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Pauliegreg

Pauliegreg

Active Member
Messages
27
Location
Blackpool UK
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi everyone,

I'm Paul, 41 years old and have been diagnosed with T2 diabetes since October 2016, although I had probably had it for a few years before.

I feel cheated though, since my diagnosis everything seem to have gone wrong, healthwise.
I lost a lot of weight, and then discovered I had T2. Since then my Hba1c is through the roof, it started at 130, its in the 80s now, but still too high, my nurse is letting the metformin bring the number down. it just seems to be taking forever.
I've been diagnosed as severely anaemic too, which doesn't help the diabetes. I have neuropathy in my legs, they get shaky and unsteady, but that seems a little better recently. and this week I have an infection, again caused by high blood glucose, causing my belly button to swell out and have a horrible, smelly discharge. I'm now in agony waiting for the antibiotics to kick in.

I started a new job a couple of weeks ago and have had to take the last couple of days off because of the infection, I don't think they're that happy with me, but I have decided that my health has to take no.1 priority now.

Has anyone else had similar symptoms/associated infections etc? How did you cope?
 
Hello and welcome to the forum. Tagging @daisy1 for the welcome pack offered to all newcomers.

Metformin does little to lower blood glucose levels but is prescribed to work in the background to aid the liver. You seem to have had a bad time of it with regards to your health but we can perhaps advise and support youtowards an improvement. Stay tuned for more!
 
Hi Pauliegreg and welcome to the Forum!
First let me tag in @daisy1 who post loads of useful info.
Have you had any advice on diet, as relying solely on Metformin to bring your blood sugars down won’t work? Metformin only helps a tiny bit, diet is the key.
 
I find it odd that with an HbA1c of 130 you were simply given Metformin. 130 is dangerously high, and would normally be treated initially with much stronger drugs.

Are you also aware that certain types of anaemia can cause the HbA1c to be falsely elevated? (and likewise, some types can cause it to be falsely low) The HbA1c relies on us having normal red blood cells.

Are you doing anything to help yourself with your diabetes, or are you just relying on the Metformin? Metformin doesn't work like that, it requires a diet suitable for diabetics - which is far more than avoiding sugar. Have you got your own blood glucose meter? If not, then I strongly advise you to get one. Without a meter you are working blind.
 
Bluetit1802 said:
I find it odd that with an HbA1c of 130 you were simply given Metformin.
Click to expand...

I expect that some random thinger prick BG tests where done as well. Without self-testing of before and after meal readings, I can't 2nd guess what is going on.

But given it is still at 80, I would be wanting to see a GP with a double length appointment is discuss using some of the new drugs that don't have a risk of Hypso.
 
Can you list some typical meals you eat - it could well be that the type of foods you are eating is not doing you any good - diabetes is an inability to cope with carbohydrates in the modern diet, and going back to a far lower intake of carbs can mean a return to normal blood glucose levels for some lucky type twos. It doesn't work for everyone, but can mean lower medication even for type ones.
 
My nurse discussed other drugs, but said that the side effects were horrendous, possible hypos etc. so she would recommend that I stay on the metformin.
My nurse said that my diet wasn't too bad, I'm following the slimming world diet but not eating all the carbs that they say you can, and all the unlimited fruit and veg too. I eat lean meat, but am mostly vegetarian. But saying that I am going to look at diet properly and follow a diabetic diet from now on.
Nobody has explained anything really apart from cut out sugars and sugary drinks. I asked the nurse about a blood glucose meter but she said you don't need one for type 2, so I didn't bother.
I just want my blood glucose to come down and maybe I will start feeling better soon!
 
Pauliegreg said:
My nurse discussed other drugs, but said that the side effects were horrendous, possible hypos etc. so she would recommend that I stay on the metformin.
My nurse said that my diet wasn't too bad, I'm following the slimming world diet but not eating all the carbs that they say you can, and all the unlimited fruit and veg too. I eat lean meat, but am mostly vegetarian. But saying that I am going to look at diet properly and follow a diabetic diet from now on.
Nobody has explained anything really apart from cut out sugars and sugary drinks. I asked the nurse about a blood glucose meter but she said you don't need one for type 2, so I didn't bother.
I just want my blood glucose to come down and maybe I will start feeling better soon!
Click to expand...

Lots of us ignore the instruction not to test at home. It means self funding but you will learn so much about what foods you can eat without spiking your blood sugars.
 
Pauliegreg said:
My nurse discussed other drugs, but said that the side effects were horrendous, possible hypos etc. so she would recommend that I stay on the metformin.
Click to expand...

Talks to your GP (consider booking a double appointment), as there are lots of newer drugs with no risk of hypos. It is very likely your nurse is about 3 to 5 years out of date.

Low carb is harder with vegetarian food, but possible, this will give you some ideas https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/recipes/vegetarian and https://www.dietdoctor.com/member/vegetarian-meal-plans
 
@Pauliegreg

Hello Pauliegreg and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you like 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 235,000 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 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. Most of these are 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.
 
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