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Losing control

AD72

Newbie
Messages
4
Location
Dunfermline, Fife
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I have been diagnosed T2 for 5 years, after taking gestational diabetes. So far, my control has been fairly good, with HbA1c tests coming in around 7.
I am on 4 metformin a day. In April though, I started taking blurry vision. No one tested my bloods, and it was only once I started using a meter (Doc won't prescribe the strips!) that I realised my levels were up around 13. Finally had my HbA1c done last week and I'm away up at 9.1 (76). I haven't done anything different for them to shoot up.
My nurse (witch!) has said that symptoms of headaches, tiredness and irritability are nothing to do with the higher levels. I go to see her tomorrow to discuss the results.
My question is, what's the next step for me. And is there anything that will help with weight loss. I already use orlistat, but it's not working. (Or rather I know how to cheat it!). Anyone with similar experiences? Thanks
 
Hi AD and welcome to the forum

As you are on orlistat, does that mean you are following a low fat diet? Possibly low calorie too? That would make me irritable and knackered too

A lot of folk here, myself included, have managed to bring bg and weight down by following a low carb/high fat diet. Just normal food, but the right kind. Check this out http://www.dietdoctor.com/lchf

Good luck with witchy tomorrow.
 
Hi,

Just an uneducated guess.. You mentioned "Orlistat".. (I just had to google it.) When did you start taking it?
 
Orlistat doesn't work if you already follow a low fat diet. That's because the way it is meant to work is by absorbing the excess fat that you eat so that it is not digested. If you eat lie dat there is nothing for it to work on. I was put on this 15 years ago and it did nothing for me except upset my tummy if I ate the slightest amount if fat. I lost be weight at all.


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Been on orlistat (xenicol) for last 6 months. My diet hasn't been well controlled for last couple of years. Too much comfort eating when I feel low, which seems to be all the time just now. Just wondered why all of a sudden I spiked when I haven't done anything different. And what other meds are they likely to start me on? Thanks xx
 
When you take the orlistat, do you ever have toilet emergencies? (trying to be polite here lol) does the metformin stay inside you long enough to be effective is what I am wondering.

If your diet is not great at the moment, there may be room for improvement without further meds.
 
Hi,
I think the orlistat may have given you a false sense of security as it is labelled as a weight reducing drug. Even when you are using it you have to be mindful of what you are eating.

If I was you, I would dump the orlistat and go back to basics.
There is a post for the newly diagnosed which should help.

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/basic-information-for-newly-diagnosed-diabetics.26870/

People here vary in the amount of carbs they eat. Some have to cut them down to below 50g per day whilst others can get good results on 150g and above.
Your limit has to be determined by your meter and you need to test, keep a food diary, an activity diary and spot the trends that lower/raise your blood sugars. Keep away from anything labelled low fat as it will contain more sugars.

This chart explains the treatment offered to Type 2s.

http://healthguides.mapofmedicine.com/choices/map-open/diabetes2.html

Ask as many questions as you need to and remember that you have to find your way of dealing with diabetes, there are variations in how people manage and it is the testing that will find an eating plan that is right for you. You have to enjoy what you are eating or it will become dull and boring. Don't look upon it as a diet but rather as improving your health and wellbeing.
 
Went to see the nurse today, and finally I got a new meter and test strips so I can self-monitor. Dunno what it is just now that they aren't giving strips on prescription here! Also have started off on sitagliptin, just one a day, combining with the 4 metformin. And a kick up the butt regarding my diet and exercise. She blames everything on depression (tell me something I don't know) but as I refuse to go back on anti-d's it's a moot point. I know I can get through it on my own. I just need a wee spark back in my life to get me motivated. I can let being a single mum (self-employed) get to me as the solitary confinement is what brings me down. Difficult to mix with new people as I don't know how to meet them? And dating sites seem only to be pick up joints! Ugh......lol. Thanks for all advice. Nutrition is something I am well versed in having trained as a chef, it's just the discipline I lack. And I've been diagnosed 5 years now x
 
I don't have toilet emergencies (nicely put!) very often with orlistat. Lol. I know they are working though, just I haven't been taking them for maximum efficiency. I would probably say it's lack of hard physical exercise through no motivation which is wrecking the diet plan. Found in the past that dieting alone just makes me worse than ever.
 
Hi. I think you know that having a low-carb diet is the right way forward. This means setting a daily limit of, say, 180gm and sticking to it. It's the carbs that make you add weight rather than fats despite what we have all been told. The Sitaglitpin should help a bit as it makes the pancreas produce insulin for longer after a meal but as you are probably insulin resistant you may already be producing a lot. So, diet is the key. Try to find foods that satisfy your comfort eating needs that aren't carby. Yes, that can be difficult but I snack on nuts and 85% dark chocolate together with fruit berries.
 
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