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Might be T1 not T2. Scared.

cazza54 said:
I have been to the doctors this morning. I do have to go on insulin injections. She is making me an appointment to see the Specialist. She is also referring me to a dietician and a podiatrist.
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Don't be sad cazza, this is a really good thing! You will be able to get your BGLs back in control and start feeling better . Judging by the recent BGL readings that you mention above you're probably feeling pretty horrible right now.

If you're low carbing then you might be able to get away with a premixed pen. If you're looking to make the process as simple as possible then talk to your doctor about this option. The down side of premixed pens is that you don't get the control over basil/bolus dose that you would with separate needles. I use a 30/70 premix (that's 70% slow acting and only 30% fast acting) which works out pretty good with a low carb diet. The pens dispense a calibrated dose so they're really easy to use, and with their small thin needles the jabs really are pretty painless.
 
Thank you, uart. Yes, pretty horrible just about describes it. Yesterday I had scrambled eggs for breakfast and during the morning my BG went up to 16.2! I forced myself to go for a walk, but didn't dare take the dogs as I was quite wobbly and didn't want them to accidentally pull me over. It did bring it down a little, but I felt washed out all day.

Today I am running around 12 and still feel rough.

The premixed pen sounds easier, but I wonder if more control might be better? I use a pen for my Victoza with 5mm needles and they are quite comfortable (most of the time).

Thank you also, Toscamo. Overnight miracles sound good, but I realize it might take a bit of juggling and adjustment to get things back on track.

I did get an appointment with the Specialist through the post, but it is not for quite a few weeks. I have therefore asked if there is any way it can be brought forward. I can't stand the thought of feeling like this for so long, and the risk of complications running high could cause.

Regards,

Carol
 
@cazza54 it really does sound like you're now a type 1.5 or 1. I hope they're still planning to order the test to confirm this. This would be very important for me, to know conclusively one way or the other, but I'm me, not you.

If it is important for you, do ask for it.

The good news, as others have already stated, is that the low carb diet will continue to serve you well, on insulin too. I found Richard Bernstein's story very encouraging. He's in his early 80's now, and still enjoying vibrant health, no complications. And he was diagnosed with type 1 at age 12!
 
Let us know when you get those diagnostic test results.... it could be anything until you find out for sure. Although one thing is guaranteed... it will give you peace of mind when you know what you're dealing with.

For me I had trouble with my BGL's back in 2009-2010 and I did get a bit beside myself at the time thinking the oral meds were a waste of money and time. I put my foot down though and I was the one that told my endo that I wanted the diagnostic tests done again as something was clearly wrong.

I was right... for me I was already dealing with insulin resistance anyhow as I have PCOS too. But then to find out my pancreas isn't producing the insulin I need made complete sense why the oral meds were not doing anything. It did take a while for me to get good control on insulin because firstly the protophane basal they gave me wasn't right for me. But things picked up for me when I was placed on lantus for basal and apidra for bolus. I'm still on these and I just have to adjust every now and then depending with what I'm dealing with health wise.

I wish you the best.
 
Thank you, Mep. I will be sure to report back.

I thought I would share a typical days readings and diet. This was today's. The vet is not a regular occurrence (thankfully).



Even with missing lunch it took nearly all day for my readings to get anywhere near the normal range.
 
Hi, Cazza, your signature shows 2x500 Metformin, but you dosed 3x in the log. Also you seem to be taking the Metformin late. It is best to take it with the meal. For me I found it better if I take it about 30mins before I eat because it works by stopping glucose digestion in the gut, so needs to be dissolved and waiting for the food..

You can see the Victoza taking effect, but don't expect the Metformin to do much. It has a limited effect on bgl. It may be that a change in medication would help since the Victoza seems to have short half life, and maybe you need more 24 hr cover.
I was put on 4x Gliclazide in the morning, and it was useless. I split it 3 ways to cover the meals I usually have, and things improved all round. I had a similar issue when Dr made me take all 4 Metformins at once. Again, I split it through the day. By changing my timings and doses of my meds I dropped my HbA1c from 99 to 53 in 3 months.
 
Hi Oldvatr, I am not sure how to edit my signature. My current dose of /Metformin is 3 tablets a day.

I wasn't told that I should have them before the meal, but I will certainly give that a try. Thank you. I was just told morning and night by the nurse.

I tend to take the one in the morning to try to avoid embarrassing incidents when out and about, if you know what I mean. The two in the evening do cause mad dashes to the loo, but at least it is only a short trip to get there!

Edited: I managed to change my signature.
 

Yeh, definitely appears that metformin isn't helping much. When I was at this point I discussed with my doc and they introduced other oral meds in addition to the metformin. I then had success. But my success eventually wore off and I wound up on insulin anyhow. Every time things aren't working, it's time for review which you're doing.
 
Feeling really cr*p tonight!

I have had a difficult customer to deal with by e-mail all day, and it has really pushed my buttons. End result my before bed BG reading is 16.8!!!!!

I have at last got all three appointments that were promised. The first, the podiatrist is next Monday. Then the dietician next month, and the Diabetes Specialist in June. I did actually ring to ask if that last one could be brought forward, but to no avail. I have to admit to even bursting into tears on the phone. Not something I often do!

Yesterday was a typical day. 12.8 on rising, had small breakfast of a few raspberries and greek yogurt. Off for the whole day on a photo shoot, no lunch, got home evening and after rising to 15 midday, it had dropped to 9.8 and that was after being on my feet most of the day. I had liver and onions, nothing else, for supper last night.

I am almost at the point of next time it goes really high ringing for an ambulance! Maybe if I end up in hospital with such a high reading they will sort out the insulin sooner?

Sorry to vent, but I knew my friends here would understand.
 


You are definitely getting high readings there. Yes, stress does raise our BGL's. too.

I'm sorry to hear you couldn't get an earlier appointment. You definitely need help as what you're on isn't working, it sounds like you're not producing the insulin you need for sure. They were the numbers I was getting for a while and it was depressing.

I'm currently dealing with an infection and not happy with my BGL numbers so far today. I woke up with my highest BGL fasting in a long time.. 9.6. I'm on insulin but I get the impression I'm having to change my basal dosage again. I'm sick of getting sick because not only does it make me feel unwell but it messes with my diabetes control so I'm sitting there trying to figure out the correct basal dosage again which is usually guess work for me.

I hope you have a better time with work, sorry to hear you had a hard time with a customer.
 
Oh dear. Horrid situation. Can you not get the insulin from your doctor now? You really need it now. You need low basal once a day and quick-acting before meals, 1 unit quick-acting to 10g carb and see how it goes.

Surely your dr doesn't want to expose you to any risk of DKA. Can you work on the doctor?
 
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Thank you Mep and Lucy.

Yes, I am still working on the doctor. I hope to have better news to report soon.
 
Just good luck. Hoping you can get your doctor's attention. Once you have insulin, you'll feel so much better. Rooting for you.
 
Good luck from me too, Carol (Cazza - not sure which you prefer?). High blood sugar levels from stress has always been a BIG problem for me, and it's a symptom of diabetes that is difficult to gauge, explain to medics, and its start and end point is lost in time. My meter allows me to factor in stress, though it seems like an afterthought rather than a crucial aspect .... but I feel I need to change the setting, because it never gives me enough 'credit" for stress, if you know what I mean. For me, it could be stress caused by stroppy people, being late due to traffic, being lost on motorways, seeing high blood sugar readings, using the underground, you name it ..... I find that planning does help me, and that includes doing my 'homework' for the events of the day to come, waking at roughly the same time each day, getting enough sleep, yoga-breathing-relaxation and obviously not eating the wrong stuff, though when I'm stressed I used to be very inclined to comfort-eat and I make sure I no longer do that at all. When you have insulin, you'll be able to tailor your doses to meet stress levels, but because, unlike with food, those levels are difficult to quantify it's very important not to overdose. Rooting for you too. Many of us know how difficult this is, but you'll get there!
 
Quick update.

I had my podiatry appointment last month and it seems I have three types of nerve damage. Autonomic, peripheral and I can't remember the third one. She was concerned at my levels and suggested I ring the Specialist to bring the meeting forward. The first date set was for 9th of June, but after phoning her it was brought forward to May 12th (tomorrow). I am a bit apprehensive but am hoping it goes ok. Wish me luck?
 
Of course I don't mind, NurseDee. I use an app on my Mac and iPad called Diabetes Pilot. It also tracks carbs, exercise, medication, weight and blood pressure.

Regards,

Carol
 
cazza54 said:
I wish the nurse had elaborated about the “liver problem” but she wouldn’t.
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Maybe she couldn't. I had poor liver function for years after taking Rosiglitazone (no longer available). My GP at the time kept telling me to cut my alcohol intake. I had to ask him how to do that as I didn't drink.
Liver function now in normal range, I did take Milk Thistle for 6 months and it is meant to improve liver function. Who knows?
 
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