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Newbie Guidance requested

T

tub tub 64

Newbie
Messages
4
Location
Nottinghamshire
Hi every one
My name is alan & I am 45 years old
I have been diagnosed with type 2 for 2 1/2 years
I am taking metformin 500mg x 2 in the morning and 500mg x 2 in the evening and although my cholesterol level is good my GP has put me on simvistatin as a preventative measure
I am losing around 3 lbs a week in weight as I have no appetite at all & I struggle to eat 1 meal a day.
I find that if I eat with the tablets I get stomach cramps and I suffer from IBS.

I am not self testing my blood sugar levels as my GP said there is no need yet ?

Is it normal not to feel hungry all the time ?

I also feel lethargic

My GP says the loss of appetite is normal but my wife and kids nag me when I wont eat
 
Hi Alan.
Welcome to the forum. Have a good look around and when you want ask questions. There is usually someone who has the answer.

Stomach cramps etc could be indicative of high blood glucose levels, which, as you are not testing you would obviously know nothing about ? In my view you need to get a meter and test strips by whatever means and start testing regularly so that you are then fully aware of what your levels are. At the moment without testing you are riding blindfold and possibly heading for a crash !

It is normal to feel hungry at some point in the day. As a Diabetic you would really be far better off eating more regular meals, possibly three times daily, even if a couple are only snack type meals. This would help to keep your Bg levels on a more even keel.

As for loss of appetite.....one of the symptoms of hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar) is loss of appetite along with abdominal pains etc.

I really think you would be advised to discuss this again with your GP and get your Bg levels checked now.
 
Some sound advice from Cugila there. My only other comment is if your cholesterol level is good why would you need a tablet that is designed to reduce cholesterol levels as a "preventative" measure, you don't have anything to prevent? I have heard on numerous occasions however that doctors have targets for things like cholesterol lowering drugs I really don't know how accurate this is but if this is the case I would wonder if that's the reason why you are on them, or doctor just following some very generic guide lines and putting a tick in the box. I'd suggest posting in ask the experts and maybe someone with a more through knowledge can advise as I am not on any cholesterol lowering meds myself and so havent really paid much attention to them. However I have seen numerous posts on here and articles in various newspapers complaining about pretty bad side effects from statins which is the class of drugs I believe simvistatin is a member of. Personally I would be very dubious about taking this medication in your situation however you are in a better position to judge and its worth getting someone with far more knowledge of this than me to advise you further.
 
Thanks for the information I am very greatful
The Simvistatin has definately been prescribed as a preventative measure
In the last 5 years I have lost over 7 stone in weight and my recent cholesterol test was "normal"
The only real issue I have is that I was recently turned down for insurance due to being on statins, I discussed this with my GP and he told me that it was government guidelines that I should be on them. What I do not understand is why I am on the maximum dose of 40mg a day if my levels are normal :
 
tub tub
you say your cholesterol is "normal". that isn't enough information. Ask for the actiual numbers. My nurse has provided me wih a leaflet called "know your numbers" it has spaces to fill in all my blood test results as I get them, so they can be compared every 6 months.
" Normal" after all can be higher than "ideal" and "ideal" is where we should all be aiming. If you don't know your numbers, how can you take appropriate action?
Hana
 
I have never had my numbers for blood sugar or cholesterol
Last time I did a test with some one else monitor my blood sugar was 18.5
This is confusing if numbers are important why do I not need a monitor ?
 
tub tub 64 said:
I have never had my numbers for blood sugar or cholesterol
Last time I did a test with some one else monitor my blood sugar was 18.5
This is confusing if numbers are important why do I not need a monitor ?
Click to expand...


That's just it....you DO need a BG meter. Without one you are totally in the dark as to your BG levels and have no idea if your levels are high or low. The reason GP's try to discourage you from having one is because the cost of the strips is too high for them to fund.

My first meter was purchased by me and I funded my own strips for years. I tested very little, with the result that I gained weight, Diabetic complications and other ailments. All related to high Bg levels. That to me is a good enough reason why you need to get a meter even if if you have to buy it yourself, then set about trying to get the strips prescribed. You may get lucky ?
 
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