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Diagnosed with T2 one week ago...question?

cris82

Member
Messages
5
Hi

I became unwell with mumps 2 weeks ago. As a result of my condition deteriorating, I was admitted to hospital a week ago. A lumbar puncture was carried out to confirm I had viral meningitis. At the same time, it was revealed I have type 2 diabetes. I have been prescribed 1x Metformin AM and teatime.

My BG was tested 4 times a day before meals during the week I spent in hospital. It ranged between 11-17.5. Now that I am home, I am continuing to monitor my glucose 4 x daily. To my disbelief, this morning (before food) my reading was 18.9. Higher than ever!

I feel as though I wasn't informed much about what to do to manage this hyperglycaemia in the short term.

I have completely changed my diet, and lost 4 stone in weight over the last twelve months (intentionally.) I remain very confused, however, about what to do *right now*

?!?!
:)
 
Hi Cris and welcome to the forum :) To answer some of your questions, and to help you to get your levels down, here is some basic information that we give to newly diagnosed members. With regards to testing, as well as the before meal test, you need to test two hours after the meal. If there is anything you need to know after reading this, just ask and someone can usually tell you the answer.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you’ll find well over 30,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates
A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes ... rains.html

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
 
Hello Chris, your fasting BGs are to high, you need to see your doc. and get some advice/ treatment.

Are you on steriod meds by any chance? If so these will wreak havoc with your BGs.

H
 
Hello

Thank you to you both. Your info has been helpful.

Yes, I am on long-term steroid treatment for asthma. Nobody had mentioned that to me. Good to know :)

I visited my GP this afternoon, who carried out a urine test and confirmed I'm not dehydrated. Small bonus... but I've been asked to see the GP that specialises in diabetes on Friday, who I'm told may change/ increase my medication.
 
cris 82, fine so your doctor is trying to help you, referring you to a GP who specialises in diabetes. Since he specialises in diabetes then he may well change your drugs, all well and good. You are getting the attention you need.
 
Just to say welcome cris! Come back to us after docs if you have any queries we may be able to help you with. Meanwehile, Daisy's post is a great starter on diet change which will be fundamentally important in getting your BGs under control - as important as medication in many ways. Good luck
 
Wow! I'm just reading back the message from when I originally joined, and thinking how much my life has changed since then.

I joined on 4th October 2011 - the day I was discharged from hospital with T2 diabetes. On the same date this year (4/10/12) I was involved in a car accident which has left me when a retinal vein occlusion and retinal haemorrhages. I am now blind, and unable to work. It has taken consultants until now to establish the accident has been the cause of the retinal damage and not diabetic retinopathy.

I'm currently taking 2g Metformin SR and 6mg Glimepiride which seems to be working for me. I'm pleased to say my latest Hba1c is 55.

At the Diabetic clinic tomorrow. Fingers crossed!

Stay well and take care of your eyes :crazy:
 
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