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High readings how to bring it down fast

P

phil16

Member
Messages
19
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
My BG readings have gone off the scale. Type 2 and this has happened before abroad. I had everything thrown at me then but now no chance of seeing GP tomorrow and surgery colosed on Monday. Really don't want to go to A&E. any advice as to how to deal with this please?
 
What do you mean by sky high? What are your numbers What is your diet like, what are you eating? - my best advice is call 111 or your GP surgery they will decide if you need medical attention. Hope you get it sorted soon
 
Thanks for your replies. A wee update, I managed to see a GP and they took advice from diabetic clnic and I've been given Gliclazide 40mg tabs twice a day. Seeing GP again on tuesday. Also got Ketostix to test urine.
My BGs have been going up slightly over the last week but just went off scale last night. 29.7mmol then twice HI (over 30) and beeping. Suspect an ear infection may be the cause? Now have antibiotics "just in case" as this is recurrent.
The frustration when this happens is I have no tools to deal with it and fel quite helpless. Doesn't help you feel in control!

Can I ask a general question of you? Are you being treated/managed by your GPs or do you go direct to Diabetic clinics? I feel always at a distance from the experts and the delay in getting answers at times is not confidence building.
 
Infection can make our BG levels rise and pain can have the same effect all on its own. Keep testing and make sure you keep well-hydrated. If you have an ear infection that keeps coming back, this needs investigation. Have you been referred to a hospital over this ? My non-diabetic husband had a similar problem a couple of years ago and a change of antibiotic proved to be the answer after several trips to A & E. Hope you get this sorted soon.
 
phil16 said:
Thanks for your replies. A wee update, I managed to see a GP and they took advice from diabetic clnic and I've been given Gliclazide 40mg tabs twice a day. Seeing GP again on tuesday. Also got Ketostix to test urine.
My BGs have been going up slightly over the last week but just went off scale last night. 29.7mmol then twice HI (over 30) and beeping. Suspect an ear infection may be the cause? Now have antibiotics "just in case" as this is recurrent.
The frustration when this happens is I have no tools to deal with it and fel quite helpless. Doesn't help you feel in control!

Can I ask a general question of you? Are you being treated/managed by your GPs or do you go direct to Diabetic clinics? I feel always at a distance from the experts and the delay in getting answers at times is not confidence building.
Click to expand...
In my around 5 years from being diagnosed, I see the diabetes nurse once a year and have never seen my GP for anything diabetes apart from when I was diagnosed at first
 
lucylocket61 said:
In my 10+ years as a type 2 diabetic I have never been to a diabetic clinic. I haven't seen a GP for diabetes either. I see the diabetes nurse once a year.
Click to expand...
Really? So have you been very stable and just rely on once yearly check ups? I seemed to be fine for first few years then out of the blue I went off scale. This has happened 3 times now and it makes me feel like I have little control and takes time to get it back with GP checking with clinic for advice re changes. I would rather deal direct but doesn't seem possible
 
Mrs T 123 said:
In my around 5 years from being diagnosed, I see the diabetes nurse once a year and have never seen my GP for anything diabetes apart from when I was diagnosed at first
Click to expand...
This is interesting, your experience is same as another reponse.
So have you been very stable and just rely on once yearly check ups? I seemed to be fine for first few years then out of the blue I went off scale. This has happened 3 times now and it makes me feel like I have little control and takes time to get it back with GP checking with clinic for advice re changes. I would rather deal direct but doesn't seem possible
 
JMK1954 said:
Infection can make our BG levels rise and pain can have the same effect all on its own. Keep testing and make sure you keep well-hydrated. If you have an ear infection that keeps coming back, this needs investigation. Have you been referred to a hospital over this ? My non-diabetic husband had a similar problem a couple of years ago and a change of antibiotic proved to be the answer after several trips to A & E. Hope you get this sorted soon.
Click to expand...
This is a recurrent problem which this time really didn't seem too bad but is the only cause I can think of. The antibiotic I get does clear it up and I now have a spare in case.
 
lovinglife said:
What do you mean by sky high? What are your numbers What is your diet like, what are you eating? - my best advice is call 111 or your GP surgery they will decide if you need medical attention. Hope you get it sorted soon
Click to expand...
It was as high as the monitor would go! I've posted an update below and feel a bit better and more in control thanks
 
The last time this happened to me I was in Spain and went to a medical centre and was treated by paramedics. They literally threw the shop at me. Fast acting insulin, slow acting insulin and changed my Metformin from 1 x 750 ER to 3 x 500 Metformin IR. It all certainly got me down fast without being admitted to hospital but was quite brutal.
I am back on 1 x 750 ER with 1 x 25mg Jardiance and thought I was doing ok until this happened.
I read that using the FA insulin was a standard way to get the numbers down fast but I have no idea who prescribes this. GP, clinic, diabetic nurse? I would just like to have a plan for dealing with this rather than let it run while waiting to see someone. It's pretty worrying and takes a lot out of you so I'd rather have some tools to catch it before it gets that bad.
 
phil16 said:
Really? So have you been very stable and just rely on once yearly check ups? I seemed to be fine for first few years then out of the blue I went off scale. This has happened 3 times now and it makes me feel like I have little control and takes time to get it back with GP checking with clinic for advice re changes. I would rather deal direct but doesn't seem possible
Click to expand...
I dont have a choice, I only get offered annual check ups with the DN. Thats it.
 
Gratitude for your answers. A small update, I figured out how to see a GP and they accepted guidance from diabetic clnic and I've been given Gliclazide 40mg tabs two times every day. Seeing GP again on tuesday. Likewise got Ketostix to test pee.
 
My BGs have been going up somewhat over the course of the past week however went off scale the previous evening. 29.7mmol then two times Greetings (north of 30) and blaring. Suspect an ear contamination might be the reason? Presently have anti-toxins "for good measure" as this is repetitive.
 
The disappointment when this happens is I have no devices to manage it and fel very powerless. Doesn't assist you with feeling in charge!
 
phil16 said:
Thanks for your replies. A wee update, I managed to see a GP and they took advice from diabetic clnic and I've been given Gliclazide 40mg tabs twice a day. Seeing GP again on tuesday. Also got Ketostix to test urine.
My BGs have been going up slightly over the last week but just went off scale last night. 29.7mmol then twice HI (over 30) and beeping. Suspect an ear infection may be the cause? Now have antibiotics "just in case" as this is recurrent.
The frustration when this happens is I have no tools to deal with it and fel quite helpless. Doesn't help you feel in control!

Can I ask a general question of you? Are you being treated/managed by your GPs or do you go direct to Diabetic clinics? I feel always at a distance from the experts and the delay in getting answers at times is not confidence building.
Click to expand...
Hi phil16,

I haven't seen a GP for a few years now but have had a phone call from one about my numbers being too high (after HbA1c test), that was late last year. Since then I sometimes get a phone call from my DN after my HbA1c test which I have done at the surgery every 3 months. I'm told if I feel my numbers are too high to ring the surgery and someone will get back to me, like you I felt I had no control at all. Finally after many times asking they finally gave me a meter (I have to self fund the strips), since then I now feel much more in control as I can see what foods spike me. I have never been referred or asked to go to a Diabetic clinic.

I hope your ear infection clears up soon and that the new medication works :)
 
sandlashahzaib said:
Gratitude for your answers. A small update, I figured out how to see a GP and they accepted guidance from diabetic clnic and I've been given Gliclazide 40mg tabs two times every day. Seeing GP again on tuesday. Likewise got Ketostix to test pee.
Click to expand...
Hi sandlashahzaib,

Welcome to the forums :)

If you start your own thread then many other people will a) come and welcome you and b) try to help you with your problems.
I'm sorry to hear that you are having such high numbers and that you do have a GP that helps you. :)

Please do let us know how you are getting on :)
 
phil16 said:
This is interesting, your experience is same as another reponse.
So have you been very stable and just rely on once yearly check ups? I seemed to be fine for first few years then out of the blue I went off scale. This has happened 3 times now and it makes me feel like I have little control and takes time to get it back with GP checking with clinic for advice re changes. I would rather deal direct but doesn't seem possible
Click to expand...
tbh once yearly check ups suit me fine and I still regularly test (self funded as my DN says I don't need to test but that's another topic ...) and if I noticed a huge increase then I would get in touch with DN for advice but again tbh I feel I know more about my condition than her because if I had relied on her advice I would not be in remission which was something I have achieved on my own ...
 
valann said:
Hi phil16,

I haven't seen a GP for a few years now but have had a phone call from one about my numbers being too high (after HbA1c test), that was late last year. Since then I sometimes get a phone call from my DN after my HbA1c test which I have done at the surgery every 3 months. I'm told if I feel my numbers are too high to ring the surgery and someone will get back to me, like you I felt I had no control at all. Finally after many times asking they finally gave me a meter (I have to self fund the strips), since then I now feel much more in control as I can see what foods spike me. I have never been referred or asked to go to a Diabetic clinic.

I hope your ear infection clears up soon and that the new medication works :)
Click to expand...
Thanks for your response. I'm quite amazed to find that people have so little support with their treatment. I'm profoundly deaf so calling surgery is not an option and face to face is still difficult which makes things harder. I feel I've missed out on essential info at some point as I have no idea what sick day rules mean etc.

I bought a meter at the start and fund it myself and without it would never know what is happening, neither would they! Its not very reassuring.

I have started the antibiotics as my ear was agony last night so hopefully things will settle down soon
 
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