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does this make sense/ring any bells?

tree-peony

Well-Known Member
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I think I may finally be starting to see a pattern emerge with my BG and would greatly appreciate any comments :)

I suspect my BG has been very high for a long time, probably mid 20's if not higher. I work away from home a lot and I'm not really a "visiting the GP" type, but in fairness I didn't really have symptoms until this posterior subcapsular cataract cropped up.

Anyway, I digress.

It doesn't seem to matter what level I go to bed with, by morning it's 16-17. I can get it down by about 4 points by exercising, but ONLY if I've had something to eat. If I don't eat, it goes up, not massively, just a point or 2.

In the evening, my BG rises slowly until it's around 17 no matter what I've had to eat (and I'm talking 4 hours + here).

If I've already got it down below about 14 and I exercise, it doesn't go down any more, or indeed it increases slightly.

My 1, 2 and 3 hour PP levels really don't seem to increase much, rarely over 2 and sometimes not at all. Obviously I'm being careful what I eat, but for example I had a 2 egg omelette with a slice of Burgen toast spread with unsweetened peanut butter and a raw carrot for lunch and an hour later my reading was exactly the same.

Oh the only other relevant information is my GP took me off 3 x 500g Metformin, and replaced it with 1 x 500g SR Metformin a week ago (nasty gastric probs) and my base level has definitely increased since then. He wants to put me on Gliclizide, but I'm really not keen on the idea and would prefer to get up to 4 Metformin and see how it goes first.

~throws open to discussion hoping someone else has experienced the same!
 
I can't help at all TP as when I began to test and low carb, mine went down nicely. I'm sure someone will be along who can help and perhaps explain why this may be happening.
 
tree-peony said:
unlike you, I'm afraid mine is a blithering idiot, stuffed with misguided preconceptions :roll:

Oh dear! That is not good. I really do feel very blessed with my GP. I also know I am VERY lucky. When I went to the clinic last week, I did go ready for an argument, as at diagnosis he didn't tell me much and wouldn't prescribe strips. I know why now, he didn't say much as he will not peddle the NHS dietary line, and he can't give strips to people unless they show a real propensity to change, and to help themselves. As soon as he saw my results, he was happy to absolutely support me, and prescribe strips, with proviso's such as if my next HbA1c is 6 or under the strips are cut in number, as he will cover all my strips for now.

He is a real gem, I wish we all had a GP like him.
 
It really is difficult. You need to be able to ask the question "Why if I've cut my carbs really low are my levels still high" and then get an informed response. I said to someone else earlier today there are other drugs like Januvia which will lower levels without the stimulating effect that Gliclizide has but whether or not it is suitable for you is why you need a doctor who would know! Ask to be referred to a consultant maybe an option?
 
Ok, here's an update.

it's 2 hours since it was 13.7. I have eaten nothing and only drunk water. I've just checked it again, and it's back to 16.4 :crazy:

Thanks xxyzzy, I've already written Januvia down on my bit of paper!
 
tree-peony said:
Ok, here's an update.

it's 2 hours since it was 13.7. I have eaten nothing and only drunk water. I've just checked it again, and it's back to 16.4 :crazy:

Thanks xxyzzy, I've already written Januvia down on my bit of paper!

Perhaps someone wiser than me can answer this, but could that be a liver dump pushing you up again?
 
I've just been sat in front of the telly! But yes, I'm now convinced that my body wants a level of 18 ish for reasons best known to itself.
 
It does sound as if you might need extra meds to get your BG down. I understand why you don't want to go onto things like Glic, but once you get your Bgs down it may be possible to wean yourself back off them with a suitable diet and exercise. But right now, you need some extra help.
 
I agree with xyzzy-I think you need to report all this to your GP in the first instance with a possible view to seeing a consultant if this trend in rising BG's continues.What you've posted reminds me of my situation a while back and whilst it might not be the case for you,it turned out i had the Autoimmune late onset form of type 1 which made sense of everything for me.
Hope you get on OK and all the best! :wink:

Paul
 
Hi Paul, that would make sense except I'm very overweight. TBH they're not really rising, in fact the overall trend in down (taken over a month) but they have been more erratic since the Metformin dosage reduced.

I will have another go with my GP tomorrow, but if that fails I'll ask to see a specialist I think, cos this is getting me nowhere FAST.
 
Ok, an update after seeing the GP :)

Basically, he said I've got it right! It will take a while for my BG to come down because it's been so high for so long. He approved of the low carb diet (!) and said the exercise I was doing was "exemplary" (I think someone's swapped him!!!)

He also agreed to get me slowly up to the max dose of Metformin, rather than starting Gliclizide, AND understood my reasons for not wanting it right now :)

So all in all, a result!

Thanks for listening!
 
That is a brilliant outcome TP. It must make you feel a lot happier in your self management to know that your GP is willing to back your choices. :)
 
tree-peony said:
Ok, an update after seeing the GP :)

Basically, he said I've got it right! It will take a while for my BG to come down because it's been so high for so long. He approved of the low carb diet (!) and said the exercise I was doing was "exemplary" (I think someone's swapped him!!!)

He also agreed to get me slowly up to the max dose of Metformin, rather than starting Gliclizide, AND understood my reasons for not wanting it right now :)

So all in all, a result!

Thanks for listening!

Brilliant news. I am thrilled to bits to see so many positive GP/clinic/nurse visits of late. For so long (I have read quite a lot of back posts here) people were having no luck, that really seems to be turning around.

Thrilled to bits for you TP, at least now you know you have your GP's support, and some answers.
 
tree-peony said:
stunned and amazed would be closer to it!
:thumbup:

Brilliant news TP. Keep us up to date with how the levels are doing. If you are seeing a gradual trend downwards that's fantastic . My only advice would be similar to Grazers yesterday. If you keep low carbing and you think the downwards trend stops, don't fool yourself and go back to the gp as you may need some extra help even if it turns out to be a temporary thing.
 
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