Worn out and feeling a bit bleughhhh

Hi bikerbaby

I don't know which tablets you are taking but I have just switched to the 'slow release' Metformin and my BG's have now evened out. I don't get highs and lows and have felt better since so it might be an idea to ask to help your belly.

Bikerbaby,

Not a type 2, but I wouldn't have had the sips of lucozade at 4.6, and if you are uncomfortable at this level a small apple or oat cracker would be much kinder to your blood glucose and not raise it so high and so fast.

The tiredness may be you adapting to the demands of being diabetic, hopefully once your blood glucose is stabilised this should subside, but if it continues do see your gp and discuss.

Nigel

Hi Biker Babe,

How are you doing with the carbs. I've found i can no longer eat bread, whether its wholemeal, seeded or whatever. About an hour after eating it I feel awful and the tiredness is overwhelming. I'vce found the only way for me to stay feeling well and have some energy is to kick the carbs completely - No Bread, No Pasta, No Pastry, No Potatoes. I have to watch the fruit and veg - carrots can sometimes have the same effect if I eat too many.

I've only been diagnosed for 11 months and restricting my carbs has helped me get back on track with my life again. We are all different but I would reccomend having a look at the low carbs section of the forum.

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

Carl

Hi Bikerbaby,

It's a week since I was diagnosed, and I have a few problems with tiredness/lethargy. I'm going to start a new thread about it, as there are some underlying issues.

Hope you feel better soon,

Wolfgang

Hi Bikerbaby

I can relate to what you're going through. I've been on metformin since Feb and it took me a while to get used to it. Like you say, just doing normal every day things like going shopping became an ordeal and I often felt dizzy or like I was going to faint. I had zero energy, just felt sleepy all the time and it was like my brain had switched off, I just couldn't concentrate at work. I'd already cut out all sugary foods when diagnosed but later on I found cutting back on carbs made a big difference. I didn't cut them out totally but just had less and smaller portions. Bread I've pretty much cut out altogether now apart from the odd slice of pizza now and then.

As soon as I reduced my carb intake, I felt more alert and had more energy, not so sluggish. Having said that I haven't yet got back to my pre-diabetes days where I was certainly more active and had a lot more energy. I've lost a stone and a half in weight but don't feel any better for it, in fact some people have commented I look ill since the weight loss!!

There's a lot to learn when you become diabetic and unfortunately, as I soon learnt, you can't rely on the NHS to provide you with the best advice. This forum has helped me a lot and answered many of my questions. It really is all about having tight control over your diet and finding out how individual foods affect your blood sugars. Although I've made a lot of improvements to my diet and my overall BG levels are good, I feel I need to improve them even more for the long term.

Exercise is one area where I still struggle, although I have enough energy to get me through the day, I'm too knackered to go to the gym after work or even go for a long walk and I find I need more sleep these days, compared to previously. I used to average 6 hours a night, now I need at least 8 hours.

So anyway, hang on in there, it will get better. There's a lot of people out there who know exactly what you're going through. It's not easy, it's something you need to work on every day but making small adjustments to your diet on a regular basis will make a difference.

All the best
Josh