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Scared stiff

Geminigirl

Geminigirl

Well-Known Member
Messages
166
Location
Suffolk
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Spicy food, 2 faced people.
Hello
I was first diagnosed with T2 6 yrs ago and since then I have drifted on and off Metformin (half killed my IBS so had to come off), then gliglazide which was okay but I had hypos and my Bg didn't come down much, then diet controlled. I went on a VLCD for a year and lost 6 stones and my HBAIC went down to 5.3.....fab!
However, over the past two years I had three bereavements, a lot of other issues and gained four stones back on again.
Earlier this year my HBAIC was 6.7, we moved (against my will really) to the north of the country. I hate it here and have no friends, the life I was hoping for didn't happen and now my latest HBAIC came back at 9.9 which I know is VERY bad.
I don't have much faith in the new GP and diabetic nurse as I was with my last ones over 20 yrs, I feel they don't know me at all. When. I saw the nurse yesterday she suggested I just go on to a 24 hr long release insulin, I think she called it basal? Am seeing her again Weds to discuss. She said it would help even out and reduce my fasting BG as I am high first thing, even before food. Also need to see dietician.
I read somewhere that once you start Insulin you have no going back and I now feel like a complete failure. Am scared I am going to die and am angry with myself.
I could do with some support, I am 56yrs old.
Any reassurance would be good, am not scared of needles but hate new meds as I have anxiety and worry about side effects.
Thank you.
 
Hi Gemini :-) I'm puzzled why they would jump straight on the insulin since you did so well with lifestyle changes last time !
Do you think you could control it again with diet or meds ?
I've yoyo'd with my weight for years but now I've had the added incentive of trying to control the diabetes it's coming off again :-) Don't be hard on yourself .It sounds like you've had a lot of changes that haven't helped .I personally wouldn't go on insulin unless it was the last resort and since you controlled it so well with diet last time I can't see why you couldn't give that a go first whilst taking some medication until your weight comes down :-)
 
Geminigirl said:
Hello
I was first diagnosed with T2 6 yrs ago and since then I have drifted on and off Metformin (half killed my IBS so had to come off), then gliglazide which was okay but I had hypos and my Bg didn't come down much, then diet controlled. I went on a VLCD for a year and lost 6 stones and my HBAIC went down to 5.3.....fab!
However, over the past two years I had three bereavements, a lot of other issues and gained four stones back on again.
Earlier this year my HBAIC was 6.7, we moved (against my will really) to the north of the country. I hate it here and have no friends, the life I was hoping for didn't happen and now my latest HBAIC came back at 9.9 which I know is VERY bad.
I don't have much faith in the new GP and diabetic nurse as I was with my last ones over 20 yrs, I feel they don't know me at all. When. I saw the nurse yesterday she suggested I just go on to a 24 hr long release insulin, I think she called it basal? Am seeing her again Weds to discuss. She said it would help even out and reduce my fasting BG as I am high first thing, even before food. Also need to see dietician.
I read somewhere that once you start Insulin you have no going back and I now feel like a complete failure. Am scared I am going to die and am angry with myself.
I could do with some support, I am 56yrs old.
Any reassurance would be good, am not scared of needles but hate new meds as I have anxiety and worry about side effects.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Hi Geminigirl. Well done that you managed to get to 5.3 and lost 6 stones remarkable, you know you can do it.. Sounds like you have been through a lot and then having to manage change and loss clearly not in your control. That would be scary for most of us. We all get anxious when things change and we are uncertain. Indeed I felt the same just after being diagnosed just two weeks ago. Try to focus on the things you can control related to your Diabetes. Positive is you have managed it before and if you believe and trust in yourself there is no reason why you cant again. See your dietitian, give your new doctor and nurse a chance to get to know you and explain to them how your feeling. Most importantly don't believe you are a failure, just believe it was circumstances beyond your control and look ahead to beating Diabetes and enjoying a long life. I don't think 9.9 is beyond control I've already seen much worse numbers on this forum from which people have turned things around.If you believe you can you will. I am a newby myself. Finally if you do need insulin I have known people who have been having insulin injections into their 80's so don't be too fearful if it turns out that's what you need. Good Luck at 56 years of age you are a relative baby!!
 
Hi, well, she said Metformin would not do my IBS any favours and I really struggled with it before, she didn't seem to think gliglazide is much help either. I said I struggle with some meds and I am already on Aspirin for sticky blood, Simvastatin and thyroxine. She seemed to be of the opinion that I need something to help overnight.
I just feel so alone and out of my depth with it all and as though I have forgotten all I learnt.
Should I tell her to say give me three months to tackle it head on or are these levels at a dangerous point already?
Just feel so anxious and her suggestion shocked me as I never had that put to me before!
 
Thanks Beatdise,
I don't feel like a spring chicken! I am now about 4 stones overweight and my BMI is 40 as I am only 5 ft tall!
I have been through a lot and I know I made bad choices! food has always been my comfort and I re learnt old habits!
I will have a long chat with her, I am a carb queen also which I know. I need to change.
Thanks girls yr words, especially this time of night. X
 
Geminigirl said:
Hi, well, she said Metformin would not do my IBS any favours and I really struggled with it before, she didn't seem to think gliglazide is much help either. I said I struggle with some meds and I am already on Aspirin for sticky blood, Simvastatin and thyroxine. She seemed to be of the opinion that I need something to help overnight.
I just feel so alone and out of my depth with it all and as though I have forgotten all I learnt.
Should I tell her to say give me three months to tackle it head on or are these levels at a dangerous point already?
Just feel so anxious and her suggestion shocked me as I never had that put to me before!
Click to expand...

I think that sounds very sensible Gemini.Ask her to give you three months to try to get a handle on it .You can do this !:) My bg hasn't been below 10 all year and I'm not the only one here with that problem .Quite often it's in the 20's on waking so i think if you take a test once or twice a day you'll be fine .

I have endless trouble with Metformin (same with Glicazide or loo trip special as I call them )but I'm trying a new med today .There are alternatives that they can give that maybe worth a try :-)
 
Geminigirl said:
Thanks Beatdise,
I don't feel like a spring chicken! I am now about 4 stones overweight and my BMI is 40 as I am only 5 ft tall!
I have been through a lot and I know I made bad choices! food has always been my comfort and I re learnt old habits!
I will have a long chat with her, I am a carb queen also which I know. I need to change.
Thanks girls yr words, especially this time of night. X
Click to expand...
Happy to be an honorary girl. You might not feel like a spring chicken at the moment, but if you can envision it and then do what you did last time you can manage it. Good luck and good night!
 
It is NOT a failure to be on insulin what so ever! There is 100% nothing wrong with needing it to help get your levels into range and try and avoid complications which will result if your levels continue to be uncontrolled.

There are endro's who don't bother with the met, or diet if they know that insulin will be the best course of action for those in the care - and No once on insulin unless you are Insulin Dependant you have a chance of getting off it again (if insulin dependant its for life and without it you will die).
 
as nyxks said, the important thing is to get your BG in range :)
whether you stay on a basal.. who knows? with some weight loss you may be able to cope with the remaining beta cells for a few more years
a lot here are on LCHF diet that may help you with the dieting

http://www.dietdoctor.com/lchf it’s a long page and a video

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarbliving/a/Food-Cravings.htm For me, the more carbs we eat the more carbs we want. they don’t give up easy.

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarb101/a/firstweek.htm

http://www.lowcarbdietitian.com/blog/carbohydrate-restriction-an-option-for-diabetes-management



blood testing

http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14045524.php

http://www.homehealth-uk.com/medical/blood_glucose_monitor_testing.htm

food counting

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/



Newcastle diet aims in 8+ weeks to mimic or better the rate of ~80% remission, for surgery T2

“It is now clear that Type 2 diabetes is caused by abnormal fat storage. Research on how this may be reversed is available. “click that link on this page http://www.ncl.ac.uk/magres/research/diabetes/

http://www.diabetesforecast.org/2010/mar/weight-loss-surgery-and-type-2-diabetes.html


American diabetic association ( http://www.professional.diabetes.org/)

[URL='http://www.professional.diabe...n/UserFiles/0 - Sean/dc132042 FINAL.pdf [/url]

Evidence is inconclusive for an ideal amount of total fat intake for people with diabetes;

therefore, goals should be individualized; fat quality appears to be far more important than quantity.

In people with type 2 diabetes, a Mediterranean-style, MUFA-rich eating pattern may benefit

glycemic control and CVD risk factors and can therefore be recommended as an effective alternative to a lower-fat, higher-carbohydrate eating pattern.
 
Hi all, well I have seen the senior DSN, she was really nice and very supportive. Basically she said with a HBAIC of 10 she is not happy to wait and see what happens with diet control. She said my body is already flooded with glucose and. I am setting myself up to complications setting in.
I advised her the dietician has given me a 1200 a day calorie book and I am sticking to that, it is quite low carb actually which. I hate but I do know carbs don't agree with me and my sugars at all.
Anyway, she is concerned the long acting insulin won't start working quickly enough and apart from using that and other insulin at meal times she suggested I try a drug called Glimpiride 1mg with evening meal, upping by another 1 mg at each two weeks until I am on 6 mg at night.
She thinks if I try that and the diet and exercise then check HBAIC after three months we will see where we are and can always add insulin later on.
The idea being as I reduce weight the tabs can be adjusted.
I have agreed to that for now, she suggested I test my BG a few times a week first thing as my fasting overnight nos are high.
So am feeling more positive.
 
Geminigirl said:
Hi all, well I have seen the senior DSN, she was really nice and very supportive. Basically she said with a HBAIC of 10 she is not happy to wait and see what happens with diet control. She said my body is already flooded with glucose and. I am setting myself up to complications setting in.
I advised her the dietician has given me a 1200 a day calorie book and I am sticking to that, it is quite low carb actually which. I hate but I do know carbs don't agree with me and my sugars at all.
Anyway, she is concerned the long acting insulin won't start working quickly enough and apart from using that and other insulin at meal times she suggested I try a drug called Glimpiride 1mg with evening meal, upping by another 1 mg at each two weeks until I am on 6 mg at night.
She thinks if I try that and the diet and exercise then check HBAIC after three months we will see where we are and can always add insulin later on.
The idea being as I reduce weight the tabs can be adjusted.
I have agreed to that for now, she suggested I test my BG a few times a week first thing as my fasting overnight nos are high.
So am feeling more positive.
Click to expand...
There you go. Lifes not looking too bad after all. Stick at it one step at a time. Best of luck.
 
You are already sounding so much more positive Geminigirl and that has to be good. That's what this site is best at, I think. There is always advice to be had and stories from people, who are doing just a little better - or worse - than yourself. Both help, don't they?
 
Thanks for all yr support.
I am testing and have noticed the Glimepiride is working but my vision is really playing up. The pharmacist said it can happen at the start of treatment and should settle down, it is nasty though and giving me headaches. Is this common and anyone else had this problem?
 
Many of us have had this. I actually could barely see for a short period. Now my sight is better than it has been for years.:).
 
Yes - I am a year in now and my eyesight has been changing constantly throughout the year. The have finally improved so much in the last month that I don't wear them to drive anymore. On diagnosis I had blurred vision, dry itchy eyes (actually for about 2 years before - didnt realise the reason). So it will improve
 
Andrew Colvin said:
Yes - I am a year in now and my eyesight has been changing constantly throughout the year. The have finally improved so much in the last month that I don't wear them to drive anymore. On diagnosis I had blurred vision, dry itchy eyes (actually for about 2 years before - didnt realise the reason). So it will improve
Click to expand...

I was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy after my last diabetic eye check and I'm suffering from exactly what you've described Andrew .Dry ,sore eyes ,blurred vision ect.The consultant sent me home with handfuls of sample bottles with fake tears in but they aren't stopping the blurryness .Will this calm down then once my sugars are lower ?
 
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