Type 2 relatively newly diagnosed

[raefil]

I was diagnosed about 2 1/2 months ago.

Im 69 no weight problems and was already a relatively fit, ie do a lot of running and walking, person. so it came as quite a shock really.

My question is, Ive been put on SR metformin, twice a day at 500mg, is this likely to bring my levels down? Im at 71 and have been given a target of 43.

 

[raefil]

Oh, as an addendum to the above my weight has gone down from 72.5kg to 66kg, is that the metaformin or is it more to do with the fact ive succeeded in stopping eating chocolate and puddings altogether?

 

[mouseee]

Firstly, welcome.
Metformin is almost certainly not going to do that by itself. It doesnt directly bring down blood sugar. Many people on here have used a low carb diet to reduce blood sugar.
What does your diet look like at the moment? Are there any carbs you could get rid of? It's the best way to start I think.

 

[JTL]

Stopping.

 

[raefil]

Firstly, welcome.
Metformin is almost certainly not going to do that by itself. It doesnt directly bring down blood sugar. Many people on here have used a low carb diet to reduce blood sugar.
What does your diet look like at the moment? Are there any carbs you could get rid of? It's the best way to start I think.

The main thing Ive done, up to now, is cut back on my sugar intake. I was a chocolate head and cream cake lover.

Ive not really altered my diet, a great deal, other than cutting my portions by about a half.

 

[Rachox]

I agree with @mouseee , Metformin alone will not get your blood sugars down to acceptable levels. Well done for giving chocolate and cakes the heave ho, but you need to look at carbohydrates in your diet, not just obvious sugars. Can you give examples of what meals you would have in a typical day? We maybe able to help you with some changes.

 

[raefil]

I agree with @mouseee , Metformin alone will not get your blood sugars down to acceptable levels. Well done for giving chocolate and cakes the heave ho, but you need to look at carbohydrates in your diet, not just obvious sugars. Can you give examples of what meals you would have in a typical day? We maybe able to help you with some changes.

Im dont eat a lot of potatoes but I do enjoy home made curries and rice. My favorite being basmati.

I have been trying to replace the rice with mixed vegetables, as a filler.

I freely admit a treat, which would probably be once a month would be fish, chips and mushy peas.

 

[Rachox]

Im dont eat a lot of potatoes but I do enjoy home made curries and rice. My favorite being basmati.

I have been trying to replace the rice with mixed vegetables, as a filler.

I freely admit a treat, which would probably be once a month would be fish, chips and mushy peas.

Some type 2s can tolerate more carbs than others. Personally I only very occasionally have one tiny roast potato, I never eat pasta, rice, battered fish or chips (apart from the odd one nicked from hubby’s plate!), I hate mushy peas so wouldn’t eat them anyway
I have found out what I can and can’t tolerate food wise by testing my blood sugar before and after a meal. Over the years I have learnt what I can tolerate without shooting my blood sugars too high. I would recommend testing for you too.

 

[mouseee]

Rice is bad! Well, it is for me. Even brown rice spikes my blood sugar.

Have you got a blood glucose monitor, your new best friend. Check at first mouthful and 2 hours after. If its 2 higher or more then its worth looking at your meal as it contains carbs that you can't process well.

 

[raefil]

Some type 2s can tolerate more carbs than others. Personally I only very occasionally have one tiny roast potato, I never eat pasta, rice, battered fish or chips (apart from the odd one nicked from hubby’s plate!), I hate mushy peas so wouldn’t eat them anyway
I have found out what I can and can’t tolerate food wise by testing my blood sugar before and after a meal. Over the years I have learnt what I can tolerate without shooting my blood sugars too high. I would recommend testing for you too.

Ive wondered about the testing but my diabetic nurse said it wasnt necessary for me. Just 3 month blood test

 

[raefil]

Rice is bad! Well, it is for me. Even brown rice spikes my blood sugar.

Have you got a blood glucose monitor, your new best friend. Check at first mouthful and 2 hours after. If its 2 higher or more then its worth looking at your meal as it contains carbs that you can't process well.

I dont have a monitor

 

[Rachox]

Ive wondered about the testing but my diabetic nurse said it wasnt necessary for me. Just 3 month blood test

We are all told it’s not necessary but loads of us have gone against this advice. We have to self fund testing of course as the NHS won’t fund us. I can give you some info about meters if you decide to go down that route.

 

[raefil]

We are all told it’s not necessary but loads of us have gone against this advice. We have to self fund testing of course as the NHS won’t fund us. I can give you some info about meters if you decide to go down that route.

definitely something Id consider, i really do want to get on top of this. I kind of feel like ive just been left to miy own devices for 3 moths

 

[ianf0ster]

Of course, your nurse has a point about testing every 3 months. But you need a very good memory to remember what you had for every meal during those 3 months, never mind then trying to work out which ones had too many carbohydrates for your body to handle.
She probably only looks at her car's speedo once per day to check she is driving below the limit.

An HbA1C of 73 is high enough to be worth taking things seriously.
Here is the blog entry which helped me on the path to T2Diabetes remission for the last 4yrs:

The Nutritional Thingy

There’s a few things you should know. 1. Practically all carbs turn to glucose once ingested , so not just straight sugars, but starches...

josekalsbeek.blogspot.com

 

[raefil]

Of course, your nurse has a point about testing every 3 months. But you need a very good memory to remember what you had for every meal during those 3 months, never mind then trying to work out which ones had too many carbohydrates for your body to handle.
She probably only looks at her car's speedo once per day to check she is driving below the limit.

An HbA1C of 73 is high enough to be worth taking things seriously.
Here is the blog entry which helped me on the path to T2Diabetes remission for the last 4yrs:

The Nutritional Thingy

There’s a few things you should know. 1. Practically all carbs turn to glucose once ingested , so not just straight sugars, but starches...

josekalsbeek.blogspot.com

thank you, ive bookmarked that, very useful. so much stuff in there that already enjoy so its a very good starting point. I find some of the recipes so overwhelming and often unappetising

 

[ianf0ster]

I didn't need recipes. Black bean or edamame bean pasta instead of the usual or use spiralized courgette, celeriac instead of potato (boiled, mashed, roast or chips), cauliflower rice (or even wild rice) instead of white or brown rice, cauli flower mash or mashed swede instead of potato, aubergine layers instead of lasagne sheets.
Just a few of the simple substitutions that can be made if you 'must have' something like a familiar food.

 

[MrsA2]

Ive wondered about the testing but my diabetic nurse said it wasnt necessary for me. Just 3 month blood test

That's because they didn't want to fund it for the millions of t2s!
A simple meter is about £10 and 50 strips another £10. You may need to test a lot (8 x a day) for the first couple of months but by then you'd have learned most of what you need to about your body and how it reacts to most foods.

And don't worry about recipes too much as your tastes will change anyway. Just stick to simple real food, ie meat, fish, eggs cheese, cream, vegetables, nuts, olives, berries. You can expand to recipes later

 

[raefil]

so basically a full english minus the fried bread and toast?

Baked beans?

 

[MrsA2]

so basically a full english minus the fried bread and toast?

Baked beans?

Yes, no beans or hash browns, but plenty of eggs, bacon and high meat content sausages. Add mushrooms and half a tomato, yum yum

 

[raefil]

Yes, no beans or hash browns, but plenty of eggs, bacon and high meat content sausages. Add mushrooms and half a tomato, yum yum

Now we're talking lol, although i will miss the baked beans.