Am I diabetic due to dawn phenomenon ?

[Rachox]

@Rachox has some good sources?

Hi @stuffedolive , I don’t know what strips and meter you are using currently but here’s some info on meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned. For a meter with cheap strips go for the Tee2 + found here:

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-plus-blood-glucose-meter/ with the strips found here:

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-testing-strips/


With more expensive strips is the Caresens Dual which I currently use, this one has the advantage of glucose and ketone testing in one machine, it’s to be found here:

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/caresens-dual-blood-glucose-and-ketone-meter/

With the strips here:

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/caresens-pro-blood-glucose-test-strips/


And to be totally transparent I used to use the SD Code Free which has the cheapest strips available. However I found itto be becoming less and less reliable. Here it is for anyone wanting to give it a go:

http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-monitor/

and here for the extra strips

http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/sd-codefree-test-strips-to-be-used-only-with-the-sd-monitor/

There are discount codes if you buy in bulk.

5 packs 264086

10 packs 975833


Don’t forget to check the box that you have diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for all meters and strips)

 

[stuffedolive]

Perhaps ask your GP about causes of early morning wakening - that may help to solve it !!

Ha ha - I did . It started when I swapped to a career in teaching. Great job but the (non-teaching) demands were so extreme and stressful I had to give it up after 10 years. The GP suggested anti-depressants. I found other non-drug ways to cope but the broken nights have just become a pattern that has continued. I don't stress about them now as I don't have to be in work for any particular time, so I can just turn over and go back to sleep (eventually).

 

[Bluetit1802]

Ha ha - I did . It started when I swapped to a career in teaching. Great job but the (non-teaching) demands were so extreme and stressful I had to give it up after 10 years. The GP suggested anti-depressants. I found other non-drug ways to cope but the broken nights have just become a pattern that has continued. I don't stress about them now as I don't have to be in work for any particular time, so I can just turn over and go back to sleep (eventually).

Why not use the hour you are awake in the middle of the night to test? Perfect opportunity. You can keep the equipment at the side of your bed. You only need to do it a few times.

 

[First.Officer]

"but I don't want to slide down the slope which my GP has called inevitable, but I intend to prove him wrong !"

Good on you! Your GP sounds like a ****.

 

[stuffedolive]

I don’t know what strips and meter you are using currently

Thanks @Rachox . I'm currently using a Gluco RX Nexus as that was the only one in the pharmacy. The test strips are twice the price of the TEE2's so I probably need to just buy a new meter too.

 

[Rachox]

Thanks @Rachox . I'm currently using a Gluco RX Nexus as that was the only one in the pharmacy. The test strips are twice the price of the TEE2's so I probably need to just buy a new meter too.

I have heard of people ringing Spirit Health and getting the meter for free, I’m not sure how or why but might be worth ringing and suggesting you are thinking of swapping and then ask a simple question, like how many days would it take to deliver and you might get offered a free meter too?

 

[millenium]

Lower the carb (maybe 3Og per day) for 5-7 days to lower the glycogen in the liver. Ensure you are able to account carb very accurately as at such low intake as margin for error is very small. That should improve your insulin sensitivity. From there see if your fgl improves.

Also, explore relaxation technique before sleep. Cos if your body is in a nervous state, it could cause liver to dump glucose excessively.