Search Results

  1. Peter5145

    Type 2 Side effects of Forxiga (Dapagliflozin)

    I've been taking this for a couple of months as an alternative to Metformin which was causing severe bowel irritation. It certainly has helped in the bowel department. Peeing has returned to what I'd consider normal, whereas with Metformin I tended to experience fluid retention during the second...
  2. Peter5145

    Insomnia and diabetes

    The insomnia has in fact got considerably better since I first mentioned it, although I'm still not sleeping as well as I'd like. It's obviously not solely due to getting up for a pee as some nights I sleep much better than others with no apparent link to what I did the previous day. It's...
  3. Peter5145

    My first hypo

    Oh, both were to hand, but I just didn't recognise it. I'm not beating myself up about it, just find it interesting that I didn't.
  4. Peter5145

    My first hypo

    I do have a meter but only test intermittently. It was 4.4 the following morning. My understanding is that the body after a while recognises the problem and takes action to correct it, but obviously it's far better to do something yourself.
  5. Peter5145

    My first hypo

    I had my first identifiable hypo the other day since being diagnosed with diabetes earlier in the year. I may have had one or two similar episodes before diagnosis but just dismissed them as a "funny turn". On reflection, I've got a good idea of the combination of circumstances that may had...
  6. Peter5145

    Dramatic fall in HbA1c

    I'll let myself be guided by the diabetic nurse on that, as so far I've had good results by following her advice, and she seems quite knowledgeable and non-judgmental, which is important. I'll be having another review in three months' time and hopefully then will be able to reduce the dose. I've...
  7. Peter5145

    Dramatic fall in HbA1c

    I haven't actually lost more than about 3 or 4 pounds. My current BMI is 26. I have been consciously eating less and doing more exercise, but for reasons that have been explained to me, but which I don't really understand, it is possible in this situation to alter the calorie input/output ratio...
  8. Peter5145

    Dramatic fall in HbA1c

    Actually just after I made the post, the diabetes nurse at the GP practice rang me up to say I could now drop the Gliclazide. In any case, I'd generally only been taking one a day in the mornings, as it's easy to forget before an evening meal and not practical to take if eating out.
  9. Peter5145

    Dramatic fall in HbA1c

    I've been taking 4x500mg of Metformin per day, 2x80mg of Gliclazide, and also Amias (Candesartan) for blood pressure. To be honest, while I've been careful about what I eat, I haven't been specifically aiming for a low-carb diet, mainly just cutting out sugar and chocolate, eating more fruit...
  10. Peter5145

    Dramatic fall in HbA1c

    When I was first diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in March this year, my HbA1c figure was 108. I've been a good boy and have made modifications to my diet and taken all my medications, particularly Metformin. Another blood test has just come up with a figure of 36 :wideyed: Is such a dramatic...
  11. Peter5145

    Best time for testing

    Well, "you only need to test two or three times a week" is the professional medical advice I have been given, so I'm asking in that context. Answering "well, I wouldn't start from here" isn't really very helpful, to be honest. And bear in mind that the majority of people with diabetes aren't...
  12. Peter5145

    Best time for testing

    For example, all of my "before breakfast" results over a 3-month period have been between 4.8 and 6.0. Even ignoring the issue of cost, I see no point in testing myself on a daily basis if I'm confident what the result is going to be.
  13. Peter5145

    Best time for testing

    I have been given a meter, but the diabetes nurse has told me that, as my blood glucose seems to be reasonably under control, I only need to test myself a couple of times a week. When are the best times to do this to get a representative view - before or after meals?
  14. Peter5145

    Missing dose of metformin

    Well, I have been taking it for 2½ months and, together with some dietary changes, seem to have stabilised my fasting blood glucose level below 7, so it seems to be working for me. I've also not experienced the unpleasant side effects that some people have reported, although I'm not saying they...
  15. Peter5145

    Diabetic eye screening

    I recently went for my first diabetic eye screening which was to be combined with my regular eye test. However, I was told that, as part of the screening, I would have to have the eye pressure test which involves blowing air into my eye. This is something I've never been able to do as I simply...
  16. Peter5145

    Missing dose of metformin

    If I've missed one of my twice-daily doses of metformin, for example if I've been eating out and not had the tablets with me, is it best to take the tablets later, or skip them on that occasion? Or doesn't it really matter if it's a one-off?
  17. Peter5145

    Insomnia and diabetes

    I thought initially it might have been a result of coming off anti-depressant meds (Sertraline), but as it's persisted long beyond that there must be more to it. I've tried herbal sleeping tablets but they make no difference. The doctor has prescribed Phenergan, which does help a bit, but isn't...
  18. Peter5145

    Insomnia and diabetes

    Has anyone else found diabetes to be a cause or a contributory factor to insomnia? I've recently been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes following a blood test which the doctor asked for as I'd been suffering from chronic insomnia for nine months. One thing that wasn't helping me sleep was having...
  19. Peter5145

    Is alcohol OK.

    Presumably cider is preferable to beer from the carbs point of view.
  20. Peter5145

    Is alcohol OK.

    Pretty much every form of medication now says "don't drink alcohol" so it's hard to tell when they're crying wolf.