New to meds, concerned about side effects

[brassyblonde900]

I had issues with Metformin and sudden diarrhoea at the most inconvenient times, awful. Life much better on insulin, don't be afraid of it. I lead a much freer life now as I can adjust my dosage to what I eat. (Not always correctly but better). I went through a very very low carb period before o went onto insulin and hardly reduced my hba1c however I never got above high teens on finger prick tests.
We're all different, follow your nurse's advice and don't worry about insulin when the time comes, it can be life changing.

In a majority of cases not all but a good majority, (In some cases can also be due to an injury/drug reaction/ another medical condition) a diagnosis of Type2 diabetes would have been preceded by Insulin Resistance, due to hyperinsulinemia.

A person with a diagnosis of T2DM should give dietary changes a chance, for the simple reason that, giving insulin to person who is type 2, is akin to giving lactose to a person that is lactose intolerant, or alcohol to an alcoholic. (channelling Dr Fung)just so the symptoms could go away, but does nothing for the underlying metabolic dysregulation brought on by an inability to metabolise carbs safely.

The old hat approach of insulin for T2DM above all else, is what usually results in T2DM being a chronic, condition, that gets worse over time. (Remember that Insulin Resistance is never addressed with any addition of exogenous insulin to a system that is already swimming with excess insulin)

T2DM is a condition of too much insulin, because the body is Insulin resistant and insulin is unable to do its work effectively, a Blood Glucose level for which a definitive diagnosis of T2DM is made is then achieved.
Too much insulin drives most of the pathology associated with the condition.

 

[timbro]

In a majority of cases not all but a good majority, (In some cases can also be due to an injury/drug reaction/ another medical condition) a diagnosis of Type2 diabetes would have been preceded by Insulin Resistance, due to hyperinsulinemia.

A person with a diagnosis of T2DM should give dietary changes a chance, for the simple reason that, giving insulin to person who is type 2, is akin to giving lactose to a person that is lactose intolerant, or alcohol to an alcoholic. (channelling Dr Fung)just so the symptoms could go away, but does nothing for the underlying metabolic dysregulation brought on by an inability to metabolise carbs safely.

The old hat approach of insulin for T2DM above all else, is what usually results in T2DM being a chronic, condition, that gets worse over time. (Remember that Insulin Resistance is never addressed with any addition of exogenous insulin to a system that is already swimming with excess insulin)

T2DM is a condition of too much insulin, because the body is Insulin resistant and insulin is unable to do its work effectively, a Blood Glucose level for which a definitive diagnosis of T2DM is made is then achieved.
Too much insulin drives most of the pathology associated with the condition.

I gave dietary changes or low carb diet, diet plus gliclazide, diet plus gliclazide plus Metformin 8 years to 'work'. I was of a normal weight not obese and only 38 year old. I do make insulin (had a chance peptide done 12 months ago to check). I do respond well to injected Latus (insulin glargine) and to Novo rapid ( insulin aspartame). I follow a carb counting regimen in much the same way as a type 1. I therefore conclude that my insulin is defective in some way or my injected insulin amounts would be much higher???

We are all different and I for one believe the research that concluded that there are in fact 6 types that would be classified as type 1 or type 2.

 

[lisa5466]

Ok think I need to check I’m doing this right. Been on two metformin per day, 500mg in the morning and same again before bed. Eating as low carb as possible, kept to under 100g per day. This has been since thurs last week. So far no weight loss and bg sticking at 16/17 first thing each morning.
Am I being impatient?
I hoped to see amazing results, although I know it’s only 4 days!
Am I being unrealistic expecting a steady fall in bg each day? Thank you.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Yes, 4 days is unrealistic to expect much change. Fasting numbers will always be the last to come down.

If I were you I would forget the fasting numbers for now and concentrate on the numbers before eating and 2 hours after first bite. Keeping a food diary and recording the levels alongside will help enormously. It will show you instantly how your body has reacted to that meal and give you chance to tweak things. Even doing that it isn't the levels that matter as much as the amount of difference there is between the before and after tests. This should be under 2mmol/l and preferably less. More than that and there were too many carbs on your plate. Once you have this sorted (and it takes a while. It won't happen in 4 days) then you could go back to testing your fasting in addition to testing meals - and then you may see a drop. Numbers do not drop in a linear fashion. They drop more like steps - gradually over time.

 

[lisa5466]

Yes, 4 days is unrealistic to expect much change. Fasting numbers will always be the last to come down.

If I were you I would forget the fasting numbers for now and concentrate on the numbers before eating and 2 hours after first bite. Keeping a food diary and recording the levels alongside will help enormously. It will show you instantly how your body has reacted to that meal and give you chance to tweak things. Even doing that it isn't the levels that matter as much as the amount of difference there is between the before and after tests. This should be under 2mmol/l and preferably less. More than that and there were too many carbs on your plate. Once you have this sorted (and it takes a while. It won't happen in 4 days) then you could go back to testing your fasting in addition to testing meals - and then you may see a drop. Numbers do not drop in a linear fashion. They drop more like steps - gradually over time.

Thanks that’s really useful. I’ve only been testing in the mornings and occasional bed time. I like the diary idea too. I’ll start this tomorrow....and wait!

 

[lisa5466]

Anyone experienced this...so today I had a reading of 9.1 after upping metformin to 2 x 500g am and again pm yesterday. I’ve felt really ill all day but also cold.....and I am never cold! I ate an hour ago, including 27g carbs, and all of a sudden I’m back to being really hot!!! Is this related to bg measures do you think?

 

[Sparkle1953]

Metformin only helps to a very limited extent, mainly a small amount with early morning fasting levels. What it won't do is reduce any post meal spikes. Diet is the key. Statins can raise blood sugar levels - there are warnings about this on the patient information leaflets. They also come with unpleasant side effects, some of which don't materialise for several years. I would be more concerned about the statins than the Metformin.

Well done so far now you are back on the waggon.

I am taking Janumet XR once a day. Started low carb/keto 4 weeks ago and my ketone reading is 40. During the day my levels are in the 6 and 7s. However my morning readings are always up in the 8s. Should I take the Janumet on an empty tummy first thing in the morning. Should I change when I am taking it? Perhaps before I go to bed ?

 

[HSSS]

I am taking Janumet XR once a day. Started low carb/keto 4 weeks ago and my ketone reading is 40. During the day my levels are in the 6 and 7s. However my morning readings are always up in the 8s. Should I take the Janumet on an empty tummy first thing in the morning. Should I change when I am taking it? Perhaps before I go to bed ?

This is an oldish thread on a different topic. You’ll get new answers if you start a new thread with a relevant title I believe. I don’t take meds so can’t help,I’m afraid.