Can anyone PLEASE help me make sense of where I am?

[blackvein]

Hi,

I've been type 2 for 14 years and been on many medications which my body has responded to then not. Reaching October last year I finally went on to insulin and I have to say I've felt really well and still do.
My previous medications made me gain weight and over the past 3 years I have been careful and lost over 5st, Within 14 weeks of going onto insulin I'd gained 91/2lbs! My Blood /Glucose readings were up and done and not within the 4-7 range I thought I would achieve.Concerned my nurse and I decided a 6 week food diary to see if or where I was going wrong, and there was nothing a miss there as I have measured my intake by carbohydrates since going on a local authority Diabetic Awareness Course. I told my nurse there was no way I was prepared to gain weight (I lost my sister 3 years ago she was also T2 and weighed over 35st)
I started walking and I have built up since 16th December to 10,000 steps a day and since 22nd of January I have achieved over 11,000 (5miles) a day and I feel fantastic!!
Now to my problem!
My blood/glucose readings in the morning are quite high and I'm assuming that my liver is responsible for this reacting to my blood glucose dropping through the night. I thought I had got a handle on this as I have 2 small sandwiched for supper (8pm)
Over the past few days I have tested prior to eating and 2 hours after. Yesterday I wrote them down and are as follows.
Ist prior to breakfast) 7.9, 2 hours after breakfast 6.5. 2 hours after lunch 6.5, 2 hours after afternoon 5.4, 2 hours after supper 4.4 this was 10pm last night. I was a little concerned over this and ate an apple? at 1am I tested again at 3.30am it was 4.6, I ate a banana awake at 6am and I tested again 6.4.
This morning 1st prior to breakfast, usual time 9am and it had risen to 7.9?

Can any please help shed some light on this for me, as obviously my supper isn't doing the job it was??

 

[catapillar]

What insulin are you taking @blackvein ?

 

[blackvein]

Lantus Solostar

 

[LincolnLizzie]

I'm on Lantus and get on well with it too. I have found though, to keep my BG readings decent and not actually put on any weight, that I have to very low carb. I eat no more than 30 carbs a day. We still eat very well but absolutely no bread, rice, pasta, oats, potatoes or other root veggies, nor do I eat beans and very little fruit. I lost a couple of stones, and need to lose the same again, but really waiting for warmer weather.

My morning readings are always high too - they go up between 1 and 2 points from my pre-breakfast test and don't start to go down until mid afternoon. I'm sure, for me, this is partly due to lack of exercise and my figures will improve when I get back on my bike.

Have you read up on low carbing? I've managed through this to reduce my insulin to 14 units daily, which I hope is a good.

 

[catapillar]

It seems like your lantus is keeping you blood sugar down, but youre having to eat quite a bit to avoid dropping too low.

A reading of 7.9 in the morning is probably a combination of dawn phenomenon and from eating a banana at 3am.

The weight gain isn't caused by the insulin, but it does sound like you are having to feed your insulin. You might need to consider reducing the dose - have a chat with your DSN about the right dose for you. You could also think about splitting your dose, to take some in the morning and some at night, or switch to take it all in the morning if you're dropping low overnight.

 

[Liam1955]

I am tagging @daisy1 who will provide you with some basic information that all new members receive. Have a read of the information @blackvein it may prove to be useful.

 

[daisy1]

@blackvein

Hello and welcome to the forum Here is the basic information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you need to and someone will be able to help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 147,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

• Reduce your carbohydrate intake
• Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates

Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a free 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)

• Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l

However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

• structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
• self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.

Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. They're all free.

• Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why
• Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.

 

[blackvein]

I though you may like to have a follow up of my progress since your posts.
I am now within the ranges for type 2 as posted above. Having spoken to my nurse I have as suggested split my insulin into 2 doses and tweaked my dosage. Reduced my carb intake even more I'm now within a maximum of 60g daily while maintaining my 5 Miles a day.

A massive thank you for your help!!

 

[Clivethedrive]

I though you may like to have a follow up of my progress since your posts.
I am now within the ranges for type 2 as posted above. Having spoken to my nurse I have as suggested split my insulin into 2 doses and tweaked my dosage. Reduced my carb intake even more I'm now within a maximum of 60g daily while maintaining my 5 Miles a day.

A massive thank you for your help!!

That is so good to hear,@blackvein,