- Messages
- 4,247
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
- Dislikes
-
Diet drinks - the artificial sweeteners taste vile.
Having to forswear foods I have loved all my life.
Trying to find low carb meals when eating out.
About two and a half months ago (27th September) I had my 6 monthly diabetes review with my DSN.
She was pleased with my HbA1c of 6.4%/46 but not so happy with my eGFR at 58 mL/min.
She recommended reducing my Metformin from 3 * 500 mg per day down to 2 to see if that would improve things. Being an investigative type I decided to come off Metformin completely - with the general idea that one tablet might make an insignificant difference so stopping completely should give the maximum information. Then add back in to see when things go bad again.
Tested on the 4th December and the new eGFR result is 54 mL/min. So stopping Metformin hasn't improved things.
I will be going back on the Metformin now.
Due to various circumstances I haven't been able to test regularly or even focus very well - I am taking co-codamol for severe back pain which means I spend quite a bit of time asleep and/or away with the fairies. So I asked for an HbA1c, but didn't manage to request it through my DSN so I was refused because it was less than 3 months since my last one.
I ordered an A1CNow test kit (2 tests) and have finally got my head together enough to use the first test.
I was very careful to read all the instructions, comments from various threads, and also to watch the instructional video which is very good.
https://ptsdiagnostics.wistia.com/medias/l91rvblbee?embedType=async&seo=false&videoWidth=345
I used my own lancing device, turned it up from 2 to 3, and selected an area on a finger which I know can bleed like a stuck pig at the slightest provocation. Wise decision.
I lanced myself and got what I thought was a large blood sample, applied the sample collector and only got half way up the tube. However the video said it was fine to squeeze out some more and top up so I did and got the blood to the line.
I then fitted the collector into the tube thing and shook steadily for a very slow count of 5.
Analyser thingie out of the second wrapper and into the reader, and inserted the sample just like in the video.
5 minutes of suspense and then I got a result!
Ummm.....64 mmol/mol or 8%.
That is a bad, bad thing. Back on the Metformin pronto.
The eGFR is a bit doubtful because I was taking Ibuprofen for the back pain until I saw a doctor (I was away at the time) who reminded me that I shouldn't take NSAIDs if my kidneys were struggling. So onto the co-codamol and away with the fairies. It does help a lot with the pain, though.
The HbA1c isn't a total shock because I haven't had the will power to stick 100% to LCHF and I have started putting weight on but I didn't expect it to be that high. Added to that, of course, is that I haven't been getting a lot of exercise recently because of the bad back. However this does suggest that I need to be on Metformin or some alternative unless I am super active and super motivated.
I was very impressed with the A1CNow test; I am assuming that it is reasonably accurate because of the reports from others on this forum. I am saving my second test kit to use on the same day that I have my next HbA1c so I can cross check with the laboratory.
TMI: codeine makes you bungo, so if restarting Metformin has laxative effects they will be extremely welcome. Slamming back the Lactulose at the moment as if it is going out of fashion. From previous experience the dosage would usually have me wide eyed and nailed to the khazi. Now it just keeps things more or less normal. A warning to those taking opiates as pain killers. Just checked and codeine is use to treat diarrhoea - nuff said.
She was pleased with my HbA1c of 6.4%/46 but not so happy with my eGFR at 58 mL/min.
She recommended reducing my Metformin from 3 * 500 mg per day down to 2 to see if that would improve things. Being an investigative type I decided to come off Metformin completely - with the general idea that one tablet might make an insignificant difference so stopping completely should give the maximum information. Then add back in to see when things go bad again.
Tested on the 4th December and the new eGFR result is 54 mL/min. So stopping Metformin hasn't improved things.
I will be going back on the Metformin now.
Due to various circumstances I haven't been able to test regularly or even focus very well - I am taking co-codamol for severe back pain which means I spend quite a bit of time asleep and/or away with the fairies. So I asked for an HbA1c, but didn't manage to request it through my DSN so I was refused because it was less than 3 months since my last one.
I ordered an A1CNow test kit (2 tests) and have finally got my head together enough to use the first test.
I was very careful to read all the instructions, comments from various threads, and also to watch the instructional video which is very good.
https://ptsdiagnostics.wistia.com/medias/l91rvblbee?embedType=async&seo=false&videoWidth=345
I used my own lancing device, turned it up from 2 to 3, and selected an area on a finger which I know can bleed like a stuck pig at the slightest provocation. Wise decision.
I lanced myself and got what I thought was a large blood sample, applied the sample collector and only got half way up the tube. However the video said it was fine to squeeze out some more and top up so I did and got the blood to the line.
I then fitted the collector into the tube thing and shook steadily for a very slow count of 5.
Analyser thingie out of the second wrapper and into the reader, and inserted the sample just like in the video.
5 minutes of suspense and then I got a result!
Ummm.....64 mmol/mol or 8%.
That is a bad, bad thing. Back on the Metformin pronto.
The eGFR is a bit doubtful because I was taking Ibuprofen for the back pain until I saw a doctor (I was away at the time) who reminded me that I shouldn't take NSAIDs if my kidneys were struggling. So onto the co-codamol and away with the fairies. It does help a lot with the pain, though.
The HbA1c isn't a total shock because I haven't had the will power to stick 100% to LCHF and I have started putting weight on but I didn't expect it to be that high. Added to that, of course, is that I haven't been getting a lot of exercise recently because of the bad back. However this does suggest that I need to be on Metformin or some alternative unless I am super active and super motivated.
I was very impressed with the A1CNow test; I am assuming that it is reasonably accurate because of the reports from others on this forum. I am saving my second test kit to use on the same day that I have my next HbA1c so I can cross check with the laboratory.
TMI: codeine makes you bungo, so if restarting Metformin has laxative effects they will be extremely welcome. Slamming back the Lactulose at the moment as if it is going out of fashion. From previous experience the dosage would usually have me wide eyed and nailed to the khazi. Now it just keeps things more or less normal. A warning to those taking opiates as pain killers. Just checked and codeine is use to treat diarrhoea - nuff said.