It's getting on for a year since James' diagnosis and my introduction to the world of T2 and I am coming to the conclusion that Metformin is a dangerous drug. Not because of the usual sort of drug dangers, but because so many T2's seem to think that as long as they take it, that's a case of "job done". I've found myself chatting to people in the pub, who note that we are on a restricted diet (I support James in his low carb diet) and the subject of diabetes comes up. Yes, they are diabetic too, they tell me between mouthfuls of chips! They have metformin and the doctor is happy, why are we making life difficult for ourselves?
Sally
It's getting on for a year since James' diagnosis and my introduction to the world of T2 and I am coming to the conclusion that Metformin is a dangerous drug. Not because of the usual sort of drug dangers, but because so many T2's seem to think that as long as they take it, that's a case of "job done". I've found myself chatting to people in the pub, who note that we are on a restricted diet (I support James in his low carb diet) and the subject of diabetes comes up. Yes, they are diabetic too, they tell me between mouthfuls of chips! They have metformin and the doctor is happy, why are we making life difficult for ourselves?
Sally
Really? Bearing in mind I just got given the tablets and told to look on the internet I'd be amazed if these people have been given any advice at all! It is shocking that there is such a gap between what does happen and what ought to happen! Do you work? Just wondering how the Newcastle diet and work tie in together. It is quite tempting .Only just noticed this discussion. - so much going on on this site.- I have also been amazed at how blasė some people are after T2 diagnosis. One 59 year old woman I know seemed delighted to have her diagnosis as she could have Metformin to control the symptoms ( extreme tiredness, high BP, leg ulcers, wheezy chest etc). It meant she could continue smoking 40 a day, and eating sausage and chips as a snack before dinner, drinking Baileys by the pint, and not worry about weighing 25stones. Another, a 60 year old bloke who is having neuropathy pain and vision problems thinks he can call at the chippy on his way back from a two mile cycle ride, because his DN has increased Metformin to 4 a day, and is pleased with his blood monitoring readings of between 6.8 and 12.4. Both think I am crazy because I 'deprived' myself of the pleasures of food and drink doing the Newcastle diet to sort my diabetes.
Surely medical professionals should educate T2 diabetic patients more about the complications? Or is this just another instance of pharmaceutical companies being in control here?
Only just noticed this discussion. - so much going on on this site.- I have also been amazed at how blasė some people are after T2 diagnosis. One 59 year old woman I know seemed delighted to have her diagnosis as she could have Metformin to control the symptoms ( extreme tiredness, high BP, leg ulcers, wheezy chest etc). It meant she could continue smoking 40 a day, and eating sausage and chips as a snack before dinner, drinking Baileys by the pint, and not worry about weighing 25stones. Another, a 60 year old bloke who is having neuropathy pain and vision problems thinks he can call at the chippy on his way back from a two mile cycle ride, because his DN has increased Metformin to 4 a day, and is pleased with his blood monitoring readings of between 6.8 and 12.4. Both think I am crazy because I 'deprived' myself of the pleasures of food and drink doing the Newcastle diet to sort my diabetes.
Surely medical professionals should educate T2 diabetic patients more about the complications? Or is this just another instance of pharmaceutical companies being in control here?
Sadly what you say appears to be true. My doc cannot believe that I want to have the control I have (except for the good doc - the one it's hard to get an appointment with) and my dn has washed her hands of me as I low carb and refuse to eat pasta, bread, rice and potatoes (unless conducting an experiment to prove the fact that these things send my bs through the roof and make me feel so dizzy I can't stand up - how unreasonable of me!) . Only dr Mann has told me to carry on low carbing as it is clearly working. I've a colleague at work who finds it all too difficult so she's carrying on as normal!Brunneria the problem is that if you don't support properly then don't be surprised that people either don't make an effort or backslide. I like am Denise the weird one my dn says no one has close to the control l do and no one wants to take it seriously like l do, yet this site offers me the support that they do not do. I look on the dn/dr as a place to have tests done not advice.
The nhs complain about diabetics, only a very few surgery's offer proper support. The general policy is based around the 2 D's = Diagnose and Dump
Really? Bearing in mind I just got given the tablets and told to look on the internet I'd be amazed if these people have been given any advice at all!
Really? Bearing in mind I just got given the tablets and told to look on the internet I'd be amazed if these people have been given any advice at all! It is shocking that there is such a gap between what does happen and what ought to happen! Do you work? Just wondering how the Newcastle diet and work tie in together. It is quite tempting .
it might takes years before they would recognise all the findings on low carb.
Scandichic
I was working on a voluntary project 20 ish hours a week when I did the Newcastle programme. In addition I was caring for an elderly relative and attending lots of meetings medical appointments etc. the version of Newcastle diet I was using was Lipotrim Total food replacement. It was before all the findings from the first Newcastle experiment had been published, and I felt short changed somewhat when I realised I could have had vegetables in addition to the diet products. It was, however, very easy to stick to, particularly as my caring responsibilities meant that I had difficulty finding time to shop, plan and cook meals. The Newcastle programme, which includes veg should be easy enough to fit into a working day. If doing it again, instead of Lipotrim I would you a supermarket own brand. You can get them in powder form to mix with milk or ready mixed drink cartons. The veg component would mean that I could use soup, or a salad to take to work so unless I chose to tell people nobody would need to know. The social occasions involving food were the most difficult for me. I am generally a private person, and so did not like the curious questioning of others.
I was thinking about it if the weight loss plateaus with LCHF. I had hoped that it would come off quicker and there are certain times of the month where I just maintain which is frustrating. I was concerned that I would feel too hungry at work and wondered if it was something I could maybe do in the holidays.
My shape changes but I stay the same for 2 weeks. Boobs are slightly smaller as I've needed to get new bras but I have started to get an hour glass figure (if I wear my sheepdog bra - it rounds them up and points them in the right direction- ll! instead of looking like a beach ball. (Worrying resemblance to violet Beauregard in Charlie and the chocolate factory when she chews the gum and swells up - wasn't blue though!)@Scandichic
The good news is that you aren't really plateauing, at times of the month. The reality is that the weight loss continues, while you just retain extra water for a few days each month.
And you may even be losing a smidge extra, since it has been proven (sorry, can't name the study) that women use an extra 200 cal (or so) in the days just before their period.
My shape changes but I stay the same for 2 weeks. Boobs are slightly smaller as I've needed to get new bras but I have started to get an hour glass figure (if I wear my sheepdog bra - it rounds them up and points them in the right direction- ll! instead of looking like a beach ball. (Worrying resemblance to violet Beauregard in Charlie and the chocolate factory when she chews the gum and swells up - wasn't blue though!)
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