Consistent levels of 20+

[AmyJo84]

Please excuse me despite being diagnosed with type 2 for at least 2 years I am clueless and bury my head in the sand.
My sugars are always in 20+ my diabetic nurse didn’t seem to panic about this ever but whilst admitted to hospital for something unrelated a diabetic nurse started me on insulin and the sugars started to come down after a couple of weeks the dose was increased and then all contact with this nurse stopped and trying to get to see or speak to the nurse at my GP surgery is a bit of a marathon. I currently take 4 tablets glicliside daily 14 units of insulin daily and 1 ozempec pen weekly. I’m sleeping all day and all night with short moments awake periodically I spoke to a GP today and again didn’t seem overly concerned but when I google it seems to be an emergency? I am so confused I want to get on track now. My brother passed away in May and clawing through my grief I know I have to stop being a selfish idiot and sort myself out. Any advice is appreciated. Please don’t judge my spelling behaviour or overall stupidity.
Thanks in advance
Amy

 

[Antje77]

Hi @AmyJo84 , welcome to the forum.

My sugars are always in 20+ my diabetic nurse didn’t seem to panic about this ever

This really needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
Can you call 111 for advice, considering your GP is hard to reach?

 

[Antje77]

My brother passed away in May and clawing through my grief I know I have to stop being a selfish idiot and sort myself out. Any advice is appreciated. Please don’t judge my spelling behaviour or overall stupidity.

And you're not stupid, nor a selfish idiot, just someone going through a hard time.
I'm so sorry about your brother.

 

[lovinglife]

Welcome to the forum @AmyJo84, no judgement here, it’s a safe place with lots of knowledgeable people willing to help you, I haven’t much knowledge of T2 and insulin but I’m sure there will be members along to try and answer your questions and concerns.

 

[EllieM]

Hi @AmyJo84 and welcome to the forums.

Firstly, I'm not sure why you think you are being stupid or a selfish idiot because you are not getting the help you need to control your diabetes. The comments I would like to make about your care team are probably not printable on this forum, however.

I agree with @Antje77 that you should call 111 for advice.

I don't want to panic you unnecessarily, but you should be aware that diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life threatening condition (if untreated).

Diabetic ketoacidosis

Find out about diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), including what the symptoms are, when to get medical help and how to prevent it.

www.nhs.uk

I don't suppose they gave you any ketone testing strips when they put you on insulin? (You can get ones that test for ketones in urine or that test for them in blood).

While DKA is hopefully unlikely if you think you may have it I would urge you to call 111.

 

[Jaylee]

Hi @AmyJo84 ,

Welcome to the forum.

Firstly, may I express my condolences for the loss of your brother.
Not to undermine your grief. High BGs can compound negative thoughts. So it’s not unusual to feel this way, even without the apparent recent bereavement.

As @EllieM , points out DKA is something to keep an eye out for. & quickly needs addressing if it happens.
Do you have a ketone meter?
What insulin/s are you prescribed?
How are you measuring your BGs? Sensor? Meter?

You’re not being selfish or foolish reaching out & making sense of your condition.

Best wishes..

(Edit for typo.)

 

[AmyJo84]

Hello everyone I’m overwhelmed with your responses thank you for being gentle with me. I am in terrible brain fog so please bare with me I don’t have any ketone monitor when the change to insulin happened I was an inpatient with sepsis (for the fifth time) my medications are as follows
Nexus gluco rx is the machine I have to test bloods.
Glicazide 80mg 4 a day
Ozempic 1mg once a week
Lantus solo star 15 units

I am disabled my mobility is severely limited due to nerve damage from meningitis in 2019 I know it sounds ridiculous but I’ve spent so much time in hospital I worry about being sent up there I have five children two are adults but the rest are 16 and under I hate to worry them. That’s why I feel stupid as I will worry them even more if I don’t get help. Sorry for the rambling and thank you again for being so welcoming

 

[Antje77]

I am in terrible brain fog so please bare with me

Brain fog is completely normal with blood glucose in the twenties!

Glicazide 80mg 4 a day
Ozempic 1mg once a week
Lantus solo star 15 units

If you're consistently above 20, something needs to change urgently.
And if your practice nurse isn't alarmed by your numbers, you're the only one who can initiate any action on this.
So please call 111 and explain you're above 20 all the time, and your GP/nurse isn't available.

Like you said, your children will worry more if you don't take care of yourself than if you do.
Please be kind enough to yourself to try to get help with your diabetes!

 

[Jaylee]

Hello everyone I’m overwhelmed with your responses thank you for being gentle with me. I am in terrible brain fog so please bare with me I don’t have any ketone monitor when the change to insulin happened I was an inpatient with sepsis (for the fifth time) my medications are as follows
Nexus gluco rx is the machine I have to test bloods.
Glicazide 80mg 4 a day
Ozempic 1mg once a week
Lantus solo star 15 units

I am disabled my mobility is severely limited due to nerve damage from meningitis in 2019 I know it sounds ridiculous but I’ve spent so much time in hospital I worry about being sent up there I have five children two are adults but the rest are 16 and under I hate to worry them. That’s why I feel stupid as I will worry them even more if I don’t get help. Sorry for the rambling and thank you again for being so welcoming

Slow down. We hear you.

So you are using a basal insulin only? (I use Lantus as a T1. So does @EllieM also T1..) what are your current or recent BG readings using this long acting insulin?

& also your diet? No judgment regarding what has been consumed… appreciated, you have a lot happening.

 

[AmyJo84]

Sorry I had to google basal insulin ‍ yes that’s what the doctors at the hospital put me on they did give me another one that “fast acting” but the diabetic nurse told me not to use it and discard it. My diet is poor as I rely on someone to prepare my meals so most of the time it’s high in carbs like sandwiches and bagels as it’s quick and easy for my carer today all I’ve eaten is spaghetti on toast I drink water constantly and Coke Zero caffeine free

 

[Jaylee]

Brain fog is completely normal with blood glucose in the twenties!

If you're consistently above 20, something needs to change urgently.
And if your practice nurse isn't alarmed by your numbers, you're the only one who can initiate any action on this.
So please call 111 and explain you're above 20 all the time, and your GP/nurse isn't available.

Like you said, your children will worry more if you don't take care of yourself than if you do.
Please be kind enough to yourself to try to get help with your diabetes!

As the advice on the pre plane flight take off health & safety brief suggests. (To paraphrase .) In the event of an emergency. Put your own oxygen mask on first, prior to attending to children…

 

[Jaylee]

Sorry I had to google basal insulin ‍ yes that’s what the doctors at the hospital put me on they did give me another one that “fast acting” but the diabetic nurse told me not to use it and discard it. My diet is poor as I rely on someone to prepare my meals so most of the time it’s high in carbs like sandwiches and bagels as it’s quick and easy for my carer today all I’ve eaten is spaghetti on toast I drink water constantly and Coke Zero caffeine free

Hi again, do you know the name of the short acting insulin you were told to discard? (Was it Novorapid?) Don’t worry about what your carer prepares for you. But I have to admit as a T1 I would personally struggle giving my fast acting insulin (which is Novorapid.) due to my insulins‘s working profile for this on the menu?
No judgment. These are your personal circumstances.

Regards, Jay.

 

[alimar77]

@AmyJo84 hello! I’m fairly new around here on the forum but I’ve been a type 2 for 18 years now.

I can relate to you having other health issues, especially problems with your mobility etc. and I realise how difficult it is to eat healthy especially when your unwell and have to care for others!

Like you I find my blood glucose high, especially when I eat carbs such as bread, bagels etc. I’m trying to make some changes, it’s slow going and I’m not perfect.

You clearly need to speak to someone at your GP surgery to get your overall treatment for diabetes sorted.

Please call your GP and ask for an appointment. Or like others have said call 111 and explain your struggling to talk to someone.

 

[ElenaP]

Sorry I had to google basal insulin ‍ yes that’s what the doctors at the hospital put me on they did give me another one that “fast acting” but the diabetic nurse told me not to use it and discard it. My diet is poor as I rely on someone to prepare my meals so most of the time it’s high in carbs like sandwiches and bagels as it’s quick and easy for my carer today all I’ve eaten is spaghetti on toast I drink water constantly and Coke Zero caffeine free

I think that it is wrong that a nurse at the GP surgery told you to stop using the fast acting insulin when you had been prescribed it at the hospital. When you are physically unwell it is very difficult to find energy to stick up for yourself. Therefore, I think that you could do with some help in dealing with the doctors and nurses. When my sister felt that her GP was not listening to her, the GP service improved as soon as her adult son had a conversation with the GP. Perhaps one of your adult children would be available?

Who chooses the food shopping in your house? I think you ought to have a discussion about healthy meals with your children. Your adult children may live close enough to help, but even those children age 16 and under would benefit from understanding how different foods affect their own health, and may become interested in cooking. Dr Michael Mosley has written a book with recipes for type 2 diabetics. (I follow his Clever Guts diet recipes for healthy gut bacteria.)

It would take the carer no more time to warm up a portion of previously prepared healthy stew with vegetables, than to make a sandwich. Eating protein does not have to be expensive, especially as you can use beans and lentils to add to the meat, chicken or fish. Frozen vegetables are convenient and have just as much nutrients as fresh ones. Perhaps consider giving up the Coke Zero and have tea instead.