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Weight Loss Advice

V

VR6 Nut

Member
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7
Hi, I am a little concerned as I have been taken of Metformin (2 * 500mg twice a day) within a few days of starting due to the side effects. I suggested trying the slow release version but the gp said that loosing a stone should get everything back under control. I asked for advice on weight loss. My GP said that he could arrange for me to see a dietician but it was all available on the internet. My BMI was 31.3, I have reduced it to 29.8 in just under 3 weeks, loosing 4.7Kg. I am not sure what my weekly / monthly weight loss should be. My main problems were lunch and the odd snack, I have changed my lunch from sandwiches and a banana + apple to salad and an apple this appears to have dropped my HbA1c 2 hours after from 7.9 to 6.0. The dogs also get more and longer walks and have started being more insistant that I walk them! I normally have a review every year so suggested a check in three months but was advised that the check should be in 12 months, I was then told that I could not have any more test sticks!

Over a typical week my ususally high blood glucose result (8.0 to 9.0) is in the morning, (DP) this is normally down to 5.6 2 hours after breakfast (2 mile cycle to station followed by a 1 mile walk at the other end). I had not checked for DP as mid morning I had got used to a good result. I guess I assumed as mid morning was OK earlier results would be OK and did not regularly check mid morning as always below 6.0.

Please advise what is a sensible monthly weight loss. Is it possible to by test sticks at a sensible price with good use by dates and where they can be purchased from, as I wish to insure that I keep in the recommende levels as I already have issues with my kidneys, diagnosed before the diabetes.

VR6 Nut
 
I have been having problems with metformin too can I ask what problems you had with it. I've been light headed and had an upset stomach :sick: .

Interesting that your doctor said that losing a stone would have the same effect as the metformin
 
The cheapest test strips are the SD Codefree supplied in the UK by Home Health UK Ltd. If you do a search you will find them trading on Amazon and eBay though the post and packaging through eBay at £2 per order makes that the cheaper of the 2 options to use. You will need to buy their meter but £10 will buy you a meter, 10 strips, Lancing device + 10 lancets and pouch. The strips at £4.99 for 50 are very good value so buy extra when you make your first order as it keeps the price down.

I used my meter to sort out what I could eat and found that it was a low carb diet that got my Blood Glucose to a more acceptable level. Not wanting to eat huge amount of protein I then had to eat more fats. I found that doing this meant that I rarely felt hungry ( very rare for me to feel that way on my on my pre-diabetes "healthy" carby low fat diet) and my weight just keeps dropping so, without consciously trying to actually loose weight, I have now lost 4 1/2 stone since February this year.
 
Hi, VR6 Nut

As you already have kidney problems, going 'very low carb/high fat' on your diet would probably not be advisable, as it generally means increasing your protein intake a bit too.

You may need to reduce your carbohydrate intake, but you would probably be best going down the 'low GI/portion control' route, and trying a carbohydrate intake around 150g per day. Try to take in your carbs from above-ground veg and low GI fruits, having only small portions of (eg) multi-grain wholemeal bread, wholemeal pasta, brown rice and 1 or 2 small new potatoes.

Read around the forum about those two options. Phoenix (low GI) and Sid Bonkers (portion control) will probably have better advice than me, and will be able to give you some tips, so I hope they see this. You will lose weight if you get it right.

Meanwhile, have a discussion with your doctor about controlling your carbohydrate intake with your kidney condition. Ask for your strips back on prescription (say, for 3 months) to help you find out which carbs spike your BGs too much. It might work! :wink:

Best of luck!

Viv 8)
 
Hi, Thank you for the advice.

The side effects that I suffered depeneded on whether I did any exercise or not. If I did no exercise I had stomach pains, feeling as if I might be sick and a metalic taste in my mouth. If I did any exercise, eg cycle 2 miles to station or walk the dog the stomach pains were more severe and I had pains in the kidneys and was very short of breath and could not focus my eyes. I went to the A & E at the local hospital. The hospital doctor suspected that it might be reacting with other medication I am on, probably the blood pressure control tablets lisinopril.

The hospital doctor thought that the slow release version of metformin should be tried.

I have lost about 5.5Kg in the last three weeks, the main difference I have noticed is that the first morning test at wake up has fallen to to 6.5 to 6.9. I am not sure if the weight loss has affected the other readings yet. I got some test sticks just before they were stopped as I suspected they might be after see all the comments about testing for type 2. (I cannot understand how you can control blood glucose without the feedback from testing!) I have found a 2 mile walk with the dog can get the reading 2 hours after an evening meal down to 5.6 which if I did not do the walk would be in the range 7.5 to 7.9

VR6 Nut.
 
Well done on the weight loss so far! I would aim to lose between 1 and 2.5 pounds a week. 2.5 pounds is roughly a kilo. You'll probably find you lose weight more quickly at first. It might then slow down or even plateau. Also bear in mind that the quicker you lose weight the quicker you will put it back on, if you slip back into bad habits.

Anyway, keep up the good work! :)

Em
 
My advice in your circumstances would be to go low carb
That will both help with weight AND control your blood glucose. Check out the threads on the subject.
In addition, I'd suggest getting a blood glucose meter if you don't already have one. In that respect, I'd suggest the Freestyle Lite, which is small, pretty accurate and needs the smallest drop of blood. It can be connected to a computer if that's what you want to do. The best way to get one is to get in touch with Abbott Diabetes Care online. They provide an exemplary service and for people who have to buy their own strips they sell direct at a MUCH better price than any retail pharmacy.[I don't work for Abbott,but I used to assume that all meter providers had the same kind of good service, until Ifound they don't]
Finally Don't be surprised if losing a stone DOESN'T "Cure" you. It might, but it's not guaranteed
Hana
 
I've just re-read your original post.

Did your GP put you straight on to 2 x 500mg Metformin twice daily?

It is usual to start low and work up with Metformin - 1 x 500mg for 1 week, 2 x 500mg the next week, 3 x 500mg the third week, up to the full dose in the 4th week. This gives your system time to get accustomed to the drug.

Almost everybody gets the gastric upset on Metformin to start with; easing on to it helps. The SR version usually causes fewer problems. Might be worth asking again.

Viv 8)
 
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