Brand New...With a Question!

Alanna1231 · 03-11-2008, 12:17 AM

Hello everyone! My name is Alanna, I am 23 and I was diagnosed in September of 2006. I was prescribed Glucophage and was not given enough specifics about this medication and had a horrible time the first time around. I am trying again, but my doctor told me to try the low carb diet while on these meds. My question is...does anyone have any idea of about how many carbs a day are okay to avoid the horrendous side effects my doc told me would ensue should I not take her advice? I am very apprehensive about starting these again since I felt so sick last time, so I would appreciate any advice anyone has. Thanks so much!

autumnleaves · 03-11-2008, 12:55 AM

I am not sure about the carb thing but you could ask for the extended release they do help some. I know sugar/carbs are suppost to make the tummy issues worse and for me salad did.

water25 · 03-11-2008, 01:15 AM

Start off slowly on the meds. Like maybe half a pill per day and work your way up. I never had any tummy issues with it, but Some people have a really hard time. I don't think you need to avoid carbs all together, but try and stay away from sugar. I have heard of people having problems with salad and eggs. I would start off on low carb for a while and slowly add them back in gradually as you begin to tolerate the glucophage better. Perhaps, at first try and only have maybe 100g carbs a day and work your way up. Some people claim the way to go with gluc/met is lots of fiber. Others claim to do well with a spoonful of yogurt with the pill. You will learn what works for you. It may take a while before you figure out what time of day works well for you, and if you should take it before or after food, etc.

Future Doc Cyster · 03-11-2008, 06:07 PM

I try to stay below 120-130 grams of carbs per day spread out amongst my meals/snacks.

When I first started Met, I started with 500mg/day with my biggest meal. After a week, I went up to 500mg 2Xday with my biggest meals. Finally, I got to 500mg 3X day.

I would avoid greasy foods (ie pizza, burgers, fries) and foods high in sugars (or sugar alcohols for that matter). Some of the sugar free candies contain sugar alcohols. If I eat more than 2 or 3 pieces, WARNING. . .TMI. . .my bowels feel like they're going to explode and I'm stuck in the bathroom in agony wondering why I did that.

After several weeks of Met, I wasn't as sensitive to certain foods, but some still get me (like too many sugar free candies made with sugar alcohols). I also have random bouts of diarrhea on occasion, but they don't really seem to be correlated with eating this or that.