Do I need to do anything?

[Dancegirl84]

Hi, type 2 since 2009, on metformin, galicazide and sitagliptin. Today I tested my blood at home before food and it was 25, two hours after food and tablets it was 27.

 

[pleinster]

Hi, type 2 since 2009, on metformin, galicazide and sitagliptin. Today I tested my blood at home before food and it was 25, two hours after food and tablets it was 27.

Hi Dancegirl...yeah too high, but don't panic. Is this typical, a recent pattern or a sudden high reading out of the blue? A pattern is far more of an issue, but nonetheless it's still too high. Firstly...drink some fluid in case you are a bit dehydrated (which may be the sole cause of increased levels...among other things...stress, infection, other meds ...) If you feel well enough, call the doctor in the morning and arrange an appointment just to check (depending on how high it is compared to your usual), or your diabetic team if you have one. You may need an increase to meds. Only call an emergency doctor (or head for A & E) IF you feel sick, or are vomiting, have a very sore stomach, have very fast breathing, a very fast heartbeat, a bad headache and feel very weak and thirsty. Check again after a litre of fluid (preferably water). Don't be paranoid or panic though. I was diagnosed with a BS of 21...nobody panicked. I know someone who was worried at levels of 26 and even 30 the other day...but felt ok and basically it just needs controlled better (maybe even with insulin)...you won't blow up...ok? But don't ignore it, and do contact someone later to be on the safe side. It's important how much higher it is than usual. One last thing...unusually high readings as you probably know can be the result of faulty meters, dirt on the strips, unwashed hands....my advice is 1] don't panic 2] drink 3] wash and retest with new strips if possible 4] calm down 5] decide. Good luck. let us know how you get on. Paul

 

[Daibell]

Hi. Can I ask how old you are and what you BMI is? Are you sure you are T2 and not a Late onset T1? If quite thin this is very likely. I went thru this route with the same three tablets, very thin and my GP insisted I was T2. Now on insulin I know I'm a T1. If you are not overweight, insist that the GP considers Late onset T1 and you may well need to move to insulin whatever your diagnosis as staying into the 20s is not good. BTW I'm assuming you aren't on steroids or similar which are know to raise blood sugar wildly. Let us know more. Are you having a low-carb diet?

 

[Dancegirl84]

Hi, 48 years old and in 2003 I was a size 32-34" waist. I started an extremely active job as a Prison Officer and within two years my waist was 40".

BMI - no idea but at 16 stone I think it's fare to say I'm a fat b**ger.

Diet - and herein lies the problem.....

I only eat white bread, chips, scampi, crisps, cereals, milk, yoghurts, sweet snacks. This is due to an eating phobia and has been with me since the age of three. My diabetician says that the NHS has no treatment for this.

 

[Daibell]

Hi, 48 years old and in 2003 I was a size 32-34" waist. I started an extremely active job as a Prison Officer and within two years my waist was 40".

BMI - no idea but at 16 stone I think it's fare to say I'm a fat b**ger.

Diet - and herein lies the problem.....

I only eat white bread, chips, scampi, crisps, cereals, milk, yoghurts, sweet snacks. This is due to an eating phobia and has been with me since the age of three. My diabetician says that the NHS has no treatment for this.

Hi. I was wrong but I was only guessing. Looks like you are T2 and have some insulin resistance to deal with. You know I'm sure that you urgently need to reduce the carbs which means reducing/stopping most of the things on your list! It's not all bad news however. Eggs and bacon for breakfast is fine but no beans (full of sugar), fried bread etc. Milk is general OK and I have no sugar added fruit yoghurt. Cheese and nuts are great from snacking. Scampi isn't too bad. There are weekly injectables that could be prescribed to get the weight and sugar down. These include Victoza and others. Do discuss these with the GP but the right diet is up to you.

 

[Dancegirl84]

Hi. I was wrong but I was only guessing. Looks like you are T2 and have some insulin resistance to deal with. You know I'm sure that you urgently need to reduce the carbs which means reducing/stopping most of the things on your list! It's not all bad news however. Eggs and bacon for breakfast is fine but no beans (full of sugar), fried bread etc. Milk is general OK and I have no sugar added fruit yoghurt. Cheese and nuts are great from snacking. Scampi isn't too bad. There are weekly injectables that could be prescribed to get the weight and sugar down. These include Victoza and others. Do discuss these with the GP but the right diet is up to you.

No you don't understand... I have never, ever eaten eggs, meat, vegetables, salads, only the items listed. I cannot eat them. My protein intake is from milk - roughly six pints per day. My limited diet is well documented in my medical notes but everytime I have asked for help in overcoming my fears - everyone looks blank and says "what can we do?"

 

[Pinkorchid]

Sorry your dietician was of so little help. You say you have had a food phobia for most of your life and only eat certain foods that must be difficult. We can only tell you about the foods that are better for blood glucose levels but only you know what you are able to eat. You did not say what your levels are most of the time were those of 25/27 higher than usual for you

 

[Dancegirl84]

Teens generally although it has been known to fall to 4 and I feel weak and giddy.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. Sorry, I didn't spot the phobia bit in your post. There are specialists that deal with eating phobias/disorders and surely the NHS can refer you to someone. It sounds like they aren't trying very hard to find someone to help you.

 

[Chook]

Hi, my sympathies regarding your phobias. Part of my job is dealing with people with phobias and I have seen people overcome them with the help of a behavioural therapist, normally using a reward type system. Perhaps you could ask your GO or Diabetes team for a referral?

In the meantime I think your way forward might be to reduce the amount you are eating and test the foods you eat to see which hit you worst and cut the biggest offenders out.

At the end of July this year I weighed a stone more than you and my numbers were in the high 20s (sometimes early 30s) and after some research I decided to try intermittent fasting. After a month I also introduced low carb medium fat. I'm not sure how you would go about fasting while on your meds but I had great success in reducing my numbers and my weight (3st 7lbs gone) even when I was injecting both slow acting and fast acting insulin. Fasting is something people can do with food issues such as yours because it doesn't involve eating something you can't.

 

[ladybird64]

I agree with Chook, phobias can be overcome, no matter how long you have had them. I had agoraphobia and panic attacks for nearly thirty years but I no longer have the same issues with them as I did - so I guess you can say they have been overcome.
Your GP should have referred you for therapy by now, unfortunately mental health comes way down the list of priorities. There are many different types of therapy, the most commonly known being CBT, and that is possibly the one you may be referred to - but you are entitled to a referral for assessment first.
It is great you are looking for help to overcome these awful fears. It isn't easy and there is a lot of hard work involved, you will need to put yourself in situations that make you feel very uncomfortable - but it can be done, please have faith in yourself. Ask your GP for a referral for therapy, if you are refused, tell them you will take the issue up with PALS. That should do it! Lots of luck x

 

[Pinkorchid]

Teens generally although it has been known to fall to 4 and I feel weak and giddy.

If you eat the same things all the time it does not seem then that it was the food that made you shoot up so high so maybe you have a bug or virus to make that happen. Do have a word with your doctor about getting some therapy just for them to say the NHS can't help you is wrong