So what do you think might happen next?

[Davids]

hello - new boy here - I am only two weeks into testing and taking metformin (one at first but two for past week). Diet is sensible - have lost 7 lbs over the period (BMI 29)

Waking reading is between 8 and 10. Other times of day is between 8 and 14.

Only one reasonably low reading - 6.6 after 10 miles on the bike - I can see clearly the difference that running or cycling makes - but can't do it all the time!.

I think these readings are not good? Seeing the nurse on Thursday - what do you think she might say? Thank you

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Hi David, just as a matter of interest what do you call a sensible diet? 🙂
Met does take a while to start to work so remember Rome wasn't built in a day 🙂

PS that's a fantastic weight loss well done. Your nurse will be pleased with that.

 

[LeeLee]

I'd echo what Sue has said/asked. What would be classed as a sensible healthy diet for a non-diabetic tends to have way too many carbohydrates for us sweet ones. (Carbs + metformin increases the wind speed.)

 

[Davids]

Thanks for replies. My diet is fairly simple - mostly vegetable stew! I make a big vat on Sunday and eat it through the week - tomato, leeks, onions, courgettes, cauliflower, broccoli and not too many new potatoes. I once lost three stone on this.

I love bread but only have a slice here and there. I tried to bake whole grain bread but it turned out like a brick!

I have bran flakes/grape nuts/porridge for breakfast. I try not to snack but like fruit - maybe four a day - banana, orange, apple, a few grapes. Can fruit be bad because of the sugar in it?

If I eat out I have tried to stick to salads. Had pasta once since I have been trying.

I have tried to read up on what is good and bad for diabetics but it doesn't seem to be a precise science!

 

[Northerner]

Thanks for replies. My diet is fairly simple - mostly vegetable stew! I make a big vat on Sunday and eat it through the week - tomato, leeks, onions, courgettes, cauliflower, broccoli and not too many new potatoes. I once lost three stone on this.

I love bread but only have a slice here and there. I tried to bake whole grain bread but it turned out like a brick!

I have bran flakes/grape nuts/porridge for breakfast. I try not to snack but like fruit - maybe four a day - banana, orange, apple, a few grapes. Can fruit be bad because of the sugar in it?

If I eat out I have tried to stick to salads. Had pasta once since I have been trying.

I have tried to read up on what is good and bad for diabetics but it doesn't seem to be a precise science!

Hi David, it's not a precise science, unfortunately, because we all have different tolerances for certain types of food. You might want to consider changing your breakfasts to something less carby - cereals and porridge can cause big rises in levels for a lot of people, as insulin resistance tends to be greater in the mornings. Try something like scrambled eggs and tomatoes/mushrooms/lean bacon instead. A lot of people like yoghurt with added berries/nuts.

Regarding fruit, again some are better than others - berries tend to be the best, grapes the worst and bananas, especially ripe ones, also cause a lot of people problems.

Have you explored the GL Diet? what you should expect from the NHS in terms of support explains the principles well 🙂

 

[Davids]

Thanks for that Northerner - really helpful - I read somewhere that bran flakes and porridge were very good. I prefer your alternatives!

The berries and yoghurt suggestion is helpful too.

But I am wondering what might happen next if those levels do not come down significantly - and can be maintained at a more normal level.

I know I am being impatient!

By the way, is this your job? You are very generous with your time and advice - thank you

 

[Northerner]

Thanks for that Northerner - really helpful - I read somewhere that bran flakes and porridge were very good. I prefer your alternatives!

The berries and yoghurt suggestion is helpful too.

But I am wondering what might happen next if those levels do not come down significantly - and can be maintained at a more normal level.

I know I am being impatient!

By the way, is this your job? You are very generous with your time and advice - thank you

Yes, it is my job to make sure the forum is running smoothly, although in my spare time I also like to make sure the forum is running smoothly and people's queries are being answered! 😉

I can understand your impatience, but it really is early days for you currently. If you continue to make the progress you have been doing then I would expect your levels to improve. But diabetes is a very individual thing and whilst some people can manage well without medication or on low doses, for some people extra meds may be required. This isn't a failure, but simply a reflection of how well that person's pancreas is able to cope, and there can be a wide spectrum of experience in this regard. One thing is sure though, effort is never wasted, since it will always reduce the amount of intervention required - even people who need insulin need less of it if they keep active and eat well 🙂

At the moment it is difficult to say what might happen in your case. Losing weight and exercising more will increase your insulin sensitivity and may lead to you being able to reduce your medication - many of our members have succeeded in this. Keep up the good work and you'll have a better idea of where you stand in a few weeks time 🙂

 

[trophywench]

Hi David

I think the phrase about diabetes that could have been invented precisely for you is

Hey ! - remember this is a marathon - not a sprint !

Furthermore, what that doesn't tell you is it's an uphill marathon at first - and what's the best way to walk up a steep hill? - take smaller steps, so you can get there with all your breath and in a fit state to enjoy the view from the top !

You are doing great for a fortnight, good grief ! Metformin takes at least 3 weeks to 'ramp up' in your body, then once you are (sort of) 'saturated', you just keep topping it up on a very regular basis. It isn't a drug that does anything at all taken randomly.

So the weight loss is 99.9% down to David, so far, NOT Metformin.

And David is doing exceedingly well so far !

 

[Davids]

Thank you - the comment about Metformin is really helpful. Everything about blood glucose seems so instant - but clearly the effect of the drugs isn't.

So I will calm down and wait and see!

Thanks again to everyone for your advice and encouragement

 

[trophywench]

They do say also, that Met isn't really optimally effective, until you get on to a min of 1500 mg a day - but I don't know whether that is universally true or not.

 

[LeeLee]

They do say also, that Met isn't really optimally effective, until you get on to a min of 1500 mg a day - but I don't know whether that is universally true or not.

I never progressed further than the 500mg morning and night starting dose, but then again my first HbA1c after starting to take it coincided with the first 4 stone lost so it was probably the right dose for my changed circumstances.

 

[DaisyDuke]

I started off on metformin 500mg with breakfast and tea. Then after a couple of months it was upped to 1000mg breakfast and tea. It takes a while for it all to work so two weeks is nothing yet. My metformin worked on the 500mg x4 for about a year and then had to go onto insulin. I managed to lose 4 stone while on the metformin. I still take the 2000mg of metformin now along with levemir and novorapid.