Hi, newbie to this forum, Type 2, on meds for 3 years, losing

TheGovernor

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi all

Introducing myself here, 45 year old male non-smoker diagnosed 3-4 years ago Type 2, BG level 21 on diagnosis (!), heavy drinker. Started on Metformin 1500per day, up to 2000mg per day about a year ago, and Glicazide added as well.

Still getting poor readings, 10-12 after meals but goes down if I exercise (eg a short run) but invariably not controlled.

Alcohol is the enemy, it is fermented sugar after all. Going to see GP soon and yet another diabetic clinic - so far the clinics I have been to only give a slap on the wrist (ie a lecture) and shake their heads - no medical intervention.

However a recent conversation I had with an (excellent) pharmacist suggested there are other meds I could take, and I wasn't getting good enough treatment. Any advice on this? The answer is total abstinence from wine etc but that is easier said than done.

Andrew
 

JTL

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,358
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Litterbugs war mongers hate mongers propagandists.
I'm sure there's more.
Hello mate you'll not find many in at this time of night.
Beer is classed as liquid bread .... baaaad carbs!
Nowt wrong with alcohol.
I tend to now have red wine or vodka beer just blows them sugars sky high ... as does bread.
Welcome to a mine of help information and some very interesting people.
 

TheGovernor

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi Jack, great to hear from you, I'm looking forward to getting advice and making friends on here. Problem is I typically drink a bottle of red wine a night ... sometimes a beer or two as well, although I've been cutting out the beer as often as possible. Just took my BG reading tonight and it was 12.5 but then I remembered that I stupidly forgot to take my metformin at lunchtime today. Thanks!
 

forge

Well-Known Member
Messages
512
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Getting old and everything that goes with it. All the repeats on TV. The drongos who ring me up to sell me things. Religious havens for pedophiles and war-mongers.
Hello @TheGovernor I am on Metformin and I drink but not excessively, I can't remember where I saw it but alc. is supposed to reduce not increase BS and it was recommended that you actually have some carbs with alc. drinks.

I have been a big drinker and even last year I was drinking the equivalent of 1 bottle of Scotch per week I had a referral to a cardiologist and ended up with a pacemaker, but he was adamant the 1 bot per week was far too much. So I have cut it back again and do not drink half that amount. ( before my brother died he was drinking 1 bot Scotch per day)

I find the trick with changing habits is to swap them for something else.

My story goes like this.

I had a diabetes specialist for more than 10 years and he moved away so I got a referral to another specialist in a mid sized medical centre that did not do appointments anyway I was forgotten and sat for hours and ended up with a Doc (GP not a specialist)with the same name (but I did not know) .

Meanwhile my pulse had dropped erratically and below 30 so I ended up with the cardiologist then I had to go public because my insurance did not include heart so I had to do it all again with another cardiologist and then surgery for a Pacemaker.

Eventually I got back to the medical centre months later, only to find that the specialist was not accepting any more patients.

So I had to go back to my GP for another referral to another diabetes specialist and prescriptions. My GP was surprised where I had been and I had a pacemaker inserted. in the 5 months since I had seen him last.

My new diabetes specialist put me on a lo carb diet and got me off 130 units insulin per day and onto 4 metformin tabs. I have lost 16 kg and need to lose another 7 kg I am drinking less half what I was and I am amusing myself with experimental lo-carb cooking.

Like any other interest, lo carb cooking became fun after I got a handle on the basics. It is all good and gets better when I add new food to my repertoire.

So my advice would be to cut back the booze and learn to cook locarb as a diversion.

During that time I also had a go at self teaching the ukulele. That was fun but I am not very good at it. But it took my mind off my old habits.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 5 people

Daibell

Master
Messages
12,642
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi and welcome. Although taking too much alcohol is not good for anyone in low quantities it is OK for us as it only has a small effect on blood sugar (both up and down a bit). Most of the carbs will have been converted to alcohol hence the effect on blood sugar is small for many alcoholic drinks. Can you tell us what your weight is i.e. are you normal BMI or above? You are already on Metformin and Gliclazide. The third often prescribed tablet is Sitaglitpin. If you are over weight then some people have a weekly injectable prescribed such as Bydureon. There is always insulin at the end of the day but not ideal until weight is in the normal range. Are you low-carbing? This is the best way to get both weight and blood sugar down. BTW if you are still quite young and not overweight then the possibility of Late onset T1 lurks in the background.
 

JTL

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,358
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Litterbugs war mongers hate mongers propagandists.
I'm sure there's more.
Never been told that alcohol and Metformin don't mix.