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Dietary Fat and Metformin

FrancebrunNY

Member
Messages
7
Hi!
I've been lurking on these boards, but not posted much. I know what I have to do, I just haven't made time for doing it. I work maybe 12 to 15 or more hours per day, at least six days per week...
Anyway, I have recently gotten serious about LCHF.
I did low carb years ago with a lot of success, but the person advising me made me keep my fats low, so eventually you wind up really miserable; I guess I don't have to tell anyone who's tried it..
I've been doing this seriously for about a week, and here's my problem:
high fat and Metformin has made me really, really sick. Like, the worst hangover you ever had kind of sick. Like, when I first started Metformin, and thought, maybe if I don't move my head and stay absolutely still, I won't have to puke. I don't want to go back to traditional carbs, because I do so much better and feel so much better with LCHF. In addition, once I have carbs which don't come from veggies, I'm off to the races and I can't stop myself from being ravenous and eating more carbs. For example, a half cup of oatmeal with my morning eggs, and I'll have to eat cookies, popcorn or crisps before noon. And it doesn't end all day.
I've been busier than ever this past week, and frankly, I didn't take my Metformin for the past two days and I feel much better, so I think it has something to do with the fat and the Metformin..
I am very hopeful, based on what I have read here and what my experiences have been, that I have a chance of losing a lot of weight and stepping up my exercise so I can go back to being diet-only, and not Metformin dependent. However, at the moment, I think I need the Metformin.
Do you have any advice on how I can do this? I have to say, increasing my fat has made hunger a thing of the past for now. So I don't want to abandon that.
Thanks, everyone!
Frances
 
I had such a bad reaction to regular metformin that I ended up in the hospital being rehydrated by IV. A switch to the extended release (glumetza ER) and no problems at all. I would go to my doctor and explain how sick it is making you and ask if you can try the extended release. I believe they don't prescribe this right off the bat because it is more expensive.

I am very low carb (20gram or less per day) High fat, gluten free.
 
I find that virgin coconut oil to be helpful for controlling hunger and brain fog.

Other than that I stick to roast pork belly because it is readily available when eating out and provide me with the most predictable post meal glucose reading.

For any medication change, it is best to discuss with your health care provider.
 
Hi and welcome!

Just a couple of thoughts

How recently did you start with the low carb? I ask because headaches are one of the symptoms of 'carb flu' and may be easily resolveable by drinking more and increasing your potassium and magnesium intake.

If that is the case then your suspicion about Metformin may be just a coincidence.

And you don't HAVE to go High Fat. It is up to you and your preferences. I totally agree that LF and LC together are unsustainable, long term, but so long as you are eating enough fat to make the food enjoyable and stave off hunger, then don't worry about stuffing fat. Personally I regulate my fat intake according to appetite a satiety.

Hope that helps.
 

Hi, Brunneria!
Thanks for your reply. I can't say that the headache is the main problem. It's outrageous nausea and some vomiting. I really like the high fat part, although I didn't think I would, and I don't want to stop that part. I was even wondering what the symptoms of gallbladder problems are because I've been feeling so awful. I feel like it's the Metformin clashing with the fat, because I didn't feel like this before.
I will try the potassium and magnesium. In fact, I had just recently started taking magnesium at night. I think you have a point about drinking. I have also been thinking I don't drink enough. I'll see if it gets any better.
 

I always liked the EVCO, and also use it for skin and hair. I've recently discovered new ways to use it in recipes, and have begun using it a lot. I didn't know it was good for brain fog. Every little bit helps! ;-)
 

I never thought about that!
I really disliked my doctor, and finally made an appointment with a new doctor after the first one gave me one too many pieces of nonsensical advice. I'll be seeing the new one soon, and I'll ask her about it. Thanks!
 
FrancebrunNY said:
I always liked the EVCO, and also use it for skin and hair. I've recently discovered new ways to use it in recipes, and have begun using it a lot. I didn't know it was good for brain fog. Every little bit helps! ;-)
Click to expand...

Yes i was surprise to find research and studies like this
Medium-Chain Fatty Acids Improve Cognitive Function in Intensively Treated Type 1 Diabetic Patients and Support In Vitro Synaptic Transmission During Acute Hypoglycemia
http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/58/5/1237


Where subjects are tested for cognitive performance at glucose level as low as 2.8 mmol...now I think I have discovered brain juice.
 
I was only on met for a few months, I felt better without it. Been diet only for over 3 years. I also find eating carbs leads to eating more carbs and so on. More fat equals less insulin, problem solved as ketones don't require insulin.
 
Hi... I haven't read every reply but I would imagine you have had some mentioning about "carb flu" it is a very real thing. Some people feel nothing as they come off carbs others get headaches, vomit, feel so tired like they have flu, ache all over and even get cold like symptoms. Everyone is different for me the first 3 days are awful, my head hurts so bad I feel tired, irritable and sick. Was sick one time on my journey into ketosis. Then for about 3 weeks I'm tired, much more than normal... then at about 3 weeks I start to feel great and have so much more energy. My body doesn't run well on carbs, and I can feel the difference when I'm having a carb week. The way I keep focused and on track is to have 4 weeks off keto per year, Christmas week, Easter week, summer holiday when we go away, and October (birthday week). During these weeks I eat whatever I want guilt free, and yes I have huge gains over these weeks but it's nothing to what I lose the weeks I'm on keto. From a diabetic view lchf is great I was diagnosed in April started lchf may... in august my hb1ac after 12 weeks had dropped to 38 from 55, and my cholesterol to 4.8 (from 5.8) had my bloods done the week before Christmas and my hb1ac was 34 and my cholesterol 4.0. I don't take any medication it all diet. From a weight loss point of view I have lost 6 1/2 stone.
I would definitely recommend the lchf, but ask the doctor for a glucose meter so you can test yourself too. I test myself only in the morning now unless it's a carb week. When I first started lchf I would test before and 2 hours after meals. It would be wise to keep an eye on your levels as large drops from your medication and diet combined could also make you feel ill.
Give it a go for a 6 week period to see how you get on, and if it doesn't suit you then try something else. I can only say what I know from my own experience and Lchf is giving me my life back...
Good luck with the diabetes control and weight loss x
 
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