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New Member looking for help with a question.

E

ep4meuk

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8
I was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and I am on Metformin once aday..my question is I am due to go on Holiday in 8 weeks abroad and I am panicking about alcohol and how much I can have ...I am not a drinker but when I go on holiday I do like a few drinks but never go over the top and since we are away for 11 nights I don't know wether it would be wise to drink every night I am away.Also what are the best things to drink I am getting in a right muddle with reading up about it on the medical sites so any help from fellow diabetics would be great.

Susan
43yrs old and diagnosed 11 weeks ago type 2 diabetes.
 
Hi Susan! Welcome!

You might be best to have a glass of red wine with your meal rather than drinking without food. For some of us, red wine actually lowers blood glucose - although for me it lowers the BG several hours after I've drunk it, so it plays havoc with my insulin. I've recently found that dry white wine has a similar effect - although I think that might be peculiar to me as other people seem to report it raises their BG (maybe also depends on the wine - I was drinking Chablis). I can't comment on other drinks as I don't drink them, but I would probably stick to one or two glasses a night - and maybe give yourself a break from it for a night or two during your holiday. Have a good holiday!

Smidge
 
Hi Smidge,

Thankyou for the welcome and the reply to my question....I am still trying to balance the whole thing out and totally get confused at times I hope it is just not me :? I was told of my diabetes 11 weeks ago after a sore on my foot was not responding to any treatment I was also getting reocurring Abcesssess that would not heal and thats how they found out about my levels. My blood pressure was also raised and is being controlled now. I just can't seem to take to my Metformin the first lot twice a day made me feel terrible sick and bad stomach cramps headaches and feeling very unwell so my doctor has put me on the slow release and I have been taking them now for 15 days but still having the stomach aches and cramps but she said that should clear up after time. I am so please I have found this site. I am going to give the wine a shot to see if that suits me so thankyou once again Smidge for your help it is much appreciated.

Susan :)
 
Hi Susan and welcome to the forum :) I expect you are still trying to get used to diabetes. I think we all felt a variety of emotions on diagnosis - you won't feel confused once you get used to it and learn all about it. I see you have already had answers to your question - I will just confirm that for me also, red wine does tend to lower my levels but it also depends on the person as everyone is different. You could also try whisky if you like that. In moderation though. Make sure you test after drinking so you can see for yourself what it does to your levels. But for holidays just spoil yourself a bit and enjoy yourself without going too far. Then back "on the wagon" afterwards :) As you are fairly recently diagnosed I am sending you some basic information for newly diagnosed diabetics, written by the Forum Monitors, which you might find interesting and useful:

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=17088
 
Hi

I have never tested whisky as I don't like spirits very much, but on holiday last year I expereimented with different tyoes of alcohol, and found that I can't drink anything but red wine, without it affecteng my levels.

Some, like white wine and beer had gave me a spike, but the fortified wines such as port (which I love) seemd to raise my levels and keep them raised for a few days. So I stick to red wine happy at least I have a drink that I can indulge in occasionally.
 
Thankyou so much for all your help ,I dont drink shorts and like I said only drink on special occassions so I am guessing when I go away the rule is to have fun and let my hair down but just watch the levels :D now that sounds like a plan. On another point I hear people mention about the monitors I don't have one and was not given one by my nurse or doctor should I be asking for one or do I need to buy my own ? and if so what ones would anyone recommend please.

Susan x
 
Hi ep - welcome to the forum - all good advice from everyone on BS levels and care- but you say you are on metformin and in the patient info leaflet it says to avoid alcohol - I am going to give you my personal experience - others may disagree

I asked my GP and DSN about drinking and taking met - advice from both was some people can have a small amount of alcohol eg one glass - others cannot tolerate it at all - both said a glass of wine with a meal should be fine and of course stay within the guidelines of 14 units female etc etc.

Now at the risk of sounding like a raging lush! :shock: - before diagnosis and before metformin I liked a drink - not often but when I was out on the town or out for a meal I could drink a bottle of wine without little effect (by this I mean no hangover next day etc)- BUT now since being on metformin my limit is 2 small glasses of red and only when I am eating- apart from the BS issue I feel awful if I have more than 2 glasses - I get an absolute raging hangover that can last for days - you may be different but I would see how you go with a glass or two before you go - you don't want to feel ill on your hols.

Maybe alternate your evenings - one on one off so to speak - don't stress too much and relax a little on holiday while still being aware - its amazing how a small treat everyday can keep you on a straight road.

It is wise to remember that taking care of our diabetes isn't just about our blood sugar levels - lots of other things come into play like our liver, kidneys, eyes, feet etc etc - and maybe most importantly our mental wellbeing!
 
HI loving life,
I have never been much of a drinker but I have noticed myself that since being on the Metformin I cant tolerate drink as well as before .I recently went to the Lakes for a few days and had a few 2 half lagers in the afternoon one with lunch and then went out that same night and half way through the night started to feel a little odd so stopped drinking but felt the effect the morning after and it was not nice it kind of spoilt what should have been a good weekend away but lesson learnt hey :wink: I have also found that I am losing weight I was weighed 2 weeks ago and have lost over 7lbs is this normal? I am back for a fasting test next Monday with My GP...not complaing since I do need to lose weight ! Thankyou for your imput it is much appreciated like you say everyone reacts diffently to things x

Susan x
 
Like Smidge, dry white wine lowers my bg. In fact the endo said that I should limit my alcohol intake to 1 1/2 glasses of dry white a WEEK! If I do not drink alcohol at all I get brilliant triglyceride results.
Alison
 
The ill effects of the Met will soon clear up, so persevere they do work. Have you got a BS meter? if not I suggest you get one and start testing to see what affects you and what does not, it gives YOU the control :)
 
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