Hi just been diagnosed with type 2. Wasn't really taking everything in at my appointment with the practice nurse. She asked me if I wanted to start on Metformin and arranged for a prescription. Now, the day after I feel like I want to try and manage this by diet. Bit confused that she actually asked if I wanted to take the tablets??? Surely if I really needed them she would have insisted
Just been diagnosed
- Thread starter Gingerjan
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Hi. Confusing isn't it. At least she asked. There is nothing wrong in trying a low-carb diet, buying a meter and seeing how you go. I would take the Metformin if your readings do go above NICE guidelines e.g. a max of 8.5 mmol 2 hours after typical meals. Metformin is a good, safe drug. It doesn't have a dramatic effect and can cause bowel upset for some for a while. There is a Slow Release (SR) version if this happens. For most of us it's a drug you can take without worrying about side effects.
chalup
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Hi Ginger and welcome to the forum. Metformin is almost always prescribed as the drug of first choice but in the end it is your body and up to you whether you want to take it or try to control your diabetes with diet alone. I will tag @daisy1 who will send you an information package that you really need to read. It will explain the low carb diet to control diabetes along with a lot of other important information. No one can tell you whether to take metformin or not, I do and a lot of others do but many others choose not to. You should google metformin and read up on what it does and the side effects and decide from there or ask your doctor. I hope this helps 
Hi Ginger and welcome to the forum. Metformin is almost always prescribed as the drug of first choice but in the end it is your body and up to you whether you want to take it or try to control your diabetes with diet alone. I will tag @daisy1 who will send you an information package that you really need to read. It will explain the low carb diet to control diabetes along with a lot of other important information. No one can tell you whether to take metformin or not, I do and a lot of others do but many others choose not to. You should google metformin and read up on what it does and the side effects and decide from there or ask your doctor. I hope this helps
Bluetit1802
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As a matter of interest, what was your HbA1c?
It seems general for doctors/nurses to prescribe Metformin from the beginning if the HbA1c is above 53. Below that it is normally recommended to try diet and exercise for the first 3 months followed by a review of how things stand.
It seems general for doctors/nurses to prescribe Metformin from the beginning if the HbA1c is above 53. Below that it is normally recommended to try diet and exercise for the first 3 months followed by a review of how things stand.
I have no idea what is was. Will ask tomorrow if I can. Would prefer not to start on tablets if possible. Thanks for the response
Bluetit1802
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Please do ask, it is important. Also ask for a print out of all the results. You could do with knowing how you stand with your cholesterol panel and any thing else that was checked. These print outs will be very useful as time progresses as they will show you where you are now and how you are improving (or not). You will be having a lot of blood tests in the future, so comparisons are very useful.
Liam1955
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paganlass
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Hi gingerjan , I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago with a Hba1c of 94 and was also offered medication but I refused and have taken to the low carb diet and exercise. Review in 3 months. I've lost 9lb and feel much better. I think this will work better for me as i hate medication. It was a shock at first but I'm coming to terms with it now. Good luck. X
Hi Ginger and welcome to the forum. Metformin is almost always prescribed as the drug of first choice but in the end it is your body and up to you whether you want to take it or try to control your diabetes with diet alone. I will tag @daisy1 who will send you an information package that you really need to read. It will explain the low carb diet to control diabetes along with a lot of other important information. No one can tell you whether to take metformin or not, I do and a lot of others do but many others choose not to. You should google metformin and read up on what it does and the side effects and decide from there or ask your doctor. I hope this helps
Thank you
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@Gingerjan - Hello and Welcome to the Forum
Hello and thank you
Jan,
I am only 3 months into this and my initial hba1c reading was 97. I too hate medication of any description - and made that very clear - particularly the 'laxatives' you now know about.
I have been well looked after so far by the NHS, but they have left me alone (so far) in terms of medication and 2 and half months later my level is down to 53 - with further improvement expected by the 3 month + point.
The three key elements I was given were a good healthy diet, regular exercise and lose weight. Points 1 and 2 have helped me achieve point 3! .... All of which have helped so far.
You will be given a lot of conflicting / contradictory advice, but do what is right for YOU. This site are very keen advocates of Low Carb High Fat diets and self testing ..., but as you will be aware there are other views / sites and approaches.
Just for the record I am eating far more healthily than I did (but that wasn't difficult), and whilst I am 'Carb conscious' I do still eat the 'dreaded four' - but in moderation. Equally (and I know I will draw flak for this) I do not test test test as some do. I MAY at some point in the future, but still not right for me currently my call, my choice!
That said there is some good information you can get from in here - I have.
I am only 3 months into this and my initial hba1c reading was 97. I too hate medication of any description - and made that very clear - particularly the 'laxatives' you now know about.
I have been well looked after so far by the NHS, but they have left me alone (so far) in terms of medication and 2 and half months later my level is down to 53 - with further improvement expected by the 3 month + point.
The three key elements I was given were a good healthy diet, regular exercise and lose weight. Points 1 and 2 have helped me achieve point 3! .... All of which have helped so far.
You will be given a lot of conflicting / contradictory advice, but do what is right for YOU. This site are very keen advocates of Low Carb High Fat diets and self testing ..., but as you will be aware there are other views / sites and approaches.
Just for the record I am eating far more healthily than I did (but that wasn't difficult), and whilst I am 'Carb conscious' I do still eat the 'dreaded four' - but in moderation. Equally (and I know I will draw flak for this) I do not test test test as some do. I MAY at some point in the future, but still not right for me currently my call, my choice!
That said there is some good information you can get from in here - I have.
Welcome. There is a lot to take on board and with the shock of diagnosis it can be a bit overwhelming. I've found there are many routes to successful management. Like you I have a time consuming journey to work without a chance to stop. I was borderline diabetic so felt able to turn down medication, then work at losing weight through diet and exercise. Logically this has meant that I have to test after meals to ensure that I keep well within the NICE guidelines, kept a careful food/ exercise/emotion diary. So far so good for me but others have found a different way. Advice is freely given but it is up to you whether you take it or find a way that fits better with your lifestyle. Do read around the different forum groups, ask questions and view it as new start. Good luck
