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Possibly not eating enough?

Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.

Bubbsie

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Currently taking Metformin...since I started on it I have very little appetite...not really interested in food...losing weight rapidly (not such a bad thing )... yesterday after what I thought were bad /high test results threw a real strop...I do eat in order to take the metformin having stupidly taken it on an empty stomach the day before...and suffered the full side effects of 'Metformin Revenge'...not sure if I am eating enough...don't know how to deal with that...
 
Currently taking Metformin...since I started on it I have very little appetite...not really interested in food...losing weight rapidly (not such a bad thing )... yesterday after what I thought were bad /high test results threw a real strop...I do eat in order to take the metformin having stupidly taken it on an empty stomach the day before...and suffered the full side effects of 'Metformin Revenge'...not sure if I am eating enough...don't know how to deal with that...

Reading your profile, it seems you were diagnosed in July? On that basis, your body has a lot to get used to (never mind your head). It takes time for changes to become the new normal, and sometimes the bit in the middle can get a bit bumpy.

One of the known benefits/side-effects of Metformin is it suppresses appetite and can, for some people, help quite significantly where the individual could, ideally, benefit from trimming up. On that basis, over the shorter term, I would be unconcerned about reduced appetite and trimming up. Many would say the medication is showing signs of working on you.

When you wonder if you are eating enough, nobody can really tell you that, without an understanding of both what you are now usually eating, how long you've been eating in that way, and an indication of how different that is to your pre-diagnosis way of eating. I appreciate that doesn't really answer your question.

One, very important thing I would say is that our bodies like to work with a routine. They are happiest when we're running "in the groove" and just ticking over. A diagnosis, such as ours (and I understand you've had a number of things crop up in recent times) gets our systems all a bit befuddled. Clearly, I can't make any comment on anything else you're currently handling, but when it comes to your diabetes, it is likely that your blood numbers have been elevated for a little while. If your HbA1c was elevated, that reflects the period of several weeks before diagnosis, so it's a relatively safe assumption. With T2, our levels have probably been creeping up for a while, and our bodies got used to that, until we had symptoms, or were diagnosed as a result of another condition/tests or whatever.

From that point on, we're trying to bring our bloods back into a lower range, and our bodies object. Sometimes they object a lot. It tries to hang onto those higher levels, by making "donations" to our blood sugars from our liver (which stores "spare" glucose for unexpected turns of events), and this can sometimes lead to those readings we just can't explain. We've haven't eaten much, and we've been good, yet the pesky reader insists on displaying a big number! However, over time, our body gets used to things, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it gets used to you producing the lower numbers (by virtue of your eating, meds and any exercise you are taking), and secondly it gets a bit bored of chucking glucose at something somewhat futile - in other words, it gets with the programme!

It strikes me, that you are in the bumpy part of that transition, but the message from this corner is be consistent. Keep being good. Don't give up. If we give up and go back to our old ways, the work we have done wouldn't exactly have been wasted, but it does mean we need to go through some of that bumpy trip again. It's a sort of withdrawal.

I don't know if that helps at all, but I hope it might just a bit.
 
Reading your profile, it seems you were diagnosed in July? On that basis, your body has a lot to get used to (never mind your head). It takes time for changes to become the new normal, and sometimes the bit in the middle can get a bit bumpy.

One of the known benefits/side-effects of Metformin is it suppresses appetite and can, for some people, help quite significantly where the individual could, ideally, benefit from trimming up. On that basis, over the shorter term, I would be unconcerned about reduced appetite and trimming up. Many would say the medication is showing signs of working on you.

When you wonder if you are eating enough, nobody can really tell you that, without an understanding of both what you are now usually eating, how long you've been eating in that way, and an indication of how different that is to your pre-diagnosis way of eating. I appreciate that doesn't really answer your question.

One, very important thing I would say is that our bodies like to work with a routine. They are happiest when we're running "in the groove" and just ticking over. A diagnosis, such as ours (and I understand you've had a number of things crop up in recent times) gets our systems all a bit befuddled. Clearly, I can't make any comment on anything else you're currently handling, but when it comes to your diabetes, it is likely that your blood numbers have been elevated for a little while. If your was elevated, that reflects the period of several weeks before diagnosis, so it's a relatively safe assumption. With T2, our levels have probably been creeping up for a while, and our bodies got used to that, until we had symptoms, or were diagnosed as a result of another condition/tests or whatever.

From that point on, we're trying to bring our bloods back into a lower range, and our bodies object. Sometimes they object a lot. It tries to hang onto those higher levels, by making "donations" to our blood sugars from our liver (which stores "spare" glucose for unexpected turns of events), and this can sometimes lead to those readings we just can't explain. We've haven't eaten much, and we've been good, yet the pesky reader insists on displaying a big number! However, over time, our body gets used to things, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it gets used to you producing the lower numbers (by virtue of your eating, meds and any exercise you are taking), and secondly it gets a bit bored of chucking glucose at something somewhat futile - in other words, it gets with the programme!

It strikes me, that you are in the bumpy part of that transition, but the message from this corner is be consistent. Keep being good. Don't give up. If we give up and go back to our old ways, the work we have done wouldn't exactly have been wasted, but it does mean we need to go through some of that bumpy trip again. It's a sort of withdrawal.

I don't know if that helps at all, but I hope it might just a bit.
Hi AndBreathe...unbelievably helpful response...I was diagnosed in July...I had no obvious symptoms of any of my health problems ( apart from the Cellulitis )...then got a severe infection...Cellulitis...DVT...High Blood Pressure...Diabetes...then needed an endometrial biopsy...all one after the other...I do need to lose weight...however the way the Metformin ( also take Warfarin and Ramipril ) and other meds slashed my appetite and my liking for certain foods shocked me...can't entertain even the thought of eating foods I used to enjoy...no real interest in eating...positive to think the medication is working...and all family and friends say I am looking so well...I have no idea what my HbA1c levels were...will speak to GP on next appointment...believe had Diabetes for some time prior to diagnosis...still eating lots but was losing weight ... attributed that to selling up in London...moving to here...thought because more active...

Your post makes absolute sense...easy to 'digest' ( pun intended).. and understand... one of the best explanations I've had....extremely helpful...thank you so much...will be referring to it often...have a good weekend... ps. I have just had my results back...eye screening all good...biopsy all clear...relieved and grateful for that...will try my best not to panic...Thank you so much...
 
Hi AndBreathe...unbelievably helpful response...I was diagnosed in July...I had no obvious symptoms of any of my health problems ( apart from the Cellulitis )...then got a severe infection...Cellulitis...DVT...High Blood Pressure...Diabetes...then needed an endometrial biopsy...all one after the other...I do need to lose weight...however the way the Metformin ( also take Warfarin and Ramipril ) and other meds slashed my appetite and my liking for certain foods shocked me...can't entertain even the thought of eating foods I used to enjoy...no real interest in eating...positive to think the medication is working...and all family and friends say I am looking so well...I have no idea what my HbA1c levels were...will speak to GP on next appointment...believe had Diabetes for some time prior to diagnosis...still eating lots but was losing weight ... attributed that to selling up in London...moving to here...thought because more active...

Your post makes absolute sense...easy to 'digest' ( pun intended).. and understand... one of the best explanations I've had....extremely helpful...thank you so much...will be referring to it often...have a good weekend... ps. I have just had my results back...eye screening all good...biopsy all clear...relieved and grateful for that...will try my best not to panic...Thank you so much...

Excellent news on the tests you've been having. That would undoubtedly have compounding the pressures you've been feeling. In the beginning, it's a real rollercoaster; physically and mentally.

Many, many people find they not only look better, but feel so much better once they get a grasp on things. Please try to accept that trial and error (and that's where we all start) is bound to include it's fair share of error. That's just how it works. It's like a particularly annoying rite of passage. You'll be fine.
 
The thinking is that many people have had Type 2 before diagnosis and some cases years!
 
Excellent news on the tests you've been having. That would undoubtedly have compounding the pressures you've been feeling. In the beginning, it's a real rollercoaster; physically and mentally.

Many, many people find they not only look better, but feel so much better once they get a grasp on things. Please try to accept that trial and error (and that's where we all start) is bound to include it's fair share of error. That's just how it works. It's like a particularly annoying rite of passage. You'll be fine.[/QUOTE
Getting there AndBreathe...getting there slowly...interested in how...why...GP has taken you off the Diabetes Register...had no idea there was such a thing!!...
 
The thinking is that many people have had Type 2 before diagnosis and some cases years!
Yes Grovesy...in total agreement...believe had for some time before diagnosis...no typical symptoms...but losing weight while still shovelling in the carbs...and anything else that took my fancy...GP says likely peeing sugar for some while...up to that point perversely enjoying my descent into middle age...obesity and obscurity...until now of course...on reflection seems rather reckless?...
 

Each surgery has a diabetes register. Erm,....... All the diabetics under the care of the practice are recorded in it, and I can see a few reasons for it.

Firstly I think is allows each practice to record and provide important epidemiological information on each diabetic patient for centralised reporting and audit. There are also certain functions within a practice for diabetes care that attract additional funding, so, naturally there's an incentive to know how many patients each practice needs to claim for.

Secondly, it provides a simple (practice) centralised place where regular checks like eye screening, can be monitored to ensure we each receive the tests and treatment we require.

My GP offered to remove me from the register after a number of HbA1cs in the low 30s when I objected to it seeming like everything discussed was due to diabetes. Frankly, it simply isn't! She was satisfied my bloods were consistently in excellent ranges and that my llifestyle was supporting that state.

I do still have an annual HbA1c as I accept that I will always be at risk of reverting to a diabetic state for a number of reasons. I'm happy with that, and I have still been receiving eye screening which I am content to attend as long as the appointments keep coming.

I was due my HbA1c this year in December again, but as I was having bloods drawn for another reason earlier this week, we agreed an HbA1c would make be done to save another trip to the vampire in a couple of months.
 
Yes Grovesy...in total agreement...believe had for some time before diagnosis...no typical symptoms...but losing weight while still shovelling in the carbs...and anything else that took my fancy...GP says likely peeing sugar for some while...up to that point perversely enjoying my descent into middle age...obesity and obscurity...until now of course...on reflection seems rather reckless?...
Are you sure your diagnoses is correct and you are not type 2 but type 1 slow onset?
 
Are you sure your diagnoses is correct and you are not type 2 but type 1 slow onset?
Hi PS...blimey I hadn't thought of that...I hope not...would that mean insulin...have to say that prospect scares the hell out of me...however think it could be waiting for other test results...and seem to have typical type 2 symptoms...and had lot of stress recently...not being careful...BG numbers down...I have no idea what slow onset type 1 symptoms are...its a thought...will look into it...thanks
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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