hi everyone I am new on here and I've not been on a diabetes forum before! I am looking for advice. I am type 2 for the past ten years and take aphidra and lantus insulins up until yesterday I also took 2000 mg of Metformin each day but because of worsening tummy and bowel problems my GP stopped it yesterday and while even in this short time I feel better my fasting bs was 21.9 this morning and have struggled all day to get it down using lots about 240 units of Apidhra insulin today he advised me to check my blood sugars regularly and increase insulin as needed to any advice from type 2 s would be very welcome please!!! Also I am very insulin resistant and find it difficult to lose weight thanks in advance. Mary
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Stopping Metformin
- Thread starter MaryTC
- Start Date
xfieldok
Well-Known Member
Hi xfieldok thank you for the welcome! I had 2 weetabix unsweeted soya milk for break fast skipped lunch as I didn't feel very well the dreaded tummy issues 2 coffees dinner was a slimming world recipe for chicken stirfry with egg noodles and a coffee and 3 plain biscuits at around 7pm I took 130 units of lantus at 10 before bed. I try to reduce carbs as in breads etc as much as I can but I usually have a sandwich for lunch with 2 slices of 60 calorie brown wholemeal bread with either chicken tinned salmon or ham filling and during the day strawberries raspberries and some Greek yogurt with a spoon of chia seeds I don't tolerate salads well lettuce is a nightmare for adding to my already bloated and painful tummy so mainly I eat the same thing most days but I do crave carbs a lot !
xfieldok
Well-Known Member
I am afraid you are not low carb.weetabix is a big no. Egg noodles, no. Biscuits, no. Sandwich, no.
There are alternatives
You mentioned calories. Personally, I don't count them, I count carbs. The weight loss is a by product.
There are alternatives
You mentioned calories. Personally, I don't count them, I count carbs. The weight loss is a by product.
Thank you for that now that I am no longer on the Metformin and hopefully the health issues will subside I will look into other ideas for food intake not involving carbohydrates unfortunately the clinic I attended wasn't very big on diet or carb counting or type 2 s in general just lose weight so I will have to use the Internet as my guide!
If you want to get some meal ideas.. and want to try low carbing (which has helped a huge number of us get off meds completely)
You could do a lot worse than check out www.dietdoctor.com
If you want to learn a bit more maybe watch some Jason Fung videos here
https://idmprogram.com/videos/
You need to scroll down a bit for the Type 2 ones.
Enjoy..and welcome to our crazy crowd!
Edit to add you will also find that quite a few of us completely ignore what the HCP's say especially about what to eat...
You could do a lot worse than check out www.dietdoctor.com
If you want to learn a bit more maybe watch some Jason Fung videos here
https://idmprogram.com/videos/
You need to scroll down a bit for the Type 2 ones.
Enjoy..and welcome to our crazy crowd!
Edit to add you will also find that quite a few of us completely ignore what the HCP's say especially about what to eat...
Energize
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 810
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
Hi @MaryTC
Welcome to the forum. You will get a lot of advice from very experienced and knowledgeable people on here
Unfortunately, it's carbs that drives our glucose levels up!!! Unfortunately, most Health Professionals don't seem to understand this and continue to advise eating the 'slower' acting carbs, ie lower GI foods. However, even these are full of carbs and many diabetics chose to avoid like the plague, myself included.
So, I don't eat bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, anything with flour in plus, obviously, avoid sugary foods too (except on occasions when, for one reason or another, I have something I would normally resist)
It appears that fats are not as bad risk at originally thought and, in fact, since I've been on Low Carb Higher/Healthy Fats, my cholestrol level has actually dropped a bit to around 4.5, from about 4.9/5.0 (neither of which I considered a problem, only the HCPs!!!) I refuse statins too!
Yes, I realise LCHF does generally include a lot of vegetables but maybe you could select vegetables you are better able to tolerate. Once you've settled a bit without the Metformin, perhaps you may be able to tolerate a slightly wider variety?
Meat, eggs, dairy, cream, cheese, nuts (choose wisely) are all great low-carb foods. After a while of not having high carb foods, your cravings will almost disappear, only to return if you give in to tempation
Lowering your carbs will also mean less insulin, in which case you will be in a better position to lose some weight. Exercise is very good to help lose weight, if you are in a position to be able to exercise. Myself, exercise is a problem as I have mobility issues but, when I am able to go for a short walk 'just round the block', I do notice a difference in my glucose levels.
Hope this all helps you Daisy's information is excellent and that post will arrive soon enough, although you may have seen it on other posts.
Keep posting your questions and let us know how you are progressing
Welcome to the forum. You will get a lot of advice from very experienced and knowledgeable people on here
Unfortunately, it's carbs that drives our glucose levels up!!! Unfortunately, most Health Professionals don't seem to understand this and continue to advise eating the 'slower' acting carbs, ie lower GI foods. However, even these are full of carbs and many diabetics chose to avoid like the plague, myself included.
So, I don't eat bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, anything with flour in plus, obviously, avoid sugary foods too (except on occasions when, for one reason or another, I have something I would normally resist)
It appears that fats are not as bad risk at originally thought and, in fact, since I've been on Low Carb Higher/Healthy Fats, my cholestrol level has actually dropped a bit to around 4.5, from about 4.9/5.0 (neither of which I considered a problem, only the HCPs!!!) I refuse statins too!
Yes, I realise LCHF does generally include a lot of vegetables but maybe you could select vegetables you are better able to tolerate. Once you've settled a bit without the Metformin, perhaps you may be able to tolerate a slightly wider variety?
Meat, eggs, dairy, cream, cheese, nuts (choose wisely) are all great low-carb foods. After a while of not having high carb foods, your cravings will almost disappear, only to return if you give in to tempation
Lowering your carbs will also mean less insulin, in which case you will be in a better position to lose some weight. Exercise is very good to help lose weight, if you are in a position to be able to exercise. Myself, exercise is a problem as I have mobility issues but, when I am able to go for a short walk 'just round the block', I do notice a difference in my glucose levels.
Hope this all helps you
Daisy's information is excellent and that post will arrive soon enough, although you may have seen it on other posts.Keep posting your questions and let us know how you are progressing
xfieldok
Well-Known Member
Stick with this forum, the people here are great. You will get shedloads of advice. We don't give medical advice.
A bunch of us are hoping to meet up to discuss how to get the word out to T2's as the advice they are generally given is almost criminal.
You have a lot of research to do.
Recommend books are Dr Michael Mosley's 8 week sugar diet.
Jason Fung The Diabetes Code
Dr Fung also has YouTube videos that are worth watching.
Search the internet for keto diet.
You will be overwhelmed, we all were.
Have a read around the forum and ask lots of questions.
A bunch of us are hoping to meet up to discuss how to get the word out to T2's as the advice they are generally given is almost criminal.
You have a lot of research to do.
Recommend books are Dr Michael Mosley's 8 week sugar diet.
Jason Fung The Diabetes Code
Dr Fung also has YouTube videos that are worth watching.
Search the internet for keto diet.
You will be overwhelmed, we all were.
Have a read around the forum and ask lots of questions.
xfieldok
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't worry too much about your fasting numbers at this time they are often the last to come down.
At the moment, you need to concentrate on diet. Take a reading just before you eat and another two hours s after the first bite. You are looking for a rise of no more than two. If over two then you had too many carbs or your portion was too large.
Download the app mySugr. Record your readings along with your food, including portion size and anything else you want. After a week of data it will give you an estimated HbA1c number.
At the moment, you need to concentrate on diet. Take a reading just before you eat and another two hours s after the first bite. You are looking for a rise of no more than two. If over two then you had too many carbs or your portion was too large.
Download the app mySugr. Record your readings along with your food, including portion size and anything else you want. After a week of data it will give you an estimated HbA1c number.
xfieldok
Well-Known Member
Just another thought. There is no such thing as a diabetic diet. We all tolerate foods in different ways. You have to find your own way. It takes time, tiny steps.
Just a quick word of warning.. when you start to change the way you eat by cutting carbs you may find you need a lot less insulin so monitor more regularly than usual just to avoid hypos. I know that sounds crazy at the moment with bloods in the 20's but it has been known that sugar levels can drop quite fast once carbs are removed from the diet.Thank you all so much I will certainly look up all your links and take on board your sensible advice it is very much appreciated I look forward to sticking around and start my carb cutting immediately
Roseanne01
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 81
- Location
- St Georges Basin, NSW, Australia
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Insulin
- Dislikes
- 'isms'. Not being able to eat potatoes.
It amazes me that people on here think low carb is no carb. Before even attempting this people should get their kidney function checked. It’s not for everyone.
Thank you Rosanne01 I ve had my bloods done and should have results by the end of next week in the meantime I plan to cut down on my carb intake to improve my bs I've probably depended too much on the Meds to do the job for me it can only get better....right?....
What makes you say that?
Mbaker
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 4,339
- Location
- Essex
- Type of diabetes
- Treatment type
- Diet only
- Dislikes
- Available fast foods in Supermarkets
It is a good idea to have Kidney function checked, in particular a high carb diet leads to over working of the Kidneys as you pee often, and in addition watch the Metformin as this is contraindicated with poor Kidney function.
I have never seen evidenced where a higher carb diet reverses Type 2 symptoms or numbers (should say without drugs).
I have never seen evidenced where a higher carb diet reverses Type 2 symptoms or numbers (should say without drugs).
daisy1
Legend
- Messages
- 26,457
- Location
- Switzerland
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
- Dislikes
- Cruelty towards animals.
@MaryTC
Hello Mary and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it interesting and useful. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will be able to help.
BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS
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 Mary and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it interesting and useful. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will be able to help.BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS
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.
Oldvatr
Expert
- Messages
- 8,453
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
As a T2D (not using insulin) who has used Metformin for about 15 years now, I do not suffer too much from the gastric overflows and tolerate the max dose (2g / day). However, I have started to reduce my dosage of this drug as I find that my Low Carb llifestyle is a better way for me to control my bg's. I also suffer lactic acid build up in my calves, which I am told may be due to this medication. So far I have reduced by 2 tabs (i.e. 1000 mg) and my bgl average has risen by about 1 mmol/l and I find I spike a bit more than I was doing. So this is in line with the reported finding that Metformin has minimal effect on reducing bgl, and each tab will only drop bgl by a small amount. (much less than a single weetabix will spike it indeed) So I believe your high bgl levels are not really due to dropping the Metformin. I suspect your diet, as others have commented too.
Metformin is prescribed to us diabetics (both T1 and T2 etc) not as a bgl control drug, but more for the added protection it gives in reducing heart and circulatory problems and this is demonstrated to be good for us by several proper studies into long term use of the drug. Mortality rates are lowered by this drug, especially those nasty CVE's that diabetics are apparently more prone to,
I see some here are suggesting you use a ketogenic diet, but in my experience you can get good results simply by cutting down on carbs and processed foods. The keto part could follow later on. I have tried keto, and found it beneficial, but now I follow a higher carb level diet based on the Mediterranean diet which I can be more relaxed with. It is also a diet that my family can share to their benefit too, and it has certainly restored some of my insulin response so I am more carb tolerant now. Having said that I broke my rules last night and ate an Asda pastie, and had a nasty spike, so I am not cured yet. There are other diets too that can help you, so study the info on this forum and find what suits you best. The real answer is to keep a food log, and eat to meter to remove foods that your body finds intolerable.
Metformin is prescribed to us diabetics (both T1 and T2 etc) not as a bgl control drug, but more for the added protection it gives in reducing heart and circulatory problems and this is demonstrated to be good for us by several proper studies into long term use of the drug. Mortality rates are lowered by this drug, especially those nasty CVE's that diabetics are apparently more prone to,
I see some here are suggesting you use a ketogenic diet, but in my experience you can get good results simply by cutting down on carbs and processed foods. The keto part could follow later on. I have tried keto, and found it beneficial, but now I follow a higher carb level diet based on the Mediterranean diet which I can be more relaxed with. It is also a diet that my family can share to their benefit too, and it has certainly restored some of my insulin response so I am more carb tolerant now. Having said that I broke my rules last night and ate an Asda pastie, and had a nasty spike, so I am not cured yet. There are other diets too that can help you, so study the info on this forum and find what suits you best. The real answer is to keep a food log, and eat to meter to remove foods that your body finds intolerable.
@MaryTC
Hello Mary and welcome to the Forum
BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS
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 carbohydrates
- 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
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.
- 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.
Thanks Daisy1
