New here, how long to see results in bg

[K31Scout]

Hi, I'm Bill. My wife has been diagnosed with Type 2. She has been on Metformin 1000mg for a week and I started her on Atkins induction yesterday.
Her fasting /waking bg is still around 285. After a low carb meal it goes up maybe 10 points an hour later, if that, so I know we are on the right track.

When can we expect the bg to start dropping? Her Dr. wants her up to 2000mg of the Metformin within the next week.

Thanks

ps. I did Atkins quite a few years ago, lost a bunch of weight but have strayed and put some back on. At any rate, I understand low carb and the induction phase with 20 grams of carbs or less.

[Griffen]

It will take about a month to three months, depending on how strict she is with herself. She needs to keep her carbs below 20g per day for the first few weeks at minimum. A few months would be better. Of course, every body is different and will react differently. I saw quicker results but I went no-carb for the first month.

[hpjrt]

Welcome Bill!

I suspect that every case is different, and I can only give you my own experience.

When I was diagnosed in May 2009. my doctor put me on 500 mg of Metformin per day, over two doses. I didn't notice any immediate drop in my BG readings, but mine weren't as high as your wife's. My A1C was 9.4 when I was diagnosed ... and within a couple of weeks, my readings were in the 7's and 8's.

At my 3 month appointment in August, my A1C was at 7.3 and the doctor increased my Metformin dosage to 1000 mg over two doses.

Three months after that, my A1C was 6.5 ... which pleased my doctor, but isn't where I want it. Still ... it's moving in the right direction.

I found that exercising at least 20 minutes 3 days a week was very helpful with helping lower my blood sugar. Also, with following a LC diet plus the exercise, I have lost 24 lbs since then ... and that too helps.

With your wife's blood sugar readings being so high, I can see why the doctor may want to increase the Metformin dosage ...

Many of us here have fasting blood sugar readings that are higher than the readings for the rest of the day. There are various "tricks" that are used to try to get that early morning number down ... but it's pretty much trial and error. That's pretty true for just about anything to do with Diabetes. The foods that raise my blood sugar may be fine for someone else ... and what raises someone else's blood sugar doesn't raise mine. Blood glucose testing is key to understanding what foods affect blood sugar and when that effect takes place.

You're on the right track with putting her on Atkins. You also might want to get Dr. Richard Bernstein's book [there are lots of references to it on this forum] ... and you've come to the right place in terms of support.

Good luck!

Mary

[K31Scout]

Thanks Griffen and Mary.

I plan on Dr. B's book and have seen many references to it. I am really learning a lot on this site and have only been looking for a couple of days. I won't panic over the high readings for a while.

The last 2 years have been very hard on Cathy. She had a TIA stroke, CT scan found a cycst deep in her brain. That was removed and she lost short term memory, lost her job, and started meds for depression, but at least qualified for social security disability benefits. Then had knee replacement surgery, then a hysterectomy. Now Type 2 diabetes all at 55 years of age. Oh, well, we still count our blessings and know it could be far worse.

[hpjrt]

Oh poor Cathy! It's just been a year of problems hasn't it?

You both may find that given sufficient time, with careful monitoring of food intake and whatever exercise she can muster, along with the Metformin, things will settle down to more manageable numbers.

I know that some anti-depression meds can really boost one's weight ... and it's hard enough dealing with post surgery problems without having depression and Type II Diabetes tacked on.

You just have to take one day at a time ... one mouthful at a time. Don't let her get discouraged ... and do check out the recipe section or google "low carb recipes" ... there are some great ones out there. Sometimes a reasonable low carb substitute for a favourite treat is really helpful.

I don't know what sort of exercising she can do ... but I would think that there would be some free weight [light weights] that could probably be done from a sitting position. Any addition effort towards movement that she can make will help in the long run. What's more, once things begin to work, she's going to feel better too ... which will help you help her.

I'll keep her in my thoughts ... and please come by often. It's a great group with lots of experience and information.

Good luck!

Mary

[shunsweets]

Oh what a tough year for Cathy. How blessed she is to have a loving, caring partner. Give the diet and metformin 3 months and if the levels stay too high there is no shame in needing insulin - her beta cells may be unable to produce all the insulin she needs but either way the diet is key to good blood sugar control even with insulin if needed.

So glad you've joined us for support and please continue to share your story so that we may all learn together.

[Marvin]

K31Scout,
Welcome to the boards, and especially the diabetes forum! You've come to a great place for getting information and sharing ideas. My best to Cathy.

First of, most importantly: Where are you from in Northern Michigan? UP or the Mitt? Been there many times, and am curious.

Secondly, I would be compliant (and encouraging) of the doctor's attempts to move Cathy to 2000 mg of Metformin, but from what I've heard, if she can get Metformin XR (don't know why not), it might be easier on her digestive system at that dose. Metformin is one medication that Dr Atkins endorses if you're on his plan, since at the very least it should not stall weight loss. Dr Bernstein does not have an issue with Metformin either.

I would agree that 2-3 months for the impact to really be realized, but you should start seeing a gradual (almost imperceptible) fairly soon. I agree, the fact she only went up 10 points is a sign you're on the right track.

As for the depression meds, what is Cathy taking? I have been on Lexapro, Effexor, and now Wellbutrin. Lexapro and Effexor both had nasty side effects and I believe contributed to weight gain, and were also nasty to "come off." Wellbutrin works great for me, and if anything, it might be helping weight loss; but definitely not harming it.

I wish you and Cathy well, and ask any questions you may have.

[K31Scout]

Thanks shunsweets and Marvin.

I have Dr. B's book coming from Amazon; it looks like a pretty good 101 course in managing diabetes.

Marvin, We're in Indian River, 25 miles south of the Bridge. I work in Petoskey, about 20 miles away. Not quite a Yooper but close.

Cathy is on a generic of Paxil for depression and it's working good for her. She's also tolerating the regular Metformin with no stomach upset at all. I've read here about folks having problems but thank God she isn't.

BTW, her A1c was 13% if I recall correctly what her doctor said on the phone.

Thanks everybody.

Bill

[Marvin]

Originally Posted by K31Scout

Thanks shunsweets and Marvin.

I have Dr. B's book coming from Amazon; it looks like a pretty good 101 course in managing diabetes.

Marvin, We're in Indian River, 25 miles south of the Bridge. I work in Petoskey, about 20 miles away. Not quite a Yooper but close.

Cathy is on a generic of Paxil for depression and it's working good for her. She's also tolerating the regular Metformin with no stomach upset at all. I've read here about folks having problems but thank God she isn't.

BTW, her A1c was 13% if I recall correctly what her doctor said on the phone.

Thanks everybody.

Bill

Cool! I've been there. My brother and family have a cabin on the east side of Mullet Lake. Went to see the Cross In the Woods last summer, and stopped in the gift shop there in Indian River, and helped boost the local economy.

Glad the Paxil is working for her. I've discovered it's quite a process finding the right one and a good MD who is a psychiatrist is really needed to do it right.

Best wishes to you and Cathy!

[shunsweets]

I can't believe this. I lived in the UP for 3 years. Was stationed at Kincheloe AFB, graduated from Lake Superior College (now LS University), had my first child in Sault Ste Marie, and walked the Mackinaw Bridge one Labor Day. What a small world. Haven't been back to the UP in over 30 years but still remember the wild winters, gorgeous lakes, and good times.

[K31Scout]

Well shunsweets, a few things have changed but not much. The Ottawa Indians have casinos everywhere, the Soo locks are being renovated, wolves and moose are plentiful and Kincheloe AFB closed, ya need a passport or "special" drivers license to get back in the States if you go to Canada now but that's about it. The Mystery Spot is still open and of course lots of Pastie shops (not Atkins friendly) still going strong! Oh, bridge fare is up to $2.50 I believe.

Marvin, Which gift shop!? lol Probably... The Trading Post/Shell gas station. I'm on the south west side of Burt Lake but not lake front; I'm inland with acreage.

[Steve Parker, M.D.]

K31Scout, many people see a major drop in blood sugar readings within days of starting a 20g/day carb Atkins-style diet. But certainly not all.

If her HgbA1c really was 13%, she's got an advanced case of diabetes. Still might respond well to diet and metformin, but don't be too surprised if she needs multiple drugs.

It can take a couple or three weeks to see maximum benefit of metformin, whether just starting the drug or after a dose change. One good thing about metformin is that you rarely see hypoglycemia as a side effect.

Best wishes,

-Steve

Disclaimer: All matters regarding your health require supervision by a personal physician or other appropriate health professional familiar with your current health status. Always consult your personal physician before making any dietary or exercise changes.

[LESESKI]

My MIL came to live with me this February. When she came she could hardly walk (due to nueropathy)5 steps; her BS readings were over 200 and her a1c was 12. She was taking insulin but following the ADA diet that the nutritionist gave her. She was basically dying.

I took her to a new DR who put her on a high does of Metformin and the a low carb diet (basically Atkins maintenance). She did not need to lose any weight.

I'm happy to report that 8 months later her BS stays between 80-90 and she is now taking 1/2 of the meds originally prescribed and her a1c dropped to 5.2. She is also walking around the block every morning.

Dr. Atkins book has saved her life!

[Marvin]

Originally Posted by LESESKI

My MIL came to live with me this February. When she came she could hardly walk (due to nueropathy)5 steps; her BS readings were over 200 and her a1c was 12. She was taking insulin but following the ADA diet that the nutritionist gave her. She was basically dying.

I took her to a new DR who put her on a high does of Metformin and the a low carb diet (basically Atkins maintenance). She did not need to lose any weight.

I'm happy to report that 8 months later her BS stays between 80-90 and she is now taking 1/2 of the meds originally prescribed and her a1c dropped to 5.2. She is also walking around the block every morning.

Dr. Atkins book has saved her life!

Lesefski,
Thanks for coming by and posting this miraculous story of your MIL. These are the kinds of stories that we need to share far and wide.

[K31Scout]

Thanks for all the responses. Cathy used to love her Pepsi and Reese's peanut butter cups but has given those up and has put her will power to work. I just have to keep reminding her why she can't have a certain snack, even a South Beach granola bar. I've got all the Atkins goodies made and available so she never has to be hungry. I remeber it took me a while to get "unhooked" from all the carbs.

Thanks Leseski for the report on you MIL, that's encouraging.

[Marvin]

K31Scout,
Let me just say you are being a tremendous help and support to your wife and you are to be commended. You clearly love her and she is very fortunate to have you!

[K31Scout]

Thanks Marvin.