hypo? confused.

[amandajane]

I am type 2 diabetic, and have had good control for the last 9 months, with my last Hba1c being 5.6 - however, I was beginning to fall off the wagon, just mildly, and wanted to bring myself back on track so I booked myself into a juicing retreat, specialising in the condition of type 2 diabetes, in Spain. When I arrived I was given a "health assessment" that took all of 10 minutes. The nurse did my finger prick, which was 5.6 and suggested I should come off my metformin. (i am on 2 x 500 mg a day having reduced from 4 x 500 mg). She didn't ask for my last Hba1c - I had to volunteer this information. She said the juicing would bring down my blood sugars further and gave me some fruit for my room incase I felt too low and had a hypo.

I decided to drop the metformin - but based on my own awareness, not her advice, and my finger pricking and last result, but I was surprised to think I could have a hypo - was this really a possibility considering I was not on any medication for the week. My lowest readings whilst there were low 4's.

I am thinking of making a complaint to the retreat, for other diabetics who may not have such good control and may be in the earlier stages of their condition and feeling uncertain. Any info would be appreciated.

They say that they get the majority of people off their diabetic medication, I can see this might be the case for the duration of their stay - but not sure what happens beyond that. Also, there was no nurse on duty for 4 days of my week's stay and she only asked my test results (finger pricking) once, when reminded. Hmmm.

Thanks.

 

[Squire Fulwood]

I but I was surprised to think I could have a hypo - was this really a possibility considering I was not on any medication for the week. My lowest readings whilst there were low 4's.
Thanks.

Maybe they put something in the juice.

 

[Sunshine_Kisses]

So, just to clarify, you're thinking of complaining to the retreat because they claimed they could help with diabetes by getting you off your medication and still keep your blood sugars low, and it did? :-D


Diagnosed Type 2, 22nd Feb 2013
Hba1c 7.5
Three month trial of managing through diet & exercise - low-ish carb, pescatarian and attempting to become a runner ;-)

 

[amandajane]

Hello Nomistheman - thanks for your reply. That's what I thought really, and feel concerned about other type 2's who might use the establishment and come off their medication because of low finger prick results when these results might not be maintained beyond their stay or reflected in their HbA1c's. Perhaps my use of the word "complaint" was too strong and seems to have upset Sunshine Kisses but they do need to offer more guidance and support in my opinion.

A juicing retreat is a place where they provide you with vegetable/fruit juices as a detox for as many days as you feel you can manage. I stayed on this for a week and did up to 5 hours of exercise a day.

 

[Sunshine_Kisses]

Heehee, not upset, just thought it was funny and was being cheeky, soz :-D

I do get where you were coming from, and I also think if they managed to reduce your blood sugars as they said they would they probably deserve praising and recommending... Sounds a good thing to me But you probably meant that you'd like to give them some feedback, rather than complain - which is also great, and useful for them too as they may not have thought of things from that angle. I've been on a fair few retreats, and if worded in the right way, they're usually really open to hearing about their customers experiences as its in their interests to develop alongside them.

Another way round it would be to take your own meter, that way you would feel more reassured that you weren't dropping too low? Just a thought




Diagnosed Type 2, 22nd Feb 2013
Hba1c 7.5
Three month trial of managing through diet & exercise - low-ish carb, pescatarian and attempting to become a runner ;-)