Just joined

[magsie]

Hi everyone

I have just found this site and look forward to getting to know how it all works.

My husband's recent blood tests showed that he is "borderline" and we need to be careful about sugar intake. He has blood tests for long term chronic leukaemia and also to check on prostate levels. He is aged 82 and GP has not prescribed anything as yet.

I would be so grateful for any suggestions, particularly regarding low sugar options. Lol, if I can pick up tips here it would save me having to read all the small print on product labels.

Thanks - magsie

 

[sugarless sue]

Hi Magsie and welcome to the forum. Talking of product labels,look at the total carb level on the packets ,not just the sugar level.If it is over 10% carb ,give it a miss!
Reducing the amount of starchy carbs in his diet will also help as these really put up your blood sugar levels.These are usually ,bread ,potatoes,pasta and rice and also flour based products .A good diet with plenty veg and some fruit is good.
Has he got a blood testing monitor? With this he can see just how certain foods are affecting his blood sugars.
Please have a good read round the forum and ,if you can't find the answers ,just ask.

 

[Eurydice333]

im just getting to grips with diabetes (type 2), but nowadays you find everything has got sugar in it. the obvious sugary foods like cakes, pastry, cookies, pie should be cut out. and have fruit for those times you feel like you need that 'sugar boost' kind of, like i have a kiwi or some melon.

i'd say try making food from scratch, so then you know what you've put in it and how much sugar (and carbs of sugar) you can cut out of it. even if it's a simple meal like fish and chips and peas, don't have any batter on the fish and use fresh potatoes and put them in the oven.and cut out spreads, dressings and other sauces.

i found this meal planner which i refer to regularly (as i haven't had my dietician appointment yet) :
http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/5aday.aspx

 

[Ianmac]

Hi everyone.....i've just joined this band of merry men / women.

I am 62 years of age and was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes at the end of November 2008.

I'm a retired teacher , having retired due to a serious RTA.

One reading was 22.8 and the other 12.2.I was immediately put on a strict diet meaning no ....

spuds / rice / white bread / sugar / beer / pasta / tinned anything / red meat.

Since then i've lived on chicken stirfrys and fish.....!! I'm just wondering what to do with the feathers and spare eggs....!! I've been told that I must stay on my diet for another 12 months.
At the same time i'm taking 2200mgs per day of Metformin.

My queries are these.......will this awful awful flatulence / stomach bloating ever go......?

And......will the fact that i'm taking a high dosage of Frusomide for heart probs ( I had a heart attack in '99 ) conflict with the Metformin....?

I'd be grateful for anyones help in this regard....

 

[cugila]

Hi Ianmac.

Welcome. I can answer one of your questions.

You said: And......will the fact that i'm taking a high dosage of Frusomide for heart probs ( I had a heart attack in '99 ) conflict with the Metformin....?
As someone who was on Metformin 3 x 1000mgs daily along with Furosemide 40mg tabs once daily, I can honestly say I never had a problem with any of the side effects or interactions. as I was on the max dose of Met I was worried, but it was fine and they are now reduced.


You just need to check the Patient Info leaflets and keep a close eye for any problems. The GP is the man if you do get any - not here.
Ken
Oops, forgot. This link takes you to a site which gives full info about drugs and side effects etc. Very useful.
LInk:
http://hypertension.emedtv.com/furosemi ... emide.html

 

[hanadr]

Most people adapt to Metformin. Some who can't are put on to other medicatio.
I have been on Metformin 2 x 500 per day for 5 years. I combine this with a lowered carb diet. I was on gliclazide, but dropped it when my weight was climbing. I lost 18kg and weight loss stopped.
I'm trying desperate measures to get more weight off.
I'm happy to take Metformin, it seems safe and works on insulin resistance not directly on the pancreas.

 

[Aadrgon]

Hi Ianmac and welcome

You could try asking your GP to put you on the slow release metformin as these don't seem to cause the same problems.

 

[Trinkwasser]

Agree about the metformin SR, also avoiding carbs at the time you take the tabs might also help.

This guy

http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/10/d-day.html

also has leukemia, as does one of my diabetic neighbours and a few others I've met in various places. Keeping your BG tightly controlled MAY help with the leukemia, no promises though.

 

[totsy]

welcome to the forum both of you stick around for some good advice

 

[Ianmac]

Thanks the welcome.....and the replies........

BTW Totsy what part of West Yorkshire are you.....my eldest son has a shop in Leeds....??

 

[totsy]

hya ian,
i am nr wakefield which is around 20 mins down the motorway from leeds

 

[ukredhead]

Hi Ian

I have just joined also...i have been fairly recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I was on metformin first taking 2 a day and then up to 4 a day but suffered with bad stomach upsets to the point where i stopped taking them. By blood sugars were at 18.6 when i was first diagnosed, but reduced to about 14 on the metformin. Still not low enough as you will probably realise. I went onto slow release metformin about two weeks ago, still taking 2000mg a day with my biggest meal, it has brought my blood sugar down to a healthy level but i still suffer with the stomach upsets. I have been told that it should only last a couple of weeks, but if it lasts much longer i will be going back to the GP to see what other options i have.
I take the metformin in the evening and can be sure that i will be suffering just before bed, but it has cleared up by morning until i take them again.
Not sure if this helps at all....hope you get things sorted out for you

Regards Emma

 

[wallycorker]

Hi Ian

I have just joined also...i have been fairly recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I was on metformin first taking 2 a day and then up to 4 a day but suffered with bad stomach upsets to the point where i stopped taking them. By blood sugars were at 18.6 when i was first diagnosed, but reduced to about 14 on the metformin. Still not low enough as you will probably realise. I went onto slow release metformin about two weeks ago, still taking 2000mg a day with my biggest meal, it has brought my blood sugar down to a healthy level but i still suffer with the stomach upsets. I have been told that it should only last a couple of weeks, but if it lasts much longer i will be going back to the GP to see what other options i have.
I take the metformin in the evening and can be sure that i will be suffering just before bed, but it has cleared up by morning until i take them again.
Not sure if this helps at all....hope you get things sorted out for you

Regards Emma

Hi Emma - I've only just joined too.

I'm a Type 2 diabetic too but was diagnosed around nine years ago in the very early stages. Nothing much happened for several years but things started to change about two years ago.

I had the same problem with the Metformin but the side effects went away on their own after a while. However, it was a bit scary at the time - I hardly dared leave the house.

My highest HbA1c was in the 9s but I've got it down to 5.5% at my last check so keep working at your situation. I posted a few things yesterday that might help you. Also, a book by Dr Neal D. Barnard - a US doctor - that I found extremely stimulating and motivating:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467198433&pf_rd_i=468294

It is very readable and gives very positive messages that have all been very achieable in my case. I couldn't put the book down and, moreover, I've re-read it several times. Why not try it?

Best Wishes - John

 

[cugila]

Hi John.
You on commission or something. :?

Had a look at this one some time ago. It seems like it is based on a strict Vegan diet. Is that right?
Great to see you took the time and effort to sort out what is good for you.
I am a meat eater so there is no way I could follow such a diet.
Seems like he advocates complex carbs as well - another big NO for me.
Still nice to see another variation on the Diet theme. Gives us more to discuss.

Cheers
Ken

 

[samcogle]

I have posted about this on another thread. When I was first diagnosed I bought his book..well 2 actually so if anyone wants one let me know. I followed it to the letter and my BS readings remained between 11-13. Took it to my first specialist appointment and he was not a happy man [he advocates low carb]. He told me to throw the book away and that the book should have a health warning on it, but as I said on the other thread if it works for you, you can't knock it. I agreed with some of what he said such as cows milk really is only suitable for cows etc, but I also found it very strict and was always hungry on it.
As for metformin...it made my stomach very bad in the beginning. I have been on it since January and up from 1 a day to 3. I have no windy effects with it now but I do take it after a meal rather than before and I also spread them out during the course of the day. UKredhead is this an option for you rather than taking them all at once? It might help

 

[ukredhead]

Hi

Thanks for the advice, the books whilst i have read mixed reviews i think isnt for me just yet, i like my met too much really, a meal doesnt seem a meal unless there is some animal in it somewhere , but again im sure it works for many.

Im going back to drs on wed to see if i can spread them out, or what else they suggest, im pretty new to all this, i dont want to change them for something else really as they are helping my weight loss, but not sure how much of that is in a detrimental manner.

Ill see what is said on wednesday.

One thing..someone told me thqat 850 mg is the max dose, but reading blogs and the leaflet in the box its 2000mg which is what im on, but then someone else is taking 3000mg, does anyone know for sure???

Emma

 

[HLW]

Yes you can spread them out. I take 2x500mg with my two largest meals for example. Taking them with food can help with the side effects too. 850mg is the largest single tablet, but the max dose is something like 2500mg-3000mg, it says on the leaflet I think but I can't remember exactly.

 

[ukredhead]

Great thanks for your help

 

[cugila]

Yes you can spread them out. I take 2x500mg with my two largest meals for example. Taking them with food can help with the side effects too. 850mg is the largest single tablet, but the max dose is something like 2500mg-3000mg, it says on the leaflet I think but I can't remember exactly.

Hi HLW and UK REDHEAD.

I think there is some confusion here between Metformin and Metformin SR or Modified Release Tablets ?

As I understand it ukredhead is on Met SR/MR ? If that is the case she is on the Max Dose of 2000mg once daily. This must be taken in one dose with evening meal ! It can be split between two meals - only on Dr's instructions !
Extract from prescribing information:
Dose Initially 500 mg once daily, increased every 10–15 days, max. 2 g once daily with evening meal; if control not achieved, use 1 g twice daily with meals, and if control still not achieved change to standard-release tablets ( Normal Metformin which has different dosing instuctions. )

If you are having any problems with medication, do not self adjust. See your HCP and discuss with them first !

Hope this helps ?

Ken.

 

[samcogle]

ahhhhhhhhhhh my specialist told me to increase to 3 and I am on SR. I am having trouble takin 3 at the mo as I am off work and don't get up til midday!!!! so I have only been able to take 2.DOH! I didn't realise I could take 2 at one meal and have been spreading them out. So Ken I should take 2 with a meal and 1 with another?
I know it sounds like I am self medicating but all the specialist said was up the tablets to 3 if I wanted :shock: