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Another newbie -Metformin???

T

Traceyann

Newbie
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3
Hello,

I'm 38 and was diagnosed earler this week with type 2 diabetes. I'm struggling a bit with it at the moment and feeling a little down but I guess that is to be expected. It was on the cards as I had Impaired Glucose Tolerence and Gestational Diabetes over the last few years. However, I managed to deny it until the harsh reality hit me this week!

My fasting blood glucose was 10.1 which I realise is high. I am very overweight and need to lose weight so hope that with this, and my improved diet my figures will improve.

I have a question about Metformin - My doctor wanted to put me on it this week, however I wanted to have a go at seeing if diet only would work. I'm not really sure if this was the right thing to do and would appreciate your comments. I'm due to go back to the doctors in 2 months for repeat tests and to see how I am doing, with a view to going on the metformin then.

I'd love to hear about your experiences and knowledge in this matter.

Thanks

Tracey
 
Hi Traceyann
Welcome to the forum. I guess most people are somewhere else tonight but I just checked in as usual before my nightly book!
I was diagnosed last July and told it would be oral meds and then insulin soon after - but they sent me away to come back in three months. Others have had this happen. Thing is, the diet sheet they give you won't work too well, so you need to have a read on here and find out the various things people do with carb control to get those figures down before your next appointment. You do need to get them down because otherwise complications set in. (But no one can say if you did the right thing or not in avoiding meds this time round.) People have been known to lower or ditch their meds eventually after gaining better control so all is not lost if you get put on metformin on your next visit. Just keep at whatever you decide and the weight will come off and the figures go down. You could get a testing meter and then you can find out which foods affect your blood sugar and you can start by avoiding those. There's plenty of info on here to help. Above all, don't panic :lol:
DG
 
Thanks for your response Dragongirl.

I'm going to get a monitor and see what works for me. The thought of a low carb diet fills me with dread as I'm vegetarian and most of my diet consists of pasta / rice / potatoes! I'm really hoping that if I cut out the rubbish (crisps / chocolate etc) and eat healthily that that will be enough. I guess only time will tell, although looking at this site I can see that it seems unlikely!

I really do appreciate you getting back to me and sharing your experience, thank you.

Tracey
 
Why don't you put out a request on the Ask a Question section of the forum or the type 2 section or the low carb section, because I know from past posts that there are some low(er) carb vegetarians here and they might have some suggestions. I'm afraid I don't qualify to answer as I eat any chicken that passes my door!
DG
 
Thanks.....I'll do that and have a look around. I'm sure there are some easy changes I can make.

Wish I was the same with chicken and other meat/fish, sure would make things a lot easier. It's just been too long now!

Thanks again
 
hi there, like you i am recently diagnosed about 6 weeks now , and i am trying to go by diet alone, my doc has been brilliant and has said we will give 3 months to see if i can change that.
I am 37 have managed to get my blood pressure right down and have lost a stone, just by lower carbs and walking.I have a meter (which i got on perscription) and testing before meals and 3 hours after, you will be amazed what affects you.
Good luck and i hope this helps
sara
 
Number 1 on your list should be to get those numbers down.It really is the most important thing.You MAY be able to do it by diet and exercise. Notif you follow the eat loads of carbs and no fats. that simply doesn't work.
You have to control your carbs somehow. It's worth Googling for a vegetarian diabetic website. I'm certain one must exist. The GI/ GL route might work for a vegetarian.
Hana
 
H Tracey and welcome! :)

It is such a roller coaster when you first get your diagnosis but at least you have found your way to this forum where you will find great information and lots of help when you need it. 8)

As you say it is unlikely that you will be able to keep your pasta, rice and potatoes but there are alternatives which work well. Members of my family are vegetarian and, since starting to cut my carbs, I found that putting quorn on the menu has been a real help. I use celeriac, swede and cauliflower in many ways as a low carb alternative to those starchy carbs mentioned above.
 
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