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Lightheaded and stupid?

Yai

Well-Known Member
Messages
67
Location
Norfolk, UK
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hello again all you informative people out there.

I have had T2 diabetes for 22 years (that I know of). I have been overweight for years and historically tried to follow a low fat diet. I am on week 8 of LCHF, have lost 1 stone in weight, and according to my Accucheck, all of my readings (whether random, fasting or postprandial) fall in the range 4.9 - 8.5. My Hba1c when measured in February was 66.

I am a new patient at the practice, and NHS being what it is, the practice was not able to transfer my previous electronic records, so they know nothing of my diabetic test history. My DN was supportive of my trying LCHF but not willing to alter any medication until "we see how you go". Fair enough. She knows nothing about me or whether I am likely to succeed. She did agree to re-take Hba1c after 3 months (May).

Problem is, whilst I haven't previously had any side effects from medication (5x Metformin a day, 10mg Simvastatin and 150mg Irbesartan), I now often have upset stomach and have started to feel very light-headed with palpitations. I had palpitations week 1 but these settled down. I am convinced that the blood pressure tablet in particular, and the amount of Metformin I am taking, is now probably too high. However, I also don't want to self-medicate, so I am trying to hold on until my May appointment to discuss things with her. If I alter my medication, how will I know the full effects of LCHF diet? Today I felt quite giddy, but there again I had two separate exercise classes of an hour each (with an hour between). I am being sensible. I am trying to note carbs/cals/protein/fat (ish), and estimate I average 1200-1500 calories per day, and around 40 - 70g carbs.

I know this is a general forum, and you are not all doctors, but any comfort that I am not likely to drop dead by my own actions would be most welcome!
 
Did you test your BG and/or blood pressure when you felt giddy? :)
 
Are you testing your blood? And how often, it does sound though as if you are over medicated. When is your next hba1c?
 
Are you testing your blood? And how often, it does sound though as if you are over medicated. When is your next hba1c?
Yes, that's what I was thinking.
 
No. I told you I was stupid! Haven't got a blood pressure monitor - perhaps I should invest in one. Levels today have been:
6.2 before breakfast 7.2 2hrs later (including 1hr of exercise)
I was out and about so didn't test before lunch, but 6.7 2 hours afterwards (including another hour of exercise).
It hasn't felt like when I know my bloods are low (usually around 4.0), and I feel distinctly "wobbly", just a vague swimming feeling, so I have sat down for a minute.
I am feeling fine now, given that I haven't had my tea yet, but had a coffee with large teaspoon of double cream in it about half an hour ago. Just tested my blood - 5.7.

You are right. I'll test next time I feel strange.
 
Hi @Yai ..
When you are considering your plans for testing, try the website at: https://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/ for the SD Codefree meter or: http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-blood-glucose-meter/ who distribute the TEE 2 meter, which is free. Both are popular with forum members. Assuming you get no support from your surgery, the costs of testing comes down to the ongoing charges for test strips and lancets. I'm testing 3-4 times a day .. 1 x fasting, 1 x pre-meal, 1 x post-meal (either lunch or dinner) and occasionally 1 x random if I have eaten someting "new". This works out at around £10 to £12 per month for the two packages above but, more importantly, I now know what my BG levels are .. and I will be able to manage them
Hope this helps
 
Hello again all you informative people out there.

I have had T2 diabetes for 22 years (that I know of). I have been overweight for years and historically tried to follow a low fat diet. I am on week 8 of LCHF, have lost 1 stone in weight, and according to my Accucheck, all of my readings (whether random, fasting or postprandial) fall in the range 4.9 - 8.5. My Hba1c when measured in February was 66.

I am a new patient at the practice, and NHS being what it is, the practice was not able to transfer my previous electronic records, so they know nothing of my diabetic test history. My DN was supportive of my trying LCHF but not willing to alter any medication until "we see how you go". Fair enough. She knows nothing about me or whether I am likely to succeed. She did agree to re-take Hba1c after 3 months (May).

Problem is, whilst I haven't previously had any side effects from medication (5x Metformin a day, 10mg Simvastatin and 150mg Irbesartan), I now often have upset stomach and have started to feel very light-headed with palpitations. I had palpitations week 1 but these settled down. I am convinced that the blood pressure tablet in particular, and the amount of Metformin I am taking, is now probably too high. However, I also don't want to self-medicate, so I am trying to hold on until my May appointment to discuss things with her. If I alter my medication, how will I know the full effects of LCHF diet? Today I felt quite giddy, but there again I had two separate exercise classes of an hour each (with an hour between). I am being sensible. I am trying to note carbs/cals/protein/fat (ish), and estimate I average 1200-1500 calories per day, and around 40 - 70g carbs.

I know this is a general forum, and you are not all doctors, but any comfort that I am not likely to drop dead by my own actions would be most welcome!

When you saw the nurse, did she test your blood pressure for you?

I would suggest you go back to the Doc or nurse and let them know you're not feeling your best and see what they suggest.

Regarding the inability to transfer your electronic records, that sounds strange. I have recently seen a couple of Consultants (not for diabetes) and they could see my records, remotely from my GP practise. Maybe, as you are a new patient to that surgery, your records just hadn't been transferred at that time.
 
You might find that along with that stone in weight you've lost your blood pressure has come down. It's what happened to me. You're to get it checked out by nurse and doctor because your BP might now be too low the BP meds you are taking.

Well done on the stone. :)
 
@AM1874 - Yai has quoted testing numbers a couple of times, so he clearly does test. I would be astonished if anyone on insulin was not self testing.
 
@AM1874 - Yai has quoted testing numbers a couple of times, so he clearly does test. I would be astonished if anyone on insulin was not self testing.
Hi @AndBreathe .. you are right but I was responding to the following statement from one of @Yai 's earlier posts
No. I told you I was stupid! Haven't got a blood pressure monitor - perhaps I should invest in one
 
No. I told you I was stupid! Haven't got a blood pressure monitor - perhaps I should invest in one. Levels today have been:
6.2 before breakfast 7.2 2hrs later (including 1hr of exercise)
I was out and about so didn't test before lunch, but 6.7 2 hours afterwards (including another hour of exercise).
It hasn't felt like when I know my bloods are low (usually around 4.0), and I feel distinctly "wobbly", just a vague swimming feeling, so I have sat down for a minute.
I am feeling fine now, given that I haven't had my tea yet, but had a coffee with large teaspoon of double cream in it about half an hour ago. Just tested my blood - 5.7.

You are right. I'll test next time I feel strange.
Does the giddy feeling correlate to standing up or rising from a resting position? Is it like the feeling when you stand up after a hot bath? If so then suspect blood pressure.

Edit to add: LCHF diet generally needs extra salt intake in the early starttup period, Losing weight suddenly on low carb generally starts with losing glucose + water from muscle tissue before getting to the keto stage and this sudden fluid loss also causes problems with BP.
 
Last edited:
Sorry all, I did not receive email notification so missed your posts until I logged in

Firstly, I am female. Yai is the Thai name for Nanna, and I have British/Thai grandchildren.

I am type 2 diabetic and don't take insulin. My blood pressure was taken by the nurse day 2 of the diet (coincidence) and was 120/70 ( probably helped by irbesartan tablet). I felt much better today, even during exercise class, but have felt giddy when rising or moving quickly. I gave another medical appointment next week so chance to drop this into the discussion.

Thank you all for your comments. I do appreciate them .
 
If it's not low NO then it could possibly be something to do with your ears.

Every now and then I get giddy turns but they are mainly when I have just got in to bed and then turn over. It's called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo caused by a problem in the inner ear. Try googling it to see if the symptoms matchbyours.
 
Sorry stupid autocorrect - should have been BP not NO. :)
 
Hi and welcome.

I agree that it sounds like you may be overmedicated on the blood pressure nowadays, after your changes to diet and weight loss.
And @Oldvatr 's suggestion about salt may be worth considering, especially if you are doing a couple of exercise classes a day.

But I really want to congratulate you on that magnificent attitude and weight loss. Brilliant! :D
 
If it's not low NO then it could possibly be something to do with your ears.

Every now and then I get giddy turns but they are mainly when I have just got in to bed and then turn over. It's called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo caused by a problem in the inner ear. Try googling it to see if the symptoms matchbyours.
Also google Menieres Disease, although that is usually quite debilitating. It is also inner ear related.

In my experience it will often affect people when they are lying down, so is probably not telated to your query here.
 
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