[Sketch'd]

Hello!

I was diagnosed a week ago (I'm guessing Type 2 because I wasn't directly told which type). I am now on one 500 mg Metformin/a day, working up to 3/per day. I have also been referred to a Endocrinologist because there may be something wrong with my kidneys too.

As scary and troublesome as this discovery has been, I am not having many side effects with the Metformin. (Mostly gas - and a couple of days with a queasy stomach.)

However, I do have a couple of questions.

I've noticed a trend the last four days where I get itchy and a little warm about an hour to an hour and a half after taking the pill at supper time. I have been tracking it because the itching moves and is located in a different place every time. The last two days it's been around the neck and upper back. I am meeting with professional help tomorrow and plan to discuss it with them, but I'm just wondering if it's normal.

Also, is it normal to "crash" after lunch? I get so sleepy and tired that I have been laying down for a nap. I used to "power nap" (20 minutes) but have found that it's usually 90 minutes before I wake up now.

Obviously still new to all of this (and sometimes nervous about the pending lifestyle changes) and still getting more information when I meet with people that I'm being referred to.

It's nice to meet you all (I happily found this forum last week while searching for information about diabetes symptoms).

 

[breezeonby]

Hello!

I was diagnosed a week ago (I'm guessing Type 2 because I wasn't directly told which type). I am now on one 500 mg Metformin/a day, working up to 3/per day. I have also been referred to a Endocrinologist because there may be something wrong with my kidneys too.

As scary and troublesome as this discovery has been, I am not having many side effects with the Metformin. (Mostly gas - and a couple of days with a queasy stomach.)

However, I do have a couple of questions.

I've noticed a trend the last four days where I get itchy and a little warm about an hour to an hour and a half after taking the pill at supper time. I have been tracking it because the itching moves and is located in a different place every time. The last two days it's been around the neck and upper back. I am meeting with professional help tomorrow and plan to discuss it with them, but I'm just wondering if it's normal.

Also, is it normal to "crash" after lunch? I get so sleepy and tired that I have been laying down for a nap. I used to "power nap" (20 minutes) but have found that it's usually 90 minutes before I wake up now.

Obviously still new to all of this (and sometimes nervous about the pending lifestyle changes) and still getting more information when I meet with people that I'm being referred to.

It's nice to meet you all (I happily found this forum last week while searching for information about diabetes symptoms).

Hello and welcome to the forum! hum...that side effect does not sound normal for Metformin, but it could be a problem that you are having, try taking it witn Bendedryl. Crash after eating, heard of it but never had it. I hope you can resolve these issues and I hope you will visit often and take care!

 

[ThoseBackPages]

Welcome to the forum!

Crashing after eating sounds like you are having too many carbs. Are you testing your sugars yet?

 

[righteousdude2]

Welcome Northern Poster

Because of the web, it is truly a smaller world now than ever before! Welcome to the forum, and may you find tons of great information. Tremendous resources. And lots of people who, like you, are having their trials as they grow with this disease.

As for the symptoms you described. like breezeonby, that doesn't sound like a Metformin problem, but, I'd really like to encourage you to call your doctor or pharmacist as soon as it's possible. You can never be too cautious when it comes to this disease and the medicines we use.

Always proceed with care, and throw caution to the wind.

Again, welcome to the forum, and may you enjoy this forum as much as I do!

Pastor Paul :amen:

 

[onlymep]

welcome Sketch'd hopefully your docs can help you with your symptoms... the sad thing about drugs is they all have a lot of side effects generally. And the drugs that they claim don't have side effects, can have side effects in some people. It is all such a science... and we're all different. When your BGLs are too high you can get fatigue... so that is probably the explanation for your 'crash'. I have a different type of 'crash' after meals at times lately. Are you on any other medications that could be impacting on your diabetes? This is stuff hopefully you can get figured out with your docs. Let us know how you go.

 

[Shanny]

Hello & welcome, Sketch'd . . . thank you for joining us. I hope you settle in & enjoy the forum as much as I have all this time. Great bunch of friends here. Take care & hurry back!

 

[arthurchavez]

Hello, Welcome to diabetesforum..........

 

[Sketch'd]

An update.

I'm learning that things are not going to be 'normal' for a while. Which sucks, but I'm still trying to be patient.

The weird side effects are just that. I should watch them and talk to my doctor if the itching gets worse.

I am now the proud owner of a blood meter - which is making me more upset than happy at the moment. Blood sugars are high, which is expected.

I also learned that my A1C was 9.9 and my glucose juice test result was 20.7

Cholesterol "is where it should be" and blood pressure is low-ish (109/82 when they tested me.)

And I'm carb counting and testing at least 3 times a day for the next three weeks.

I'm not sure how I'm handling suddenly having all sorts of appointments to remember. Everything seems just overwhelming at this point. I'm sure it will get better and I will get a handle on my life, but right now it feels like crap.

 

[moon]

Hi Sketch'd - I'm new also, dx'ed 3 wks ago with very high numbers, and empathize with being overwhelmed by the learning, needed changes, heck ... needed overhaul!

My big problem is impatience. I want my bs controlled =now= ... .but like with most difficult things, it's a process. Being here for me has been a major step in beginning that journey.

Welcome!

 

[onaughmae]

Hello!

I was diagnosed a week ago (I'm guessing Type 2 because I wasn't directly told which type). I am now on one 500 mg Metformin/a day, working up to 3/per day. I have also been referred to a Endocrinologist because there may be something wrong with my kidneys too.

As scary and troublesome as this discovery has been, I am not having many side effects with the Metformin. (Mostly gas - and a couple of days with a queasy stomach.)

However, I do have a couple of questions.

I've noticed a trend the last four days where I get itchy and a little warm about an hour to an hour and a half after taking the pill at supper time. I have been tracking it because the itching moves and is located in a different place every time. The last two days it's been around the neck and upper back. I am meeting with professional help tomorrow and plan to discuss it with them, but I'm just wondering if it's normal.

Also, is it normal to "crash" after lunch? I get so sleepy and tired that I have been laying down for a nap. I used to "power nap" (20 minutes) but have found that it's usually 90 minutes before I wake up now.

Obviously still new to all of this (and sometimes nervous about the pending lifestyle changes) and still getting more information when I meet with people that I'm being referred to.

It's nice to meet you all (I happily found this forum last week while searching for information about diabetes symptoms).

I get sleepy and tired when my blood sugar spikes high. Maybe you are experiencing highs after eating. I would suggest taking your blood sugar an hour after you eat and at 2 hours. Within 2 hours tyou should be back to normal. If you are spiking high blood sugars after you eat then restrict your carb intake a bit more and keep trying. Eventually you will find what level of carbohydrate your body can handle.

 

[onlymep]

I'm learning that things are not going to be 'normal' for a while. Which sucks, but I'm still trying to be patient.

The weird side effects are just that. I should watch them and talk to my doctor if the itching gets worse.

I am now the proud owner of a blood meter - which is making me more upset than happy at the moment. Blood sugars are high, which is expected.

I also learned that my A1C was 9.9 and my glucose juice test result was 20.7

Cholesterol "is where it should be" and blood pressure is low-ish (109/82 when they tested me.)

And I'm carb counting and testing at least 3 times a day for the next three weeks.

I'm not sure how I'm handling suddenly having all sorts of appointments to remember. Everything seems just overwhelming at this point. I'm sure it will get better and I will get a handle on my life, but right now it feels like crap.

Yeah it can be a bit overwhelming huh. You'll get used to it all... don't worry. Keep up a positive attitude as that makes a world of difference. All we can do is try our best. Speaking of appointments... I'm having a tonne of them myself at the moment. It can be hard to fit them in when you're working too. I've had to reschedule and juggle a few lately. Keep us posted.... hopefully you'll see those BGLs go down. I'd recommend testing more than 3 times per day if you can to get a handle on what your BGLs are doing.

 

[breezeonby]

O

I'm learning that things are not going to be 'normal' for a while. Which sucks, but I'm still trying to be patient.

The weird side effects are just that. I should watch them and talk to my doctor if the itching gets worse.

I am now the proud owner of a blood meter - which is making me more upset than happy at the moment. Blood sugars are high, which is expected.

I also learned that my A1C was 9.9 and my glucose juice test result was 20.7

Cholesterol "is where it should be" and blood pressure is low-ish (109/82 when they tested me.)

And I'm carb counting and testing at least 3 times a day for the next three weeks.

I'm not sure how I'm handling suddenly having all sorts of appointments to remember. Everything seems just overwhelming at this point. I'm sure it will get better and I will get a handle on my life, but right now it feels like crap.

Feeling overwhelmed? That will pass, but you will need to be patient. I use my cell phone so much these days, I have all kinds of minutes, because I use the calendar and alarm clock everyday more than talking on the phone. Use whatever makes life easier for yourself. Good luck!

 

[beefy]

Cholesterol "is where it should be" and blood pressure is low-ish (109/82 when they tested me.)

And I'm carb counting and testing at least 3 times a day for the next three weeks.

Hi and :welcome: from another Canuck here...

Gz on the cholesterol and BP numbers, they're MUCH better than mine

Can I suggest you test a little more often though, at least for the first little while. It's important to see what your numbers are ESPECIALLY one and two hours after meals.

One hour after your meals is most people's HIGHEST spike in BG, and two hours after meals it should be settling back to your normal, but certainly under 7.8 on your scale. This 1 and 2 hour testing gives you the best indication of whether or not you should look at removing/restricting certain foods from your diet. You only need to do this for a couple of weeks as you see what you can/cannot eat, or do it after any consuming any previously-untested food items.

Good luck!

 

[Sketch'd]

I'm testing more frequently as per suggestions, and hating "Dracula" (my poker), but I appreciate knowing that many test results will help the doctor and specialist understand what's going on.

I have a bit of a cold this weekend, so I'm not sure how that's affecting the results. Is it true that your BG is low when you're sick because mine's still pretty high.

The carb counting thing is going to take an adjustment period. I went grocery shopping last night and it was a really depressing trip (Glad I had someone going with me). I'm shocked at how quickly carbs add up in a meal. I've made a goal to eat at home as much as possible this month - so I can better control things.

I also feel like I'm talking about this all the time. A friend of mine has a degenerative disease and she said I will be overwhelmed and obsessed and anxious for a good three months while I process all the new information. Anybody got some coping tips?

 

[onlymep]

I'm testing more frequently as per suggestions, and hating "Dracula" (my poker), but I appreciate knowing that many test results will help the doctor and specialist understand what's going on.

I have a bit of a cold this weekend, so I'm not sure how that's affecting the results. Is it true that your BG is low when you're sick because mine's still pretty high.

The carb counting thing is going to take an adjustment period. I went grocery shopping last night and it was a really depressing trip (Glad I had someone going with me). I'm shocked at how quickly carbs add up in a meal. I've made a goal to eat at home as much as possible this month - so I can better control things.

I also feel like I'm talking about this all the time. A friend of mine has a degenerative disease and she said I will be overwhelmed and obsessed and anxious for a good three months while I process all the new information. Anybody got some coping tips?

Hi Sketch'd
When we're sick, our BGLs are usually higher than normal. Sometimes BGLs can swing erratically also (like mine do at the moment as I'm not healthy right now). Your body would be under a bit of stress trying to heal from that cold... so this makes your BGLs higher than usual. You should find your BGLs are lower once you're better. It's Ok to talk about what you're going through. You are really going through a grieving process. Accepting any chronic disease isn't easy for anyone... and diabetes is listed as chronic disease. The best coping tip from me is to talk to your family and friends about it as often as you need to. When you go shopping after a while you will get used to not actually wanting the foods you know will spike your BGLs. It's a bit overwhelming at first. But my docs have always told me that you need to enjoy life too... so the occasional treat when you're out is fine. It's about portion control mostly... so if you eat something you know you normally wouldn't... then you cut down on something else that day to balance your BGLs. I know some people may advise to absolutely never touch anything you shouldn't.... but that takes very good willpower and to me I don't like using my disease as an excuse with others either. Eg. if it's some birthday cake for a special person in your life you don't need to be a party pooper by declaring you're diabetic and "don't tempt me" attitude... just have a smaller portion than everyone else and enjoy yourself. Just don't go eating cake and things like that everyday. Remember everyone is different too... what works for some, doesn't work for others with diabetes. You need to find out what works for you. Eg. I need to eat carbs and I can't get away with just eating proteins/fats.

 

[moon]

I also feel like I'm talking about this all the time.

I empathize! I've asked loved ones to bear with me because I know it must get boring for them, but so far they've been understanding (or at least made appropriate clucking noises which is all I require for a while!)

My biggest challenge has been not overtalking with a friend who I now realize isn't controlling her diabetes very well. I'm starting to button it with her, but did order Blood Sugar 101 off Amazon ... for her and for me. She'll either be glad or shoot me -

 

[Sketch'd]

Thanks for all the encouragement and useful advice.

It seems like a tough go on your own... I don't really want to burden my parents with this -- my Dad was diagnosed Type 2 just last year, and they are already dealing with a lot with that load. But I am confident that I will find peace about this at some point.

Thanks again.