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Still too high

cazza54

Well-Known Member
Messages
136
Location
UK
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Turnips and Tuna fish!
I was diagnosed with diabetes almost a month ago and put straight onto 500mg Metformin film coated (with breakfast). I changed my (awful) eating habits and went lowish carb (normally under 100g, often under 80g a day).

Although my BG has come down a bit, it is still above the target area of between 4 and 7. Regularly in the 10-12 region instead.

The pills gave me the runs at the beginning and then I had a couple of days where it seemed to settle, but it back with a vengeance, resulting in having to change the bed in the middle of the night on Monday!!! Not fun.

I have increased my exercise, although I have a sedentary job (on the computer) by walking and using my new exercise bike.

I have booked an appointment to go back to the doctors this afternoon to see if we can do anything else to try to bring the readings down. Any suggestions pre appointment welcome.

Regards,

Carol
 
Oh poor you Carol. I first of all suggest you ask your doctor for the slow release version of Metformin as this is supposed to be more gentle on the tummy. You can't go on like that. I'm no expert on Metformin as I don't take it.

Perhaps if you give us a typical day's menu we may spot something that could be stopping your levels coming down. Are you weighing your carbs or just guessing? Have you found certain foods are worse than others when you test, and if so have you reduced the portions/cut them out? What are your before meal levels like?
 
Hi. Yes, do ask the GP for the Slow Release SR version of Metformin. Are you normal or overweight? If overweight then the Metformin SR and a low-carb diet that you are already on should gradually help. If not overweight then there may be a query over the diagnosis if the sugars don't move down and/or additional tablets such as Gliclazide can be added. Let us know how you get on and about your weight
 
Thank you for your reply, Bluetit.

OK here are a couple of recent days food...

Breakfast: Plain yoghurt with a handful of blueberries

Lunch: Prawn salad - lettuce, bean sprouts, yellow pepper, tomato, seeds

Supper: Steak, bean sprouts, mushrooms and cauliflower mash.

-----------

Breakfast: 2 eggs scrambled with mushrooms

Lunch: Ham salad

Dinner: Chicken breast, leeks, courgettes and kale

---------------

For snacks I have had an apple, cheese

I am gluten free as well as diabetic, and after testing after eating gf bread I have cut that out entirely. I have also cut out crisps, gf biscuits, desserts, and potatoes and rice.

I am entering all the food eaten into an iPad app that works out the carbs, protein etc. for me.

My before food readings are shown in a screenshot here...

https://www.dropbox.com/s/z3zfhxm9sxq3sbn/Screenshot 2014-06-12 10.26.46.png

As you will see they are all high.

I do appreciate your advice.

Regards,

Carol
 
Thank you everyone. Yes, I am very overweight, but have lost 4 stone in the past year.

I will certainly ask about the SR metformin, thanks.

Regards,

Carol
 
Well Carol, from what you say you are doing all the right things and your diet looks spot on to me, yet your readings are too high as you say.

I don't know what else to say. Fingers crossed your doctor can come up with some answers this afternoon. Take all your evidence with you and write down all your questions before you go. Good luck.
 
Thanks. I will take the iPad with me, and I can then run any report she asks for.

I will also mention the pain in my thigh, although it is likely not D related, but perhaps a pulled muscle (it has been hurting for over a week now).

Regards,

Carol
 
Hi Carol. I had the same issue with Metformin even the slow release didnt work, I am now on Gliclazide which has jist started to work well for me. Please dont suffer, there are many alternatives! I used to get really bad cramps in my feet daily but since switching to gliclazide I havent had any!!! So strange, not sure if its the medication or something different but I am definitely grateful lol xx

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
I'm sorry to hear of your 'experience' in the night, that was happening to me too with Metformin, even the SR, but you could be OK with that, we are all different. When I told my Dr he told me, 'well, you could wear pads'!!! He just didn't seem to grasp what I was telling him, and anyway, I'm not at the stage to wear adult nappies!!!

Your diet looks fine to me, as Bluetit said. It sounds like you will have to see how you go on the SR Met. Maybe you need another type of tablet to bring your BS levels down, but I wouldn't know myself. If your levels stay high then I would see what your Dr says.

I do hope you get both problems sorted out ASAP, Carol.x
 
Thank you Beshlie and Jaxx. I have seen the doctor and she has put me on the SR Metformin to see if that works better for me. I DOOOO hope so.

It appears that the pain in the outside of my leg is sciatica (sp?). I was told that it will fix itself.

She was impressed with my weight loss (4 stone over the past year) but I still have a long way to go on that score.

Regards,

Carol
 
That's good news, I hope the SR works for you, but not good news about the sciatica although at least you know what it is.

Brilliant weight loss, well done.

Let us know how you go on.
 
I plotted the first 22 readings in excel, produced a graph and the trend line shows you are actually reducing, albeit slowly - stick with it!
 
Well done on the weight loss that's superb! Your diet sounds super healthy (and yummy!) Just a personal note, I seem unable to tolerate yogurt for some reason, low fat varieties or zero fat such as mullerlight spike me terribly! Everyone has different things tho it seems and its usually the things u like lol
 
Re the sciatica

Do you have any arthritis?
I had a friend who went to a chiropractor who, after checking that he didn't have arthritis, was able to help A LOT with only a couple of appts.
Might be worth investigating...?
 
Thank you so much everyone!

No, I am not on statins and do not have arthritis. Derek thanks for plotting the readings in Excel. Good to know I am having something going in the right direction.

I will certainly let you know whether I tolerate the SR Metformin better. The weight loss journey will be continuing for some time yet, and you have all motivated me to keep going, thank you so much. I am so glad I found this forum.

Regards,

Carol
 
Don't forget to drink loads of water as you have had diarrohea (you need to do this anyway on low carb).
 
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