Type II and caffeinated - Diabetes Message Board

Alohamensch36 · 01-05-2003, 01:09 AM

I have recently been diagnosed with Type II diabetes(Metformin 750 twice, Actos 30 once). I am also an avid coffee drinker (about two - three strong cups a day). Are there any problems with this that I should be aware of? I have noticed that the caffeine gets used up quiker and I get low BS symptoms when the caffeine gets used up. I know this because tea or coffee fixes the problem very quickly. Any ideas?

SamQKitty · 01-05-2003, 07:04 PM

Unless you're using a whole bunch of sugar in your tea or coffee, neither of those substances would help a low blood sugar reaction.

What's more likely is that your body experiences caffeine withdrawal, and another shot of caffeine eliminates the withdrawal.

I haven't read anything about whether or not caffeine is good/bad for diabetics, but since diabetics can be more prone to heart disease and hardening of the arteries, it wouldn't be a bad idea to switch to decaf coffee and teas. Caffeine causes the arteries to constrict, and if your arteries are already becoming narrow (and I'm not saying they are...just that they could in the future), it's not a good idea to drink much caffeine.

Alohamensch36 · 01-06-2003, 02:56 AM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SamQKitty:
[B]What's more likely is that your body experiences caffeine withdrawal, and another shot of caffeine eliminates the withdrawal.

Yep, exactly what is happening. But, I've never had it happen until I started taking Diabetes meds. Thereafter it has been happening with alarming regularity and strength.

Thanks for the info on heart effects. My Doc noticed a longer rest between beats, maybe due to contriction.

Aloha