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Dietary control ONLY

G

GeordieBoi

Member
Messages
11
Type of diabetes
Type 2
First of all (as a recent T2 diagnosis), why are the Docs so hell bent on prescribing metformin from day 1 (and probably statins and ACE too.....suggested from first consult !!). As a self confessed chocaholic. biscuit freak (also love chips, cream and cheese ;-) I have virtually eliminated these from my diet, adjusted it to reduce sugar intake (sweeteners in my coffee & checking sugar content in any processed foods) and have started paying much more attention to fat content (now get 30% fat or half fat cheese only). As a (former) Clinical Biochemist, I believe this should dramatically improve my BG and Glycosylated haemoglobin ?

Anybody got any thoughts or experience to share around this please ?

B
 
GeordieBoi said:
First of all (as a recent T2 diagnosis), why are the Docs so hell bent on prescribing metformin from day 1 (and probably statins and ACE too.....suggested from first consult !!).
Click to expand...
Not all doctors do this, i was trying (unsuccessfully) to control my Bg lvls by diet alone for 2 years before given Metformin and then was given Byetta as my Hba1c was still over 7. I must say i was prescribed statins from day 1 though.
 
Thanks for the feedback peecee. I have a 'stay of execution' until January to try and control my diet and get the levels under control ...if the levels are up at that point then they will want me to start !! Any suggestions on sources for diet stuff please ?

B
 
I was started on Metformin after an appointment with the diabetic consultant used by my local practice (they don't prescribe directly leaving that to the specialist). Despite getting a very high HBa1c down to 7 in the weeks between diagnosis and the appointment achieved by eliminating . However, the consultant explained that there was growing evidence that early intervention with a low dose of Metformin had potential long term benefits. I am now taking 1*500 tablet with my evening meal. Fasting BG test this morning was 6.1 and has not been above 6.3 for a while (I only test twice a week now) HBa1c was below 6 within months of diagnosis and since then they have been between 5.2 and 5.9.

Seems to have worked for me and I have experienced no other diabetic complications.

Start taking the tablet, its no big deal combined with a diet based largely on portion control (but for me no pasta).
 
All very good points (yours and others) but my problem is one related to side effects and the long, slow downhill route of starting medications (therefore I'll finish=continue forever !!). I am a Clinical Biochemist with a fair bit of experience of drug therapy and monitoring (we used to measure the drug levels although not in relation to Diabetees when I worked in Labs). Forgive my cynicism but start the drug and develop side effect, take another drug for that side effect, now you have a problem with something else and before you know it you're taking 20 pills a day. I saw it happen to my grand mother (maternal side - late onset Type II), my mother (late onset - Type II), my father but less to do with Diabetes and then others family, friends and colleagues. They do say, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing", right ;-) ?
 
All good cynics should read 'Trick and Treat' - how 'healthy eating' is making us ill - by Barry Groves

Peter
 
I was diagnosed with HbA1c 8.7, & total chol 7.6. BMI was 29 (87 Kg).
No medications were prescribed initially - I was sent to the local hospital for a day of instruction by nurse, pharmacist, podiatrist & dietitian.
I presume they wanted to see how my levels would respond by following their advice (if I did ?!) so they could assess what to prescribe & how much. They did & do prescribe test strips. (SHHH don't tell the Hounslow PCT.)

After 3 months, HbA1c=6.9 & total chol 5.4.

I was given metf after 2 years. Some time later I was given simvastatin, but I stopped that because of muscle pains.

I have tried stopping the midday metf, but my BG goes up. Metf casues no problems, so I continue with it.
 
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