What to expect………

[saffron15]

@Lea123 I have now seen some posts before my last one and the later ones. I was put on slow release metformin which i hope you got. 2 bunged me up but I got loser when increased to four. My hcp was very keen to put me on an SGLT2 because I'm retired with high blood pressure and it is supposed to be good for cardiovascular health. It has made me pee more and knocked me off course with my diet as I was told to keep my carbs up but not given a figure. Out of the blue I was asked to book a diabetes annual review in December because the surgery was making annual reviews with birthday month. I was told dcn off sick and wouldn't be able to review results. My hba1c was 44 which was good but I saw the hcp in January but was unclear what was being checked. The appointment caused me stress as I wanted to discuss BP which had been high when meds changed when SGLT1 added. I wasn't told any plan. Out of the blue I have received an appointment with DCN this month and feel I can get back on track. As you are checking your blood glucose you will be fine. Increasing how much you move is good too. I asked lots of silly questions here to begin with. I think not getting other medication added gives you more options. Different medication may have reduced the blood sugar slightly quicker but if metformin is working it will be easy to reduce later.
I wish I had been pushier years ago as I may have been tested for diabetes and hopefully changed my eating and exercise and never got this diagnosis. However I cannot change that now and I have lost weight and am eating more sensibly.
Obviously if your BG increases consistently or you feel unwell make an appointment. Hopefully you will get a foot check. Do wear reasonable footwear and keep your feet in good form. You want to make sure the skin is good and any blisters or cuts ( i haven't had any) are treated promptly. Make sure you have a regular check at dentist as extra sugar not good for your gums. I was interested in remission but felt the SGLT2 complicated this. However some people have gone on specific programmes more than a year after diagnosis and others have got there with their own plans. You should be given a blood test before your DCN appointment so they know your level
Here is the site in New Forest which has all the information you may need

Diabetes & Metabolic Health | New Forest PCN

newforestpcn.co.uk

 

[Lea123]

@Lea123 I have now seen some posts before my last one and the later ones. I was put on slow release metformin which i hope you got. 2 bunged me up but I got loser when increased to four. My hcp was very keen to put me on an SGLT2 because I'm retired with high blood pressure and it is supposed to be good for cardiovascular health. It has made me pee more and knocked me off course with my diet as I was told to keep my carbs up but not given a figure. Out of the blue I was asked to book a diabetes annual review in December because the surgery was making annual reviews with birthday month. I was told dcn off sick and wouldn't be able to review results. My hba1c was 44 which was good but I saw the hcp in January but was unclear what was being checked. The appointment caused me stress as I wanted to discuss BP which had been high when meds changed when SGLT1 added. I wasn't told any plan. Out of the blue I have received an appointment with DCN this month and feel I can get back on track. As you are checking your blood glucose you will be fine. Increasing how much you move is good too. I asked lots of silly questions here to begin with. I think not getting other medication added gives you more options. Different medication may have reduced the blood sugar slightly quicker but if metformin is working it will be easy to reduce later.
I wish I had been pushier years ago as I may have been tested for diabetes and hopefully changed my eating and exercise and never got this diagnosis. However I cannot change that now and I have lost weight and am eating more sensibly.
Obviously if your BG increases consistently or you feel unwell make an appointment. Hopefully you will get a foot check. Do wear reasonable footwear and keep your feet in good form. You want to make sure the skin is good and any blisters or cuts ( i haven't had any) are treated promptly. Make sure you have a regular check at dentist as extra sugar not good for your gums. I was interested in remission but felt the SGLT2 complicated this. However some people have gone on specific programmes more than a year after diagnosis and others have got there with their own plans. You should be given a blood test before your DCN appointment so they know your level
Here is the site in New Forest which has all the information you may need

Diabetes & Metabolic Health | New Forest PCN

newforestpcn.co.uk

Thanks, i didn’t get to discuss which metformin i should be on so they started me straight away on 1500mg normal from day one (not slow release and no gradual) and by some miracle i have had no side effects which is great but i really wanted to talk to them about what to do, if my dose is even correct, can i come off them, what should i be doing etc etc but will now just wait and push for a hba1c in April ……

 

[saffron15]

Thanks, i didn’t get to discuss which metformin i should be on so they started me straight away on 1500mg normal from day one (not slow release and no gradual) and by some miracle i have had no side effects which is great but i really wanted to talk to them about what to do, if my dose is even correct, can i come off them, what should i be doing etc etc but will now just wait and push for a hba1c in April ……

I don't know how your surgery organises blood tests but I would contact them and ask if you can/should have an hba1c test to be available for your dcn appointment. In my surgery a nurse takes blood test. It only took a few days to get the result. I had to give a urine sample for my diabetes review. I would check if you need one before your diabetes appointment.

As far as your response to metformin I'm pleased you have been OK. SR is more expensive than the other one so I was lucky I am on slow release though both drugs are relatively cheap and effective.