Really stupid question

Those tablets sound great! - can I have some please??

I'm no expert, but I take Metformin. The tablets alone don't seem to make that much difference to my actual blood sugar readings, although they do have other benefits (and some less desirable side effects).

I'm pretty sure you're s'posed to make some diet changes too, in order to try to keep your blood sugar level from spiking. Don't know what sort of thing you eat at the moment though and, as there as many diet variations as there are diabetics, i won't presume to advise you there. Best idea is to read as much as you can. Here, on the forum, on the web site and on the internet in general. - I suggest you take notes. LOTS of notes! That's what I did. Then you can work out what works for you.

Good luck!


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

- I'm not totally positive, but I think Statins are to help correct a cholesterol issue, not reduce blood sugar.

- I might well be wrong, but if I am, I'm sure someone will correct me very soon!


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

1. Statins are for cholesterol and since there is some question as to whether they help (unless you've already had a CVD event), your neighbor should do some research as to what to eat although the diet recommended by the doctor who prescribed statins is unlikely to have good advice.
2. It is diet AND tablets for most people but for many it can be diet instead of tablets…
3. Low carbohydrate diets are by far the most successful for diabetes (and maybe for CVD as well) which makes sense since you want to reduce blood sugar. The resistance of the medical profession to recommending them is incomprehensible until you think of all the bizarre things in the history of medicine. However…
4. If you are taking medication for diabetes, you should not start a low carb diet without talking to the physician. It is usual to reduce your medication in advance of the diet.


Richard David Feinman
Professor of Cell Biology
SUNY Downstate Medical Center.

Is it Diet OR tablets or is it Diet AND tablets.

In other words if I start taking the tablets I have been given can I go back to eating like I did before I was told " I think you have diabetes" by my GP.

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The diabetes education room at my local hospital has a big cartoon on the door, part of it is a three legged stool, standing for the 3 equally important elements for getting good diabetic control ie :diet and medication and exercise. (for those who just use diet, irt would be diet and exercise )
If you go on a course there, whether type 1 or 2 it will include practical exercise sessions at whatever level you can manage. Exercise is also good for raising HDL (the good sort) cholesterol as well.
(I actually get fed up with people saying , Oh you've got insulin, well yes I have but I also exercise, and I'm careful with the diet that works for me, If I'm not my levels go up)

You may be able to control you BG by diet but if you need tablets as well you cannot return to your old eating habits. Tablets help your body to make use of the limited insulin your body produces. It is not like taking antibiotics to get rid of an infection. Tablets help but not cure. Do not fall into the trap of many diabetics by eating what you like as your condition may deteriorate more needing more medication and even added complications.