adult meal is supposed to be the size of a normal pack of 52 playing cards - 2.5ins x 3.5ins x 0.75ins. Veg portions, whether they are spuds or other accompanying veg - the amount that can be fitted into the cupped hands of that person.

I mean - I'd love to eat steaks of those dimensions, since they'd always have to be fillet steak! otherwise, half of one sirloin steak or 3/4 of one rib eye - but of course, we don't do that - we eat a whole sirloin or rib eye - and only have the fillet for a treat, if we can even find somewhere with a. fillet steak on the menu and b. capable of cooking it properly.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @TLC55

Glad you have found us!

Keep asking away with any questions you have, or anything you find confusing or worrying. Hopefully, our friendly members will be able to put your mind at rest, and share their own tips, hints and experiences.

Comparing notes with others facing the same challenges every day can be really helpful 🙂

 

[ianf0ster]

........... What are your thoughts on my GP saying I need to buy a blood pressure monitor, when I haven’t had it taken or never suffered with it.

Being overweight often mean also having higher blood pressure
T2 diabetics are often encourages to eat lots of complex (brown) carbohydrates and this leads to weight gain because carbs are digested (starting in the mouth) into glucose and glucose in the blood needs removing either by insulin or by drugs that make you pee it out (side effects: urinary tract disease, thrush etc.). If the additional carbs are removed by insulin (either external or internally produced) then what can't be used as energy in muscles is stored as additional body fat.
So T2 Diabetics often get high blood pressure, like it is a bonus from the treatment.

Low carb way of eating reduces water retention and avoids over stimulating insulin production - so helps avoid high BP and indeed one of the UK's leading GPs actually has to reduce, then stop his BP medication after starting a Low Carb WOE.

Thus a Blood Glucose meter is a better investment than a Blood Pressure meter for most T2 Diabetics.