Hello to those who remember me and howdy to those I have yet to meet :)

[1970clea]

Hi all, (and sorry I have been away so long ... life - you know!)

I was diagnosed 10 years ago and switched my way of eating to LCHF, (thanks to you guys) which I have maintained along the way. I changed doctors (UK 2018) and consequently my Metformin SR was changed to to the cheaper Sukkarto option. Since then my HBA1C has gone up by a couple of points every time it has been tested and in December came back with an HBA1C of 50. Neither my diabetic nurse or myself were happy about that and I briefly raised my concerns about the generic medication. She said it could be changed back to Metformin but first wanted me to try Forxiga.

Once I had put the phone down and researched the drug I was less happy with that as the side effects do not look nice. Having read around, I take a cranberry supplement and drink lots during the day - so far so good - no ill effects. I worry that on my return to school (teacher) I will find it considerably harder to maintain the increased fluid intake. Also I have been testing more than I had been and until yesterday (13th day of Forxiga) couldn't see any change in my bgs. However, yesterday was finally a good day. Should it be taking this long to kick in? I cannot stress enough that my diet has not changed - I do not eat bread,pasta,rice, potatoes. The occasional biscuit had crept in and I have been a lot stricter with that since the HBA1C came in.

Any thoughts, anecdotal evidence, help? It would be appreciated.

Personal info - out of menopause now - was in perimenopause at the time of diagnosis, I am now 50 years old, hypothyroid (medicated), reasonably active - again less so than I used to be, 142lb. Ask me if there is anything else you need to know.

Thanks,
1970clea

[skb]

Hi Clea,

It is so nice to hear from you again. For those who do not know the new IFCC units, I'm leaving a conversion chart to the %ages in the post. 50 translates to almost about 7%. That is a trifle bit higher and as you know we always try to keep it under 6%, though at times I have also been at around 6.1%. Haven't tested in a while so I wouldn't know where I stand currently. Though my numbers (except for the past 15 days) have been behaving very well.

As far as the drugs are concerned, you know that Metformin is probably as old as me (63 almost) and is considered one of the safest drug just because it has been around so long and has been studied extensively. If I were you, I would try to keep stricter control on diet and try to drop down below 6% and continue with the metformin as a stand alone drug.

Hypothyroid is a condition that Dr Bernstein says he finds in 47% of his diabetes patients, so no surprises there. I am myself a Hashimoto's patient, so I guess Dr B is quite right.

I would just say, hang in there, do keep coming back. Being in touch with other diabetics is inspiring and we help each other along our difficult path. Meeting old forum friends is quite a rarity these days, and this forum has lost around 50 old friends who do not visit and post so often as they used to.

If you need any information just ask and the people here will be glad to answer. I wish you all the very best in 2021 and really am happy to see you here.

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[1970clea]

Thanks SKB

[Grammabear]

Ally -

I remember you and it is nice to hear from you again.  Sometimes I think the insurance companies make it harder for us as diabetics by requiring us to use only a certain medication.

Best wishes to you in the new year and be safe.

[1970clea]

Luckily in the UK insurance is not a worry for us - however the NHS is quite frequently directed to give the cheapest medication for the job which is why I was switched to Sukkarto.

The problem these days is actually getting an appointment to discuss it!! With COVID restrictions it is very difficult to get seen - to the point that I actually had to go in to the surgery for a form and had to raise the outstanding nature of my diabetic tests!! Which were seriously overdue - once the results were in the numbers were up.

[Grammabear]

Luckily in the UK insurance is not a worry for us - however the NHS is quite frequently directed to give the cheapest medication for the job which is why I was switched to Sukkarto.

The problem these days is actually getting an appointment to discuss it!! With COVID restrictions it is very difficult to get seen - to the point that I actually had to go in to the surgery for a form and had to raise the outstanding nature of my diabetic tests!! Which were seriously overdue - once the results were in the numbers were up.

It is the same here in the U.S.  For a long while it was the phone visits, then the medical communities realized they weren't making money, so they went back to 'in-office' visits.  However they are governed about how many people can be seen in one day and everything just takes longer these days.  It is most frustrating for those in your country and in ours.  Glad you managed to get seen though.

[walkerwally1]

Hi Ally, I have been with this forum since it started and I do remember you.  Sorry you had to hit a high number but glad you dropped in.  I think that what we eat is the one thing that had the biggest effect on our numbers so that is what I would take a close look at. 

[skb]

Ally

That's a rank given to old forum friends which gives them the rights of Veterans without having the number of posts.

[bigskygal]

Nice to see you again Clea! Sorry it was under not so fun circumstances.

I agree with Wally that our food choices can go a long way in helping get our numbers under control. I also agree with skb that Metformin is the safesr medications. I would be afraid of the Forxiga because of the side effects.

Another thing you might want to look into is intermittent fasting where you only eat during a certain window of time each day. I only eat between 10AM and 6PM (8 hour window) and from 7PM on I eat nothing. I do drink water then though. This has helped me keep my #'s in a fairly decent place, plus LC/HF.

[Sweety]

Hello 1970clea. I am also on metformin. My A1c I have no idea what it is right now. My fasting is mostly in 2 digits so I can alos guess that my A1c should be good.

[1970clea]

Yesterday my numbers have suddenly returned to numbers that I like to see
So good behaviour /new medication is working. Either that or there was something else going on behind the scene?
Fingers crossed this sticks.

Nice to hear from you all again though

[skb]

Either that or there was something else going on behind the scene?

Maybe coming back to the forum     

[1970clea]

Lol