Confused

[Lily 2]

I am new to all this, it is a week today tomorrow I was diagnosed, I have lost 6lb in this week by cutting back drastically on the carbs I have been living of meat, eggs and nuts and vegetables but no potatoes and occasionally kidney beans, the first few days I wasn’t on metformin and my blood sugar was around 9 in a morning and 7 pre and post meal, anyway to cut a long story short I do have anxiety and have had panic attack’s every day and several of them one was so bad my bp was 189/119 ( it came back down after 121/80 ) and I am now on metformin 500mg 2x a day I take one in the morning and one at night, the first day of metformin my blood sugar was fantastic but these past two days I’m lucky if it’s below 10 , I don’t know if it’s my worry and panic that’s shooting my blood sugar up and it’s a vicious cycle because I see them numbers and panic. Could it be the medication or my anxiety? Sorry to blather on I just really want to get a grip on these numbers and I feel the more I try the higher they go.

 

[Ragmar]

Worrying about it like stressing over your numbers will cause your blood sugar to rise, you'll have to relax and let the medication work for you. I would suggest surrounding yourself with loved ones to keep your mind off this or work on one of your hobbies and continue with eating and exercise. Do you like walking? whenever I feel stressed about my new best friend type two I like to go out for a walk and remind myself what I'm working towards.

How is your support circle? do you know anyone in your life who is diabetic? I was fortunate to have my older brother who's been a wealth of information for me.

 

[Resurgam]

It could be the beans - some people, like me, find that they elevate BG levels more than their apparent carb content might indicate likely.
There are lots of low carb veges you could substitute to expand your diet, and which are less likely to be problematic.

 

[Antje77]

Try to give yourself some time to learn and get used to having diabetes. You will not develop horrible complications from highish blood sugars tomorrow or next week or next month. Taming diabetes is simply not done in a week, you have the time.

 

[There is no Spoon]

I don’t know if it’s my worry and panic that’s shooting my blood sugar up and it’s a vicious cycle because I see them numbers and panic.

Hi Lily,
I imagine you just want to slap people when you tell them you are stressed or anxious and they "just relax don't worry".

But there is a lot of truth behind it. Have you tried meditation and mindfulness?
Both help to lower blood pressure and lower blood sugar levels.

To my way of thinking if what ever your doing isn't giving you the results you want it's time to try something new.
No matter how silly it feels.

 

[RuthieSadler]

Hi, I’m half way through week 3, my parents are both diabetic so have been through it with them. Sending you some virtual support.

 

[Bluetit1802]

I am new to all this, it is a week today tomorrow I was diagnosed, I have lost 6lb in this week by cutting back drastically on the carbs I have been living of meat, eggs and nuts and vegetables but no potatoes and occasionally kidney beans, the first few days I wasn’t on metformin and my blood sugar was around 9 in a morning and 7 pre and post meal, anyway to cut a long story short I do have anxiety and have had panic attack’s every day and several of them one was so bad my bp was 189/119 ( it came back down after 121/80 ) and I am now on metformin 500mg 2x a day I take one in the morning and one at night, the first day of metformin my blood sugar was fantastic but these past two days I’m lucky if it’s below 10 , I don’t know if it’s my worry and panic that’s shooting my blood sugar up and it’s a vicious cycle because I see them numbers and panic. Could it be the medication or my anxiety? Sorry to blather on I just really want to get a grip on these numbers and I feel the more I try the higher they go.

Hi Lily,

The panic attacks will be raising your blood sugar levels, and possibly quite a bit. Stress and anxiety are major causes of raised levels, no matter what you eat or don't eat. It is all to do with our pesky hormones.

Maybe you could reduce your testing, or have a rest from it for a few day and let things settle down? Your eating plan sounds good, (although you don't mention any fish at at all - oily fish is a staple for me, and dairy). I would guess it is safe to hold back on the testing for now and try to concentrate on reducing the stress. Rome wasn't built in a day - and diabetes can't be beaten into submission in a week. You are very early on in your journey, and things will improve. As many of us say, this is a marathon. It isn't a sprint.

As an addition, Metformin doesn't work instantly, it tends to accumulate in your system, and it won't help with your post meal levels. It helps mostly with morning fasting levels - but only to a limited extent.

I am confident you will see big improvements, but give it chance to happen.

 

[derry60]

I am new to all this, it is a week today tomorrow I was diagnosed, I have lost 6lb in this week by cutting back drastically on the carbs I have been living of meat, eggs and nuts and vegetables but no potatoes and occasionally kidney beans, the first few days I wasn’t on metformin and my blood sugar was around 9 in a morning and 7 pre and post meal, anyway to cut a long story short I do have anxiety and have had panic attack’s every day and several of them one was so bad my bp was 189/119 ( it came back down after 121/80 ) and I am now on metformin 500mg 2x a day I take one in the morning and one at night, the first day of metformin my blood sugar was fantastic but these past two days I’m lucky if it’s below 10 , I don’t know if it’s my worry and panic that’s shooting my blood sugar up and it’s a vicious cycle because I see them numbers and panic. Could it be the medication or my anxiety? Sorry to blather on I just really want to get a grip on these numbers and I feel the more I try the higher they go.

Try going to youtube and listen to some meditation. They have so many on there for Anxiety and stress or worry. Many talk you through and with some lovely relaxing music in the background. Put headphones on while listening. You may find that this will help. You do not have to be going to sleep with this, but a nice nap on the sofa listening to this will help you. This fella Christian is brilliant.

 

[Lily 2]

Thank you all for so much help, I think it’s really unfair how you are just shoved tablets and nothing is explained to you it really makes it worse than it already feels, I am going to cut down on my blood testing as suggested and keep up the low carb, I do have great support from my family and have some diabetics among them but they are just following nhs guidelines with diet and medication and when I speak to them about low carb they say it’s to drastic so although I get support I feel some things it’s best not to discuss because we have different views. Thank you for the meditation link I will definitely use that.