Newly diagnosed with high levels....

[Honey_Bee_19]

Hello everyone. I was diagnosed with Diabetes 2 a fortnight ago, after developing Diabetic symptoms when taking Prednisone for a Respiratory Infection. The Fasting Blood Test result were Average Glucose 11:8 and HbA1c 92. The Diabetic Nurse was almost as shocked as I was. I had 9 Blood Tests, and Diabetes was way down the list of possibilities.
I eat really well, and exercise with a Personal Trainer to keep as fit as possible with Chronic Asthma. I go to the gym three times a week. I'm 62 years old. We all thought it might be slightly raised. I've since discovered that a large number of my Mother's family have Diabetes.
I was given minimum advice, and went home with a leaflet for a Diabetic Education Course. Apparently my Liver has been 'affected', my Kidneys are fine. I've seen the Podiatrist and visit the Eye Clinic next week.
The Nurse said I didn't need to Test myself, but I can see from the Forum that it is a vital part of controlling Blood Sugar levels.
I did try the Low Carb but started to hallucinate, so changed that for increased Carbs. I'm using the Fitness Pal App, and counting every morsel.
I'm on 1500 Metdormin daily now, just have tummy cramps, and a couple of dizzy spells.
How long will it take for energy levels to return please?
Any advice on taking Rescue Steroids and coping with raised Blood Sugar levels?
Having such high levels, what should I be doing to take extra care of myself.
I would be very grateful for all advice. Many thanks.

 

[Daibell]

Hi and welcome. Steroids are known big problem for blood sugar so anything that can help reduce the dose will help. You do need to have a low-carb diet. I suggest you reduce the carbs over many days to allow the body to get used to it. Remember your body doesn't need any carbs as long as you have enough proteins and fats. If the Metformin stomach issues don't fade do ask the GP to change you to the Slow Release (SR) version. If the blood sugar doesn't reduce even with low-carbs you may have to have some insulin for a while but hopefully you can avoid that

 

[Honey_Bee_19]

Hi and welcome. Steroids are known big problem for blood sugar so anything that can help reduce the dose will help. You do need to have a low-carb diet. I suggest you reduce the carbs over many days to allow the body to get used to it. Remember your body doesn't need any carbs as long as you have enough proteins and fats. If the Metformin stomach issues don't fade do ask the GP to change you to the Slow Release (SR) version. If the blood sugar doesn't reduce even with low-carbs you may have to have some insulin for a while but hopefully you can avoid that

Thank you Daibell. I can see the need for a monitor to record my blood sugar levels. I'm not due to see the Diabetic Nurse until July, but will request a print out of my test results.

 

[pleinster]

Hello everyone. I was diagnosed with Diabetes 2 a fortnight ago, after developing Diabetic symptoms when taking Prednisone for a Respiratory Infection. The Fasting Blood Test result were Average Glucose 11:8 and HbA1c 92. The Diabetic Nurse was almost as shocked as I was. I had 9 Blood Tests, and Diabetes was way down the list of possibilities.
I eat really well, and exercise with a Personal Trainer to keep as fit as possible with Chronic Asthma. I go to the gym three times a week. I'm 62 years old. We all thought it might be slightly raised. I've since discovered that a large number of my Mother's family have Diabetes.
I was given minimum advice, and went home with a leaflet for a Diabetic Education Course. Apparently my Liver has been 'affected', my Kidneys are fine. I've seen the Podiatrist and visit the Eye Clinic next week.
The Nurse said I didn't need to Test myself, but I can see from the Forum that it is a vital part of controlling Blood Sugar levels.
I did try the Low Carb but started to hallucinate, so changed that for increased Carbs. I'm using the Fitness Pal App, and counting every morsel.
I'm on 1500 Metdormin daily now, just have tummy cramps, and a couple of dizzy spells.
How long will it take for energy levels to return please?
Any advice on taking Rescue Steroids and coping with raised Blood Sugar levels?
Having such high levels, what should I be doing to take extra care of myself.
I would be very grateful for all advice. Many thanks.

Hiya. I was diagnosed with Type 2 two years ago a couple of months after a kidney transplant...directly from taking prednisolone as part of my anti-rejection treatment. I had been warned that this was a risk in renal transplant recipients, and it was a tiny risk compared to having to endure dialysis three or four times a week. I was lucky that the live donor was my sister and I got to avoid dialysis altogether. I would definitely make the same choice again. That said, it took me a while to address things fully instead of just listening to the usual "healthy" eating nonsense. It was only through self-testing quite bit at first that I came to see what was increasing my blood sugar levels (despite being on Gliclazide). Apart from seeing very clearly which foods I needed to avoid (simple carbohydrates) and reduce (all other carbohydrates), the single biggest cause of a spike in my levels was the Prednisolone. Obviously it didn't just cause the diabetes ("Steroid Induced Diabetes"), it also increased my level dramatically from the time I took the pill to up to seven hours later. The dosage of this steroid was reduced but by bit the further out I got from my transplant and that made a difference...but despite cutting almost all carbs from my diet and seeing real reduction in my general blood sugar levels, it still spiked a bit after my prednisolone each morning. I armed myself with all the data from my meter, a note of when and what I was eating, the many meds I was taking, and the meter readings before and 2 hours after each meal or pill...and this helped me to persuade my renal specialists and my diabetes consultant to reduce the steroid to a minimum, to avoid diabetes meds and to continue purely with a low carb high fat diet to control my levels. I was on ten times the dosage of Prenisolone I am now on (2.5mg daily) and my levels, on LCHF, are pretty good (averaging about 6.5mmols instead of 21 two years ago). I did have a recent blip/set back because I had to use a higher dose of Prednisolone again for a 5 day period...but after hard work, it's down again. I get that you wouldn't want "hallucinations" but don't quite get what you mean by "increase carbs"? I would seriously advice you to rethink. Are you sure that reducing carbs was the cause and not other meds...I had terrible nightmares on the Gliclazide. Seriously, try again...reduce slowly and let your system get comfortable - it took me about 2 days! Absolutely do NOT listen to an NHS "expert" telling you you don't need to test. It costs money to issue meters ans prescribe strips! It is the ONLY way to know for sure what the impact of certain foods is for you as an individual. Finally - sorry I have rambled (I do that) - can I ask when you stopped the steroid treatment...are you completely finished with steroids..and how long were you on them. I ask this because the majority of people on a very short course of steroid treatment who go on to have increased blood sugar levels find that their levels simply return to normal after short time...particularly if their lifestyle is healthy. The general opinion is that Type 2 diabetes that is steroid induced only really (generally) develops if the treatment is over 8 weeks of more. Either way...it is through testing, recording and cutting carbs right down as far as you can sustain that you can get things under control. Please do let us know how you get on. Good luck.

 

[Honey_Bee_19]

Hiya. I was diagnosed with Type 2 two years ago a couple of months after a kidney transplant...directly from taking prednisolone as part of my anti-rejection treatment. I had been warned that this was a risk in renal transplant recipients, and it was a tiny risk compared to having to endure dialysis three or four times a week. I was lucky that the live donor was my sister and I got to avoid dialysis altogether. I would definitely make the same choice again. That said, it took me a while to address things fully instead of just listening to the usual "healthy" eating nonsense. It was only through self-testing quite bit at first that I came to see what was increasing my blood sugar levels (despite being on Gliclazide). Apart from seeing very clearly which foods I needed to avoid (simple carbohydrates) and reduce (all other carbohydrates), the single biggest cause of a spike in my levels was the Prednisolone. Obviously it didn't just cause the diabetes ("Steroid Induced Diabetes"), it also increased my level dramatically from the time I took the pill to up to seven hours later. The dosage of this steroid was reduced but by bit the further out I got from my transplant and that made a difference...but despite cutting almost all carbs from my diet and seeing real reduction in my general blood sugar levels, it still spiked a bit after my prednisolone each morning. I armed myself with all the data from my meter, a note of when and what I was eating, the many meds I was taking, and the meter readings before and 2 hours after each meal or pill...and this helped me to persuade my renal specialists and my diabetes consultant to reduce the steroid to a minimum, to avoid diabetes meds and to continue purely with a low carb high fat diet to control my levels. I was on ten times the dosage of Prenisolone I am now on (2.5mg daily) and my levels, on LCHF, are pretty good (averaging about 6.5mmols instead of 21 two years ago). I did have a recent blip/set back because I had to use a higher dose of Prednisolone again for a 5 day period...but after hard work, it's down again. I get that you wouldn't want "hallucinations" but don't quite get what you mean by "increase carbs"? I would seriously advice you to rethink. Are you sure that reducing carbs was the cause and not other meds...I had terrible nightmares on the Gliclazide. Seriously, try again...reduce slowly and let your system get comfortable - it took me about 2 days! Absolutely do NOT listen to an NHS "expert" telling you you don't need to test. It costs money to issue meters ans prescribe strips! It is the ONLY way to know for sure what the impact of certain foods is for you as an individual. Finally - sorry I have rambled (I do that) - can I ask when you stopped the steroid treatment...are you completely finished with steroids..and how long were you on them. I ask this because the majority of people on a very short course of steroid treatment who go on to have increased blood sugar levels find that their levels simply return to normal after short time...particularly if their lifestyle is healthy. The general opinion is that Type 2 diabetes that is steroid induced only really (generally) develops if the treatment is over 8 weeks of more. Either way...it is through testing, recording and cutting carbs right down as far as you can sustain that you can get things under control. Please do let us know how you get on. Good luck.

Thank you Pleinster for all your advice, and what an ordeal you have been through. I do hope you are as well as can be.
I take Steroid tablets 40mgs for 7 days maybe four times a year, plus a Steroid inhaler daily, plus other asthma medication. The steroid tablets and inhalers have been part of my life for over 40 years. In hindsight, last year Diabetic Symptoms started to appear during another Steroid Course, but cleared up, I thought no more about it. Steroids make me feel very peculiar and I only take them if I really, really have to.
My Respiratory Consultant now wants me to avoid taking them if possible. Rather daunting prospect.
The Fasting Bloods showed the Diabetes had been present before the last Steroid Course. The symptoms were very evident, and I felt quite unwell since. The exhaustion is awful.
After hallucinating I increased the amount of Carbs I consumed to 150 gms a day, healthy ones of course. My intention is to reduce them when the Metformin is fully effective. But, after reading more on Testing, it is becoming clear how invaluable it us in controlling Blood Sugar levels. I'm now researching which meter to get. Thank you.

 

[Honey_Bee_19]

Google "prednisone induced diabetes". In response to stress the body releases prednisone and other hormones that cause blood sugar to elevate until the stress is removed. Hopefully, yours will be a temporary response.

Oh yes, I've researched till I'm blue in the face. I've had other Steroids side effects, two Cataract surgeries. After the Fasting Blood Test, it appears it wasn't temporary, and I now recognise earlier diabetic symptoms during previous Steroid Courses. Thank you again, much appreciated.

 

[Mark_1]

Thank you Pleinster for all your advice, and what an ordeal you have been through. I do hope you are as well as can be.
I take Steroid tablets 40mgs for 7 days maybe four times a year, plus a Steroid inhaler daily, plus other asthma medication. The steroid tablets and inhalers have been part of my life for over 40 years. In hindsight, last year Diabetic Symptoms started to appear during another Steroid Course, but cleared up, I thought no more about it. Steroids make me feel very peculiar and I only take them if I really, really have to.
My Respiratory Consultant now wants me to avoid taking them if possible. Rather daunting prospect.
The Fasting Bloods showed the Diabetes had been present before the last Steroid Course. The symptoms were very evident, and I felt quite unwell since. The exhaustion is awful.
After hallucinating I increased the amount of Carbs I consumed to 150 gms a day, healthy ones of course. My intention is to reduce them when the Metformin is fully effective. But, after reading more on Testing, it is becoming clear how invaluable it us in controlling Blood Sugar levels. I'm now researching which meter to get. Thank you.

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-blood-glucose-meter/
TEE2 meter is free, has cheap strips and I received one next day. You could start with one of these while you decide if there is a better one for you.
Metformin wont do loads just take the edge off your numbers, diet is where the real changes are at.
I'd have another go at low carb make sure your eating enough fat, maybe try the dietdoctor 2 weeks plan to get you started. More likely to be the meds causing you issues than the diet.

 

[Honey_Bee_19]

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-blood-glucose-meter/
TEE2 meter is free, has cheap strips and I received one next day. You could start with one of these while you decide if there is a better one for you.
Metformin wont do loads just take the edge off your numbers, diet is where the real changes are at.
I'd have another go at low carb make sure your eating enough fat, maybe try the dietdoctor 2 weeks plan to get you started. More likely to be the meds causing you issues than the diet.

Thank you Mark 1. That is a great starting point, I will order one now and let my husband have all the fun of researching the next one.
I presumed that Metformin would be the main factor in controlling Diabetes, with Diet helping. Yet, the diet advice I received consisted of a sentence or two, and a leaflet for a Course. Attending my Mother's Diabetic Nurse appointments has been more informative!!
Right then, Blood Testing and Diet, and loads of research. Thank you.

 

[pleinster]

Thank you Pleinster for all your advice, and what an ordeal you have been through. I do hope you are as well as can be.
I take Steroid tablets 40mgs for 7 days maybe four times a year, plus a Steroid inhaler daily, plus other asthma medication. The steroid tablets and inhalers have been part of my life for over 40 years. In hindsight, last year Diabetic Symptoms started to appear during another Steroid Course, but cleared up, I thought no more about it. Steroids make me feel very peculiar and I only take them if I really, really have to.
My Respiratory Consultant now wants me to avoid taking them if possible. Rather daunting prospect.
The Fasting Bloods showed the Diabetes had been present before the last Steroid Course. The symptoms were very evident, and I felt quite unwell since. The exhaustion is awful.
After hallucinating I increased the amount of Carbs I consumed to 150 gms a day, healthy ones of course. My intention is to reduce them when the Metformin is fully effective. But, after reading more on Testing, it is becoming clear how invaluable it us in controlling Blood Sugar levels. I'm now researching which meter to get. Thank you.

Take your time..you will get there.

 

[Robbity]

Hi @Honey_Bee_19

Another meter (which many on the forum use) is the SD Codefree which has very cheap test strips - often with discount vouchers for buying in quantity. It's available from the suppliers, homehealth-uk.com, and from Amazon or eBay.

My meter has been my main guide in helping with food choices, & testing is a must for many of us, in spite of what we may be told to the contrary, but my GP is happy for me to test though he's not permitted to prescribe test strips due to cost cutting.

I found that reducing carbs over several weeks avoided any side effects (I was advised to cut down on sugar, but not carbs in general so ended up first cutting the sugary stuff and later when I realised I also needed to - cutting high carb/starchy foods too).

Eating a low carb high(er) fat diet had been the main aid in reducing my glucose levels, with metformin giving a bit of a helping hand, and if you go thus route you should definitely make sure you up your fats to replace the fuel for energy that you'll no longer be getting from all the carbs.

Robbity

 

[bulkbiker]

Thank you Mark 1. That is a great starting point, I will order one now and let my husband have all the fun of researching the next one.
I presumed that Metformin would be the main factor in controlling Diabetes, with Diet helping. Yet, the diet advice I received consisted of a sentence or two, and a leaflet for a Course. Attending my Mother's Diabetic Nurse appointments has been more informative!!
Right then, Blood Testing and Diet, and loads of research. Thank you.

As you do more research you will probably find that diet plays a far more important role in controlling blood sugar levels than metformin. Quite a few of us remain unmedicated controllong sugars by diet alone and have healthy HbA1c levels.

 

[Resurgam]

I'm afraid that you'll be waiting a long time to see reduced blood glucose from taking Metformin.
I had to stop taking it and was expecting an increase in readings - but it never happened. My numbers continued to go down and down, and I am now seeing normal readings without any tablets.
I was diagnosed with Hba1c of 91, and went down to 47 in 80 days, I did take Metformin for about 5 weeks, along with a statin, but it was dreadful, so I stopped.
I worked on keeping the pre to post meal rise to two whole numbers, and saw them drift downwards as long as I kept to that ideal situation.
With all that is going on for you, it might take longer to control blood sugars by cutting out the carbohydrates which most affect you - they do vary for each person which is why it is necessary to have a meter and test. Once you can see what you can eat then testing is not so vital - as long as you follow up on high readings by analysing what it was that caused you to spike.

 

[Honey_Bee_19]

Hi Resurgam,
Thanks for your response. All advice welcomed with open arms.
I've managed to reduce the amount of Carbs recently, but it is becoming obvious that I need more information on the effect food has on my BG levels.
My Blood Glucose Monitor arrived today, andI plan on testing as advised by the lovely people on here.
I'm writing a list of the benefits of Testing to convince my family, who read online that diabetics mustn't test too often. I intend to silence them with knowledge!!
Thank you.

 

[Resurgam]

Ask them if they would ever think that taking out the windscreen of a car and replacing it with metal panels would make it safer.
Not testing your blood glucose is like driving a car and not being able to see where you are going.
It is true that you will not need to test all that often once you have adjusted to eating meals which do not spike your blood glucose, but you need to know what foods you can and can't eat.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Hi,

@Resurgam is right about the Metformin. It is unlikely to be of much benefit to your levels, if any at all. It is mainly an appetite suppressant although it does help to a limited extent with reducing the amount of glucose produced in the liver. Diet is the key, and carbs are the culprits.

Use your meter wisely and keep a food diary including portion sizes. Test before you eat and 2 hours after first bite. Record these levels alongside your food and look at the rise from before to after. If it is above 2mmol/l there are too many carbs in that meal so you can look at what you had and reduce the portion sizes or eliminate something. Under 1.5mmol/l is preferable once you get the hang of things.

Do it nice and slowly, gradually reducing the carbs and increasing your good fats to balance out the calories (fat stops any hunger, helps keep post meal spikes down, and provides energy)

Keep us posted with what your meter is saying.

 

[pleinster]

The only "valid" reasons for the NHS generally to advise against Type 2s testing too often are a] it costs money b] some people might get disheartened or alarmed by their meter readings. Any other "reason" is unsound. ONLY by knowing what certain foods do to us as individuals can we get in control of our conditions..and the meter is THE tool which lets us do that properly.

 

[Honey_Bee_19]

Ask them if they would ever think that taking out the windscreen of a car and replacing it with metal panels would make it safer.
Not testing your blood glucose is like driving a car and not being able to see where you are going.
It is true that you will not need to test all that often once you have adjusted to eating meals which do not spike your blood glucose, but you need to know what foods you can and can't eat.

Good analogy, Resurgam. I am starting Testing this morning!!!

 

[Honey_Bee_19]

Hi,

@Resurgam is right about the Metformin. It is unlikely to be of much benefit to your levels, if any at all. It is mainly an appetite suppressant although it does help to a limited extent with reducing the amount of glucose produced in the liver. Diet is the key, and carbs are the culprits.

Use your meter wisely and keep a food diary including portion sizes. Test before you eat and 2 hours after first bite. Record these levels alongside your food and look at the rise from before to after. If it is above 2mmol/l there are too many carbs in that meal so you can look at what you had and reduce the portion sizes or eliminate something. Under 1.5mmol/l is preferable once you get the hang of things.

Do it nice and slowly, gradually reducing the carbs and increasing your good fats to balance out the calories (fat stops any hunger, helps keep post meal spikes down, and provides energy)

Keep us posted with what your meter is saying.

I've been using Fitness Pal since diagnosis, highly recommend it. So, that's a habit in my daily routine. As suggested, I will also keep a BG levels diary and it is reassuring to know this will highlight the best foods for me to scoff, I mean eat.
In hindsight, I've not been eating enough fats lately. I have been having 'low energy' moments.
Thank you for taking time to share your valuable advice guys.

 

[sandra curtis]

Oh yes, I've researched till I'm blue in the face. I've had other Steroids side effects, two Cataract surgeries. After the Fasting Blood Test, it appears it wasn't temporary, and I now recognise earlier diabetic symptoms during previous Steroid Courses. Thank you again, much appreciated.