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Very low energy levels

M

maggiemay37

Member
Messages
7
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hi

I am writing in relation to my partner who was diagnosed as type 2 over new year. He was given metformin 500mg once a day but his bg levels were still up at 25. We saw an endocrinologist and he put him on Janumet 1000mg twice daily. His bloods are down between 6.5 and 8.7 daily now but his energy levels are very very low. He sleeps all night and would need a nap in the evening too. Oh literally takes all his strength to go for a 20 minute walk. He is over weight due to
other medications and is trying to sort that out to but it's a vicious circle because he just doesn't have the energy to do proper exercise. Any suggestions the foods, juices, smoothies etc to help increase his energy levels would be much appreciated. Thank you, Mags
 
Hi Maggiemay37, can you give us a little more info? What other medication is he on? What does he eat? BMI?
 
Hi Totto, he is on stelara and methotrexate for arthritis. I don't actually know his bmi but since he was diagnosed we have been super conscious reading the packaging on everything and trying to keep the carbs down. He would have Weetabix for breakfast with hi fibre toast, an apple mid morning, maybe chicken & baked potatoe for dinner and sometimes, but not every evening some plain biscuits with a cup of tea. It's very hard trying to get used to knowing what foods to eat and what to avoid, and as lots of people on here have said in previous posts, what works for one won't necessarily work for others. It's been 3 weeks now since he was diagnosed and he's had his meds changed as well but the complete lack of energy is the toughest thing at the moment. He is not one for sitting around so not having the physical energy to be able to do anything is the hardest part for him. Thanks for your help it is really appreciated
 
There is one thing I think he should try and that is to cut out all grains from his diet. Sometime this has a remarkable effect on things like arthritis and it certainly helps with blood glucose control.
This is my favourite :http://www.dietdoctor.com/diabetes

Has he had vitamin D, B12, folate, thyroid, liver, kidneys and blood tested since this fatigue hit him?
 
Totto said:
There is one thing I think he should try and that is to cut out all grains from his diet. Sometime this has a remarkable effect on things like arthritis and it certainly helps with blood glucose control.
This is my favourite :http://www.dietdoctor.com/diabetes

Has he had vitamin D, B12, folate, thyroid, liver, kidneys and blood tested since this fatigue hit him?
Click to expand...

I agree with Totto. I have been able to give up all my medication for rheumatoid arthritis (including methatrexate injections) since giving up carbs almost 2 years ago and have been told my RA is now in remission. The only change I have made has been to my diet.

I also remember extreme tiredness, fatigue and drowsiness before understanding that carbs were causing this. Within days of giving them up and converting to LCHF my energy returned.
 
No not yet. His consultant said that it can take 3-4 weeks for energy levels to come back properly, and I'm not doubting the doctor, but he doesn't see my other half sleeping half the day away but still feeling like he can't lift his arms above his on waistline. I'll ask him to get those bloods checked by his own go. Thank you
 
Low carb high fat.If you take away one macronutrient you have to add something and in this case fat is the solution. Helps with weight loss too.
 
I would encourage him to cut out the morning wheetabix, toast, and certainly the baked potato. Maybe a fried breakfast (eggs, bacon, mushrooms) or eggs cooked any which way. Perhaps substitute the baked spud for at the very most a couple of new potatoes with plenty of veggies. If he loves his toast, Lidl do a high protein roll that has less than 10g carbs per roll. Sliced in half and spread with loads of butter, they are delicious toasted. Compare this to a slice of bread that will have twice those carbs and less of the good stuff. These are only suggestions, but you may find they help enormously with his blood sugar levels, his fatigue, his weight, and his arthritis. Have a look at this thread, which may help http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/a-new-low-carb-guide-for-beginners.68695/

By the way, your profile shows Type 1 (under your avatar as well) yet you say he is Type 2.
 
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