Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Stemwinder on January 26, 2013 at 7:14pm

Could have been low blood glucose. It would be rare, Metformin is not really known for causing low bg. If this is happening often you might consider carrying a blood glucose meter so you can check your level.

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Permalink Reply by Spock on January 26, 2013 at 7:30pm

I agree with Stemwinder. It sure sounds like a low hypo glycemic moment. As a diabetic of ny ilk, you should be monitoring your glucose levels, carrying a meter, etc. Glad you were ok!

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Permalink Reply by Lois on January 26, 2013 at 7:43pm

Open up and say "ahhhh." Well, that's it!! We're all in agreement. It certainly sounds like a BG low. I would hazard a guess that there was probably too much time between meds and meals and you were probably on the low side before that. You seem to be under amazing control, which is good. BUT you need to test, especially if you feel funky. Always listen to your body or your buddy. (Oh lawdy, where do I keep coming up with this pairing prose?) They can usually spot when you start to go "sour."

Stay alert and well.

Lois

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Permalink Reply by guitarnut on January 26, 2013 at 8:02pm

Definitely sounds like low blood sugar.

I don't usually get symptoms, and if I do it's usually a "hey, my thoughts don't make any sense" kind of thing, but one night I had a low in the 50's with severe nausea and nothing else. AFTER I treated I started shaking and sweating.

Your experience definitely sounds like a low, though.

Congrats on the good A1c's! Keep up the good work and maybe keep a meter with you. Definitely bring it up with your endo when you see him or her next.

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Permalink Reply by Mike_K on January 28, 2013 at 10:44pm

Thanks guys

I agree with carrying a meter. I carry one 99% 0f time, but have had no issues for 3 years.
What I don’t understand is the Lows, High BG I understand, T2 that’s the issue but sudden lows I don’t get.
A wee secret tried going of all drugs before for 2 months, went to a new Doctor after 2 months to get my blood results. She advised me that I definitely diid not have diabetes.
When I told my old Doctor what I had done she screamed at me and advised that I will be on Metformin for the rest of my life.

But I have had these lows about 3 times. When I said sweating I mean think total submersion in a bath. Yes a large drink of Cranberry juice broth me back to normal in 10 – 15 minutes. Weird disease

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Permalink Reply by Woil on February 22, 2013 at 12:36pm

I am new to all this (less than 2 months, monitoring for a week), and I hope to eventually get close to your A1C levels. Best I have done so far is a 6.8, but they are going in the right direction.

My noobishness at Type 1 diabetes has led me to search for a lot of information, and one thing that popped out about your incident is the 4 glasses of wine. From a Metformin Information page:

"Avoid drinking alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may increase your risk of lactic acidosis while taking metformin."

I can't speak for the other incidents, but I wouldn't automatically rule out the wine being a factor.

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Permalink Reply by Zoe on February 22, 2013 at 12:44pm

Bingo, I would definitely look to the wine. When you drink you are subject to lows, sometimes hours later. So be sure and test more often when drinking. Also could be some reactive hypoglycemia: You said you had "lemon mash" - don't know the NZ terms, but if that is mashed potatoes, plus creme brulee, then that's a lot of carbs.

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Permalink Reply by Mike_K on March 14, 2013 at 1:57am

Hi Zoe
Not a lot of mash in the restaurant we were at, tablespoon full, same with brulee.
Can usually handle a meal like this and still have a BG level of 5.9. Can have decent desert and still be under 6.

Sorry yes mash is mashed Potato, more Irish than NZ again Wine does not effect me BG wise, as was over 4 hour period.

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Permalink Reply by Zoe on March 14, 2013 at 2:47pm

Maybe not, Mike. But some people report having lows from drinking as late as the next morning. Don't ask me why, I don't know!

I also agree that frequent testing helps give you information that can be useful for future planning. Also watch not to overtreat. A large glass of juice would put me in the 200's or even 300's and they say those rollercoasters are worse for us even than highs or lows alone.

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Permalink Reply by twinchick on March 14, 2013 at 5:25am

I agree, metformin should be taken with the meal, not an hour before,plus drinking wine can drop your nembers. Did you test to know what your numbers where? To me that's the clue. Glad you felt better quickly. Nancy

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Permalink Reply by Dirk Baeuerle on March 14, 2013 at 11:32am

Mike -

From what I learned (I also am a T2), when you drink alcohol and you try to control sugar, your live can only process one item at a time. In your case - it takes the alcohol first and, hence, the sugar builds up. It could be that, instead of a sugar low, you had a sugar high.

Like others have said - take your meter with you. Test before a meal and both 1 and 2 hrs after a meal. Test before and after each time you eat something new. Also check your portions as they affect sugar control too.

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