Am I allowed?

Hello Inez, ask away, we like answering questions, at least the ones we know the answers to.

Just give us as much info. as you can, it helps.

Hallii

Iced_Tea said:

Thank you Hallii

One of my questions is regarding a statement in the topic thread where there is argumens at the moment. Catherinecherub said that sometimes it does not matter, in certain cases, if the blood sugqar is higher than is recommenden.
I would like to know which conditions they are, I have slight kidney damage, I dont have to have any treatment, my nephrologist also said I need not be careful with protein. However, for example in the patient information leaflet of my insulin it says that people with kidney problems must be careful, I asked my pharmacist and was told that people with kidney problems are more sensitive to insulin and more at risk of suffering a hype.
I was wondering if Catherinecherub would recommend for someone like me to have slightly higher numbers at all times, and if so, how high or low would be best?

I keep getting all conflicting advice, so I have actually done this already, kind of was a relief when I read CatherineCherub reply.But then a few minutes later argument started, with warnings that higher numbers cause complications, my last Hba1c was over 7, which is why I want to reduce the number. Can anyone tell me at what number a diabetic is at real risk of developing complications or rather at risk of worsening a complication that is already there?

I am waffling, I know, I am sorry, but today I had an appointment at the Diabetes Centre and came away confused.

I need help, please.

Thank you.
Inez

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Hi Inez, I don't think you'll find anyone in this forum who would actually recommend that you run your numbers high for the simple reason that they don't know you or have a clue about your medical background. The only ones who can tell you that are either your GP or your Diabetic Team. We are not medically trained so we really can't tell you. The only thing we tell you is our own experiences and how we manage our own diabetes.

What did they tell you at the Diabetes Centre that confused you so much?

Iced_Tea said:

Thank you Hallii

One of my questions is regarding a statement in the topic thread where there is argumens at the moment. Catherinecherub said that sometimes it does not matter, in certain cases, if the blood sugqar is higher than is recommenden.
I would like to know which conditions they are, I have slight kidney damage, I dont have to have any treatment, my nephrologist also said I need not be careful with protein. However, for example in the patient information leaflet of my insulin it says that people with kidney problems must be careful, I asked my pharmacist and was told that people with kidney problems are more sensitive to insulin and more at risk of suffering a hype.
I was wondering if Catherinecherub would recommend for someone like me to have slightly higher numbers at all times, and if so, how high or low would be best?

I keep getting all conflicting advice, so I have actually done this already, kind of was a relief when I read CatherineCherub reply.But then a few minutes later argument started, with warnings that higher numbers cause complications, my last Hba1c was over 7, which is why I want to reduce the number. Can anyone tell me at what number a diabetic is at real risk of developing complications or rather at risk of worsening a complication that is already there?

I am waffling, I know, I am sorry, but today I had an appointment at the Diabetes Centre and came away confused.

I need help, please.

Thank you.
Inez

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Hi,

If you re-read the thread you are referring to I did not say it does not matter. The person that I was referring to has said that they have reasons for why they accept their blood sugar levels a bit higher.. I am not privy as to why this is the case and I am sure they would share it with us if it was relevant to us understanding why.

No one can decide your numbers for you, that is the remit of your Health Care Team with your involvement. Be guided by what they say as opposed to a stranger on a forum.

Not everyone can achieve non diabetic numbers no matter how hard they try. This can lead to frustration on their part and then this becomes a vicious circle. They somehow feel that they are a failure and then become stressed, pushing their blood sugars up. Stress is the last thing that they need because this in turn can lead to depression.

Other people have higher numbers and accept that they cannot be "perfect". All any of us can do is our best and we have to try and incorporate our control with other parts of our lives so that it does not impact on too much on our day to day living.

However you decide to mange your diabetes is a matter for you, no one else can tell you what to do.
Suggestions may be made if you ask the relevant questions but at the end of the day, you have to decide.

Nobody here will rank your popularity by the numbers you achieve. We are all here to offer and provide support for each other because we have a common bond, it begins with D and ends with S. :wink: Remember it is not a competition.

Ask any questions, nothing considered silly as we have all been where you are now and if you don't understand the answers then please say so as we all want the best for you.

Hope this helps.

Iced_Tea said:

Thank you Ka-Mon
I know that nobody can risk giving medical advice, but i am here as a member now, trying to find out what works for most people and what does not. I am at a crossroads at the moment.

My last Hba1c was 7.4, the one before was 7.8. I keep asking how do I reduce this any further without going hypo.
But I am told not to cut out carbohydrate food too much lower, and to eat slow release carbohydrate only. I am doiI ng this already.
So but without reducing my carbohydrates any further I cannot get my numbers any lower, or are there any other ways to reduce numbers? i do exercise daily.

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This is my personal experience and how I manage my own diabetes.

I have a meter, I check my BG's pre and post meals, if my BG is too high then next time I eat less carbs. If, however, my BGs go below 4.5 post-meals I then know that I did not eat enough carbs and try a larger portion next time. This is how I have been doing it since diagnosis and it works to keep control.

I must stress though that before you experiment you speak with GP/Diabetes Specialist in case you have an underlying condition that does not agree with you changing your diet. Whether you speak with them or take it upon yourself to change your diet is entirely up to you and I will not take any responsibility for your own decision.

And I was wondering which conditions for example would kind of warrant a slightly higher bg level, as the 'green highlighted' josie said she needs to keep her bg levels higher, this was kind of confirmed by catherinecherub.

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I think you must have misunderstood what was said and suggest that you re-read it again.

[quoteThe DN told me today I should try to reduce my numbers further still, the DN I saw before this one said that my levels are fine, my consultant says to increase insulin from 30 units twice a day to 35 units twice a day, but this will leave me with more hypos but probably show up as lower Hba1c.[/quote]

I am not on insulin and can't possibly tell you what or what not you should do. However, there are others who are on insulin and I'm sure someone will come along and maybe help you.

I juzt do not know which way to turn to, I have counted the carbohydrate and I have 50 - 60 per day, I am told this is recommended for a diabetic.

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Some people believe it is others don't, it's a personal choice and not a must. Personally I don't believe it's a must.

Would it be safe to reduce it slightly, the insulin that I am using doesnt allow me to adjust the dose once it is my body.

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Again, the choice is yours, I did reduce my carbs but not to the extent you mentioned above. If you want, lower the amount of carbs you eat but be warned that you may go hypo if you take the same amount of insulin. But as I said, I don't know anything about insulin and can't give you any advice on that.


[qoute]Should I reduce the carbohydrate I am eating and inject a lower dose of insulin at the same time, or do I riak blindness if I do that? My DN wouldnt say, she just said yes you must always be careful with your eyes.
And I have read about people who drop their blood sugar and become blind.

So where do I start in making changes?

Thank you for reasding this.

Inez[/quote]

I think I'll leave it to those who use insulin to answer your questions.

Hi, depending on WHAT insulin you are currently using ? there IS a novopen DEMI 3 its a HALF UNIT pen [the kiddies use it ] its designed to let you up n down dose in half units, thus you CAN tweak ure insulin levels accordingly. You could ask your diabetes team or consultant about this next time? Always go with what they advise you, remember we are NOT medically trained, here to offer support and suggestions, not solutions to your own diabetes n medical conditions n history. I use the demi 3 pen as am so sensitive with meds n insulin n can tweak things better n safer using this pen. As too much of anything n I nose dive into problems, its my body n systems complex way n style! Even my hubby says I am unpredictable!!!! Anna.x :lol: