Symptom query

[Sanste]

Hi all, I have very recently been diagnosed T2 and have been given Metformin 1x2 per day. Apologies if this is a daft question but will this medication relieve my dry mouth symptom or (if I understand this correctly) once my blood results lower so will the symptoms?

 

[Oldvatr]

Not a silly question at all. I believe your deduction is correct. However diabetes is not the only thing that can cause this symptom. Diuretics such as frusemide that can be prescribed for other conditions can lead to dehydration. High bgl will increse your craving for sweet drinks, and this should reduce as your sugar levels go down. Any craving for such drinks that is not directly caused by diabetes will still require will power, I'm afraid.

 

[Daibell]

Hi and welcome. Metformin does help reduce blood sugar a bit. Thirst is one symptom of high blood sugar so the dry mouth may be related and hopefully it will reduce. A low carb diet is the highest priority. Can I ask what your BMI is?

 

[Sanste]

Thank Oldvatr!!! Daibell, my BMI is 30.1 if I recall correctly. Dr advised to lose at least 2 stone which I totally agree with...as does the wife!!!

 

[TorqPenderloin]

A low carb diet is the highest priority.

No, the highest priority is getting your diabetes under control.

It is true that one of the most common ways people control their T2 diabetes is by adopting a low-carb diet. However, it's certainly not the only approach and it's certainly not the "Highest priority."

 

[Enclave]

Hi Sanste, I can only say that I had dreadful dry mouth when my sugars were high .. as soon as I got my sugars lower the dry mouth stopped ... hope this helps

 

[4ratbags]

I have had issues with a dry mouth and constant thirst long before being diagnosed and even though my BS is under control it still persists so in my case it might not be diabetes related but hopefully once you get your BS down it will relieve your symptoms, only time will tell.

 

[Sanste]

Thanks all, admittedly the dry mouth had only occurred over the past 10 days so am I right to assume that my levels have risen further since my repeat HbA1c on 19/11/15. I was only diagnosed on Tuesday!!!

 

[Daibell]

No, the highest priority is getting your diabetes under control.

It is true that one of the most common ways people control their T2 diabetes is by adopting a low-carb diet. However, it's certainly not the only approach and it's certainly not the "Highest priority."

What other approaches would you suggest as a priority? Yes, there are conditions such as steroid induced, gestational etc that can be very difficult to control, but....

 

[Enclave]

Thanks all, admittedly the dry mouth had only occurred over the past 10 days so am I right to assume that my levels have risen further since my repeat HbA1c on 19/11/15. I was only diagnosed on Tuesday!!!

most of us self fund a bs test meter .. have you been advised not to test your blood sugar levels ?

 

[TorqPenderloin]

What other approaches would you suggest as a priority? Yes, there are conditions such as steroid induced, gestational etc that can be very difficult to control, but....

That's a great question! I'm glad you asked!

As you know, plenty of people have controlled their diabetes by simply cutting out high glycemic carbohydrates (but not necessarily low carbing) or by simply exercising more, quitting smoking, reducing their stress levels, or a combination of those.

As you also know, some people aren't so lucky and have to introduce oral medications like metformin. Then there are the few that are insulin-dependent type 2 diabetics.

It could be as simple as losing weight, or as complicated as having to do every single thing I listed above (and then some). We know nothing about his situation and it's reckless to assume that just because it works for most people that it will also work for him.

(And that's coming from a "Low Carber")

 

[Sanste]

most of us self fund a bs test meter .. have you been advised not to test your blood sugar levels ?

Hi Enclave...I see the Diabetic Nurse next Thursday and will see if I can be provided with one. If not I will gladly purchase my own.

 

[dannyw]

I agree, a combination of any or all of the above may work but lowering carb intake, out of all those listed, is still the most effective for the vast majority of diabetics. Exercise can lower or raise BG in different people for instance, however, carbs will ALWAYS increase BG levels so would certainly be my highest priority, closely followed by your other suggestions.

 

[chri5]

Hi all, I have very recently been diagnosed T2 and have been given Metformin 1x2 per day. Apologies if this is a daft question but will this medication relieve my dry mouth symptom or (if I understand this correctly) once my blood results lower so will the symptoms?

Hi, I was diagnosed T2 about 10yrs ago and I used to think that thirst=drinking lots=frequent urination, my GP explained to me that the urination was my body trying to get rid of excess glucose, this frequent urination led to thirst which led to drinking, therefore when the sugars come down the rest falls into place. Hope this helps and welcome.

 

[chinta]

I've been on metformin for 3 weeks now (since I was diagnosed) before that I was drinking 10-12 glasses of squash a day and was still uncomfortably thirsty. With about 5 days of starting the metformin the thirst abated.