Newly Diagnosed

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-20-2003
Newly Diagnosed
7
Fri, 12-10-2004 - 3:15pm

Hi - I got the call earlier this week - my fasting was 123 and my 2 hour was 152. Pretty much pushes me over the edge. I have PCOS, and had gestational diabetes in both pregnancies, so I knew that I was very, very high risk, but I just didn't expect it to happen so quickly (I am 34).

So, I start Metformin XR tonight --- I have been on met in the past for the PCOS and I have never tolerated the side effects - I know most people can do a gradual ramp up and the symptoms will subside, but that has not been my experience. However, I am hoping the XR will make a difference. My primary doc put me on it, but only 500 mg a day, which, in my experience, is way too low a dose to be worthwhile. Meanwhile, my choices of endocrinologists are available late January, late February, or mid-March respectively. Sigh...

My step father has type II as well, and his is a very bad diabetes story (multiple amputee, dialysis-dependent) --- I am scared, but frustrated to discover that I am not yet scared enough to really rein in my eating habits --- I *know* what I should be doing (was on diabetic diet through both prgs, although needed insulin anyway with the second), but I just don't.

Anyway -

Any helpful suggestions for starting off on a new lifestyle?

What dose of Met are you all on (for those taking it)? Any ways to reduce side effects?

Do those of you on diet and or oral control do finder sticks daily or more often?

ANything else I should be thinking?

Thanks -





Edited 12/10/2004 4:25 pm ET ET by wen1001
Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: wen1001
Sat, 12-11-2004 - 12:37am

Hi Wen101,


Welcome to the board. We are here to help you in anyway that we can. We celebrate success, lament failures and give gentle shoves when necessary.


I am on glucophage 1000 mg twice per day. You need to start on a lower and work up to the final dose that you need to help with your blood sugar. The side effects are nasty and I didn't think I was going to be able to take the med but magically at 2 two weeks they went away. I am told that people don't have as much trouble with the XR preparation as they do with the straight glucophage. I don't understnad why this is so but I have been told this by a number of different members.


When do you start with your diabetes education classes and your meal planning? This will help you a lot to get motivated and on the right track. I didn't have issues with denial when I was diagnosed because I felt so awful I was glad to know what was causing it. I have been the CL for this board for almost 7 years and no body around here would allow me to be in denial! I even exercise regularly now.


I suggest that you get yourself a good cookbook to start with so that you can determine the changes that have been made in diabetic eating plans. Look at both the ADA and the Joslin sites for cookbook recommendations. I have the Joslin gourmet cookbook and I love it. ALso look in the folder further down this board for recipes that have been posted by members.


Diabetes care is more rigid when you are pregnant than when you are just living with the disease. Were you able to lose all your baby weight gain? How old are your children? How much weight do you need to lose?


Pull up a chair and join our conversation. We are here for you as we have all been where you are and we certainly don't want you to get the terrible complications that your step father has.


A welcoming cheer,

Mary Frances


cl-maryfrances40

Co-CL Diabetes Board


iVillage Member
Registered: 06-02-2004
In reply to: wen1001
Sun, 12-12-2004 - 4:59pm

I am on Glucophage XR 500mg with dinner daily, that along with my meal plan have helped me keep my BS in relatively good control. I tried to go off the Glucophage XR (on endo's recommendation to try diet alone) but my BS jumped...so one dose daily certainly makes a difference for me. I wish you well.

Jan

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: wen1001
Mon, 12-13-2004 - 10:58am

Jan,


I am glad that you posted about taking your glucophage xr

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: wen1001
Mon, 12-13-2004 - 11:35pm

Hi Wen & Welcome! I am new to the board too. I'm 36 and also had gestational diabetes with my 13 yo dd. I was diagnosed 3 days before Thanksgiving and am still firmly in the learning curve! I started w/500 mg of Met XR but at my OV last week, my doc upped it to 1000 mg once a day. I've not really had any unusual stomach upsets that have been mentioned. I was told to do finger sticks 2x a day, always in the am before breakfast and then either right before lunch or dinner or two hours afterwards. As I'm still trying to figure out the relationship between how I'm feeling and the BSL, I'll check it at other times too. For instance, I've discovered that the "hot flashes" I thought I was having are really a symptom of LBS. I still can't tell the difference in how I feel when my glucose is normal vs high. If it's very high my heart palpitates but thankfully I figured that out quickly and learned that I can't cheat and have a sweet without anything else! My insurance only paid for one
"Diabetic Counseling Session" with my nurse practitioner so I have not had any help with meal planning. I basically avoid potatoes, bread and sugar and eat everything else in moderation except vegetables which I figure can't be too bad. I'm sure this is a horrible way to be doing this but it's pretty overwhelming at first and I think this change will be better than nothing.


I've been rambling and I'm sorry. I just wanted to welcome you to our group. I'm sorry you had to join us but glad to have you all the same.


Take care,


Julee

Check out

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-02-2004
In reply to: wen1001
Tue, 12-14-2004 - 1:03am

Hi Mary Frances,

The glucophage has helped me lose weight, like you it has decreased my appetite and that has proven to be a good thing! I've lost 105 pounds over 22 months using the meal plan designed with the help of my dietician and the gluchophage. I was originally on a higher dose and am now working toward getting off it if my BS will cooperate!

Jan

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: wen1001
Tue, 12-14-2004 - 9:41pm

How wonderful Jan! Congratulations on your success.


I wish I had been put on glucophage before I was put on Amaryl but that wasn't the standard when I was started on oral meds. The Amaryl stopped me from losing the weight I need to lose. I am still down 40 pounds from where I was diagnosed. Now I am on insulin and it is really hard to lose weight but I haven't gained anything either so I feel like a success. All my exercising has caused me to drop one dress size and I now need some new clothes!


Have a great holiday season,

Mary Frances


cl-maryfrances40

Co-CL Diabetes Board


iVillage Member
Registered: 06-02-2004
In reply to: wen1001
Tue, 12-14-2004 - 11:04pm

Congratulations to you Mary Frances, you definitely have achieved success. I know one of the biggest concerns I have is keeping the weight off...with my exercise program and my meal plan I don't think that will be a problem.

Happy Holidays!

Jan