I need help with this, a bit frightened..

[Hotpepper20000]

it's hard for me to eat if I'm not hungry,

. 9-11 was only 2 hours, and I do feel a little shakey,

If you’re not hungry don’t eat, if you’re hungry eat, just choose a snack/meal that’s low carb and full fat.
The great thing about low carb/ keto is that you shouldn’t have to overthink it. Listen to your body and make food choices that fill you up me keep your BG steady.

 

[G0ldengirl68]

I think I just had a major sugar withdrawal. I got so hungry I was shaking but I went for the leftover meat in the fridge, cheese, celery, carrot and Humus. The hummus was the only thing with any carbs, 5g per helping. I'm sure that's what it was because I am use to having my toast with breakfast. I didn't want to blow it when I tested 100 just before I got the sugar-craving.

I am just standing at my cutting board eating, omg, I was so hungry! I hope that doesn't last long, withdrawals from carbs? I know I'll be eating some, but not that many, and not shoving them in when I have a food craving ;(

 

[Andydragon]

I think I just had a major sugar withdrawal. I got so hungry I was shaking but I went for the leftover meat in the fridge, cheese, celery, carrot and Humus. The hummus was the only thing with any carbs, 5g per helping. I'm sure that's what it was because I am use to having my toast with breakfast. I didn't want to blow it when I tested 100 just before I got the sugar-craving.

I am just standing at my cutting board eating, omg, I was so hungry! I hope that doesn't last long, withdrawals from carbs? I know I'll be eating some, but not that many, and not shoving them in when I have a food craving ;(

It is one of the hardest things to get by I found. The carb types of food just seem to not fill you up and you end up over grazing. For me, Greek yoghurt and strawberries I find are better to help. Ham and cheese is also good

the false hypo is annoying, feel symptoms of weak, shaking and sweaty but the blood levels are higher. So, as you get more control hopefully those will pass and it becomes easier.

One warning, is when you get the control, if you do have higher carbs in the future, the desire and slight addiction comes back so need to just be wary and you’ll be fine I’m sure!

 

[G0ldengirl68]

It is one of the hardest things to get by I found. The carb types of food just seem to not fill you up and you end up over grazing. For me, Greek yoghurt and strawberries I find are better to help. Ham and cheese is also good

the false hypo is annoying, feel symptoms of weak, shaking and sweaty but the blood levels are higher. So, as you get more control hopefully those will pass and it becomes easier.

One warning, is when you get the control, if you do have higher carbs in the future, the desire and slight addiction comes back so need to just be wary and you’ll be fine I’m sure!

Thank you Andy, my previous meal (breakfast) had zero carbs but yesterday I had crackers, toast etc. so it must have been from then. I just see how glad I was to have the non-carbs to grab so quick, especially the meat and cheese. I just went shopping and bought regular yogurt because I thought maybe I had a dairy allergy and was only eating Almond Milk yogurt. No cheese because I was afraid of that too.

I'm happy to say, for 2 weeks I've not had any allergy symptoms so I doubt I ever got them from foods. I was tested years ago and know I have environmental allergies, seasonal etc. I hope I got a good yogurt, and also cottage cheese. Real stuff, no low-fat. Thanks much for your help and nice to meet you @Andydragon

 

[G0ldengirl68]

I am so frustrated, the Pharmacy has the same Meformin that's given me the worst gut ache today, bloating and cramping. The only difference it is time-realeased Glucophage. He said to take it half hour before Dinner, and it says on the bottle just take with dinner. I hate drugs, nothing ever does anything but make me sick. I'm sorry I just can't get good counsel from these medical people up here ;( I think I will do better on my own, but I will try this starting tomorrow to get this pill out of my system I took today. Geez, when was it I turned into a grumpy old lady ;(

 

[Resurgam]

The pharmacist seems to think that the tablets act like insulin - they don't.
I was very sensitive to the Metformin I was prescribed, so I did not eat in the mornings, went out and did what erands needed to be done that day, then went back and ate, taking the tablets. I was so ill.
I just gave up and threw them away in the end. Turned out that I did not need them anyway.

 

[VashtiB]

Hello and welome,

You are making a great start. One thing just to be aware of is that fruit is pretty much all carb but also some veggies are higher carb than you may think- carrots are higher carb than I would eat- I don't really like carrots anyway.

I think a good start is logging each meal- particularly the carbs and the reading before and 2 hrs after. Checking every ingredient. I remember assuming cucumbers had no carbs so I was eating more carbs than I realised.

I went very low carb- less than 20 grams a day- that brought my levels right down. I usually stick mostly to food that have very little or no carbs- carrots, corn, beans (all types) are out for me now. I occasionally have a couple of green beans but not often. I do eat cauliflower and broccoli- together mashed is lovely. I add cheese sometimes or a little spring onion.

At the beginning it can seem hard but the fewer carbs you have the faster the raving will go. Google keto flu as that will explain some of what you are feeling.

Good luck.

 

[G0ldengirl68]

The pharmacist seems to think that the tablets act like insulin - they don't.
I was very sensitive to the Metformin I was prescribed, so I did not eat in the mornings, went out and did what erands needed to be done that day, then went back and ate, taking the tablets. I was so ill.
I just gave up and threw them away in the end. Turned out that I did not need them anyway.

That was the worst they've effected me lastnight. No more. No time released either. I'm going to try, at least for a few days, without and just hope and pray I have the food thing down. I did not eat any carbs yesterday, except what is in carrots, celery, brussell sprouts, etc. Had no obvious carbs at all. Humus did have 5 I remember now, but I did only use a tbsp or less. So careful but had a good dinner. Salmon and roasted vegie variety.

I'm so glad you found out you could do it w/o the meds. If they are necessary for us to survive, then I'm all for conventional medicine but I've found diet and exercise have got me through a lot of ailments. Nothing this big though so we'll see how it goes Thank you so much, Denise

 

[Andydragon]

That was the worst they've effected me lastnight. No more. No time released either. I'm going to try, at least for a few days, without and just hope and pray I have the food thing down. I did not eat any carbs yesterday, except what is in carrots, celery, brussell sprouts, etc. Had no obvious carbs at all. Humus did have 5 I remember now, but I did only use a tbsp or less. So careful but had a good dinner. Salmon and roasted vegie variety.

I'm so glad you found out you could do it w/o the meds. If they are necessary for us to survive, then I'm all for conventional medicine but I've found diet and exercise have got me through a lot of ailments. Nothing this big though so we'll see how it goes Thank you so much, Denise

I will take medicines if I need them i know what uncontrolled high bloods do. Once you have seen the impact... Well, yeah..

However, for us type 2s if we are lucky more often than not, dietary change like low carb can help lead to weight loss and better blood control, those combinations can mean a reduction if not total cessation of drugs. it's a lifelong change but there are really nice low carb foods and selection is good

Testing I would recommend, check your levels, and involve your doctor who hopefully will be on board with y9u trying diet. Asking for 3 months to turn around drug free is one option you could try

If it works great, if not there are alternatives to Metformin. It doesn't work for everyone after all and it's no good to end up in a life you can't tolerate

 

[G0ldengirl68]

I will take medicines if I need them i know what uncontrolled high bloods do. Once you have seen the impact... Well, yeah..

However, for us type 2s if we are lucky more often than not, dietary change like low carb can help lead to weight loss and better blood control, those combinations can mean a reduction if not total cessation of drugs. it's a lifelong change but there are really nice low carb foods and selection is good

Testing I would recommend, check your levels, and involve your doctor who hopefully will be on board with y9u trying diet. Asking for 3 months to turn around drug free is one option you could try

If it works great, if not there are alternatives to Metformin. It doesn't work for everyone after all and it's no good to end up in a life you can't tolerate

Hi Andy, thanks for this. I am nervous and confused but I did go yesterday and get the time-released. My tests are sort of all over the place and I'm testing first in the a.m., before meal, and 2 hours later. I can't say I'm right on time, I feel torn about the meds. I don't want to go through the things diabetes can cause, and I already have other issues I'll just list so people know, and can maybe see where I'm coming from. I'm sure the same goes for many others here, more than one issue. I wonder how many of my "issues" have to do with diabetes now that I was finally diagnosed.

In the order these things appeared since basically birth:
Hemoplegic Migraines w/aphasia but not every time
Asthma (left me at about 13, or 14 I think it was)
Slight tremors that became steady and much more severe, head mostly, and left hand
tiny electrical shocks at times
1997 3rd degree heart block (totally med free, but pacemaker, on 3rd one now)
Acid Reflux (got that under control, no meds just diet)
Esophogeal Spasms (thought heart attack but Barium swallow proved spasm)
Tinnitus (I have to use whitenoise when too quiet at home)
Hearing is going, and eyesight (not super bad for either) no aids needed and only reading glasses.

That's about it except for occasional environmental allergies that give me hives pretty bad. Take script for that if bad.

After reading your reply, I will try one of these time-released today. I ate no carbs yesterday, certainly not over 10g, to scared to eat any of them and how I hate the poke ;( But I am getting better at it. I do think of the alternatives Andy, so I won't be stupid about this.

Just weighed myself and now I'm at 130, from the 136 I started with. That's pretty fast for just over 2 weeks. I think I'll count my cals up today again and make sure I'm eating enough. I don't mind losing that fat around my middle but not lean muscle mass ;(

 

[G0ldengirl68]

Just did my "before lunch" stick, and got an 89 this time! I am hoping that is showing some progress. I have been on the Meformin, switch today to the Extended release. Had a non-carb breakfast, nice and filling too. I know these skin-sticks are just ballpark, but mine were so far, since Monday, all over 100 and some (170, 124, 100, 110,130, and now 89)? What do you think. I also found I can set my lance down a notch and still get enough blood

 

[Resurgam]

The tests done with glucose meters are how type ones check their blood glucose to calculate their insulin, so they have to be a lot better than ball park - honestly - some people will come out with all sorts - yes it is a reading within the instruments error range, but it is going to be consistent - with mine, once my numbers settle I got almost identical reading for the same meals. I started out checking several times, but after a while did it twice and that was good enough to get me back in the normal range, first for blood glucose and them for Hba1c.
You are doing well.
You should see things changing before long.
You will be having carbs from the veges, so try to keep them fairly consistent and don't go too low - levels below 100 might be too low at first. I saw 100 after Christmas dinner, just over a year from diagnosis, as it gradually drifted down month by month
I get all my carbs from low carb veges and some berries once in a while, but few people as as sensitive as I am.

 

[G0ldengirl68]

The tests done with glucose meters are how type ones check their blood glucose to calculate their insulin, so they have to be a lot better than ball park - honestly - some people will come out with all sorts - yes it is a reading within the instruments error range, but it is going to be consistent - with mine, once my numbers settle I got almost identical reading for the same meals. I started out checking several times, but after a while did it twice and that was good enough to get me back in the normal range, first for blood glucose and them for Hba1c.
You are doing well.
You should see things changing before long.
You will be having carbs from the veges, so try to keep them fairly consistent and don't go too low - levels below 100 might be too low at first. I saw 100 after Christmas dinner, just over a year from diagnosis, as it gradually drifted down month by month
I get all my carbs from low carb veges and some berries once in a while, but few people as as sensitive as I am.

Thank you for the encouragement, I'm hell-bent on getting my diet right Just took your recipe for Almond bread and found an easy video to follow. Feedback welcome! I love to bake, and cook so I am happy to find recipes and appreciate you getting me started. I don't like cookbooks because they are hard to read for me, but I love a video. Just open my small tablet and set it in the kitchen and away we go

I'm not really sure I'm find reliable charts for those readings. Someone mentioned not worrying about converting them to the HbA1c percent so I'm not. But you're saying I'll start seeing changes, and it would be great to get the same reading after a meal I eat regularly. I'm the type that will eat the same meal every morning for a time, then I'll change up. Lunches are harder to figure because I like sandwiches, but hey, maybe that Almond Bread Recipe will be a good start for me Thanks again,

 

[Resurgam]

Once I got rid of the Metformin I settled into eating twice a day. It is no problem at all.

 

[G0ldengirl68]

Twice a

Once I got rid of the Metformin I settled into eating twice a day. It is no problem at all.

Twice a day is really ok for me as well. Although I need a little snack at lunch. I can't seem to get to a point where I'll eat my main meal earlier, like 2, then just a light one about 6

 

[G0ldengirl68]

I liked this gals video, maybe more people will want to see it too, or have already

 

[Andydragon]

Thank you for the encouragement, I'm hell-bent on getting my diet right Just took your recipe for Almond bread and found an easy video to follow. Feedback welcome! I love to bake, and cook so I am happy to find recipes and appreciate you getting me started. I don't like cookbooks because they are hard to read for me, but I love a video. Just open my small tablet and set it in the kitchen and away we go

I'm not really sure I'm find reliable charts for those readings. Someone mentioned not worrying about converting them to the HbA1c percent so I'm not. But you're saying I'll start seeing changes, and it would be great to get the same reading after a meal I eat regularly. I'm the type that will eat the same meal every morning for a time, then I'll change up. Lunches are harder to figure because I like sandwiches, but hey, maybe that Almond Bread Recipe will be a good start for me Thanks again,

No point could nverting into hba1c as the meters are not particularly reliable (15% error or so) and they only measure that point in time so can't work out averages accurately

But it's a measure of how it changes pre and post meals and fasting levels which is what I use it for

If I go on my average, I should be a 29 but my last test was 38, next week will see again as am averaging 5.1 on meter, so hoping for 38 again

 

[G0ldengirl68]

No point could nverting into hba1c as the meters are not particularly reliable (15% error or so) and they only measure that point in time so can't work out averages accurately

But it's a measure of how it changes pre and post meals and fasting levels which is what I use it for

If I go on my average, I should be a 29 but my last test was 38, next week will see again as am averaging 5.1 on meter, so hoping for 38 again

That 38 seems so low and I'm wondering if yours are calculated differently than mine? The charts I see are saying 100 is in the "excellent" rating? Maybe, like these below I just googled recently Andy:

 

[bulkbiker]

I'm so glad you found out you could do it w/o the meds. If they are necessary for us to survive, then I'm all for conventional medicine but I've found diet and exercise have got me through a lot of ailments. Nothing this big though so we'll see how it goes Thank you so much, Denise

I tried with metformin for 3 weeks and could hardly leave the house... threw them away and changed diet. Never looked back.

 

[Antje77]

That 38 seems so low and I'm wondering if yours are calculated differently than mine? The charts I see are saying 100 is in the "excellent" rating? Maybe, like these

The 38 is the hba1c in mmol/mol. This is the one which is measured in the hospital and shows an average over a couple of months.
The chart you have there shows blood sugar in mmol/l and %. This is what you can see on a home meter.