• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Contemplating a jellybaby

Antje77 said:
So you're going way high during the day and then on the low side during the night. That's a nasty puzzle to solve I'd think.
Have you ever used insulin and how would you feel discussing this with your HCP? Gliclazide works all day, where mealtime insulin only works for about 5 hours.
I'm not a T2 and I don't know much about insulin use in T2's or on steroids so it may be a completely irrelevant thought. I only mention it because it looks like you'd benefit from some sort of shorter acting bg-lowering medication to keep your bg lower during the day but not in the night, and insulin is the only one I know.
Click to expand...

Never used it, happy to discuss with HPCs. As I mentioned further up, go on the max dose of steroids on Wednesday. Things are going to get worse before they get better. I have been told to expect to stay on steroids for about a year before being weaned off.
 
xfieldok said:
I have been told to expect to stay on steroids for about a year before being weaned off.
Click to expand...
That sounds like a long enough time to make it worthwile to try to get things right with your diabetes!
xfieldok said:
Never used it, happy to discuss with HPCs.
Click to expand...
That's a good thing :) Even if it turns out to be a silly thought, you're open to whatever may help you.
Good luck!
 
Update. I love my DN. She can't see me before Thursday. She is more concerned about the lows at the moment.

Start max dose of steroids on Wednesday. Stop taking the glicazide after Wednesday. Start insulin after I have seen her and she shows me what to do.

So before bed I have to have a wholemeal sandwich with two slices.

So numbers are going to go through the roof but hey ho it is what it is. Just have to ride it out. I am sure it won't be a quick fix, lots of tweaking on the horizon but I can live with that. I can phone her at any time.

My thanks to everyone who commented/hugged in this thread, you all make a huge difference to me.
 
xfieldok said:
Update. I love my DN. She can't see me before Thursday. She is more concerned about the lows at the moment.

Start max dose of steroids on Wednesday. Stop taking the glicazide after Wednesday. Start insulin after I have seen her and she shows me what to do.

So before bed I have to have a wholemeal sandwich with two slices.

So numbers are going to go through the roof but hey ho it is what it is. Just have to ride it out. I am sure it won't be a quick fix, lots of tweaking on the horizon but I can live with that. I can phone her at any time.

My thanks to everyone who commented/hugged in this thread, you all make a huge difference to me.
Click to expand...


Hi,
I went down the same route as you, Metformin, Gliclazide then onto Insulin.
I attended a recent presentation from a Consultant from my local Hospital who pointed out that some GP's and "Surgery Nurses" quite often forget, or don't know about, GLP1 or Flozins drugs.
GLP1 treatment makes your body use its natural insulin better and Flozins make you "Pee out Sugar" (her words not mine!).
These may not be suitable for you, but i wish someone had told me about them before i was put onto Insulin.
It may not have stopped me going onto insulin (eventually) but it would probably have slowed the process down.
Maybe you have already reached the point where these drugs may not have the desired effect, but it can't hurt to ask your DN.
She should knows all about GLP1 and Flozin medication, and she can explain them to you.

On another note:
When you say DN (Diabetes Nurse) is this a Surgery Nurse, or a DSN (Diabetes Specialist Nurse)?
The reason that i ask, is that I found out that the "Diabetes Nurse" in my GP's practice, (who is a lovely lady who i have a lot of time for), was not actually Diabetes trained at all. Upon meeting up with a DSN and a Consultant Endocrinologist at the Diabetes Clinic of my local hospital, things changed very rapidly for me (for the better).
 
Capt-Slog said:
Hi,
I went down the same route as you, Metformin, Gliclazide then onto Insulin.
I attended a recent presentation from a Consultant from my local Hospital who pointed out that some GP's and "Surgery Nurses" quite often forget, or don't know about, GLP1 or Flozins drugs.
GLP1 treatment makes your body use its natural insulin better and Flozins make you "Pee out Sugar" (her words not mine!).
These may not be suitable for you, but i wish someone had told me about them before i was put onto Insulin.
It may not have stopped me going onto insulin (eventually) but it would probably have slowed the process down.
Maybe you have already reached the point where these drugs may not have the desired effect, but it can't hurt to ask your DN.
She should knows all about GLP1 and Flozin medication, and she can explain them to you.

On another note:
When you say DN (Diabetes Nurse) is this a Surgery Nurse, or a DSN (Diabetes Specialist Nurse)?
The reason that i ask, is that I found out that the "Diabetes Nurse" in my GP's practice, (who is a lovely lady who i have a lot of time for), was not actually Diabetes trained at all. Upon meeting up with a DSN and a Consultant Endocrinologist at the Diabetes Clinic of my local hospital, things changed very rapidly for me (for the better).
Click to expand...
Thank you for this. My DN is the surgery nurse. She has supported me from the outset. I don't see her as often as I would like.

I am hoping the insulin is a temporary thing until I come off the steroids. The glicazide does not seem to be working for me, but goodness knows what my readings would be without it! I have an awful lot to get to grips with. I will mention the drugs when I see her on Thursday.
 
@xfieldok glad you’re getting the advice and support you need. Totally admire your positive attitude amidst what must be a very unsettling and difficult time. Hugs from me too.
 
Thanks. Been a bit grumpy today, it's hard when numbers are really high. In bed, had sandwich. Got jelly babies and biscuits. Set alarm for 2 am to check. Tomorrow is another day....
 
ShortStuff said:
How are things now?
Click to expand...
A bit yukky to be honest. Don't really know what I am doing with insulin. I was told not to increase it more than every 3 days but have been increasing every other day. Didn't put the steroids up last Wednesday as instructed by neurologist because readings are just too high. I can't cope with 8 hours or more with 16-18 mmol/l, I shouted at the puppies a couple of days ago, what a rat! I see neuro tomorrow, I am sure he will tell me to increase the steroids, I hope he understands why I didn't. I was hoping the readings would be lower by now, but I have no support. The Specialist Diabetic Nurse next appointment is another 4 weeks away. During the high readings I am like a bear with a sore head, not fair to the rest of the family. Thanks for asking.
 
xfieldok said:
A bit yukky to be honest. Don't really know what I am doing with insulin. I was told not to increase it more than every 3 days but have been increasing every other day. Didn't put the steroids up last Wednesday as instructed by neurologist because readings are just too high. I can't cope with 8 hours or more with 16-18 mmol/l, I shouted at the puppies a couple of days ago, what a rat! I see neuro tomorrow, I am sure he will tell me to increase the steroids, I hope he understands why I didn't. I was hoping the readings would be lower by now, but I have no support. The Specialist Diabetic Nurse next appointment is another 4 weeks away. During the high readings I am like a bear with a sore head, not fair to the rest of the family. Thanks for asking.
Click to expand...

Oh dear. I feel for you.

Could you ask for even a telephone consultation with the SDN, and email her your readings? That way you might be able to agree a safe way forwards.

If the puppies get a bit much at the moment, they can come and live with us here <<<< that's my best attempt at a covetous, shifty grin
 
Or here! upload_2019-6-18_8-33-10.gif

This ‘un will give them a run for their money
(14 weeks old this week)

 
Last edited:
Back
Top