How long did it take you to control your levels

[pavlosn]

Hi everybody

I would be interested to find out your experience on how long it took you to take your fasting blood sugars within the guideline limits (4-7 mmol) when you first started a diabetes treatment.

So relevant information would include:
- Blood glucose level on diagnosis/start of treatment
- Type of treatment: diet and exercise, oral medication, insulin
- Whether they started self monitoring/glucose testing straight away.
- Period of time before target was achieved

In my case, I was started on metformin immediately on diagnosis but I did not start testing until two weeks later. My first reading was high, but after that my readings were within the above range and have been show a steady, significant improvement since, probably thgrough a combination of tighter control, weight loss, increase in body muscle ratio and the medication working more efficiently.

I wish I had data for those first two weeks but unfortunately I do not.

What I guess I am trying to understand, is how much grace period diabetics embarking on a new treatment should allow themselves before they should expect to achieve target blood glucose levels.

Thank you for your replies.

Regards

Pavlos

 

[IanS]

My story is quite stright forward (and as I look at it once posted - long :!: ).

I was diagnosed around late July with a Blood Glucose level of just a little over 7 (this qualifies as diabetic, but only just). In fact my first test was just a little under 7, but the next 2 heralded the bad news. With a level this low, I obviously was going to end up on diet only and was duly awarded the blood glucose meter along with that precious prescription for the test strips and lancets.

For the first 3 weeks my BG was all over the place, from 7 all the way to 15. I had at this time been following the diet advice given to me when I got the meter. I then discovered this forum and learnt the lack of wisdom in that advice particularly with starchy foods. Once that was discovered, my BG has settled down to within the range 4.5 to 7.5 (my targets were 4.0 to 8.0). I hit this target more or less within about 6 weeks of starting and now after 2 months it is steady with the occasional excursion over 7.5 as I indulge in an occasional treat. :twisted:

My diabetic nurse was extremely impressed that I had got the BG under control so quickly, but I rather got the impression that it was the exception rather than the rule. This may be because my diabetes was caught very early in its destructive cycle and that made it easy. I'm sure someone else may give a more realistic expectation of how long it can take to get full control. Your BG meter is the most powerful weapon that you have and it allows you to see for yourself what foods push the BG up and down. Note down what you eat and how it affects your BG. You can then try adjusting the diet to see what difference it makes. You should be able to get fairly close to your targets, but it can possibly take a little while to fine tune the diet.

Obviously changes in medication can help you get to target, but fine tuning will presumably remain with the diet

The thing to bear in mind is whether you are going to control the diabetes or whether you are going to allow it to contol you. The first option is the better one and once you have got a good handle on it, it just becomes second nature as you shop and instinctively know what to buy and what to ignore. From what you posted, it sounds as though you are through the hard part. The reality is: that it is possible to eat well and stay within range. In fact eating well is probably the best advice, because it is mainly the convenience food that has all those dreaded carbohydrates in.

If you have been following various threads you may know that the good news is that I have lost a stone and a half in weight while getting the diet just right. The bad news is that I have been diagnosed with glaucoma, again very early in the cycle - before it has done any damage. This is not considered to be related to the diabetes.

I would wish you good luck in achieving your targets and maintaining them.

IanS.

 

[creative]

Hi Pavlosn,
Diagnosed 2nd October 2009. 16.72 .Started testing, medication, exercise and low carb that day.

The first week down to 11.2
Second week 9.2
Third week 8.4
Fourth week 7.6
Fifth week 6.6
Sixth week 5.8
Seventh week 5.3
These represent the lowest figures in that week period, some times due to experimenting with different foods I had higher readings.
Still losing weight but within my correct BMI.
Exercise has been reduced due to neuropathy and muscle atrophy in my left thigh. Tonight i pick up the results from my CAT scan and then a visit to the neurologist.
Hope this helps you.

Allan

 

[TracyA]

I was diagnosed around 4-5 weeks ago,my first reading was 14,going up to highest 25.4.I was prescribed x2 500mg Metformin,and now take 4per day,and still my levels are high ranging between 11-15.I cant seem to get them down,and im eating well.Im seeing the nurse soon as im worried. :cry:

 

[IanS]

I was diagnosed around 4-5 weeks ago,my first reading was 14,going up to highest 25.4.I was prescribed x2 500mg Metformin,and now take 4per day,and still my levels are high ranging between 11-15.I cant seem to get them down,and im eating well.Im seeing the nurse soon as im worried. :cry:

You shouldn't be worried just yet. As I understand it, getting your blood glucose to within your target range within 5 weeks of being diagnosed is pretty well unheard of (and I assume that you have been trying for less than that time). My nurse has congratulated me for achieving the target so quickly - and it's taken me 3 months (though I started from a lower level). I have only got to control it through diet. You have the additional complication of balancing against meds.

Have you discovered that eating food containing carbohydrates also contributes to your BG yet? You won't have learnt this from your nurse.

IanS

 

[stingray]

I was diagnosed around 4-5 weeks ago,my first reading was 14,going up to highest 25.4.I was prescribed x2 500mg Metformin,and now take 4per day,and still my levels are high ranging between 11-15.I cant seem to get them down,and im eating well.Im seeing the nurse soon as im worried. :cry:

Hi Trace

Welcome to the challenge of Diabetes control.
Eight years ago after my initial diagnosis it was not unusual to experience BG levels fluctuating between 10 - 30+ mmols. For a further three years it drove me mad! testing up to four times a day with results averaging as good as 9.0 one day and then into the teens and above for the next two or three day period. NOTE It is important that you have a negative result from the urine and ketoasidosis test. Furthermore, that the laboratory tests of tryglicerides levels are within range.
I remember receiving a lot of advice , and help from the diabetes specialist at the beginning.
Unfortunately my earlier enthusiam and the interest of medical centre wained after HBa1C results generally became below 9.0.
I felt lethargic and utterly dispointed with my energy levels.
Not what you wanted to hear Trace ,I'm sure!
However there was good news round the corner. Having taken the oppertunity to retire early, we moved to France. All the trauma of medical registration because of Diabetes was soon rewarded.
Long story short, a visit to the local medic for a muscle damage resulted in an immediate entry into hospital for a complete diabetic analysis. After a mandatory stay of four days I was allowed home.
The original array of pills:- ( Metformin, Piogl''ss and others ) was destroyed and replaced by two simple injections of insulin per day. At last a final goodbye to all the flatulence and bloating.
Blood sugar now regulary below 7.0, with renewed vigour, interest and self esteem. All the strips I require, with laboratory tests every two months, a fresh start, a total new lifestyle!
Why didn't the NHS consider my health important enough to propose the same care as I now receive in France. Thank you Mr. Brown! for saving public funds! to refurbish Old London Town?
I sincerely hope you faire better than I did with health care in the UK. Join Diabetes UK and read in the bi monthly magazine,similar comments of other sufferers in England.
I wish! I wish! that they had proposed the insulin regime for me at the start, I would certainly have had a better quality of life in those first few years.
Best of luck Trace'
Kindest Regard's
stingray

 

[benniesmum]

Hi all,

I was diagnosed with a fasting BG of 17.9 (gulp!) on 17th Jan 2009 (D-Day), with a BG mid 18-20 BEFORE meals. You don't want to know what my 1 and 2 hour readings were! It took until 22 Feb to get my first daytime reading below 7 and until 28th March to get my first early morning reading below 7. (I'm also a sad person who keeps their readings in an excel spreadsheet!)

This was with 1-2 Metformin a day and a lowish Carb, low GI and no snacks diet. Also a kept a food diary (highly recommended). This was a fairly dramatic diet change for me, but not unduly harsh. I cut out rice, potatoes, sugar, sweets, crisps, fruit juice and processed food, and added in breakfast (!), more nuts, fish, veg and fresh fruit. I couldn't give up chocolate, but did cut down. This sounds worse than it actually was in practice!

Now lost 2 and half stone, eating some snacks, and on 3 Metformin, showing a fairly consistent early morning BG of mid 5s.

Until these last 2 months, I was still getting the odd morning reading in the 7s for no apparent reason. (It's lower during the day). I guess it takes a while for your body to settle down to the diet changes and the medication. My D Doc told me it takes over 6 months for the Metformin to become fully effective.

Don't worry though, if you take control, you WILL win!