Help needed please!

[Flipsider]

Hi all, I am newly diagnosed and in need of some help please. I have been sent to the A&E three times already by my GP and have had to sit at least 12hrs each time only to be released back to the GP.

Testing at the hospital on arrival blood sugar is always in the 30s. They get it down to around 15 and then released. When testing at home I never get below 20 and I am usually in the highs of 30.

I am taking Metformin x2 500mg in the morning and evening. Last night I could only get a reading of Hi on my home test as it won’t read it as it’s very high, today testing it’s been in the 30s and not dropping.

The A&E keep saying that the GP should stop sending me to them as they should be dealing with it, but when I call the GP all they want to do is send me to the A&E.

I am totally lost on this and should I be worried? Should I be going to A&E?

Appreciate any help!

Thank you!

 

[Ronancastled]

You've been seriously mistreated & frankly lucky to be alive.
You need a doctor/endo that gets you on insulin straight away.
Yes, back to A&E but this time shout, bring your meter, ask for T1tests, right now

 

[HSSS]

I’m assuming from metformin only medication you have been diagnosed type 2 ? By what process? Did they test cpeptide and antibodies? How long ago and do you know your hba1c levels (the 3 month average test).

These things make a big difference to the way forward for you and how we advise you. It is possible you might be type 1 (or LADA which is a slow onset type 1) or maybe you need much better control of your type 2.

In the meantime yes go the a&e again if the levels are this high as it’s dangerous, but also yes the GP should be treating you to avoid it happening in the first place. Either can arrange the tests to try and rule in or out type 1 if need be and should do so if you are hitting these kind of levels without other explanation.

For right now (today) - assuming levels are no longer at hi and are coming down but are still too high - stop eating any carbs at all and see if numbers begin to drop over the next couple of hours. If you can safely go for a walk do that.

Moving forward if you are a type 2 what you eat is the single biggest thing that effects levels. And it’s not just sugar but anything else that also becomes glucose when it’s digested. So all carbs that aren’t fibre. Eg Bread, pasta, pastry, flour, cereals, oats, potatoes, rice, fruit juice and many fruits as some of the biggies on top of sugar itself.

 

[Flipsider]

Thank you for the replies, when I was first tested and was in the range of 30 I was sent to the hospital. At the hospital they flushed my system and gave me insulin, the insulin took some time to work and my levels dropped to 15. The diabetic team was not available so I was sent home with seven tablets to take one a day for a week and then increase to twice daily.

When taking the tablets twice daily my readings were high in the 30s so was again sent to hospital twice. The last hospital visit they got it down to 15 again.

The GP then increased the medication to two tablets twice daily. My readings are still very high and have requested for the Dr to call me and still waiting for the call since yesterday morning.

I have an appointment with the diabetic nurse only on the 24 November. All of this has been going on for two and half weeks so still very fresh.

Through all this I have not been told what diabetes I have, bloods have been taken many times to check if my levels have been lowered to be able to discharge me from A&E.

The Dr at the first visit did refer me to a diabetic nurse to visit me at home and this has not happened.

In regards to the tests which have been done which you have mentioned I do not know if these have been done, I do know that the keytones have been checked. I don’t know if the issues lie with myself only seeing junior Drs in A&E.

In regards to food I have read up on this and have read up and changed my diet from day one. My current reading is 31.2, I really don’t know what to do anymore.

 

[KennyA]

You really must get a proper medical assessment of what's going on. Your GP should do it but from your account seems unwilling to, perhaps because there's a fixed belief you're a T2.

A&E is your next stop with those sorts of readings you're reporting. We cannot diagnose on here and nobody here should be telling you what the conclusion/outcome might be.

However I've had a similar situation in my own family where a family member was told repeatedly by the GP practice for weeks that he "had food poisoning". It was actually diabetic ketoacidosis from previously undiagnosed Type 1 diabetes, and it needed a blue light admission in the end. You're not there yet, and you can avoid being there.

 

[EllieM]

n regards to the tests which have been done which you have mentioned I do not know if these have been done, I do know that the keytones have been checked. I don’t know if the issues lie with myself only seeing junior Drs in A&E.

Do you have any way to test ketones at home? With no diagnosis of diabetic type (you really need cpeptide and GAD antibody tests for this) a risk is that you could be a T1. If both blood sugar and ketones are high in a T1 you can go into diabetic ketoacidosis due to lack of insulin in your body. However, given that they have been checking your ketones, I sincerely hope that they haven't been running high, because I would expect them to have taken more actiion that just sending you back to your GP if they were.

It's not unknown for T2s to start out with very high blood sugars, so you really can't tell much without those tests. (And as @KennyA said, forum rules don't allow us to diagnose). I would hope that your GP would have referred you to an endocrinologist, or A&E would get an endocrinologist to look at you while you are there, it seems like you are being passed between the two with no one willing to take charge of your condition.

Lots of virtual hugs.

 

[HSSS]

I really don’t know what to do anymore.

Back to A&E I’d say with a reading over 30. Now.

Tell them you are not being assessed or treated enough to prevent these very high numbers and are worried about DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) if these delays and lack of treatment continue. Especially as you could be type 1 as no type has been confirmed. Be very firm, take someone with you who can help if need be. Don’t leave til a senior dr/specialist has seen you and tests have been done/arranged.

Waiting another month or not hearing from the clinic is not good enough in this situation. Explain the metformin (which I assume is what you are referring to when you say tablets) has been increased but isn’t working. If they refuse, ask them to document in your notes you have asked for this to be done, as this often makes them reevaluate their choices.

 

[HSSS]

Can I just ask a bit more about you too? What age group are you? Over under or just right weight?

What do you eat and drink usually and what changes have you made since diagnosis?

IF you do turn out to be type 2 then food has a strong bearing on how you manage it and making changes (ie lowering carbs as I outlined above as much as possible) can bring about rapid improvements and won’t hurt to do regardless whilst waiting on test results for type etc

 

[Flipsider]

@HSSS I am 43 and weigh 120kgs 1.93m tall. I start off in the morning with wetabix, I usually don’t have another meal until dinner but if I do it will be a sandwich with brown bread, cheese and hams. Dinners obviously vary and need to figure out a meal plan for this, later in the evening I have a fruit snack and some yoghurt.

I drink mostly water or fresh orange juice.

As I am newly diagnosed and not had much help from the Drs side just yet I am learning more each day. My last two readings were in range of 26-27.

Dr did call me today and after giving her all the readings she said this sounds like a very complex case and another Dr who is more clued up on this will call me tomorrow afternoon.

So holding thumbs this gets sorted out tomorrow, only thing is this will be the Dr who keeps sending me to A&E where I also don’t get any further with anything.

Thank you to all who have replied and have tried to help, means a lot thank you.

 

[Antje77]

I'd leave at least the orange juice for now, it has almost as much sugar as regular coke. Diabetics on insulin use it to get their blood glucose up real quick when they go too low.

I really hope you'll manage to get some more help soon!

 

[Flipsider]

Thank you I will leave the orange juice out.

 

[HSSS]

@HSSS I am 43 and weigh 120kgs 1.93m tall. I start off in the morning with wetabix, I usually don’t have another meal until dinner but if I do it will be a sandwich with brown bread, cheese and hams. Dinners obviously vary and need to figure out a meal plan for this, later in the evening I have a fruit snack and some yoghurt.

I drink mostly water or fresh orange juice.

As I am newly diagnosed and not had much help from the Drs side just yet I am learning more each day. My last two readings were in range of 26-27.

Dr did call me today and after giving her all the readings she said this sounds like a very complex case and another Dr who is more clued up on this will call me tomorrow afternoon.

So holding thumbs this gets sorted out tomorrow, only thing is this will be the Dr who keeps sending me to A&E where I also don’t get any further with anything.

Thank you to all who have replied and have tried to help, means a lot thank you.

As well as the oj, weetabix and bread of any colour will raise levels, as will many fruits. Dinners with rice, pasta and potatoes will do the same. Now if you turn out to be type 1 you can a balance your intake of carbs with insulin but for now, and in the future if you are type 2, I’d be very wary of these til you know more. Try eggs for breakfast instead or bacon or both and stick to the meat and veg for dinner. Try just the ham and cheese for lunch without the bread, maybe add salad. See what happens when you don’t keep adding glucose in. Keep checking the levels

A type 2‘s levels will usually begin to fall within hours to days, type 1 quite possible not. The fact that you are eating a high carb diet and are not skinny or losing weight leans towards type 2 but that’s a broad and sweeping statement that still needs checking as it might be wrong. Even a type 2 can have very high levels that need medical assistance in the right (wrong) circumstances.

You can obviously test at home, does this include for ketones? Also it might be helpful to test before and 2hrs after each meal to see effects of it. It’ll teach you what foods spike you high and which don’t. Useful whatever type you are - to avoid or to know you’ll need more insulin.

Fear not, there are lots of helpful people in here of all types who’ll help you adjust. Just get through the next few days and start getting some stability in your levels then plan a way forward in the medium to long term. Make sure you speak to the dr and get some action tomorrow.

 

[Flipsider]

@HSSS Thank you for taking the time to explain more, it was actually the hospital that said I should have weetbix in the morning as I don’t really eat until dinner time and I have to now eat when taking the Metformin.

I know diet is not really good with not eating, the hospital also said to eat wholewheat bread in the afternoon for lunch. I will now stop eating this and eat what you have mentioned.

I have done a lot of research on what and what not to eat and this is also how I found this wonderful app with all you awesome ppl. I am a big eater of fruit and I eat the fruit on what I have googled that I am able to eat.

My diet must change this I know but in the situation I am currently in with Drs passing me back and fourth I have not had much help.

Readings are still between 26 - 31, have blood tests today so hopefully I get somewhere with this.

Thank you.

 

[HSSS]

@HSSS Thank you for taking the time to explain more, it was actually the hospital that said I should have weetbix in the morning as I don’t really eat until dinner time and I have to now eat when taking the Metformin.

I know diet is not really good with not eating, the hospital also said to eat wholewheat bread in the afternoon for lunch. I will now stop eating this and eat what you have mentioned.

I have done a lot of research on what and what not to eat and this is also how I found this wonderful app with all you awesome ppl. I am a big eater of fruit and I eat the fruit on what I have googled that I am able to eat.

My diet must change this I know but in the situation I am currently in with Drs passing me back and fourth I have not had much help.

Readings are still between 26 - 31, have blood tests today so hopefully I get somewhere with this.

Thank you.

Omg when are these hospital staff going to wake up. They obviously have never tested a weetabix breakfast or wholewheat bread on a meter or cgm. Yes low GI foods digest a little more slowly into glucose but it all still happens and the payoff is frequently a long if lower spike. As for fruit as well as the carbs there is fructose to consider which doesn’t show on a glucose meter - because it’s not glucose. Fructose in excess can contribute to non alcoholic fatty liver common in type 2 and makes the diabetes worse that way. A handful of berries is the best option avoiding grapes and tropical fruit entirely. Veg is an even better source of the same sort of micronutrients.

 

[filly]

Omg when are these hospital staff going to wake up. They obviously have never tested a weetabix breakfast or wholewheat bread on a meter or cgm. Yes low GI foods digest a little more slowly into glucose but it all still happens and the payoff is frequently a long if lower spike. As for fruit as well as the carbs there is fructose to consider which doesn’t show on a glucose meter - because it’s not glucose. Fructose in excess can contribute to non alcoholic fatty liver common in type 2 and makes the diabetes worse that way. A handful of berries is the best option avoiding grapes and tropical fruit entirely. Veg is an even better source of the same sort of micronutrients.

For me as a type 2 Fruit is evil. I adore it and do introduce a little now and again . However, just find certain foods not worth the trouble. As for boxed cereals I stopped eating them 15 years ago. I know it is hard. Think we all find it hard at times. Especially when we get in the mind set of doing what others are doing or telling us that is right. Listen to your body, check your bloods and keep on track if you can. Better in the long run.

 

[Rowgirl]

Hi all, I am newly diagnosed and in need of some help please. I have been sent to the A&E three times already by my GP and have had to sit at least 12hrs each time only to be released back to the GP.

Testing at the hospital on arrival blood sugar is always in the 30s. They get it down to around 15 and then released. When testing at home I never get below 20 and I am usually in the highs of 30.

I am taking Metformin x2 500mg in the morning and evening. Last night I could only get a reading of Hi on my home test as it won’t read it as it’s very high, today testing it’s been in the 30s and not dropping.

The A&E keep saying that the GP should stop sending me to them as they should be dealing with it, but when I call the GP all they want to do is send me to the A&E.

I am totally lost on this and should I be worried? Should I be going to A&E?

Appreciate any help!

Thank you!

This is what happened to me in Feb this year. I yoyo'd between A&E and the GP, with high blood sugars, losing 1-2lbs in weight a day, weight loss approaching 4 stone in a year. Feeling very unwell, A&E saying 'ah you were here yesterday', there's quite a queue!! But I kept phoning the GP practice, fortunately a different diabetic nurse said this isn't type 2, this is type 1. He phoned the endo team at the hospital and I went there on my third hospital visit. I got started on insulin. In April I had the antibody tests which were positive to 3 types, and confirmed LADA. Keep trying, I think I was a couple of days away from collapsing. I now have background retinopathy. Good luck, don't accept what people 'think' ask for facts.

 

[HSSS]

@HSSS Thank you for taking the time to explain more, it was actually the hospital that said I should have weetbix in the morning as I don’t really eat until dinner time and I have to now eat when taking the Metformin.

I know diet is not really good with not eating, the hospital also said to eat wholewheat bread in the afternoon for lunch. I will now stop eating this and eat what you have mentioned.

I have done a lot of research on what and what not to eat and this is also how I found this wonderful app with all you awesome ppl. I am a big eater of fruit and I eat the fruit on what I have googled that I am able to eat.

My diet must change this I know but in the situation I am currently in with Drs passing me back and fourth I have not had much help.

Readings are still between 26 - 31, have blood tests today so hopefully I get somewhere with this.

Thank you.

Sorry I was rushing out the door when I posted. I’d also add that skipping meals - in type 2 - is a good thing not a bad thing, so long as you get all the nutrition you need at some point in the day. It’s called intermittent fasting or time restricted eating. The only caveat is if you are on specific medications. Metformin is not one of those. The reason for eating with metformin is simply because it reduces the chance of gastrointestinal distress (diarrhoea usually).

Keep going with the investigations and hopefully you’ll have some answers soon and the medical support you should have been getting all along. Maybe ask about a ketone meter and strips whilst at the appointment for whilst your levels are still so high to be safer whilst waiting on results.