Posted , 5 users are following.
My husband was diagnosed 2 weeks ago. He is on Metformin 3 times a day, 500mg. My questions are...
If he doesn't have carbs for a meal, can he not take a tablet?
How long before and after a meal can you safely take a tablet?
How often should he be checked out i.e. hba1c, eyes, feet?
Thank you!
0 likes, 2 replies
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jx41870 Diane66
Posted
Hi Diane.
(1) Yes, he can and should take the tablet even if he has "no carbs" for a meal, but really, most meals have at least a couple of carbs! Metformin doesn't just address the food you're eating now, you mostly take it with meals just so it doesn't upset your stomach.
(2) I think it's safe to take the tablet anytime, it's just the easiest on your digestion to take it with a meal. I generally get some food in my stomach before taking it, but five minutes before or after should be fine, maybe even half an hour. Just trying to minimize the "trots" it gives you for the first few weeks, until you get used to it.
(3) Is he taking blood glucose (BG) readings once a day? Three times a day? Not at all? What kind of A1C reading did he have at diagnosis? Twice a year for A1C is plenty, as long as you're taking at least daily BG readings. Once a year for eyes, assuming the examination says things are OK now. And frankly, I've never bothered about the feet, but if you have any reason to, I think that's also once a year, as long as things look OK.
Hope that helps.
mjf3814 Diane66
Posted
Hi
I was diagnosed 8 weeks ago. At first it was totally overwhelming, with so many questions, but as I've learned, managing has got easier. Please forgive the long following ramble!
What I have learned in that time is to take the tablet after you have eaten some of the meal, and then finish the meal. People who do that have reported that it minimises the side effects. If the side effects continue I suggest you ask for a daily slow release tablet, which I gather people take in the evening.
Unless he eats nothing but protein and water, virtually everything has carbs, and to try and have no carbs means missing out on essential minerals and vitamins, so should only be done under medical supervision. Even a humble medium sized apple has around 13gm carbs, and my plain salad without dressing is over 10gm. I have invested in an app which measures the calories, carbs, sugars, protein, fats, sat fats, fibre and sodium of every food, keeps a running total by meal, day and week, so I can see exactly what I have eaten or plan to eat.
Diabetes UK advises that low carbs is less than 130gm per day, but I aim for 75gm - 90 gm, and it is surprising how quickly the carbs mount up, even with dairy, home made veggie soups, salads and steamed veggies. I'm not saying that is correct - everyone seems to have different opinions - but it is what I do and I'll find out if it works in 5 weeks time!!!
I was told initially my HbA1c would be measured every 3 months, then 6 months, then annually as I got my glucose under control. Eyes should be scanned every year. I was told to examine my feet every day, see a podiatrist regularly (I go every 3 months anyway) to have all the dead and dry skin removed, massage cream into them every day (but not between the toes), and they should be checked for sensation annually.
I was also told to register with Diabetes UK, which I did. There are excellent training videos online which I recommend. Also a Forum which has answered many of my questions. I am guessing if he is on Metformin, he is type 2. I was told by my GP that I didn't need a monitor, as people get obsessed with measuring. HOWEVER I suspect this saves the NHS money - virtually everybody on the Forum recommends a monitor, even for Type 2, and to keep a food diary. That way you can identify which foods trigger spikes. It seems everyone is different, so you have to find out what works for you. I started by measuring immediately before eating, then 2 hours after, and keeping a record. I don't measure so much now.
After 3 months, and the next HbA1c he should have hopefully greatly reduced his BG and know what foods he can and can't safely eat. He should also have been referred for a training course - if not please ask the GP for a referral. The national course is called DESMOND in most areas - in mine it is OVIVA. I have a dedicated dietician, provided by OVIVA, and also support from a specialist Nurse Practitioner at my GP surgery for dietary and lifestyle advise.