Headache

[mack76]

Waking with headache even 1and half hours after metformin my level is 9.7mmol I had a baby bell i did eat some french frie chips and 2 fishfingers last night so not sure if still effects of this even after all these hours any advice please could anyone suggest a meal to eat that won't cause this I feel like it's getting me down I know I'm not only one I'm wanting to do low carb but what could I have doing this sorry to moan I'm so confused I like casseroles and stews but what could I put in them to stop these spikes also I do have yogurt and a few strawberries for breakfast at times would this be ok on a daily basis what do people have for lunch reason for asking I'm fed up depressed and don't want to fall into my old ways before diagnosed also need to loss some weight I do eat cheese most days

 

[lovinglife]

Hi @mack76

Metformin won’t bring your numbers down in that way, it doesn’t work on what you eat, it’s a build up drug that helps with insulin resistance.

As to the fish fingers & fries, I would probably see higher than my normal number numbers for 2 or 3 days after all those carbs.

Full fat plain Greek yogurt with a couple of strawberries is an ideal low carb breakfast and fine to have every day if you wish.

My lunches, evening meals are based around low carb foods so anything from the following. All meats, eggs, fish, cheese, above ground veggies, butter, good olive oil, avocado, a small handful of nuts, bacon, salad stuff, pate, I but keto bread from The low Carb Food Co. Or Seriously Low Carb but there are other websites too. Just Google low carb bread.

Casseroles & stews, lamb, beef, chicken, pork, a bit of diced onion - I can cope with a small amount of carrot, turnip, celeriac, celery, a stock cube and any herbs & spices you fancy. You won’t get a thick gravy but you can strain out some of the veg and purée it and add back into the liquid to thicken. Or if your BG can cope you can toss your meat in a very small amount of flour before browning your meat. But you would need to test this after eating.

If I’m making a 6 portion casserole I put 1/2 tablespoon of flour in a freezer bag with salt & pepper and add my meat and toss it in the flour, doing it this way the small amount of flour goes a long way - it’s less than 1/2 a teaspoon per portion

 

[Outlier]

Might you be dehydrated? That always gives me a headache.

 

[mack76]

Hi @mack76

Metformin won’t bring your numbers down in that way, it doesn’t work on what you eat, it’s a build up drug that helps with insulin resistance.

As to the fish fingers & fries, I would probably see higher than my normal number numbers for 2 or 3 days after all those carbs.

Full fat plain Greek yogurt with a couple of strawberries is an ideal low carb breakfast and fine to have every day if you wish.

My lunches, evening meals are based around low carb foods so anything from the following. All meats, eggs, fish, cheese, above ground veggies, butter, good olive oil, avocado, a small handful of nuts, bacon, salad stuff, pate, I but keto bread from The low Carb Food Co. Or Seriously Low Carb but there are other websites too. Just Google low carb bread.

Casseroles & stews, lamb, beef, chicken, pork, a bit of diced onion - I can cope with a small amount of carrot, turnip, celeriac, celery, a stock cube and any herbs & spices you fancy. You won’t get a thick gravy but you can strain out some of the veg and purée it and add back into the liquid to thicken. Or if your BG can cope you can toss your meat in a very small amount of flour before browning your meat. But you would need to test this after eating.

If I’m making a 6 portion casserole I put 1/2 tablespoon of flour in a freezer bag with salt & pepper and add my meat and toss it in the flour, doing it this way the small amount of flour goes a long way - it’s less than 1/2 a teaspoon per portion

Thanks for your reply I looks like I need to not have any potatoes or chips which is hard but I have willpower as I quit smoking over 5 years ago cold turkey without any medication

 

[mack76]

Might you be dehydrated? That always gives me a headache.

Yes i think so thanks for the reply will make sure drink plenty of water daily

 

[mack76]

Hi @mack76

Metformin won’t bring your numbers down in that way, it doesn’t work on what you eat, it’s a build up drug that helps with insulin resistance.

As to the fish fingers & fries, I would probably see higher than my normal number numbers for 2 or 3 days after all those carbs.

Full fat plain Greek yogurt with a couple of strawberries is an ideal low carb breakfast and fine to have every day if you wish.

My lunches, evening meals are based around low carb foods so anything from the following. All meats, eggs, fish, cheese, above ground veggies, butter, good olive oil, avocado, a small handful of nuts, bacon, salad stuff, pate, I but keto bread from The low Carb Food Co. Or Seriously Low Carb but there are other websites too. Just Google low carb bread.

Casseroles & stews, lamb, beef, chicken, pork, a bit of diced onion - I can cope with a small amount of carrot, turnip, celeriac, celery, a stock cube and any herbs & spices you fancy. You won’t get a thick gravy but you can strain out some of the veg and purée it and add back into the liquid to thicken. Or if your BG can cope you can toss your meat in a very small amount of flour before browning your meat. But you would need to test this after eating.

If I’m making a 6 portion casserole I put 1/2 tablespoon of flour in a freezer bag with salt & pepper and add my meat and toss it in the flour, doing it this way the small amount of flour goes a long way - it’s less than 1/2 a teaspoon per portion

May I ask how often to check blood sugar as I don't check much due to anxiety thanks

 

[lovinglife]

May I ask how often to check blood sugar as I don't check much due to anxiety thanks

Well in the beginning I tested intensively - morning fasting foot on the floor, at meal times first bite then 2 hours after first bite, looking for a rise of no more than 2, if it was higher than 2 this told me that either I needed to reduce the carbs or not have that again! Once I got a good reliable bank of foods and meals that were ok and my numbers came down then I did reduce the amount of testing.

These days because I’ve been diagnosed 14 years and do less than 20g carbs a day and have a LOT of gained info from testing for what for me personally are ok foods and meals I test less often, sometimes not for days. I do test if I feel a bit off or if I introduce a new food or meal. I also maybe every couple of months have a week of going back to intensive testing just to make sure I’m not slipping back or having carb creep” (more carbs than I think)

At your stage I would probably test my meals at first bite & 2 hrs after, if after a good few days, say, when you are eating yogurt & strawberries every morning for breakfast and you are consistently getting good numbers you could probably drop testing that meal. Try not to get anxious as that can affect your BG. You’re testing to gain information that will help you make good choices so try to look at it positively and don’t be too hard on yourself if a meal doesn’t work out, it happens what’s important is to to use that information properly and not panic or take it as a failure.

 

[mack76]

Well in the beginning I tested intensively - morning fasting foot on the floor, at meal times first bite then 2 hours after first bite, looking for a rise of no more than 2, if it was higher than 2 this told me that either I needed to reduce the carbs or not have that again! Once I got a good reliable bank of foods and meals that were ok and my numbers came down then I did reduce the amount of testing.

These days because I’ve been diagnosed 14 years and do less than 20g carbs a day and have a LOT of gained info from testing for what for me personally are ok foods and meals I test less often, sometimes not for days. I do test if I feel a bit off or if I introduce a new food or meal. I also maybe every couple of months have a week of going back to intensive testing just to make sure I’m not slipping back or having carb creep” (more carbs than I think)

At your stage I would probably test my meals at first bite & 2 hrs after, if after a good few days, say, when you are eating yogurt & strawberries every morning for breakfast and you are consistently getting good numbers you could probably drop testing that meal. Try not to get anxious as that can affect your BG. You’re testing to gain information that will help you make good choices so try to look at it positively and don’t be too hard on yourself if a meal doesn’t work out, it happens what’s important is to to use that information properly and not panic or take it as a failure.

Thankyou

 

[MrsA2]

I'd also look to increasing water/fluids and salt
If you've been used to eating quite a bit of prepared foods,( eg fish fingers and chips) these will have salt in them . Changing to eating real foods eg fish and vegetables cooked yourself means you may need to add salt.not too much just a pinch or 2 a day

 

[mack76]

I'd also look to increasing water/fluids and salt
If you've been used to eating quite a bit of prepared foods,( eg fish fingers and chips) these will have salt in them . Changing to eating real foods eg fish and vegetables cooked yourself means you may need to add salt.not too much just a pinch or 2 a day

I do eat some prepared but not much at all I do cook veg and meat I will up my water im currently over 17 stone so may need to up a little more till weigh drops down thanks for your advice