Am I going to need insulin?

[Catsymoo]

Hello all. Sorry this is a bit long but I hope you take the time to read it. I was diagnosed 1 week ago (not in A&E, picked it up on a doctor pregnancy test) and put on Metformin 500mg a day, then up to 1000mg starting today. I have no side effects so far apart from farting like no tomorrow and a slight bloated feeling. (might be from too much sweeteners). I know that Metformin only has a small effect when used in unison with diet and exercise. Doctors do not know what type I am. They say I am in a grey area and are testing Metformin to see if it works. I did have very high ketones in my urine, but they said long term high blood sugar can cause that in either type. I have dramatically cut down my carb intake and try to have a high protein meal for my last meal of the day as it seems to keep me full. (I try to have my carbs early in the day so I can burn it off, been sticking to low GI All Bran). Anywho, when I was diagnosed, my blood sugar was 37 about 1 hour after eating Sugar Puffs and toast. I had absolutely gorged on ice cream and chocolate the day before, as well as staying up about 30 hours, as I did not suspect diabetes at all. By about 3pm, my blood sugar was 22. It is now 1 week later and in the mornings, my blood sugar seems to be around 10 - 14 depending on how long I have gone without food. However, during the day it stays in the mid to high teens. I have a really bad cold right now, as well. Would that make my levels higher? Also, I am not sure if my levels are good or not. They did tell me to not expect a big drop right away and that it has to come down gradually, but it's so frustrating seeing readings like 17 - 19 at bedtime, especially when I try not to eat any carbs after 5pm. (I did have a chocolate eclair tonight mind you).

I have been trying to go out for 30 min+ walks every day as it's good for me. I'm 22 and only a little overweight. (11 stone or so). Doctors did not tell me to lose any weight, so it isn't really my concern. If I recall, they said it's okay to lose half a stone or so, but any more isn't good. In my late teens I lost about 3-4 stone, so this could have developed when I was obese. My breakfast is usually a low GI cereal like All-Bran. Or eggs and then a banana to keep me going. I snack on small portions of fruit like a few grapes or a small plum, sometimes ready cooked chicken or cheese as I find protein stops me feeling hungry. Lunch has been low carb soup or egg or something with cheese. For dinner I have been having tofu in some shape or form, with lettuce and cucumber, or stir fried with broccoli, asparagus, carrots. I occasionally eat a sugar free sweet/mint/gum. And I also have some sugar free dark chocolate that I eat one square of maybe once or twice a day depending on my activity. I have made all these dramatic changes in 7 days, and was hoping to see way lower levels. (but maybe they are in comparison to before when I wasn't testing/didn't know). One thing I CAN say is that I am seldom thirsty and actually struggle to drink water now. I've had some Pepsi Max, too. As it's zero sugar and even no added sugar squashes have some sugar. Before, I was drinking and peeing SO much it was ridiculous. I had no energy and got really nauseous a few times while out. Overall, I feel much better. I actually have energy and feel pretty good, although a little bit ****** the last 2 days because of the unbearable cold I have. I'm just not sure if it's enough. What do you guys think? Am I on the right track?

One thing I have been thinking is that if I was insulin dependent, SURELY my blood sugar would not drop at all except overnight? So this suggests I am producing some insulin, correct? Unless I'm like, peeing it out or something. My aunt was type 1 and if she didn't take her insulin, even lettuce would send her to A&E. My uncle is type 2. Also, I must have a really strong body if it takes sugar levels of 37+ to make me feel just slightly under the weather, lol.

 

[Mileana]

You seem to be doing most things right.

I would give it a bit of time - you could cut down a bit on the cereal and go for eggs and bacon or greek yoghurt in the mornings, but other than that and the obvious avoiding sugar, I think that a 20 mmol drop in a week from 37 to 17 after a meal is pretty good going! Give it another couple weeks.

Yes, a cold will make your muscles less responsive to the insulin that is trying to move sugar from your blood stream into the muscles. Infection sorta tends to jam the lock for which insulin is the key.

You probably aren't likely to need any insulin at this point in time. You will want to see your blood sugar not going over about 7-8 after a meal, and I think that is likely to happen in a few weeks. If you test after meals you can learn a lot about what foods are good for your blood sugar levels and which aren't. If you get a higher reading after eating something, cut the portion of that in half or omit it at the next similar meal.

Good luck.