Hya all. I was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and was told to start taking metformin as from today. The thing is since I first became unwell and was undergoing the tests I have changed how I eat and reduced my alcohol intake. I have been checking my blood sugar levels and they seem to be coming back normal so I’m tempted not to start the tablets yet. What do people suggest I do please. Also I have bi polar disorder so while I have been good recently I do sometimes go very silly and I’m concerned about maintaining my levels. Sorry for the long post but feeling very confused. Thank you.
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Recently diagnosed
- Thread starter Fee2211
- Start Date
purplepenguin
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 319
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
Metformin is considered a low risk medication and can help in weight loss so I’d start taking it if I were you, although that is only a decision you can make.
I take it but it serves dual purpose as it helps another condition I have.
Good luck on your diabetes journey.
I take it but it serves dual purpose as it helps another condition I have.
Good luck on your diabetes journey.
Hi Fee and welcome to this lovely forum that no one really wants to belong to! Firstly let me tag in @daisy1 for you who will post loads of useful links for you. I do take Metformin and have done from diagnosis in May. My HbA1cwas pretty high at 70 and I was worried how long I may have been undiagnosed so wanted the best chance to improve my levels quickly. I tolerate Metformin well after an initial week of stomach upset. I too cut my carb intake drastically and within four months my HbA1c was at a non diabetic level. I’m happy to keep on Metformin as it has additional health benefits. Having said all that Metformin does only reduce blood glucose levels by a fraction and low carb eating has a much more marked effect. Many people on this forum manage their Diabetes on diet alone. There’s plenty of practical help to be had here and emotional support too if you hit a sticky patch.
archersuz
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 1,212
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
I think it depends on what your HbA1c was on diagnosis. I had 2 tests 7 weeks apart, so after the first test I was able to do some research. When I got the formal diagnosis I had already decided what I wanted to do - so I told the GP I wanted to control using diet and medication. She supported me in this and gave me 3 months to see what I could do. I reduced my HbA1c from 53 to 35 in 3 months. I now don't have to see the GP for another months.
What was your HbA1c?
What was your HbA1c?
Guzzler
Master
- Messages
- 10,577
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
- Dislikes
- Poor grammar, bullying and drunks.
It is good that you have reduced your alcohol intake as this directly affects blood glucose levels. The occasional glass of red wine has been found to be a benefit, though. You are now on a learning curve and the more you learn the better chances you have of coming to terms with your diagnosis, which can be one that is like a bolt out of the blue, and improving your health and your future.
Welcome to the forum, here you will get all the support you need with a few laughs along the way so have a look-see around and ask as many questions as you like. Remember that every one of us has been in your position and we remember what it was like.
Welcome to the forum, here you will get all the support you need with a few laughs along the way so have a look-see around and ask as many questions as you like. Remember that every one of us has been in your position and we remember what it was like.
Daibell
Master
Hi. I would take the Metformin as it's good safe drug. It doesn't affect blood sugar that much but helps a bit in other ways; you can always stop it later if relevant. With regard to alcohol, beers and cider may contain some carbs so don't have too much but wine and spirits should only have a very small effect on blood sugar but don't go mad with them.
Resurgam
Master
- Messages
- 10,213
- Type of diabetes
- Treatment type
- Diet only
When I took Metformin and a statin I was really ill - after 5 weeks I was losing the will to live, and I was losing the car in the car park and my memory for everything was gone.
I stopped taking the tablets a year ago, I keep my BG levels down by eating low carb foods, and I am just fine as far as I can tell - running around like a two year old, always out doing things - bags of energy and my memory does seem to be getting better.
I stopped taking the tablets a year ago, I keep my BG levels down by eating low carb foods, and I am just fine as far as I can tell - running around like a two year old, always out doing things - bags of energy and my memory does seem to be getting better.
Kittycat_7_
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 492
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Insulin
Hi,
I couldn't take Metformin due to side effects, however many people take it and it really helps.
Best thing to do is to try it and see how you are.
Your GP or practice nurse will monitor you regularly.
Sorry to hear about your bi-polar, are you taking anti-psychotics as these can increase blood glucose levels.
Take care
I couldn't take Metformin due to side effects, however many people take it and it really helps.
Best thing to do is to try it and see how you are.
Your GP or practice nurse will monitor you regularly.
Sorry to hear about your bi-polar, are you taking anti-psychotics as these can increase blood glucose levels.
Take care
daisy1
Legend
- Messages
- 26,457
- Location
- Switzerland
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
- Dislikes
- Cruelty towards animals.
@Fee2211
Hello Fee and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it both interesting and helpful. Ask as many questions as you need to and someone will be able to help.
BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS
Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.
A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 235,000 people who are demonstrating this.
On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.
The role of carbohydrate
Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.
If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.
The bad news
Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.
The good news
People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.
Controlling your carbs
The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.
The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.
Choosing better carbohydrates
The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.
Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.
Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.
Eating what works for you
Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.
To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.
The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:
Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.
You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.
Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.
Hello Fee and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it both interesting and helpful. Ask as many questions as you need to and someone will be able to help.BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS
Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.
A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 235,000 people who are demonstrating this.
On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.
The role of carbohydrate
Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.
If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.
The bad news
Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.
The good news
People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.
Controlling your carbs
The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
- Reduce your carbohydrate intake
- Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.
The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.
Choosing better carbohydrates
The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.
Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.
Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.
Eating what works for you
Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.
To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.
The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:
Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
- structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
- self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education
Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.
You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.
Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.
- Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why
- Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
