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Cannot take metformin what next ?

M

mch1966

Well-Known Member
Messages
166
Location
wales
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi all,

Diagnosed type 2 in May this year, been on gliclazide 320gms a day and bg still running between at 10.1 mmol on average, my GP prescribed metformin but my gastro consultant has said no to it for a minimum of 6 months as I have liver and pancreas problems.

My DN has said that my priority is to get my fasting bg to 6 with a max day time range of 9, I have done quite a bit with low carbs but both my GP and DN have frowned upon this,

It has left me wondering what other options there may be medication wise, sometimes you really feel that you are between a rock and a hard place.

If anyone has had similar expriences, or any thoughts I would be really grateful to hear them.

thanks
 
Ask them why they are against low carbing and whether the downside would be worse than high bg.


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
You are getting carbs from vegetables, ask them what they have against that! Seriously a 'normal' healthy diet is not what we call healthy, if eating fresh veg (that grow above the ground) and cheese and good fats like avocado and olive oil, and good meat, is not healthy I don't know what is.
Hope you have a meter to find out what food does to your BS, its the only way to find out which food works for you.
 

Hi dawnmc,

Thanks, I have a meter which I am using regularly, I really noticed a difference when I kept my carbs below 150gms per day, I was quite surprised that the medical opinion was that it was better to increase meds rather than go along with low carbs, the DN's opinion was it would be better to use meds, have a more normal diet, rather than low carb, be low on energy and lead too quote "have breath like a bear" due to low carbing"

Now they cannot introduce the meds they wanted I wonder if the opinion will change, or whether they will be able to find another med which does not need to reside in the liver like metformin does.

baffling to be honest, you really do feel like you are in limbo at times.
 
HI, i have been low carbing for 4 months ish and because of the conflicting advice there was always a nagging thought that i was doing wrong, even though my bg improved and i lost weight etc, well last night a kind friend sent me a link to a website
http://www.dietdoctor.com/about.
there is a video of a conference on there which totally validates everything for me and i feel much better about low carbing this morning, i havent had chance to study the rest of the site yet, thats todays job but i would highly recommend having a look,

i appologise if everyone in the world knows about this but me and im stating the obvious,

i suspect there is a huge benefit to most of us trying low carb.

i am not sure the medical proffession is allowed to advocate low carb as it seems to be against the nhs guidelines


good luck
 
Many thanks for that, had a peek at the video, will watch it in full later, looks really interesting, thanks again
 

just finished watching the video, fascinating facts especially over the time line between low fat intro in the 80's and now wide spread obesity, and the reverse trend in such a short time in Sweden with the intro of LCHF diets, great info many thanks
 
your welcome but i cant take credit, someone gave it to me last night, im not sure they would want me to say who so...
i read the 17 weight loss tips today and found them very interesting also, maybee worth a read
 

The human brain requires 120 grams of carbs to function properly so I see no reason for any HCP to object strongly to a diet that contains 150g carbs, many people eat less than 120g of course and dont appear to suffer any problems at all.

I am not a great fan of very low carb diets but mainly due to the fact that most people cant stick to them long term as they are too restrictive, I do have other reservations regarding the very low carb diets but this is not the place to air them. I cant see that you would be deficient in any vitamins or minerals at a level of around 150g carbs a day and that surely is the biggest consideration when looking at diets, is it not?

I personally see nothing wrong with a reduction in carbs to help to control diabetes, and I dont consider 150g to 200g carbs a day to be in any way contentious let alone dangerous in any way, in fact in the early stages of your diagnosis while your resolve is strong there is a very strong argument for both carb and calorie reduction as if you can get on top of this now you may be able to stave off extra meds for a long time.

Have a look at the Newcastle Study diet threads or search for it on the web, the results in newly diagnosed T2's are impressive, even though the study was small.
 
Thanks Sid Bonkers, I thought that 150gms of carbs would be perfectly fine, just do not understand the nhs stance, surely if I am helping myself become less sufficient on meds and not depriving my body of any requirements then whats the issue
 
They just won't veer from the party line is all. Add some exercise to your regime too, that brings down levels.
I've been low carbing for 18 mths now around 50/60 grams a day, and find it very easy to do.
 
dawnmc said:
They just won't veer from the party line is all. Add some exercise to your regime too, that brings down levels.
I've been low carbing for 18 mths now around 50/60 grams a day, and find it very easy to do.
Click to expand...

Thanks dawnmc, I have my weight reasonably under control my latest BMI figure is around 24.2, I have started walking on a daily basis, I will continue the 150gms of carbs and fine tune as needed, maybe if I can reduce the carbs then I can reduce the 320mg a day of gliclazide, that would be an achievement
 
From what I have suffered at the hands of the medical profession with diabetes I would suggest that you continue with your low carb eating plan as its the carbs that turn to sugar. I have in less than 2 years tried metformin, metformin slow release, acarbose, gliclazide, and am at present on glimipiride and stigilptin. Have had blood tests done today as blood glucose is on average beween 15-20 the same as before any medication. When results come through will be going on to insulin and am dreading that.

The practice nurse suggested Carbs and Cals a book by Chris Cheyette to help with carbs and have since found there is an app as well that is very useful

Good luck with it all

Helen
 
I' with charon
ask them for evidence against low carbing. if they have any, pass it on. I've been looking for it forr YEARS. I'v also been a low carber for years and I'm pretty fit and well.
Hana
 
Not ONE doctor can give me a straight answer as to how ALL my bloodwork,hbA1c included and cholesteral,Blood pressure,weight etc has improved 10 fold on "A dangerous dietary diet regime" of low carb high fat? I guess anything that goes against the mainstream is brushed under the carpet and can the big Pharma companies AFFORD for everyone to discover this way instead of high meds? To the OP..if it's working for you without meds then keep doing it!

Best wishes

Paul
 

Thanks Helen, and good luck with your medication
 
hanadr said:
I' with charon
ask them for evidence against low carbing. if they have any, pass it on. I've been looking for it forr YEARS. I'v also been a low carber for years and I'm pretty fit and well.
Hana
Click to expand...

Thanks Hana, I don't think they have evidence just a pre-programmed view on diet
 

Good points Paul, if is interesting to see who sponsers the free literature etc, the med companies. Too many vested interests. Thanks Mark
 
Hi I've been put on victoza once a day Injection with excellent results
 
Hi Jsh, just been one the website http://www.victoza.com/ unfortunately due to pancreatitis I would not be able to use victoza, but hope it works well for others, thanks for the info
 
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