Greetings from Tyneside

I've used Metformin since 2003 and never had headaches. Could it be something else rather than the Metformin?

Headache is listed as a possible side effect, but not many people get it. Many complain about the digestive effects. Since the digestive troubles usually settle down, perhaps trhe headaches will too. Check with your pharmacist about using a normal headache pill. Metformin is a safe medicine and may even be protective against cancer
Hana

BarryBT said:

Hi all, I'm Barry joined today I'm 65 and I've been Type 2 for about 4 years and up to a few months ago was able to control my sugar level with diet and exercise. Now my HbA1c has risen to 7.7 and my practice nurse put me on Metformin 2 x 500mg daily. This gave me severe headaches so she changed the dose to 1 x 500mg slow release daily. Still getting headaches..is this normal?

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Hi BarryBT - It's good to meet you.

I'm similar to you being 65 myself and a Type 2 diabetic for nearly nine years and on metformin for around two years. My advice to you at this stage would be to sort out your diet and get away from the upward path that you seem to be heading along. I did just that and I brought my HbA1c down from 8.4 > 6.8 > 5.7 > 5.5 and 5.3% last time around. Injecting insulin sounds miles away now - I hope so anyway.

BarryBT said:

Thanks for your advice Wally. Your right, I feel I've been slipping further down the progressive slope and since starting on metformin 2 months ago and getting severe headaches, It's time I took control of my diet. I've been looking at the lowcarb board and thinking I should try going along that route. Maybe I should also get a meter and start checking my blood sugar level myself.

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Spot on BarryBT - Test, test, test and modify what you are eating and you'll soon know what to do and find testing less of a necessity. Keep away from diabetic complications altogether if you can.
Good luck!

My advice to a Type 2 would be grilled (or even lightly fried in a little olive or rape seed oil if you need to) breakfasts - tomatoes, mushrooms, lean bacon, beans, low-fat sausages. Keeping away from cereals or toast at that time of the day. If you need cereal for breakfast try Lizi's granola (low GI nut based cereal). Salad plus lean meat or oily fish for lunch. Almost anything at evening meal within reason - with brown rice or wholegrain pasta if you want to take carbohydrate. Plenty of fruit and veg and small quantities of mixed nuts for snacks. Low fat or soya yoghurts. All this stuff is easily bought from Tesco which is about the only place we shop.

That type of diet is certainly working wonders for my diabetic control.

BarryBT said:

Thanks again John (Wallycorker).
I've made a start today, cutting down on carbs, ie. no cereal for breakfast just fresh fruit and low fat Greek yogurt, no bread and just one or two potatoes with evening meal. Hoping to get a meter soon and check my BG.

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Just stick with it. I think that you'll soon effect a significant improvement in blood glucose control.

Good luck - John

BarryBT said:

2 Months on an update:
Took John's advice and got myself a BG meter, started a low carb diet and the result after only 2 months My average mmol/L is now 6.7 and my weight has dropped by 11 lbs. Just had my annual review and my HbA1c is down from 7.7 to 6.9 and as a bonus my blood pressure which was often high is now an average of 129/77

Many thanks John, I feel I'm now on the right path having taken control of my diet and hopefully stopped the progressive slide towards insulin.

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Hi Barry,

It's great news to read your update and that things are moving in the right direction. You'll soon have an HbA1c of less than 6 and be in the 5% club. As far as I'm concerned it's the starchy refined carbohydrates that us Type 2s have to cut back on - i.e. cereals, bread, potatoes, pasta and rice. I can and do eat quite a lot of the complex carbohydrates such as are found in fruit and vegetables.

From what I've read, you can expect your blood pressure to get lower with weight loss. I certainly found that. The other factor that had a big effect on my blood pressure was cutting back on alcohol consumption.

Stick with it! You know that it's well worth the effort.

Best wishes - John