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Extremely Concerned and Confused

  • Thread starter Thread starter adrianF
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adrianF

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After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a number of years ago I'm now extremely concerned and confused regarding my overall condition. At the moment I go to a local clinic monthly, have a few blood sugar level tests and prescribed with Metformin (500mg x 2 a day) and a high blood pressure related drug. My blood sugar level readings range from 5.6 - 10.0 and the last bp test was 180/110.

The last month or so has been a real struggle. I'm going to the toilet between 5-7 times every night. When I wake up in the morning I have no energy to do anything. During the course of the day I find it quiet hard to control and balance my dietary intake of food. What with my weight gain and the desire to excercise, which is not really consistant, it's all becoming quiet unmanageable and frustrating. The support I'm able to receive apart from the local clinic is virtually zero.

I sometimes find it diificult to walk properly as my left foot feels like there's stabbing pains, numbness and is heavy. Thankfully there are no open sores or wounds of any kind, but I do fear that I may be suffering from diabetic neuropathy. Even when I try to do a few simple foot exercises I'm beginning to notice how weaker my left foot is compared to the right foot. Day by day I'm trying to keep positive, but it's not easy.

I appreciate any support, advice, etc from other members.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum, Adrian.

The good news is that all of your medical issues will most likely be helped by getting your BG down to as close to normal levels as possible.

If you haven't already done so, it's a good idea to read the advice for the newly diagnosed:
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/basic-information-for-newly-diagnosed-diabetics.26870/

Here's a very good guide on how to lower your BG levels:
http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14045524.php

Another excellent site for dietary advice for both diabetes and losing weight is:
http://www.dietdoctor.com/lchf

Welcome again.
 
Hi. Your blood sugar levels aren't too bad and are unlikely to have caused neuropathy but everyone is different. I can only guess that there may be other reasons for some of your condition including the quite high BP. To help your blood sugar to come down even nearer normal you need to control your carb intake to, say, 180gm/day for starters. What was your last HBa1C reading? If you can go low-carb and reduce the blood sugar further it may be easier for you to convince your GP to investigate your condition further
 
Am I correct that the only blood tests you have done are monthly ones at the clinic?

If so, your normal daily diet may vary your BG over a wider range than appear in your monthly tests.

May I suggest you get yourself a blood glucose meter (I got the Codefree one from Amazon because it is very economical to use, but there are many different ones sold over the counter at Boots).

I normally have BG in the 5.5-7.5 range, with occasional highs after evening meals.

I know that if those highs go over 10, then I am in for 3-6 widdles in the night. Sigh. Very irritating.

I think we are all different, so everyone's widdles tipping point is going to vary (aren't you impressed at my delicacy? Lol).
 
I'm not sure but suspect Adrian isn't in the UK as have seen him asking the same question on another forum. So certain advice wont be relevant for him.
 

Hi Indy51,

Thanks for the links.

adrianF
 

Hi Daibell,

I had a HBa1c test awhile back, but I haven't got the reading at hand. I'm due to get further investigations carried out, hopefully in the near future.

Thanks
adrianF
 

Hi Brunneria,

You are correct, I only have monthly blood tests at the clinic. I'm looking into my options about buying a blood glucose meter. Boots chemists are a bit far away from me as I live over the other side of the world in sunny Indonesia. Yes I agree, we are all different.

Thanks
adrianF
 
CarbsRok said:
I'm not sure but suspect Adrian isn't in the UK as have seen him asking the same question on another forum. So certain advice wont be relevant for him.
Click to expand...

Hi CarbsRok, yes, I'm not in the UK but reside in Indonesia. May I ask you what forum you saw me in?

Thanks
adrianF
 
Hi Adrian, Welcome to the forum!

I'm sure you will find a great deal of information and support here.

I was diagnosed as a Type 1 at age 51 while working in Singapore, now based in Bangkok. If you are living outside Jakarta I suspect your clinic will be OK for basic support but perhaps not much else. In my experience range of blood glucose monitors in this region is limited and test strips can be trying and expensive to source - AccuChek seems to be a market leader in Singapore and Thailand.

Type 2 diabetes is hitting "epidemic" proportions in SE Asia so services and doctor knowledge is improving all the time. That said, since diagnosis I have always been under the care of a hospital endocrinologist who (in addition to quarterly HbAC1, kidney, liver, thyroid, full lipid panel tests - all results in detail given to me), has liaised with other specialists to arrange annual check-ups of cardio function, peripheral circulation, peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy, etc.
But taking ownership of your health is key - do source a blood glucose meter and learn how to test and analyse what diet you can tolerate, plus it sounds a blood pressure monitor could be helpful? If you are starting to experience neuropathy, getting BGs under tight control will definitely help, but your symptoms in one foot could have other causes - maybe trapped spinal nerve, etc. If you would like recommendations for Singapore or Thailand doctors (frankly these are where any Indonesian who can afford it goes) feel free to PM me.
 
Hi oldgreymare,

I do live outside Jakarta and yes, basic support is available, but apart from that anything else is non-existent. As you say taking ownership of your health is key. Thanks for the recommendations for Singapore or Thailand doctors, but financially, even as a non-Indonesian resident over here this way forward is not possible.
 
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