Thoughts or opinions please

[lauraw1983]

Hi all

I have only posted on the newbies thread but figure this is the right place to ask this question....

It's just over a week since I found out and have been on Metformin since then, just 1000mg at first and 3 days ago it was upped to 2000mg a day. I have been suffering with tummy cramps and the horrid diarrhoea (sorry tmi!) - I am going to give it a bit longer to see if that settles before I ask about the SR version as I can't put up with this much longer.

Anyway my BG was in the 18's last week, but the past 2 days it is still around 9/10 in the mornings before breakfast. It's psychological, but it's upsetting me and then puts me in a bad mood for the day. Do you think this IS normal for Metformin or should it be more stabilised by now and into "normal" range of 5 - 8 (which is what they said to aim for just now) in mornings??

I have to call the clinic tomorrow and let them know how my readings have been (I saw the nurse on Tuesday as I was really upset about everything) and I am worried they are going to say I need more tablets too, or what I am dreading they say, that I need insulin. Is this likely at this stage?

I still feel a bit thirsty and am still tired, which I know aren't good signs either - though it's a bit better than it was. If I could get rid of that, then maybe I'd find all the other bits easier to cope with.

Thanks for reading, any thoughts/advice appreciated so I maybe know what to expect tomorrow. It's all so confusing. x

 

[Steff]

Hi Laura I gave myself 2 weeks and then got myself put on the SR version it did help and it also took away the tummy issues, its certainly good to hear your levels have come down so much but it does not seem to be benifiting you as you say your still tired and thirsty, often given abit of time things do settle down but it can be disheartening when you want results quicker.I would of thought when you call the clinic tomorrow they will be pleased to hear of a descrease in your levels as its certainly positive, and i would of thought it highly unnlikely also they would out you on insulin so quickly without exhausing all other avenues first.

Good luck

 

[Northerner]

...Anyway my BG was in the 18's last week, but the past 2 days it is still around 9/10 in the mornings before breakfast. It's psychological, but it's upsetting me and then puts me in a bad mood for the day. Do you think this IS normal for Metformin or should it be more stabilised by now and into "normal" range of 5 - 8 (which is what they said to aim for just now) in mornings??

I have to call the clinic tomorrow and let them know how my readings have been (I saw the nurse on Tuesday as I was really upset about everything) and I am worried they are going to say I need more tablets too, or what I am dreading they say, that I need insulin. Is this likely at this stage?
...

Hi Laura, sorry to hear about the side effects - I hope things ease for you soon 🙂 As for your numbers, you are making good progress I would say - already coming down to half what you were last week! These things do take time, and there is a lot more to consider than just the medication. The drugs alone will be unlikely to bring your levels into the 'ideal' range, especially so early on. You also need to consider your diet - what you are eating at each meal, the amount and types of carbohydrate involved, and portion sizes generally. Each person will have different tolerances and it is mainly by discovering how different foods affect you personally that you will start to achieve those desirable numbers. This takes time so that you can build up your knowledge and experience, it is not unfortunately something that you can sort out overnight. But don't worry, this is perfectly normal! 🙂

I think most people when they are newly diagnosed are afraid that the numbers aren't coming down fast enough, but remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint - you will get there! 🙂 I think it is highly unlikely that you will need any extra medication at this stage.

 

[Ellie Jones]

It takes several weeks for metformin to get to it's fully into the system so you may yet see some more improvements on your levels..

As for your tummy upset I think I would speak to the nurse sooner rather than later..

To help reduce your levels bit further, take a look in the food forum, and see if there ways that you can reduce your carb intake a little, as a moderate carb diet really does help with control and there's many tips and tricks on how to lower a carb in a faviroate dish or two over there..

 

[Sammixi]

Am also on 1000mg a day and have found myself suffering cramps etc....i'm not good with that and give up on the tablets after 4-5 days then restart again a week later. Not good I know.... do the cramps etc ease off eventually.

sam x

 

[lauraw1983]

Hi Laura, sorry to hear about the side effects - I hope things ease for you soon As for your numbers, you are making good progress I would say - already coming down to half what you were last week! These things do take time, and there is a lot more to consider than just the medication. The drugs alone will be unlikely to bring your levels into the 'ideal' range, especially so early on. You also need to consider your diet - what you are eating at each meal, the amount and types of carbohydrate involved, and portion sizes generally. Each person will have different tolerances and it is mainly by discovering how different foods affect you personally that you will start to achieve those desirable numbers. This takes time so that you can build up your knowledge and experience, it is not unfortunately something that you can sort out overnight. But don't worry, this is perfectly normal!

I think most people when they are newly diagnosed are afraid that the numbers aren't coming down fast enough, but remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint - you will get there! 🙂 I think it is highly unlikely that you will need any extra medication at this stage.

Thank you again. I had been too scared to eat much at all, coupled with not much appetite anyway (tablets I presume?) that when I saw the nurse on Tuesday she said just to eat normally just now, I see the dietician next week too to go over things a bit. I've done the obvious (cut refined sugars, not that I ate/drunk many anyway) but for now the carb thing was really confusing me so I have just made portions a bit smaller for now (see above re; appetite too). I want results faster than this, I haven't really accepted it yet I don't think.

I think I am going to say about the tablets tomorrow too, I was wakened at 5am this morning with cramps and needing the loo - not nice. Should it have settled by now?!

I'm also cross because I went to pick up my prescription from the GP, only when I got home did I notice he hasn't put the testing sticks on it!!! 😡 Having read about this before, I am going to be kicking up a stink tomorrow. The clinic said I was to get the sticks and the ketone ones just now (as they still arent 100% sure what exactly they are dealing with, with me) I need to ask about the c-peptide and antibody tests tomorrow too.

Now if only I could be a bit less tired for it all.

 

[lauraw1983]

Hi Laura I gave myself 2 weeks and then got myself put on the SR version it did help and it also took away the tummy issues, its certainly good to hear your levels have come down so much but it does not seem to be benifiting you as you say your still tired and thirsty, often given abit of time things do settle down but it can be disheartening when you want results quicker.I would of thought when you call the clinic tomorrow they will be pleased to hear of a descrease in your levels as its certainly positive, and i would of thought it highly unnlikely also they would out you on insulin so quickly without exhausing all other avenues first.

Good luck

Yes I am thinking I will wait til early next week maybe....will see what they say tomorrow I suppose and take it from there. Was 8.1 before dinner tonight.

 

[Northerner]

You should definitely have the test strips as you are far from being a clear cut case at the moment, so they can't wheel out the usual arguments about you not needing to test - your clinic needs information so they can make an assessment.

Good luck! 🙂