Porridge is one of those things which some people can eat and for others it causes a really high spike.I used to love porridge and was told porridge with blueberries was ok by my DN but recall seeing on here that porridge is a no-no. I was hoping I would lose another stone or so, and it sounds like this will be happening now.. every cloud and all...
Do tell nurse about the Metformin effects, hopefully will settle but there are other options if not, and maybe there are something to temporarily settle your stomach? Probiotics have been mentioned in other threadsHiya thank you for your reply snd the useful tip- I will do this in future .
Hi Denise! Bless your heart for the advice. I don’t think I am drinking enough it’s always been my downfall- I’m going to make a big jug up of very very diluted squash ( will be checking sugar content) as I am terrible at drinking just water. I bought some stevia today to try in my tea so will see how I get on with that. It’s the stevia with erithritol so Fingers crossed.I had my meter "lance" set to high, so I lowered it. Mine adjusts from 1-10 and mine is good at 4. A lot better than when I had it at the medium setting.
On the meals, I'm been doing eggs and cheese for breakfast, adding left over pork one morning. Not paying attention to calories at all and lost 6 lbs in two weeks. Are you drinking adequate water? I learned that helps but I only do about 4 eight ouncers. I could use more probably. Sugar/carb withdrawals made me feel way hungry like I would have shot a chicken, plucked it and cooked it too! You could try some low carbs like Yogurt with a little sugar substitute (I use stevia) Yogurt helped my stomach cramping somewhat, plus I do ginger in water. But it's not really working well on the metformin ER.
Please keep letting us know, I'm new but will share what I've learned anytime I see someone in need, Denise
Hi thank you for your reply- it really is hit and miss how everybody is so different. I’m learning lots but just to have people in the same situation as me to give advice is so good. I’ve got a lot of well meaning friends giving me their input but I really do appreciate everybody herePorridge is one of those things which some people can eat and for others it causes a really high spike.
It is why you will see the advice to test here. We are all different.
I can extract more carbs from beans than many, for instance.
Blueberries are the highest carbs of the fruits called something berrys, so you could reduce the carb hit by having lower carb ones.
Hi Andy thank you! I will look into probiotics. I need to give it time, it’s only been 5 days but will make sure I don’t keep suffering if there’s an alternativeDo tell nurse about the Metformin effects, hopefully will settle but there are other options if not, and maybe there are something to temporarily settle your stomach? Probiotics have been mentioned in other threads
If you cut carbs for long enough then metformin could well become optional..Hi Andy thank you! I will look into probiotics. I need to give it time, it’s only been 5 days but will make sure I don’t keep suffering if there’s an alternative
Quick update...
So I’ve emptied my cupboards and started afresh. Not going to lie, I’ve struggled a little. I was getting really sore fingers and after reading another post, I may have been pricking too much in the middle of my fingers when doing my readings. I’ve started to prick at the side of my finger but don’t seem to get enough blood for the strip to read, and have had to prick twice or three times to get “enough” blood. I’m testing before and 2 hrs after each meal. I think it may just be a case of technique so will check with my DN on Wednesday. I’ve also struggled with Metformin which was no surprise. Its giving me the worst diarrhoea after my main meal in the evening which is meaning I’m going to bed feeling hungry and waking up feeling terrible. I’ve got some whole meal water crackers today and am going to see if I can take them before bed without causing a high reading in the morning. I’ve lost 5lbs since Wednesday and feel like I have nothing inside me, almost like I feel I have no substance anymore if that makes sense. DN said we will be increasing the metformin to 2 per day (it’s the slow release), come Wednesday but I really don’t think I’m going to tolerate it judging by the last few days- can anyone tell me if they’ve had similar with metformin and if it will get better? I’m sure it’s just a case of adjusting and like I said previously, once I know if I’m T1 or 2 I may have a better idea of where I’m at.
Hiya thank you for your informative reply. It’s interesting because years ago (maybe 10 or so), I was told I was pretty diabetic and I managed to change my diet and reverse it. I can totally understand what you’re saying about my readings. I’m also going to start a food diary (I hope this isn’t overkill?) just so I have more information to be armed with when I see DN. DN said she thinks I may be between 1 and 2. This is a massive change to my diet, as before I had a sweet tooth and loved carbs. But, I’m seeing diabetes as a blessing in disguise for me to shape up and look after myself. I have been present when an ex who was type 1 had hypos and it was quite scary... so am aware of how things can go pear shaped. My DN seems lovely and has said she wants me to have a special test which will categorically say which type I am. Apparently it’s not available to everyone so I’m grateful for it. XHi there, just make sure you keep on at your team re a proper diagnosis. If you are type 1 then no amount of metformin is going to tackle that, and just be aware that if you have gone immediately low carb this may make it harder for them to diagnose as you would be keeping your glucose levels lower than they would be 'normally' if you like. Generally, if you eat low carb your body has no need to produce higher insulin levels which could also give a lower C Peptide reading than usual. It's quite complicated but you are doing the right thing by checking your glucose levels and keeping a record (but again, your team may look at that record, see the readings are lower and make assumptions) When I was first diagnosed I didn't fit the type 2 'profile' as they call it so they put me on insulin straight away, then I kept going low constantly so anyway after a LOT of confusion they eventually did the extra tests and I was type 1. (Bear in mind also, 3 years BEFORE my type 1 diagnosis, I was told I was 'pre diabetic)'. Never had any call backs for further tests and ended up in hospital with the onset of DKA and they said ah, your pre diabetic diagnosis could have been the onset of type 1. Not wishing to worry you but there are SO many scenarios. Keep testing. x
I remembered another thing I found out, some of the lances might be bent, I found 2 in a row, and I don't know how I noticed because even with reading glasses I just don't focus too wellHiya thank you for your reply snd the useful tip- I will do this in future .
Hi there, just make sure you keep on at your team re a proper diagnosis. If you are type 1 then no amount of metformin is going to tackle that, and just be aware that if you have gone immediately low carb this may make it harder for them to diagnose as you would be keeping your glucose levels lower than they would be 'normally' if you like. Generally, if you eat low carb your body has no need to produce higher insulin levels which could also give a lower C Peptide reading than usual. It's quite complicated but you are doing the right thing by checking your glucose levels and keeping a record (but again, your team may look at that record, see the readings are lower and make assumptions) When I was first diagnosed I didn't fit the type 2 'profile' as they call it so they put me on insulin straight away, then I kept going low constantly so anyway after a LOT of confusion they eventually did the extra tests and I was type 1. (Bear in mind also, 3 years BEFORE my type 1 diagnosis, I was told I was 'pre diabetic)'. Never had any call backs for further tests and ended up in hospital with the onset of DKA and they said ah, your pre diabetic diagnosis could have been the onset of type 1. Not wishing to worry you but there are SO many scenarios. Keep testing. x
Hi Denise! Bless your heart for the advice. I don’t think I am drinking enough it’s always been my downfall- I’m going to make a big jug up of very very diluted squash ( will be checking sugar content) as I am terrible at drinking just water. I bought some stevia today to try in my tea so will see how I get on with that. It’s the stevia with erithritol so Fingers crossed.
Well no, you don't have to have any carbs at all. It isn't essential, some of us have more than others and you are exactly right in that everyone is different and you need o find your way through this*UPDATE*
Hi all
I’ve seen my DN today and from the readings I’ve done for the last week, I’m officially T2. I’m so lucky in that I have a great DN who is very kind, realistic and understanding. I had a gentle telling off as I’ve been doing too many finger pricks and am now to only do them before breakfast and before my evening meal. I’ve been told that I have to include some carbs into my diet as I had been under the impression I was to have none whatsoever, I’ve felt low, exhausted and generally rubbish all week. The metformin has made me have bathroom issues shall we say but I am going to persevere and see how I get on. My lovely DN said we can try another medication but I just want to see how I am now I’m introducing a few carbs. I’m feeling much better and more in control now I know I’m T2, and that it really is all about moderation and finding what works for me. I have learnt a lot this week and must not compare myself to others, everybody’s experience is different and what works for one person doesn’t work for another. Fingers crossed I can get the balance right in this next week and start feeling better mentally.
Whilst your DN maybe be a nice person she appears to know little about T2 dabetes and how to reverse it.. which is rather a shame.I’ve seen my DN today and from the readings I’ve done for the last week, I’m officially T2. I’m so lucky in that I have a great DN who is very kind, realistic and understanding. I had a gentle telling off as I’ve been doing too many finger pricks and am now to only do them before breakfast and before my evening meal. I’ve been told that I have to include some carbs into my diet as I had been under the impression I was to have none whatsoever, I’ve felt low, exhausted and generally rubbish all week.
Have you been put on a statin as well as Metformin?Hi Denise!
Thanks for your reply and good to hear you had a good day yesterday! My Nurse has recommended I take a general multi vitamin as I had stopped taking these- I read on another forum that there was a particular vitamin that maybe wasn’t too great for diabetics- I don’t know which one as I’ve been so tired my memory is not great at the moment. I hope you manage to get taken on with the Doctor.
Take care and I hope tomorrow is a good day x
Hi all
Firstly I just wanted to say that I’ve read a lot of posts on here and everyone seems to knowledgeable and friendly. I was diagnosed on Wednesday after a UTI and subsequent blood test gave a reading of 75. My diabetic nurse specialist has told me she’s not sure if I’m type 1 or 2 as I don’t fit some of the criteria for type 2. She’s said I’m inbetween the two. I’ve had various health issues over the last couple of years and I’m worried I’ve had diabetes for a long time, and have already got complications. Ive had a lot of kidney infections and kidney stones, had issues with my eyesight which never really got resolved and quite a lot of gastro issues. I’ve been given a monitor and am testing my blood twice a day before and after meals. It’s only been a couple of days so is difficult to get my head round all this. I’ve also been prescribed metformin once a day for a week then will be increasing the dose. I’ve been given my list of foods to cut out which is basically most of my normal diet. I am feeling quite low that maybe I have caused this all myself in my diet previously. I’m small framed and bmi is too high. I’m not massively overweight. I am having a review to go over my blood readings in a weeks time and have been told I might be able to get a special blood test which will confirm exactly which type I am. I know it’s too early to gauge what’s what but it’s just all so overwhelming right now. I’m hoping once I know exactly what type I am, I will have a better idea of how to manage things. It would be good to hear from anyone who has had a similar situation where they’ve been told they’re between type 1 and 2, as I feel a bit in limbo currently and just a bit helpless.
Well no, you don't have to have any carbs at all. It isn't essential, some of us have more than others and you are exactly right in that everyone is different and you need o find your way through this
Well, there is plenty of food you can eat that are lower carbs so starving yourself means perhaps more that you haven't quite worked out what foods to eat and instead have cut out carbs rather than finding alternatives. But again, you need to find the balance that works for youHi Andy
Thank you for your reply. I feel much better in myself today and will continue to take my DN’s advice. I am having a very low amount of carbs per day. I made a food diary and it seems I was almost starving myself by having no carbs at all. I am being kind to myself and not being too obsessed with pricking fingers snd what I can’t eat. All the best
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