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Do I need medication? Undecided.

Thanks Catlady.
 

Miriamy - Do you test before you eat at each meal, as well as two hours after? Whilst the after is important, the other part of the equation is the before.

For example, if you start at 11 before you eat, then 13 after, that's not a bad rise. OK, the numbers themselves are too high, but the food you ate to go 11>13 would not appear to have been too bad. If, on the other hand, you had been 7 before eating, then rose to 13, sadly whatever deliciousness you had consumed hasn't done you any favours.

So, the before eating tests begin to give an insight into what extent you might be able to manoeuvre your blood scores.

I do realise this is pretty heavy on testing strips to begin with, but I looked upon it as a bit of an investment, and probably a way of shortening the learning curve.

I do agree with the others on this thread that not everyone can manage this thing on diet alone. I realise I have been extremely fortunate in that regard. But, in my mind, where possible, I would rather remain meds free while I can. I don't take any medication for anything, and that, in itself, is a freedom I enjoy and wouldn't relish giving up. Though, I would if I had to, or I thought my quality of life would be markedly improved by pharmaceutical assistance.

Each of us has to decide where our tolerances and balances lie. Good luck with it all.
 
Hi Miriamy... just a few thoughts...

You mentioned you brought the numbers down with low carb down to 8-9, that isn't perfect but is much better than 20's... I wonder, do you have any weight to lose? When I was diagnosed my objective was to be between 4-10... so 8-9's was a very good start.

However, I find metformin really very useful (have taken it for many years) and, in conjunction with very low carb diet (not necessarily high fat) really helps me.

I take the slow release version of metformin because I can't tolerate the normal version. Keep that in mind if you find that you can't cope with side effects, rather than giving up on the medicine. Start with the lower dose. The time of the day at which you take the metformin also affects the side effects, I take mines right before my meals and I distribute the dosis along the day (2 or 3 a day), also I avoid taking it late at night because it makes me feel sick in the morning (easily avoidable by having it before dinner around 7).

Metformin works in different ways, and even if the number don't immediately come down it might still be helping.

What about activity levels? Can you manage some exercise a few times a week? I found that helps to bring the numbers down too.
 
mehhh2015 said:
Hi Miriamy... I wonder, do you have any weight to lose?

metformin in conjunction with very low carb diet

What about activity levels? Can you manage some exercise a few times a week? I found that helps to bring the numbers down too.
Click to expand...

Hi Mehhh
Thanks so much for your good advice and support.

Yes I need to lose weight. 16.6st this weigh in at Dr's. Have list 2lbs this week.
Metformin. Just taken my 2nd pill. I'll see how it goes and will certainly bear in mind your advice as I do have a (much abused) delicate stomach. Thanks for that advice.
Exercise is definitely an area to improve. This week I've been doing 1hour moderate walk around town and hours of moderate gardening and hefting wheelbarrow loads to the tip.
Managed to get bg down to 8.2 before lunch yesterday instead of 16.
I have been given a fright and me and my body are responding. My problem is sustaining this good attitude and lifestyle.
I've just taken redundancy and have gardening leave til December. I've decided I have to use this time to change my lifestyle and get my health on track.
At the moment I don't feel confident I can achieve this but
with all the good advice and support from experienced people here I feel I have more chance of succeeding.
 

The forum will certainly help you to keep on track and accountable, keep posting, ask questions, share as much as you can and people here will help you, it certainly helps me to keep myself focused.

Hard times are always difficult to deal with emotionally for me and I return to carbs when I am stressed or nervous, but when I am calm I can tackle my diet without any problems.

I lost a lot of weight at the beginning of the year and in three months of heavy stress (I was finishing my degree) I put most of the weight back on. But this is a forever story with me so it is how it is and now I'm back on the rail.

I have to say, although I put on weight my BGs remained relatively constant even though I saw spikes when eating, I think the initial weight loss helped me a lot with BG regulation. I dramatically reduced my carbs to under 30grms a day and kept my protein constant, it worked for me.

I know it is terribly hard work, but we can do this! I find it easier to cope with my diet when my carb intake is really really low, I lose weight and my numbers are just beautiful and that inspires me to keep going, it is really nice to see 4's throughout the day .

I know BG 8 is not perfect but is is within single figures!!!!, but any progress is better than no progress, keep that in mind and be proud of your achievements no matter how small you might think they are (every little helps so they say...)
 

Mehhhhh
What a good heart you are! Now I know why there are so many "h"'s in your name! I've added a couple more. I think you have extra today.
 
You haven't failed by going to the Doc and asking for help, we all need a crutch to lean on, prop us up while assessing all the options.
I still eat fruit, apple, banana, berries in small quantities - to deal with the spike, I consume them before the afternoon treadmill brisk walk.
Good luck.
Karen
 
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