Another newbie

[Maser0601]

Hi all,

I posted first on the induction board, but then I was pointed to this board by Elizellen.

I have just taken my first metformin this morning and I was nervous but excited about it. I really want to get all the help I can with my PCOS/borderline type 2 diabetes.

After reading through just a couple of threads though..I am seeing that to get OFF the drug is what most people want, not to be on it. Should I re-think taking this drug until I see how I do after induction?

I was thinking it would aid my journey, but I am so scared of the side effects!

[Coop2004]

Hi Maser0601 and welcome!! :wave

I also take Metformin (also known as Glucophage). As far as people saying they want to get off of the meds, the objective is to be able to get off meds if at all possible, depending on your readings, etc., but it's not that there is anything wrong with Metformin (or anything else out there). And with this Way of Eating (WOE)/Way of Life (WOL), it's not impossible, when the time is right, to be able to stop taking the meds., but that's an individual thing. Just a reminder, WE ARE NOT MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS HERE, THEREFORE WE CANNOT DISPENSE MEDICAL ADVISE, SUCH AS WHEN YOU SHOULD STOP TAKING MEDS. THAT'S BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR MEDICAL CAREGIVER!!

By the way have you been testing and, if so, what are some of your readings? Do you have the Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution (DANDR) book?

Also, two other books that would be a good idea to have:

Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution. The following is a link to view portions of the book. http://www.diabetes-normalsugars.com/readit.shtml

Also, there's a new book out - Atkins Diabetes Revolution.

I would suggest that you look into getting these books.

Keep us posted!!

:hug

Linda (Coop)

[Maser0601]

Thanks so much Linda. I feel so dumb concerning this whole diabetes thing. I just got done having my family (I have two kids) and I was tested a few times during my pregnancy's but to be honest I forgot what my actual levels were. I am seeing my Dr. again in two weeks to update and let him know how I am doing on the Met.

I am only borderline diabetic...I do know he said that, but I think due to the fact that I also have PCOS he thought we would give the Met a try.

Do you think side effects will be worse doing the induction period the same time as I am starting met for the first time?

Thanks for the info on the books...I will try to do some more reading soon!

[Coop2004]

From MY personal experience (keeping in mind again, I'm not a medical professional - sorry to be repititious on this point, but....), I don't believe that any side effects will be worse during Induction, but that's just my opinion.

If you have any more questions, ask away. As with the rest of the ha , we're all here to help each other through this wonderful Way of Eating.

Linda (Coop)

[Maser0601]

I understand what your saying about not being a medical professional. I have a good Dr and I go by what he says first. Its just that I sort of had the "option" as to whether or not take the Met. due to the fact I am borderline. He didn't rush to put me on it, we have known of my PCOS for a long time now and the diabetes results were mostly taken during my pregnancys when I guess I couldn't take the Met. Now that is done, I can look at my levels and see what they are when I am not pregnant. I know he will test me again soon. I see him in 3 mos when my first pills run out.

Well, side effects or not....I am going for this! I NEED to feel better. And I REALLY want to be able to swim with my kids next summer and not die of embarrassment!

[canuck]

Hi maser, welcome, I can give you my opinion and that is what it is not medical advice.

First of all the best thing I believe you did is come here and then read all the books mentioned above by Linda as if don’t read books and know the dynamics of why this works you may not be able to stick with it as good and chances are your doc will freak and say “no” to Atkins as most do are uneducated about low carbs and diabetes.

Also in Canada we have stopped using the term borderline diabetic about ten yr ago, you either are or you are not, like being pregnant, you either are or you are not, if BG were spiking when pregnant you had gestational diabetes and hope were treated so had normal BG.

If you have normal BG numbers now you are not diabetic but if show spikes etc then you are simple.Once diabetic in pregnancy increased risk of being diabetic later in life.

Only test to diagnose diabetes is a Glucose tolerance test read above sticky.

You cannot do this test and Atkins too so I would revisit doc now, don’t wait three months and see what diagnosis says so you know for the rest of your life.

A fasting blood test only tells you what your Bg was that morning and is dependent on what you ate day before, an A1C can only tell you the average of your Bg and you can have many lows and many his but come out average but still have diabetes with the swings so only known diagnostic tool is the GTT, even Dr A tells you that.

The only med Dr A recommends for diabetes is met. when needed but many drop in bg and don’t need it so if you were told to take just if needed then once you have your GTT, use your meter to determine if you need it.

You cannot mange this illness without your own meter, you cannot depend on seeing a doc many times a day or week to test, sounds like you don’t have a meter so go buy one, can get cheap one at Wal-Mart and it could add decades onto your life.

Blood glucose should be done upon awakening prior to doing anything, don’t get up and walk around or do your thing as then get a false reading, do it upon awakening, and should be under 110, now they even say under 100 and then two hr after eating to see if eating properly and bg should be under 110, used to be under 120 but they dropped the numbers to ensure long life without complications.

Journal it and if want to go over it in few days with us feel free, we have allot of experience.

Atkins is also used to treat PCOS and this does go hand in hand with diabetes.
Read the stickies above when time and it will blow you away how many of us have succeeded using this WOL to make our diabetes go into hiding, we call it latent diabetes as if we go back to our old way of eating or the way of eating by Diabetic associations and most docs we would all have hi bg again and be back on meds, maybe not all but I know for sure I would be. Good Luck, welcome and stick around, ask away.

[sassyone]

Maser, WELCOME!! I am always excited when a diabetic like myself has found Atkins!! I was diagnosed 3 years ago with diabetes, and struggled with control for most of that time. Then when I decided I was serious about getting control and losing weight- I checked into getting more info on various diet plans. Atkins was the perfect diet to achieve what I wanted to do. Since going on this plan in Febuary, I have gotten off all meds, cut my cholesterol in half and lost 60 lbs. I don't know what your doctor thinks about Atkins- some are not very enlightened as to what it can do for a diabetic- hopefully yours is. When my doctor saw what progress I had made, she was totally on board. Continue doing what the doctor has set out for you, but you will need to monitor your BG often because you will be consuming far less carbs than you were used to. If you start going too low you will need to cut back on meds or discontinue them. If your doctor was hesitant to start metformin, I would check with him and see what he thinks about trying to control with diet. OF course, if you are going to do that you will have to make a commitment to keep your carbs at a level that controls your blood sugar. For me that is around 25-30. For inspiration, I suggest you read some of the stickies at the top of this board- read Canucks story and some of the others who have posted- you will be amazed! . It sounds like you are in the beginning stages- if so you are lucky to have found out before a lot of damage has been done. Best of luck to you, and come and be a part of our circle of friends helping each other with this disease, as well as improving our overall health and losing weight as a bonus!

[Maser0601]

Thanks to all of you for taking the time to not only welcome me, but to share some of your knowledge! I KNOW I have lots of reading I need to do to not only understand my diabetes...but also the Atkins way of eating!

My Dr did not want to use the term "borderline", in fact he said that he knew he should not (I am in Canada also) but he said my numbers were just soooo close to the normal range on my tests that is why he felt like using it.

I am glad you encouraged me to go out to get a monitor. I have known for a long time I should do this. I am a little afraid I will get the wrong kind though...there is a lot to choose from isn't there? Any specific recommendations for what kind to buy?

I am taking the Met. and I am going to commit to taking it till they are all gone. I am going to stick out this induction period and try my hardest not to cheat even once and see how I do. Maybe if I lost the 5-10 pounds and then have the Dr. check my levels we can decide better then if I should stay on the Met. By that time I figure I will have a fire under my butt wanting to lose more weight and things will just get better and better from there. Its been a long time since I have seen the scale move any. I am ready to see those numbers drop!

Thanks so much for your warm welcome!

[canuck]

Well then, you probably have a plan that pays for it, If not call Lifescan and ask for meter. Often they will send it free (read PM I am sending you)..... 18006635521get the One Touch Ultra, ask for some free strips, strips are pricey but for the wal mart one are bit cheaper but if have a plan it doesn’t matter, mine are about 75 cents a strip but now I am stable and only test few times a week but as you low carb you will drop fast and especially if taking met. won’t have a low low like weak and dizzy but can drop fast so monitor, keep readings between 4 to 7. (in USA they say 80 to 110).
Yes please do read as then you can master it.

[Maser0601]

Thank you canuck! I don't have a lot of time to read...but I will do my best! :yes