struggling with all of it!

[LucyNanny]

I was diagnosed with the dreaded Diabetes Type 2 last May 2015. Had no idea the diagnosis would affect me as much as it did. Did the education classes, frightened me to death. The main point was, it seemed to me, no cure, but you wouldn't die from diabetes, just the complications! Well, I really watched my diet, since then I have lost 37 pounds, no more biscuits, cakes, or other forbidden stuff, losing weight has been great but my glucose numbers haven't really changed. Have been on 500mg Metformin since January, they doubled it in March, nothing has changed except I have started to retain fluid, uncomfortable stomach wind, funny smelling urine, up half the night going to the loo. My doctor says if the numbers don't come down by May, he wants me to start insulin. I DO NOT WANT TO DO THAT, anybody got any ideas? I'm desperate

 

[ladybird64]

Hmm. Can you give us some idea of your diet exactly? What is perceived to be a "healthy" diet by the NHS and some slimming companies, can be a bit disastrous for someone with diabetes. Carbohydrate, especially in the form of cereal, bread, potatoes, rice and pasta (even wholemeal versions) will always increase the blood glucose levels as these things basically turn to sugar in the blood. So even if your cutting out cakes, biscuits etc has dropped some weight off you, if you are still eating a lot of carbs, even the "good" ones, that could explain the numbers.
There is also the possibility of a misdiagnosis of type 2 when if fact it is late-onset type 1, but a closer look at the diet, ie what you eat on an average day, might give a clearer picture.

 

[urbanracer]

Hi and welcome to the forums @LucyNanny ,

Sounds like you've made a good start but I notice that you didn't mention carbohydrate rich food. Cutting down on pasta, rice, potato and bread can make a big difference to a T2.

Are you keeping a food diary? Any idea how much carbohydrate you eat? ( The reason I'm asking is that all carbs turn into glucose once inside the body - sorry if I'm teaching you to suck eggs.)

 

[Mike d]

@ladybird64 nailed this issue. THOSE are the questions you need to answer

 

[Daibell]

Hi. I agree with the other posters. Work on reducing the carbs which I can see you have already started. Ask for Metformin SR (Slow Release) if the stomach bloating continues as plain Metformin has a reputation! If the blood sugar doesn't start coming down then do discuss with the GP adding some further tablets and discussing the possibility of Late onset T1. This is usually associated with being slim or having lost weight recently unexpectedly but if your blood sugar remains high (do get a meter) then it's still possible. Foul smelling urine is often due to sugar in the urine from high blood sugar although there are other causes which you should discuss with the GP. Note that there are further tablets that can be tried before insulin and many of us have up to three types or so before insulin. Your HBa1C should be used as a key deciding factor and the NICE Diabetes Guidelines (Google it) show a route map.

 

[dbr10]

I was diagnosed with the dreaded Diabetes Type 2 last May 2015. Had no idea the diagnosis would affect me as much as it did. Did the education classes, frightened me to death. The main point was, it seemed to me, no cure, but you wouldn't die from diabetes, just the complications! Well, I really watched my diet, since then I have lost 37 pounds, no more biscuits, cakes, or other forbidden stuff, losing weight has been great but my glucose numbers haven't really changed. Have been on 500mg Metformin since January, they doubled it in March, nothing has changed except I have started to retain fluid, uncomfortable stomach wind, funny smelling urine, up half the night going to the loo. My doctor says if the numbers don't come down by May, he wants me to start insulin. I DO NOT WANT TO DO THAT, anybody got any ideas? I'm desperate

As already mentioned. Slow release Metformin might be an option. But there are other medications before resorting to insulin. Reduce carbs.

 

[muzza3]

Hi @LucyNanny

I have tagged @daisy1 who will post some great information for you

Are you self testing? If not you need to get a meter straight away and from there you can get control. Others on here can guide you to the best value meters in the UK.

Cheers

 

[daisy1]

@LucyNanny

Hello and welcome to the forum Some very good advice above which would help you to follow. Here is the basic information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask more questions 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 over 150,000 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

Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes-and-whole-grains.html

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

LOW CARB PROGRAM:
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/low carb program


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 bloodglucose 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.

 

[PatsyB]

hello and Welcome to the forum...

 

[shelleypops]

I know it's all a little nuts but a lot of really great advise and support on here! I'm having a bad day today so will probably bounce from this group to my MH group all day. It doesn't matter because the only thing that matters is to keep going in looking and receiving support just for today! I can't think it's for a lifetime...jeez if I had that head on me today I don't want to say what I'd be upto. THIS IS MANAGEABLE JUST FOR ONE DAY! One day at a time!!!!!! Peace to you all x