Confused about sugar desire and BG levels

[silky1]

It's been a while , but since my terrifying waking glucose of 33.1 - I've been a (relatively) good girl - taking my tablets as advised; I have the odd sweet thing - but trying to get into better behaviours such as eating during the day etc. My last HbA1C was non-diabetic level.

Over the last few months - I've been whacked with chest and sinus infections, plus excruciatingly bad cellulitis - particularly worrying as my spondy, Fibro and diabetes mean I have little feeling in my lower legs and feet (apart from when my swollen lower legs are bumped) and neuropathic "sock syndrome" (I didn't believe it at first) and in my hips / sciatica.

For that, GP has switched me to Duloxetine (with Gabapentin), which has done little for the neuro pain, but has lifted my mood considerably - maybe I'd been on the Prozac too long.

-------------------------------------------------

Anyhow, I digress if you are still awake - atm I feel like I'm back pre diagnosis - sweet drinks ALL the time (can't use diet because of the phenylalanine) - I eat roughly a 1lb of black grapes daily, they've kept me on an even keel until now

Trouble is - I've been checking / checking / checking and my BG is permanently between 8 and 9 - whether I've just woken up / not eaten / guzzled far too much bad soda, stuffed my grapes, or eaten a meal, unless my meter has got stuck between 8 and 9 - not sure what to think - it's been fine up to now.

Family in / previously in the medical profession think there may well be a connection between my increased sugar demands and all the infection.

After a chat with my GP, she has added Dapaglilozin (Forxiga) to my Metformin (a common therapy I understand)

I believe the Forxiga encourages glucose to excrete in the urine - which has sort of got me worried about Hypos IF my extra sugar demands coupled with a marginally high BS are associated (and necessary) - I know some who'd may be quite happy with my BG levels.

 

[Resurgam]

As you are eating grapes and drinking sugar I would think that hypos are the least of your worries. Likewise, the infections are most likely linked to the amount of sugar in your system.
Are you calculating the amounts of carbohydrate you are consuming? Your HCPs might adjust medication to try to match it if you let them know.

 

[Rachox]

Can I suggest two simple swaps that might help? Swap your grapes for berries but I’d suggest maybe not as much as a lb per day. Drink wise, if you still want something flavoured and fizzy find something sweetened with different sweeteners. I often drink sugar free squashes mixed with sparkling water. Tesco sugar free squashes don’t contain aspartame which to my knowledge is the only sweetener containing phenylalanine. Of course now you’re on Forxiga you’ll need to watch your levels carefully if you make these changes.

 

[silky1]

As you are eating grapes and drinking sugar I would think that hypos are the least of your worries. Likewise, the infections are most likely linked to the amount of sugar in your system.
Are you calculating the amounts of carbohydrate you are consuming? Your HCPs might adjust medication to try to match it if you let them know.

Believe it or not- the black "Sable grapes" have a strong association with balancing blood sugar and have done so for me for quite some time now - previously, my readings seldom exceeding 7 - if I hit 4.5 or below I start shaking / sweating and become very disorientated - normally my BG Levels are the last thing I have to worry about - I typically eat a huge amount of fruit & salad normally with no issue - add to all that I'm coeliac and have a low tolerance to dairy with an allergy to phenylalanine and what I can eat is limited.

The cellulitis has been around a lot longer than the diabetes (which they believe was triggered by 2 attacks of acute pancreatitis.

My main concern atm is that my sugar cravings are more in line with the time I was diagnosed (reading 18.9 - HbA1C 158) - yet my readings are relatively stable - my last HcA1C was low 40's

 

[silky1]

Can I suggest two simple swaps that might help? Swap your grapes for berries but I’d suggest maybe not as much as a lb per day. Drink wise, if you still want something flavoured and fizzy find something sweetened with different sweeteners. I often drink sugar free squashes mixed with sparkling water. Tesco sugar free squashes don’t contain aspartame which to my knowledge is the only sweetener containing phenylalanine. Of course now you’re on Forxiga you’ll need to watch your levels carefully if you make these changes.

What sort of berries? I did a lot of research on the Sable Grapes - (I was surprised as anyone) to discover they are a great blood sugar leveller and until the last few weeks I've been absolutely fine - if I have a craving - a handful of grapes kill it dead (I don't eat them all in one go, the weight is more an approximation).

I'm in a wheelchair - so getting out and checking things, isn't always as straightforward - I remember we tried some of the unsweetened Sainsbury's, OMG, it was vile - even most juices I can't tolerate a mouthful and water often just gets stuck in my throat (why I don't know). I've got a sliding hiatus hernia which does affect some foods - a little bemusing why water would be one of them - I shall certainly take a look though next time I'm out, thanks.

I've got the box of Forxiga by me almost thinking, shall I, shan't I - I take so many medications already and have started to kick as many as I can into touch I do know however, I'd like to keep my lower legs and if I don't get them sorted, I can see the inevitable (assuming I survive that long )

 

[Mr_Pot]

What sort of berries? I did a lot of research on the Sable Grapes - (I was surprised as anyone) to discover they are a great blood sugar leveller and until the last few weeks I've been absolutely fine - if I have a craving - a handful of grapes kill it dead (I don't eat them all in one go, the weight is more an approximation).

I'm in a wheelchair - so getting out and checking things, isn't always as straightforward - I remember we tried some of the unsweetened Sainsbury's, OMG, it was vile - even most juices I can't tolerate a mouthful and water often just gets stuck in my throat (why I don't know). I've got a sliding hiatus hernia which does affect some foods - a little bemusing why water would be one of them - I shall certainly take a look though next time I'm out, thanks.

I've got the box of Forxiga by me almost thinking, shall I, shan't I - I take so many medications already and have started to kick as many as I can into touch I do know however, I'd like to keep my lower legs and if I don't get them sorted, I can see the inevitable (assuming I survive that long )

I would think Sable grapes balance your BG up not down! They are about 15% sugar like most other grapes. Stick to raspberries, blackberries or strawberries, ideally with cream.

 

[Rachox]

Tesco sable grapes are 54g/per 100g sugar (carbs) while strawberries are 6.1g/100g, raspberries are 4.6g/100g and blackberries are 5.1g/100g. Even blueberries at 9.1g/100g are way lower than your grapes.

 

[Bluetit1802]

I did a lot of research on the Sable Grapes - (I was surprised as anyone) to discover they are a great blood sugar leveller and until the last few weeks I've been absolutely fine

When you have eaten these grapes, when have you tested to see if you are "fine" ? They are very insulinogenic (which is never a good thing for anyone, let alone a diabetic) and also very fast release. (like bananas)

 

[Mr_Pot]

Tesco sable grapes are 54g/per 100g sugar (carbs) while strawberries are 6.1g/100g, raspberries are 4.6g/100g and blackberries are 5.1g/100g. Even blueberries at 9.1g/100g are way lower than your grapes.

They were 15% when I looked them up, which surprised me. Still too high and dangerously moreish.

 

[Rachox]

They were 15% when I looked them up, which surprised me. Still too high and dangerously moreish.

I was just quoting the stats for Tesco Finest sable grapes from Nutracheck, as you say even at 15g/100g they are too high for me.

 

[silky1]

With regards to fruit and veg, I've pretty much lived on it since diagnosis without issue - losing 2 stone in less than 2 months (although I craved sweet drinks, I won't actually drink any hot drink with milk or sugar and haven't for over 30 years). With regards to all fruits, I did a huge amount of research on it outside just numbers before making any decisions, quickly discovering I was far from the only one, high carb levels being one side, whilst water, soluble and insoluble fibre stop them being the "demon from hell" - I don't pick up a box and eat them, that's picked in bits over a 16/18 hour day. Now give me nice tangerines / satsumas - those I can just eat by the bag - one reason I've stepped away from them.

The only time I had a problem was a period when gastric issues saw me stop my Metformin (for some reason at the same time, I stopped eating grapes, got a passion for yogurts - something I did after each pancreatitis attack - sent me into a downward (or maybe upward) spiral).

One tablet taken this morning, following usual pattern - current BG 6.7 - somehow I suspect that Forxiga isn't going to be the drug for me, as it's potentially saying "it's OK to do this" which of course it isn't.

PS - Being coeliac & dairy sensitive, feeding my dogs on a raw diet after one was given 7 weeks to live 10 months ago, I'm far from stupid, the need for these "wrong items" far outweighs any demand I can reason with, which is some going bearing in mind I've been using a range of controlled drugs and off license medication to manage a broken back, failed fusion, chronic back issues, Fibromyalgia and later the diabetes - and still manage to work, so have to keep everything "balanced" to enable me to function at a high level

 

[MrsGruffy]

I did read somewhere recently which suggested that you get an urge for sweet things when you're an undiagnosed diabetic as a "pick me up" for the exhaustion brought about by the hyperglycaemia. Makes sense that if your BGs are higher than normal and that's a recent change, that you'd start to crave the sugary stuff again. I think your 4.5 might very well be the same for someone else's 3.5 or lower - we're all different and have different tolerances so you'd have to take into account what your body is used to.

I'm a newbie, but the thing which makes most sense to me is to cut back as hard as you can on anything which metabolises to glucose in digestion, which means cutting out as many carbohydrates and sugars as you can. It doesn't really matter how much fibre is involved.. your body drags the sugar out into your blood stream early in the digestion process, stripped out of the fibre which ends up stewing deep inside your intestines where it ferments and does all sorts of lovely things for your body. Carbohydrates and sugar are lurking everywhere .. and the only thing which has worked for me so far is to avoid them, good, bad and indifferent. I'm hoping that in the future (perhaps a bazillion years from now) I can treat myself with a jam sandwich every now and again.

In the months before I was diagnosed, I was gobbling my way through 3 or more 500g bags of cheap as you can buy lollies and family sized blocks of chocolate and completely shocked by my own behaviour. I *had* to have that stuff.. yet I've gone years and years without lollies and chocolates until those last few months before diagnosis. I'd end up in tears and hide the empty packets, so ashamed I'd even wrap them up before I put them in the rubbish - like a drunk hiding their empties. I didn't feel tired during the day, but I was sleeping 12 hours each night and had to set the alarm clock or I'd sleep 15+ hours. I was drinking a lot of diet rite cordial too.. because like you.. water seems to stick in my throat, even though I don't have your additional health problems. So I took a photo of the label with my phone on x4 magnification because I couldn't read it, and while it's "sugar free" with 3 different artificial sweeteners in it, it has 1.4 carbs per 250 ml.. and I was literally drinking litres of the stuff every day thinking it was a good option. What a rip off! So now I drink water, and I just sip it.. no guzzling like I used to with the cordial. I'm getting used to it. I think you will too if you give it a go. Anyway, I wish you all the best, and hope you find what works for you.

 

[HR-Guy]

It's been a while , but since my terrifying waking glucose of 33.1 - I've been a (relatively) good girl - taking my tablets as advised; I have the odd sweet thing - but trying to get into better behaviours such as eating during the day etc. My last HbA1C was non-diabetic level.

Over the last few months - I've been whacked with chest and sinus infections, plus excruciatingly bad cellulitis - particularly worrying as my spondy, Fibro and diabetes mean I have little feeling in my lower legs and feet (apart from when my swollen lower legs are bumped) and neuropathic "sock syndrome" (I didn't believe it at first) and in my hips / sciatica.

For that, GP has switched me to Duloxetine (with Gabapentin), which has done little for the neuro pain, but has lifted my mood considerably - maybe I'd been on the Prozac too long.

-------------------------------------------------

Anyhow, I digress if you are still awake - atm I feel like I'm back pre diagnosis - sweet drinks ALL the time (can't use diet because of the phenylalanine) - I eat roughly a 1lb of black grapes daily, they've kept me on an even keel until now

Trouble is - I've been checking / checking / checking and my BG is permanently between 8 and 9 - whether I've just woken up / not eaten / guzzled far too much bad soda, stuffed my grapes, or eaten a meal, unless my meter has got stuck between 8 and 9 - not sure what to think - it's been fine up to now.

Family in / previously in the medical profession think there may well be a connection between my increased sugar demands and all the infection.

After a chat with my GP, she has added Dapaglilozin (Forxiga) to my Metformin (a common therapy I understand)

I believe the Forxiga encourages glucose to excrete in the urine - which has sort of got me worried about Hypos IF my extra sugar demands coupled with a marginally high BS are associated (and necessary) - I know some who'd may be quite happy with my BG levels.

Bless your heart Silky, I hope you start feeling better. As a diabetic you should really watch the frequency you at and what you eat. Grapes and soda just do not fit into your new life as diabetic. The more of these types of foods you eat and drink the more will suffer from the conditions associated with diabetes. Your doctor's answer will always be to increase your meds. Self control is your ultimate freedom in your battle. If you can control what you put in your mouth, you can control the glucose in your system.

 

[silky1]

Thank you MrsGruffy and HR-Guy - you seem to have a handle on what I'm asking / trying to explain. My BG is sticking between 7 and 9 (I did spike to a 12 the other day but know why) - I'm just at a loss to understand why this desperate urge to drink sweet things.

Interestingly, I've never been fussed on chocolate, sweets, cakes - I don't like pastry - the only bread I've ever been bothered about is french bread - so tend to end up waiting for holidays (useless in the UK), I have a very limited palate and don't drink alcohol.

Two members of my family were / are diabetic specialist nurses - not that it's something we discuss very often, because it just ends up in arguments..

For around EIGHT years before diagnosis, I'd swear I was diabetic - I barely ate - I guzzled Coke or Lucozade - every single blood test said no (fasting or otherwise) - frustrating didn't cover it.

Then I developed pancreatitis - one night my BG was on the floor - for some ungodly reason I was woken in the early hours of the morning - with a BG of 3.2 - and made to drink a lot of (warm eww) Lucozade) - Steroids and water tablets were blamed Then I developed colitis - I couldn't eat or drink anything (and actually didn't outside the home) - all I drank was Lucozade yet lost 3 stone.

It was when I started facing neurological issues that the consultant homed in on a BG of 10.6 (I felt fine) - so he requested a repeat and HbA1C - WAH - 17.9 and HbA1C of 158 - talk about going into meltdown.

I turned to fruit, veg , salad and juice - within months I'd lost 2 stone.

My first HbA1C after diagnosis was down in the mid 50's - since then - they've all been under 50 apart from the one where I stopped my medication - when it came in at 71. The hospital put me on Trajenta which had a massive warning "DO NOT TAKE IF YOU'VE HAD PANCREATITIS" - nothing like reading my notes first (I lost my dad to pancreatitis just before my first attack - he was never a diabetic and neither of us were drinkers.

During this time of no medication - my body went into meltdown - landing me with a waking BG of 33.1 - the hospital (after booking me in) - after demand - got someone from the diabetic team up to see me - I had emergency insulin and gliclazide - got my sugars down to 27 (I've been told this is rubbish) - but no-one has been even part-willing to support me apart from my GP and family (although after 12 years some are only just remembering I'm coeliac).

My last HbA1C was 47 - I've recently had 2 minor surgeries where my BG has been below 7 - whilst I've hd to drink the most revolting glucose before treatment

=======================================================
Apologies for all my waffling if you are still here / still awake - but I'm really quite desperate about why I can't stop this demand for sweet drinks - yet BG is still remaining between 8 and 9 - I am horrifically tired - but also waiting for my B12 injection - a new locum refused to give it without a blood test - yet I'm in a cycle of tiredness which runs hand in hand with my B12 levels dropping

Thank you for taking the time to respond everyone - I quit cigarettes after 2 hours with a hypnotist (30 to 40 a day) - haven't had one since) - that might give you some idea of how insanely desperate this sweet drinking craving is I'm struggling with and now out of testing sticks until Monday night grrrr