Day Three on Metformin

[Del 80]

Well, Day three on Metformin, slightly ''muzzy'' headed.....still feeling hungry, although not so bad.....one thing I have discovered, is that it is a nightmare, knowing what, and what not to eat....gonna get a book on T2 tomorrow and read up on it......Del.

 

[Pompeygirl]

Hi im now in month 4 of metformin and now only rarely get tummy ache. You will find lots and lots of advice about what to eat if you look around the posts on the forum. I eat as low carb as i can and ive lost nearly. 3 stone. Good luck!


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[daisy1]

Well, Day three on Metformin, slightly ''muzzy'' headed.....still feeling hungry, although not so bad.....one thing I have discovered, is that it is a nightmare, knowing what, and what not to eat....gonna get a book on T2 tomorrow and read up on it......Del.

Hi Del and welcome to the forum

This is the information we give to new members and maybe it is what you need. Ask all the questions you need to and someone will help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you’ll find well over 70,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

• Reduce your carbohydrate intake
• Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates

Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes ... rains.html

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)

• Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l

However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

• structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
• self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.

 

[Del 80]

Pompeygirl, Thanks for the reply, I really should have watched my diet four years ago, when told that I was ''borderline''.....then last thursday was told I had to go on medication....it was quite a shock, so now taking it very seriously........Del.

 

[Del 80]

Daisy1, Thanks for that info.....DN didn't give me a diet sheet as they had ''run out''......I shall study it closely.......Del.

 

[))Denise((]

Probably a good thing that they had run out of diet sheets. It probably said that you should eat starchy carbs with every meal. Not necessary for a Type 2.

 

[mrs gimli]

Hi I'm newly dx as well I haven't started metformin yes although I have them just waiting for christmas day to be over

 

[Jumapi]

Well, Day three on Metformin, slightly ''muzzy'' headed.....still feeling hungry, although not so bad.....one thing I have discovered, is that it is a nightmare, knowing what, and what not to eat....gonna get a book on T2 tomorrow and read up on it......Del.

Hi Del, it's a kind of relief to read that someone else feels as I do. I'm into my second week with Metformin and still feeling very light headed. I live alone and it still feels unreal I've read lots of conflicting information on the internet. Jumapi

 

[Montana]

Last year after an accident I spent 5 weeks in hospital. I lost 2 stone in there and I believe it was down to the food they supplied which was excellent. No bread as the meals were so good that I never wanted a sandwich. Smaller portions and yet I had pudding too. Prior to the accident I had refused diabetic med but the support I received in hospital was tremendous and I believe it saved my life from the horrors of diabetic complications. Cutting down amounts of carbs per day is definitely worth considering.

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[mrs gimli]

You were certainly lucky with your hospital indeed x

 

[cath99]

ive been on met for 2 weeks now and no side effects anymore, hang in there it will pass xx

 

[Jumapi]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. I am grateful for the helpful advice from fellow diabetics who understood my concerns.
Jumapi

 

[mo1905]

Good luck Del, it's not as bad as you think ! Mo

 

[lorac2608]

I've been using Metformin since mid December now up to 3 a day and the only effect has been a funny taste on and off but getting better so good luck.

 

[gloucesterbri]

im on metformin have been for about 4 days which is roughly how long i have been diagnosed with t2 found im having slight problems with upset digestion ie deli bellie at the mo.
also on 80g of gliclazide the metformin i take 2 tablets three times a day befor meals

 

[mrs gimli]

Hi I'm two weeks taking them and no major probs..slight funny taste and one day had upset tum but I had eaten lots of blueberrys and I'm not used to them so could of been that.