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Pre-Diabetics

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witsum

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Hi
I have been a member of the forums for a few months but only posted on the Ask The Experts and found everyone really helpful and supportive but would like if possible to chat with other pre-diabetics so if there are peeps here who are in the same position as me I would love to hear from you.
I am just about to start Metformin and am still a bit confused and somewhat reluctant as the endo has said I will be on it for life, yet reading other postings from confirmed Type 2 FM's, some do not even take it, and others have reduced the dosage or come off it altogether??
I know the benefits of MF for prediabetics but as I am also still under investigation for possible Cushings Syndrome, which can increase the risk of diabetes as related to the adrenal system, part of me thinks, would it not be better to wait till all the results are in for that before embarking on medication that may turn out not to be 100% necessary??
Sorry to waffle on!
 
Hi witsum
I'm not the person you are really looking for, being a confirmed T2, but did you know that some authorities deny the exixtence of pre-diabetes and call it early stage diabetes instead. Metformin is supposed to be able to reverse the diabetes and put it into remission in the early stages, but you probably won't ever be able to eat unlimited carbs safely. As to MF, it's a safe medicine, but if you don't want to take it, could you try get those Bgs down to non-impaired levels, by diet alone?
As to being on any medicine for life. That may be a probability, but it isn't a FACT. Did your doctor study "Divination" at Hogwarts? 8)
Try a low carb routine for a bit and see what it does. Atkins would be ideal.
 
I CAN do it without Metformin, but I have to be VERY rigid in eating, so I chose not to
Hana
 
Hi Witsum,
I have impaired glucose tolerance which I understand in the states is classed as prediabetes.
I was not prescribed any medication just told to come back in three months for another test, but I found this forum and lost a little weight bmi from 24 to 20, upped my exercise and drastically lowered my carbs. I also bought myself a meter to measure my BG, have to buy all my strips as there is no way they would prescribe them for me.
Well after 3 months my next fasting bg came back as normal, plus my hba1c came back as 5.4%. So I am just keeping off the carbs still, it is a pain at times, but I am glad that I am not on medication!
I do have to say though that it does take a lot of commitment to cut down the carbs drastically, but I think the results are well worthwhile. Have you got yourself a meter to check your bg levels?
Would love to chat as I sometimes feel a bit of a fraud on this forum as I haven't got proper 'diabetes', and there are a lot of people worse off than I am.
Jo
 
Hi
Thanks for the responses received.
Just thought I would give a bit of background-I was diagnosed with IGT last October after a post glucose drink reading of 8.2. My GP said they would monitor me and the GTT would be repeated after 12 months and stated prediabetics are not given MF. My diet and exercise regime were found to be ideal as is my blood pressure.
Despite my healthy diet and exercise I have been unable to lose the weight around my middle (I look about 8 months pregnant!) which seems to have been gained over a period of 18 months-and was referred to an endo who arranged various tests but immediately said he wanted me on MF, but GP baulked at this-now 5 months later endo has prescribed MF for me himself! I did ask for a repeat GTT before I start MF but endo said once at IGT stage there is no return to normal levels but just have to try and ensure they never get higher and so become Type 2-hence the MF to assist this.
My morning BS levels are usually between 5-6 and 2 hour post meals between 7-8
I was always predisposed to diabetes as my mother was diagnosed Type 2 at age 68 but it is frustrating when I have always tried to eliminate any other contributory factors. I am 'overweight' going by the scales but the 'excess' weight is all centred around my 'bump!!-the possible Cushings Syndrome I am under investigation for could well explain this.

With regard to the prediabetes BS control by low carbing, I thought I would give this a try, and have been on the forum, but am a bit bamboozled-as a starting point is there a chance someone could give me an idea of what a typical days menu might include just to get ideas I can then build on?
I really would be grateful. Many thanks
 
Hi there,
Have just been told I have to go for test so will be watching this with interest. I was under the impression that MF was only prescribed for comfirmed diabetics, and that diet and excersise were the prefered way to go for pre diabetes. I was actually told I was diabetic, but then doc changed his mind, but even then I was told to just watch the diet. Maybe it depends on the doc you get. :lol:
 
1) there is a school of thought that Metformin should ONLY be prescribed for IGT, as it doesn't have a huge effect on T2. Your lifestyle has to do MOST of the work.

2) Impaired GT is reversible, whether this is just tight control or actual reversal, I'm not certain. Exercise needs to be a component here, because it helps insulin resistance.
 
witsum said:
Hi
Thanks for the responses received.
Just thought I would give a bit of background-I was diagnosed with IGT last October after a post glucose drink reading of 8.2. My GP said they would monitor me and the GTT would be repeated after 12 months and stated prediabetics are not given MF. My diet and exercise regime were found to be ideal as is my blood pressure.
Despite my healthy diet and exercise I have been unable to lose the weight around my middle (I look about 8 months pregnant!) which seems to have been gained over a period of 18 months-and was referred to an endo who arranged various tests but immediately said he wanted me on MF, but GP baulked at this-now 5 months later endo has prescribed MF for me himself! I did ask for a repeat GTT before I start MF but endo said once at IGT stage there is no return to normal levels but just have to try and ensure they never get higher and so become Type 2-hence the MF to assist this.
My morning BS levels are usually between 5-6 and 2 hour post meals between 7-8
I was always predisposed to diabetes as my mother was diagnosed Type 2 at age 68 but it is frustrating when I have always tried to eliminate any other contributory factors. I am 'overweight' going by the scales but the 'excess' weight is all centred around my 'bump!!-the possible Cushings Syndrome I am under investigation for could well explain this.

With regard to the prediabetes BS control by low carbing, I thought I would give this a try, and have been on the forum, but am a bit bamboozled-as a starting point is there a chance someone could give me an idea of what a typical days menu might include just to get ideas I can then build on?
I really would be grateful. Many thanks
Click to expand...

As requested here is a typical days menu:
breakfast 150gm plain organic soy yoghurt
40gm almonds

Lunch large salad with small tin of mackarel, or bit of cold chicken or similar
handful walnuts

Snack 2 peices 90% cocoa solids dark chocolate

Dinner Roast dinner with veg (easy on peas or carrots) but loads green veg, no gravy
as it is thickened with a little cornflour
glass of red wine with dinner

Snack 3 strawberries and some macadamia nuts

I drink decaffeinated tea and coffee (caffeine raises bg in some people) with either lactofree semi skimmed milk (lower in carbs than ordinary milk) or unsweetened soy milk.

And that's pretty much it, hope this helps :D

With regard to the weight around your abdomen yours may well be to a health issue (hope it's not!) but I had a bit of a tummy with a bmi of 24 and I have to say most of it has gone now I have lost some weight!
 
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