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Admitted to hospital they are unsure if type 1/2

T

Temperance

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hi all really new to all this and very confused.

My story...

Was told in August I had pre diabetes with a that A1 test being 44. Was told to sort diet out and re test in a year.

Throughout December I have been feeling very ill thirsty, extreme tiredness to the point I nearly fell asleep behind the wheel at work. Headaches, urination all the time. Thick saliva in mouth.

Went to doctors had another blood test Friday before xmas.

Over xmas I have been getting worse. Called for my results and dr phoned me said i had diabetes and needed appointment for next morning.

Went to dr New Year's Eve morning. A1 test now 93, blood sugars 18.9 and ketones were 2.9 my blood pressure was very high and my sats low. I have also lost 7 kilos since August without trying. Sugar also in urine. Doctor sent me to hospital.

After seeing specialist I was told he didn't know if i was type 1 or 2 but for my job didn't want to start insulin so sent me home with metformin 500mg twice daily and Gliclazide 40mg twice daily. Told high blood pressure should go down with these tablets.

I also have a type 1 testing kit which measures ketones. Ketones have been lowered to 1.7 which is still high?

I have worked in portion size and been so aware of food but blood sugars only lowered to 15.5 this morning after no food for 12 hours.

I feel like rubbish, still so tired, dizzy, I forget what I am saying when speaking, if i bend down I go light headed. My energy is zapped. I am worried about starting back at work tomorrow after xmas off. I work as an assessor for health and social care which requires a lot of concentration, driving and talking. I thought i would feel better after 2/3 days on meds but I actually don't.
What should I do?

Sorry long story
 
Hello Temperance,yours is a sad story,just going to ask @daisy1 for the info pack for you,have a good read and come back with your questions,clive
 
I had the exact same thing and I was close to fainting (which is bad) your doctor was wrong to let you go home I think you should go straight back to the doctors or hospital and say I know I'm not well and so do you yet you let me go home I'm not a doctor or anything but I know that blood sugars should never be over ten if you haven't got diabetes and if your ketones are lowering I'm sorry to say but that's not good you should really go back to the doctors I don't know whether your type 1 or type 2 but your most likely one of them. If your vision goes a bit blurry it is the symptoms of a hyper where your over 8 in blood sugars and if you test ketones to be below 1 you need to got to the doctors sorry this was a bit depressing but it's the truth hope all works out well for you
 
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@Temperance That doesn't sound right at all. I know it's a Sunday today, but I suggest you see or speak to a doctor. You can phone 111 if you're in the UK.

Nobody here can say whether you're Type 1 or Type 2. Sometimes doctors aren't sure either, but there are tests they can do to check.

You may want to tell your employer too. Just let them know you're being investigated for diabetes and are feeling very unwell.

Edited to add that sometimes doctors can assume people have Type 2 because they're older adults, but people can get Type 1 at any age.
 
Specialist said I have diabetes but he is unsure what type yet. I am 32 over weight. I think I will go back to doctor tomorrow. Will have to email boss maybe try take week off with holiday to sort myself out just hope they will be ok. I have been so emotional about all this. Not used to not having energy at all, feel totally useless.

Many thanks for all input.
 
Once you get your blood sugar down, you should feel a whole lot better @Temperance

Let us know how you get on.

Best wishes

Azure
 
Temp, I can relate, I felt the same way as you. I switched Doctor's, and they caught it fast. It takes a couple of weeks, but I promise you, if you watch your diet, and take your meds, you will feel better soon. I was at the same point, exhausted, confused, couldn't think of common words to speak, dizzy, dry mouth, thirsty, constant restroom visits, sometimes I felt like I couldn't put one foot in front of the other to walk. I tested 298 while fasting on my bs test at first, it's been like 6 weeks now, and I'm down to 120-140 every morning b4 brekky. I'm still a little high, but I feel a whole lot better, as you will soon.
 
As you had ketones, I would suspect type1 as it's not the norm for type 2's to have them.

As to you boss not wanting you on insulin!!!!! sorry but that's your life he is messing with.
You also say you are an assessor for health and social care.................. Perhaps assess yours as you are obviously very unwell and not making rational decisions, so how are you going to assess a vulnerable person correctly and could an incorrect harm the person you are assessing?

Driving you say you nearly fell asleep at the wheel, You are not fit to drive and could possibly kill someone and or yourself at the very least maim someone for life.

So as you are feeling worse, then get someone to take you back to the hospital and asked to be assessed as a possible type1 due the ketones present.
Write down all your symptoms or even print off your post here.
Do insist that you are given the correct treatment to help you.
 


Yes do see your Dr again asap.

Once your bg levels have been stabilised you'll feel much better and your energy should return, keep the thread updated on your progress @Temperance
 
Hi all,
Thanks for advice. @CarbsRok it's not my boss that does want me on insulin it's the specialist that said that because it will make me on weight can could affect my job due to driving etc.

Also I am extremely responsible in my job and would not put anyone at harm just wasn't sure if anyone else had to take time off to get stabilized . I am not driving at the moment due to that episode and not feeling any better since. But I also have a necessity to work for my young family also. I don't know how it will sent to my boss to have a week off at xmas and then be off for this. But I did decide to text my boss today and asked for emergency holiday for a week to try to settle into these medications. I
Will go to GP tomorrow. Thanks for your advice

JayL thanks for the empathy it's great to know there is light at the end of the haze tunnel.
 
Temperance said:
Thanks for advice. @CarbsRok it's not my boss that does want me on insulin it's the specialist that said that because it will make me on weight can could affect my job due to driving etc.
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Hi Temp,
it's all very well the specialist saying he doesn't want you on insulin, if you are a type1 then it will save your life. Yes you have to inform the DVLA and yes you will then have a 3 year licence, that is the only affect it will have on driving as long as you look after your diabetes test before you drive etc. I've had a full licence for about 37 years and been type1 for over 50 years. Insulin wont make you gain weight either if you match it to the food you eat. Yes you will gain back the weight you lost, but shouldn't really gain anymore.

Metformin takes anything from 4-6 weeks to start work as well if it does you any good at all as doubtful you are type2.

As to asking for holiday, what a waste it's sick pay you need so you don't loose your holiday entitlement.
 
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According to diabetesforecast.org Metformin should reach maximum efficacy in around 10 days
 
Osterley said:
According to diabetesforecast.org Metformin should reach maximum efficacy in around 10 days
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Well that's not what the users say It also takes more than 10 days to get up to full dosage due to unwelcome side effects so I understand.
 
Hi and welcome. I suspect the reason the medics can't decide which type you are is that you are young and the blood sugar has risen fast (=T1) but you say you are overweight (=T2). You can be T1 and be overweight. Keep measuring your blood sugar, keep the carbs down, have plenty of non-sugary fluids and be prepared to seek urgent help if the blood sugar goes into 20s/30s and the ketones go up. If you are more towards T1 then the Gliclazide may help for a while and can be up to 320mg per day. Metformin helps with both T1 and T2 but only to a limited extent.
 
I've not had any side effects at all, however, neither have any of the pills worked, I still have levels of 15 and above on a daily basis even with strict diet control. Maybe one of the scientists might know why...
 

Hi you do sound more like Type 1 ? but if you are and your readings are high with feeling you are feeling so bad, keep badgering your consultant as type 1 needs Insulin to stay alive, but the meds you are on can take a little while to get into your system and work properly.
If you get any worse, best to get someone to take you to A & E and get help sooner, rather than later, as further/rapid deterioration can come on very quickly.
Please take care, hang in there and could you keep us dated ?
Best wishes and fingers crossed for you, RRB
 
Osterley said:
I've not had any side effects at all, however, neither have any of the pills worked, I still have levels of 15 and above on a daily basis even with strict diet control. Maybe one of the scientists might know why...
Click to expand...
Hi it does sound more like T1 and possibly needing insulin. 80mg of Gliclazide a day is quite low so do discuss increasing it with the GP but the need for insulin is more likely. I was on 320 mg Gliclazide for a few years but eventually it did nothing and hence the move to insulin.
 
Hello and I hope you soon get sorted and feeling better
 
Hi everyone, quick up date I have had flu all week. Metformin side affects are not great, doc changed to slow release but think pharmacy gave me the other ones as still not good. I am getting energy back and sugars at all time low an hour ago of 7 which is strange as was 15 this morning.

My eyes are very blurry? Spec savers said this is normal for 6 months until sugars settle down. So what does everyone do for driving feels like I am wearing someone else's lenses.
 
Hi Temperance your eyes,as you have been told the lens of our eyes becomes distorted ( slightly) but this is a temp' effect and as your bs's fall things will settle down,so do not buy expensive glasses just nip in to poundland or similar and get a cheap pair that do the job for now,,clive
 
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