Hi.
Just got out of hospital after having sepsis. When I was admitted to hospital I had BMs of 19.9mmol/L and HbA1c of 107. Docs weren't concerned about any of that just the sepsis. I was told to see my GP when I got out of hospital.
Really concerned as I've never had a problem with sugar levels, well never been tested and ive always felt fine.
I have made an appointment but can anyone give me any advice until I see my GP.
Hi Deb,
Hope you're feeling better now. The docs at the hospital did what they should, though it might not feel that way: sepsis was potentially lethal on rather short notice, and thus their first concern. The blood sugars weren't a direct threat to your life, but they are something you really do need to tackle. Those numbers are high, but as you're already discovering, there's more folks here who've been there, done that... And kicked T2 to the curb. Mind you, once a diabetic, always a diabetic, but you can get those numbers down and get them into the normal range. That means you can avoid complications that impact your quality of life and the length of it.
How you're going to tackle this condition is up to you. Your doc is likely to prescribe Metformin. What you need to know beforehand is that metformin doesn't do much of anything about what you eat. It just tells your liver not to dump as much glucose in the morning, giving you energy to start the day. So it's far from a cure. Also, there are potential side effects that are quite debilitating. You could go for a lifestyle change alongside the metformin, or ask for 3 months grace, to try and tackle this with a lifestyle change alone. Sounds kind of incredible, but if you change your diet, you can stop T2 in its tracks. It's only a progressive condition if you don't tackle diet. Important thing to remember: practically ALL carbs turn to glucose once ingested. Cut the carbs, and you'll see your blood sugars drop like a stone. How? With the meter you're going to buy. Yeah, we don't get funded, alas... But it is an invaluable tool. Mind you, the meter isn't the expense, the strips are. (The Tee2's supposed to be accurate and cheap in strips). You'll know where you're starting from, and you'll see whether what you're doing is working for you.
This is everything I wish someone'd told me when i was first diagnosed and feeling absolutely overwhelmed:
https://josekalsbeek.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-nutritional-thingy.html
And the only thing you need to take away from all this right now: You're going to be okay. T2 isn't the end of the world. I wouldn't've believed that years ago, but yeah... There's life after a diagnosis, and for me.... My health was so horrible back then, and I actually get to live my life now. So yes. It does get better. Oh, and if you feel up to reading a LOT, you might want to plow through The Diabetes Code by Dr. Jason Fung. You'll understand T2 better than your GP by the time you're done, know what questions to ask and better yet, understand the answers when you get them. (There's so much jargon to get a grip on!).
Anyway. You'll. Be. Fine.
Jo