hi, my husband was newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in March this year. His results were 127 and he was put on Meformin and Gliclazide and we got his numbers down to 52 by June. However he is also on a steroid for prostate cancer which has probably contributed to his diabetes in the first place. We are trying to get help from a dietician or go on a diabetes awareness course as although we try his daily test numbers are creeping up. I have asked numerous time at our GP surgery and at the hospital but just get met with silience no help forth coming. Thinking of trying a private hospital for help and have to pay for it, what have others found?.
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Help, Where Is It?
- Thread starter KGP
- Start Date
JoKalsbeek
Expert
- Messages
- 6,724
- Location
- The Netherlands
- Type of diabetes
- I reversed my Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
Medical advice for T2's, sadly, is rather behind the times. The EatWell plate is dangerous to us, and most gp's and dieticians don't know the latest developments in research and diet. But with your husbands steroids, I'm not entirely sure what to advise either. Keto and Intermittent Fasting might raise his ketones too far while bloodsugars remain high (in ketosis they usually stay low, but with steroids...), and you REALLY don't want that to happen; they can't both be high. Diabetic ketoacidocis is extremely rare in T2's, but it isn't unheard of when steroids are involved. So... Best advice, I **think**... LCHF; Low carb, high fat. T2's can't process carbs properly, so lowering them makes a huge difference. The fat keeps us from going hungry, and negates the impact of the carbs we do ingest, preventing peaks. I got a grip on my bloodsugar and got into the non-diabetic range at 75 to 85 grams of carbs a day. That's lower than most people eat, so it should make a difference in bloodsugars, but it's not low enough to enter ketosis. (Usually that requires 20 to 30 grams of carbs a day or less). All in all... @daisy1 will provide basic info and I have a feeling that will help more than my guesswork. Oh, for ideas and such, try dietdoctor.com . And if there's a diet-change, test, test and test some more! With diabetes meds added in the mix you don't want to risk an undetected hypo. Good luck!
When are you testing? Have you looked back at what was in the meal that was maybe too heavy in carbohydrates or has he developed an intolerance to grain flours. Stress, heat, lack of sleep, anxiety all play a part. There are so many things that it could be. This may help. Test before eating and then 2 hours after first bite, recording what was eaten and any exercise taken. It is a bind initially but gradually patterns begin to appear. Take your time and good luck.
HICHAM_T2
Well-Known Member
Hi and welcome here
I also had my blood sugar too high my Hba1c was 120 I also had my blood sugar so high I remember it was about 280mg/dl
But don't worry about him. Just tell him that his medicine is what he eats
I remember that some doctors described me as insulin and others described me metformin and Diamicron gliclzaid I was able to reduce my blood sugar to 90mg/dl. 5mmol without any medicines just diet LCHF
- Messages
- 14,295
- Type of diabetes
- I reversed my Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
Hello there KGP - Your husband and you do seem to be going through the mill. As you have identified, using steroids will be having an impact on the numbers your husband sees, and that impact is likely to be variable, with the dosing amount.
If you are consideing going into the private sector for help, you must have an idea of what sort of help you want. If you could express at least some of that in here, it would help us know what help we may, or may not be able to offer you.
I'll tag my colleague @daisy1 who rroutinely posts some usually useful information for new folks.
Alexandra100
Well-Known Member
Yes, I agree. I strongly recommend Jenny Ruhl's book "Your Diabetes Questions Answered".
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Your-Diabe...=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1532194610&sr=1-4
She is a well-respected writer who is herself T2 and has survived well to be over 70. She has a calming way of writing and an in-depth knowledge of diabetes. IMO you would do far better spending your money on her book rather than seeking advice from a private hospital or specialist. Indeed she has a chapter on how to get the best out of your health professionals (and why they are often not as helpful as we might like).
Alexandra100
Well-Known Member
Alison Campbell
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 1,443
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
Hi welcome to the forum, I'm tagging @daisy1 for a new member post for you and your husband.
We have many members having to take long term steroid therapy, please search the forum and/or start a new thread regarding diet and medication options of gaining blood sugar control in combination with your husbands meds in the tittle. There is a wealth of information from people dealing with diabetes and other conditions on the forum.
We have many members having to take long term steroid therapy, please search the forum and/or start a new thread regarding diet and medication options of gaining blood sugar control in combination with your husbands meds in the tittle. There is a wealth of information from people dealing with diabetes and other conditions on the forum.
Resurgam
Master
- Messages
- 10,137
- Type of diabetes
- Treatment type
- Diet only
The advice I got at the three 'educational' sessions was worse than useless, they thought that baked potatoes and beans were good choices, along with brown rice and wholemeal bread - in moderation of course, but some of the people there were already really ill.
I tried to explain low carb, and why, but they were not having any of that nonsense put about.
I tried to explain low carb, and why, but they were not having any of that nonsense put about.
daisy1
Legend
- Messages
- 26,457
- Location
- Switzerland
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
- Dislikes
- Cruelty towards animals.
@KGP
Hello KGP 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 like and someone will 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 235,000 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:
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 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
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
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. Most of these are free.
Hello KGP 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 like and someone will 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 235,000 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
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 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
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
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. Most of these are 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.
