Suffer/Suffered from A LOT!

scottishbrian

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I have suffered from retinopathy, have had both my eyes lasered - the left 1 to the max!!!
I have Neuropathy in my feet and sometimes my skin gets so sensitive it is even extremely aggravating to touch myself!!
I have issues with my kidneys, although the doctors can't be sure whether this is now caused by diabetes or if it is something else! [another bonus to ife!!!]
I also have high blood pressure.

I have had problems trying to control blood sugars ever since I was 11 [I am now 25].. and through habit, I forget to take insulin injections at meal times.. so sometimes I go through the whole day without having any Novorapid and only surviving on the amount of Lantus I take at night.

I am on Neurontin Gabapentin for my neuropathy and have to take Lisinopril to control the protein levels in my kidneys and the control my blood pressure.

Diabetes [mod edit]
 

noblehead

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Sorry to read about your circumstances Brian but please refrain from swearing.
 

ShyGirl

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Hi Brian. Sorry to hear about your current health issues.

Are you under your hospital diabetic department/unit?
Why not wear an alarm or eat your meals at the same time each day? Within a week taking your shots will be a part of your life and reading this site daily will encourage you to take control of your diabetes.
 

scottishbrian

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I was always told by my parents to take my needle at EVERY meal time when I was younger and I didnt like it so I guess I rebelled against that. And being told I wasnt allowed to eat sweets didnt really go down well either so I rebelled against it all and did what I wanted.

It's just got to the point where its like routine NOT to take insulin and its just habit. My bodys kind of adjusted to the high sugar levels so I feel hypo when im even as low as 12!!

I came on this site last night to look for easier options to remember and do my injections and test my blood sugars (i could go for weeks without testing!) but reading some stories last night, decided its about time I took control.... ive been diabetic for 20 years!

Ive downloaded to DAFNE app for my phone and will make sure I update it every mealtime with my test results and insulin injections!

Im going to do this... and win!
 
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robert72

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Hi Brian

The false hypos will disappear over time as you bring your levels down.

Great that you're taking control :thumbup: We're here to help each other, so don't hesitate to ask questions. I've had much better control since I got an app - still have bad days now and again but I'm sure we all do.

Robert
 

scottishbrian

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I was extremely pleased that my BG was 4.7 after breakfast. its not been like that for over 12 years!! AND i DONT feel like im hypoing. I know I will and itll take time... but things starting to look up! its only been a day though so itll take time I know..
 
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noblehead

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Good luck Brian :thumbup:
 

noblehead

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scottishbrian said:
ive been trying my hardest today and my sugar levels havent been over 6!!!!

Im so happy!!!!! just gotta keep it up!


That's a good result, try getting hold of the Contour USB meter if you can because you can plug the meter into your USB port and view your results on screen, excellent little meter although the finger pricker is rubbish and instead I use the multiclik pricker from my Aviva Nano.
 

scottishbrian

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i think my meter can be plugged into a computer but it didnt come with a cable for the computer.

I would very much like one your talking about... can i get one on the NHS?
 

noblehead

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scottishbrian said:
I would very much like one your talking about... can i get one on the NHS?


Not sure to be honest but I got mine from my DSN, the meter firm Reps give them away to hospital diabetes clinics in the hope that patients using them will switch makes and start ordering their test strips, the money they make is not in the meters but in the test strips.......hence why they give them away!
 

noblehead

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scottishbrian said:
so if i got the meter would i have to pay for the strips? and are they expensive?


Of course not you are a type 1 and get them free on prescription.
 

fats1964

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I was always told by my parents to take my needle at EVERY meal time when I was younger and I didnt like it so I guess I rebelled against that. And being told I wasnt allowed to eat sweets didnt really go down well either so I rebelled against it all and did what I wanted.

It's just got to the point where its like routine NOT to take insulin and its just habit. My bodys kind of adjusted to the high sugar levels so I feel hypo when im even as low as 12!!

I came on this site last night to look for easier options to remember and do my injections and test my blood sugars (i could go for weeks without testing!) but reading some stories last night, decided its about time I took control.... ive been diabetic for 20 years!

Ive downloaded to DAFNE app for my phone and will make sure I update it every mealtime with my test results and insulin injections!

Im going to do this... and win!
Hi.. Im type 2 im told, though the lowest my sugars have been in the last year is 8.7
I have only just realised I have been having false hypos for years...I am comfortable at around 15, but when levels get down around 10 I am really irritated, angry and searching for junk, shaking, going dizzy etc..Told 2 doctors who rubbished it, I really cant see a way out as I seem to be hooked on junk or just filling up to take it off.. not least ive other complications, and life is ****...memory is so bad I cant piece together any routine or plan, even worse cos im on low amount of benefits...Ive sort of had enough, not least ive had depression for a long time..
But I first noticed these false hypos last summer, i was filling up on salads etc, and no matter how much I had I would get extremely hungry and coud not control it.. tell you something it was easier to stop smoking, but this is a serious hindrance to my life, not least cos Doctors have been useless apart from saying diet.. and not knowing what false hypos are... it was only a woman i met who turned out to be a diabetic nurse that told me,.
I even asked about going on insulin but refused...tried victoza but had reactions to it...reckon ive been fobbed off for years by NHS, ive really had enough...banging headaches, tinnitus, aches, pains, weakness bad memory and concentration, had to stop work..but I cant control the eating, eveb without any junk or processed food in the house, i get to a certain point then find to will to go and buy junk, which solves the urge..then of course feel guilty and start all over again - every day its the same..... Recently had Forxiga for 3 montsh and its not done a thing, as my body seems to find a way to get back to the previous "state" yes I know I am in control, but when Im going dizzy and pounding headaches I cant fight em...I feel so useless... slightest thing stresses me, I dont really have a social life, my son lives with me but leaving soon, though overall he stresses me more...
Just wish I could sleep for weeks or months..ive so had enough...
even last year I had months juicing, salads, etc. my sugars never got below 12.. and it makes no difference if i take metformin etc
our local diabetic nurses are so overstretched they might as well not exist
 
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gemma6549

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Hi Brian, I'm not active on the forum anymore but read your post and felt I could give a valid input(and was worried) I stopped my insulin for 6 years due to an eating disorder. Just over 2 years ago I did DAFNE and decided to take control so I have some good knowledge on what can happen when you do this. It's really important that you bring your sugars down gradually, the abrupt change will make your neuropathy, eyes and other things worse. Because your body is used to running with high sugars it's not going to be happy about changing. My neuropathy like yours became severe and I couldn't stand clothes touching my skin, I was in a wheelchair for a year and on morphine, the change also effected my eyes and I developed autonomic neuropathy and became incontinent. The good news is that 2 years on with a consistent hba1c of 5.8% I am free of all of those issues. I just want you to be prepared and if possible discuss it with a specialist so they can give you the right guidance. It's not a straight forward transition and you don't want to do more harm than good. Message me anytime if you have any questions.