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Help.......

DebbieAnne

DebbieAnne

Member
Messages
13
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hi.
My situation is confusing, so I'll try keeping it short, I've been td many years ago that I was type 2, done normal stuff re duet, didn't need medication for over 20years, but then started on metphormin due to hba1c being about 53ish, bloods were erratic, so started on glipermide (forgive if misspelt)... Started to be OK again, bloods settled. I forgot about worrying, and stopped stressing so much until one day, my hba1c came back at 83%!!!then next one at 84%....still not seen consultant. Been put back on metphormin and glipermide 1mg, but I test 3x a day as advised, my fasting blood at 7am is 19.7on a good day or 22.4 on usual... And remain between 22.5 or 23.7 I've been THIS High for at least 3 months, what else can I do?? I've been told I am probably insulin resistant, not sure what that means??? But last few weeks I feel terrible. Tingles in right hand and foot and blurry vision. I'm very strict with diet, my excersize is adequate (I'm no athlete but I excersize enough to loose weight... Avge 2.5lb per week) any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I'm getting anxious now, getting very hot flushes, extremely thirsty through the night, drinking LOTS of water and tired LOTS. To say it's affecting my life and work is an understatement. I look fwd to reading your suggestions, or if anyone else has been through similar, how did you cope?
 
Hello @DebbieAnne Welcome to the forum :)

Would you like me to move your thread to 'Type 2' for more visibility as it's currently in 'Type 1' ?

In the meantime I am tagging @daisy1 for our new members information which is a good starting point to find out more.
 
DebbieAnne dehydration comes with extremely high blood sugar, along with extreme fatigue. You need to see a Diabetes Specialist Nurse as soon as possible, as it's possible that you could be T1 as these are the symptoms. Not trying to scare you, but if you have a diabetes consultant contact them as soon as you can so they can give you advice. If no consultant go to your GP. I'm T1, I take injections every day. Do your best not to worry, it's also possible that you've developed a resistance to the meds you're on, so you may just need some new tablets. Hope this helps!
 
Hi there and welcome. Can you tell us about your diet, please, as this may be the root cause of your high blood glucose. Whether you are Type 1 or Type 2 (or any of the other types) lowering your bg is key to good management of Diabetes.
 
@DebbieAnne

Hello Debbie Anne and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope it will be useful for you. Ask as many questions as you need to and someone will be able to help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 250,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a free 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.

Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. They're all free.
  • Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why
  • Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
 
With these levels you need a quick appt with your GP and for him to either start on insulin or for a quick urgent referral to hospital.
 
Shannon27 said:
DebbieAnne dehydration comes with extremely high blood sugar, along with extreme fatigue. You need to see a Diabetes Specialist Nurse as soon as possible, as it's possible that you could be T1 as these are the symptoms. Not trying to scare you, but if you have a diabetes consultant contact them as soon as you can so they can give you advice. If no consultant go to your GP. I'm T1, I take injections every day. Do your best not to worry, it's also possible that you've developed a resistance to the meds you're on, so you may just need some new tablets. Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
 
Thanks. I called GP yesterday and advised me to increase my glimperimide to 2mg, and they will write to consultant/specialist to try and bring my 1st consultation forward. I'm keeping a food diary, and recording my intake if fluid also. As I type, I'm thinking of a large ice cold pool of water, to drink, drink and keep drinking...... . Hopefully I will be able to get some thing sorted soon. I'm expecting to go onto insulin tbh, I've been to high to long, no meds are being successful at reducing it. I'm OK if that's that plan, I just wish they'd hurry up and start the ball rolling, it's only August and they originally said they'd see me in December
:'(
 
daisy1 said:
@DebbieAnne

Hello Debbie Anne and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope it will be useful for you. Ask as many questions as you need to and someone will be able to help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 250,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a free 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.

Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. They're all free.
  • Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why
  • Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
Click to expand...
Fantastic reply.... Lots of great info. Thank you so much. I greatly appreciate it x
 
Hello @DebbieAnne Glad you called your GP, it was the best thing you could do, hopefully you'll get seen soon and a plan to bring those blood glucose levels down will be put into place :)

Just wanted to check with you again as your post is currently in the type 1 area, and would gain better visibility with other type 2's who could share their experiences if it was moved, are you ok for me to move this ?
 
DebbieAnne said:
Thanks. I called GP yesterday and advised me to increase my glimperimide to 2mg, and they will write to consultant/specialist to try and bring my 1st consultation forward. I'm keeping a food diary, and recording my intake if fluid also. As I type, I'm thinking of a large ice cold pool of water, to drink, drink and keep drinking...... . Hopefully I will be able to get some thing sorted soon. I'm expecting to go onto insulin tbh, I've been to high to long, no meds are being successful at reducing it. I'm OK if that's that plan, I just wish they'd hurry up and start the ball rolling, it's only August and they originally said they'd see me in December
:'(
Click to expand...
I know that feeling all too well DebbieAnne! Doesn't make it better that you're dead thirsty but constantly feeling the need to go to the toilet too! Yeah they need to hurry up really and bring your appointment forward, as much as possible! Hope it all goes well for you :)
 
@DebbieAnne

Good... glad you got insulin... and you will get used to it.

Have you been told that you are type 1, have they tested to see whether you are?

Now you do need to ask for a referral to hospital consultant really.

Some CCG's are trying to get GP to manage T1's but to me yoyr GP has taken a long time to get you this far! So do ask for DAFNE course and to be sent to a diabetes clinic at your hospital..

You'll feel better once your levels start tto come down but this wont be immediate and level straight away. They will only be using standard average figures at the moment...
 
donnellysdogs said:
@DebbieAnne

Good... glad you got insulin... and you will get used to it.

Have you been told that you are type 1, have they tested to see whether you are?

Now you do need to ask for a referral to hospital consultant really.

Some CCG's are trying to get GP to manage T1's but to me yoyr GP has taken a long time to get you this far! So do ask for DAFNE course and to be sent to a diabetes clinic at your hospital..

You'll feel better once your levels start tto come down but this wont be immediate and level straight away. They will only be using standard average figures at the moment...
Click to expand...
Thank you for your reply, I have been seen by hospital consultant and it was this there where I was prescribed insulin. I've received so much support from the nurse specialist also. I finally feel like I am seeing light at the end of this tunnel :)
 
Glad you are now on insulin to get those levels down @DebbieAnne - hopefully you'll start to feel alot better soon, please let us know how you get on :)
 
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