Type 2 help!!!

Cms,

Having the 'runs' everyday is not normal, diabetes or not. Therefore, if you can almost say it is nothing to do with your diet, I would go and see your gp about this problem. Having the 'runs' for a prolonged period can be dangerous, and so should be investigated.

Nigel

Hi Carl,

Like you at first I did feel like pants, but over the weeks I began to feel better once I got my diet in to gear, but

Metformin does have side effects to is such as [mild nausesa, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, stomach pain.]

But if the symptoms continue please go see your GP.

Kay

Hi there Carl.

No it is not just you that has and will experience gastric upset with metformin. I was the same and despite all sorts of assurances from my Diabetes Centre, I still had the side effects by the time I was transferred to the Diabetes Nurse at my local GP's surgery. She actually listened and changed me over to the slow release type of the drug, Glucophage SR , and the side effects cleared up in a couple of days.
As for food, I think your best bet is to ask for an appointment to see the dietician and get advice and literature to help you plan and adjust suitable meals.
You will also need to ask about testing your own blood and getting a testing kit (sometimes free from a supplier) and if at all possible, a script for a pot of testing strips available from your local chemist rather than having to buy your own.
Your GP'surgery should have their Diabetes Nurse and she/he should be able to assist you with all aspects of your diabetes. In fact I am surprised the DN has not been involved from your first script for the metformin.

While you are waiting to get those appointments, I thoroughly recommend you take a browse through the many subject threads on this site as it is full of helpful info and tips from others with our shared condition.

Good luck and do not forget to come back and let us all know how you are getting on.

Hi Carl, I am 62 years old and have had Type 2 diabetes for 3 years. When I was first diagnosed my blood sugar levels were 17! I also have heart problems, having had a double heart bypass. I take 2000mg of Metformin daily and at first I had terrible wind and loose bowels, but it did pass. My blood sugar levels are now usually between 5 & 7 and I have a monitor at home to check this.

I changed my diet from having a lot of fried and fatty foods and also changed to brown bread, although if I really fancy something I have it and provided this is not every day, it doesn't seem to have made any difference. I don't drink at all and never have done, so I don't need to worry about this aspect.

My way of dealing with having Type 2 diabetes is that there are much worse illnesses than this, which are often fatal, and I try not to worry about it, as I understand that stress can play a part in blood sugar levels. It is an illness that you can live with, but I understand that getting your head around the diagnosis is very difficult and obviously you are a lot younger than me. Try and manage the illness rather than it manage you.

Hope this helps.

Carole

Hi Carl,

I'm a type 2 on metformin just like you. I was diagnosed just over nine years ago - and I'm just fine.

The runs that you describe are a quite common side effect of starting on metformin but usually go away fairly quickly.

Diet is very important in getting control of your blood glucose levels. However, there is more to the diet aspect than changing to "brown bread and pasta". My advice would be to cut back on the starchy carbohydrate that you eat - i.e. cereals, bread, potatoes, pasta, rice and other things such as pizza, chapatis and naan. That usually leads to a big improvement in blood glucose levels - and quickly too. Once you get your levels lower then work on keeping them down and avoid the complications that can come the way of people with diabetes.

Good luck and best wishes - John

Hiya

I was diagnosed beginning of the year & also had a tricky time of it when I first started taking metformin... it does pass I promise & you will start to reap the benefits of it.

My DN told me it would be about 3 months before I started feeling 'better'... it only took 6 weeks.

The shock of diagnosis also settles too... The First Year Type 2 Diabetes has been a really good book for me.. was an eye opener as to what 'could' be but has also helped answer many questions & made me realise my life is not over I just have to take more control of it.. I am probably feeling the best now that I have for years!!

If it suits you & your lifestyle cutting out all processed carbs makes the world of difference too. I only get my carbs from veggies now.

Best of luck
xx

Hi Carl,

I am a 40 year old Carl also, diagnosed a month ago. felt just the same as you mate.

I think the runs is a side affect of the metformin - it lasted a couple of weeks and passed. As for the food, the bread and stuff has to go for me, I am eating a low carb diet now, boring as hell but weight is dropping off and BG is now spot o from over 16 a month ago.

Have a read of the low carb forum and go and buy the collins little gem carb counter book - only about 3 quid.

Saying that, went the chippy tonight (it is friday after all). Just had fish as a treat - spot on. Wife and kids had chips and stuff but i amnot that bothered now. Its still fresh in my mind how **** i felt a month ago and how well i feel now so dont want to go back there.

All the best with it mate.

Carl

hi carl dont give up hope ... i was on metformin and had the runs all the time so it could be the tablets.. some people are ok on them i was'nt ask your gp to give you another tablet and see if it stops .. i also used to get stomach pains as well not nice i know how you feel so go to you gp asap which is what i did and try not to worry.

hi carl, i am new to the forum and reading about your problem , i remember when i was diagnosed i spent about five months going through hell ! then magic my new doctor got me on a lower dosage of metformin , simstavatin and ramipril. and hey presto ! within 3 to 4 weeks everything was under control . now eight years on life is normal and under control (diabetes T2 ) .

Hi Carl

I found that by making sure I had eaten some food before taking the metforim, and some after made a massive improvement in the side-effect department. Make sure you eat some of your carbs first, take the metforim and then finish up the rest of the carbs and meal and see if it makes a difference

Hi Carl, all I can say is "Ditto" I was told by GP and then left to get on with it until I see a nurse in 2 wks. I feel tired I achey and I am feeling really pants about the whole thing. I am an active busy woman and this is slowing me down big time, to much to do to be ill. And what do you make about all this conflictive evidence about diet? Some say low carb other's say high , I am so confused. :|

viv said:

And what do you make about all this conflictive evidence about diet? Some say low carb other's say high , I am so confused. :|

Click to expand...

Eat and test! Testing is the only way you will ever know. 8)