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hello- and...help!!!

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bellringer

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I was diagnosed Type 2 around 4 years ago- got the thing pretty much under control within 6 months and rarely see high readings- despite working split shifts with all the diet difficulties that accompany the problem (I have to take packed food too and carry it with me- so I struggle to find things that are safe to eat- and appetising after 6 hours in a bag) All in all, I am comfortable with my diabetes- I would be even more so if I could shed the weight that set me on this path in the first place- but at 52 its really difficult.
My question- and this is really worrying me- is about insect bites and healing in general. I heal a lot slower, I expected that- and I am a lot more careful about cleaning wounds and using antiseptics, but insect bites is a new development. I have suddenly started to react very badly to bites- swelling, redness, HUGE blisters- and this time- a pad of jellylike stuff which fell off after a couple of days leaving a raw wound about the size of a 20p piece. I have a friend who lost a foot through neglecting a small scald- so I am a little paranoid. Is this reaction because of the diabetes, or is it something else? Should I go hassle my GP, or just carry on treating myself?
 
Ooohooo bellringer, hello there

Yes most definitely go and seek medical advice, dont feel you are hassling your GP, its best to have this sort of thing checked out, after all you dont want to end up like that poor friend of yours with having a foot amputated, as diabetics we need to watch these things like a hawk, better safe than sorry. Please go to the doctor.

Congratulations on controlling your diabetes so well despite working shifts, etc, I found that really hard to do in the past. Can I be cheeky and ask what your bg is like, do you test? And what do you eat, know this might well help our other members struggling with food, control and the dreaded shift work?

All the best

Karen
 
Hi Bellringer.
Welcome to the forum. Have a good look around and when ready ask your questions.

As regards insect bites etc here is a link to a website with lots of information about this subject for Diabetics. Take a look.
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advic ... stings.htm

If you are still concerned then please see your GP about this.

Ken.
 
Bellringer
You don't say what your numbers are
This diabetes makes for a hard road and healing can be a problem.
I have a couple of sugestions which MIGHT help
1) carrying your food. I have a little insulated bag, which was originally made for carrying cans of fizzy drinks. It's small enough not to be obtrusive. It would easily hold a packed lunch. I can't suggest where to get one, because it came from the charity shop., but Google for it.
2) You've been happy with your control so far and yes it's brilliant to do it working shifts. However would you be able to tighten up even more? this might help with the healing. Bg levels above about 5mmol/l delay healing.
 
well thanks to you all! I can report that the evil bite seems to be healing now- and I didnt know that anything over 5mml meant a slowing of the healing process- that explains a lot.
Ok, some more info bout me- I average fasting at 7mml- and then up to bout 10mml after food.
What do I eat? Its pretty varied, really- for the packed meals- I avoid leafy salads, using peppers, cabbage, celery- anything crunchy- with a good sprinkling of pumpkin seeds- I am addicted to the lil green blighters! Lots of bean based salads too. I sometimes grab something from the freezer- when I have time off I generally cook up a batch of something- chili- curry, something tasty. I do use the microwavable rice pouches, though. I also take a piece of fruit, and sometimes a yoghurt. I have a small insulated bag- they really are awesome- and most supermarkets stock them now- so a frozen meal is about ready to 'wave when I am eating.
I take my Metformin at the same time each day- irrespective of shifts- its quite funny- sometimes I am taking my morning dose as I go to bed- and vice versa- taking twice a day lends itself to that pattern though.
O- and I am a great believer in porridge- cooked with water, and served with a lil milk and some fruit.
You would think the weight would be falling off with such a healthy diet, huh? Sadly- I am not such a paragon- I need to exercise more- I generally come home from work then fall into bed, whatever the time of day- my sleep comes in the form of several naps, generally- so I rarely have time to do any formal exercising- I need more self discipline!
 
Hi Bellringer.

As a T2 you should aim to keep your Bg levels within the following guidelines:
Fasting (waking) ..................between 4 - 7 mmol/l.
2 hrs after meals..................no more than 8.5 mmol/l.
If you can manage to keep those figures lower so much the better.

Your Metformin should be taken with or after food for it to have it's proper effect.

Yoyr 'healthy' diet might or might not be healthy for a Diabetic ? Take a look around the non low and low carb forum areas for some diet ideas. This will help you greatly with the weight loss. By changing my diet from the so called ' healthy ' diet to my own version I have lost 3 stone in around 4 months, all without any real increase in exercise. It can be done. I also eat far better than I ever did before. Keep those Bg levels down and that helps your overall fitness as well.

BTW, work may be tiring but high Bg levels can make you feel tired all the time.

Ken.
 
Hi bellbringer!
Please excuse me here, You have porridge i used to love porridge, If i eat anything with oats in it my BG rocket through the roof! I used to like oatcakes, but now through testsing i have found these cause problems!
This might seem silly to ask, But when you have chilli and curry do you have rice if so how much?
Rice makes me go through the roof, I can have a small bit of wild rice, Or ask sugarless sue for califlower rice, That doesnot affect my BG at all!
I have found that certain foods effect me more than others!
Sandy
 
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