Hi Toxicdog,
Toxicdog said:
Hi, I've had my first Chronic Disease Clinic visit. They said my HbAC1 level was 11.2
OK, lets start with the bad news! That is a dangerously high level - it equates to a blood sugar level of 16mmol, which is double the level at which circulation and eye problems start. You need to be aiming for an HBA1C of below 7, and preferably below 6 - but it will be a long haul so don't expect to get there overnight! Stick with us and we'll give you all the advice you need to get there. We've all done it - it takes determination and perseverance but it certainly isn't impossible.
The nurse seemed to suggest that it was unlikely that I can control my BG through Diet alone, which wasn't exactly encouraging.
Well, it is possible but it is also much easier to achieve control through a combination of diet and medication. Have a read of the success stories thread in this forum and you can see how many people have achieved brilliant control through diet or a combination of diet and meds.
She also said that they don't prescribe test strips...another problem as they are so expensive.
What she actually means is that the practice has been told by the PCT not to prescribe test strips. This is purely for financial reasons and has nothing to do with patient welfare. The PCTs who do this (who are employees of the health service) are actually acting in contravention of the governments own guidelines that type 2s should be encouraged to self test! Usually when challenged as to why they are breaking the guidelines, PCTs back down with excuses like "the practice must have misunderstood what we suggested". If you don't want a lot of hassle you might just have to bite the bullet and buy your own meter and test strips. But I would say that without a meter and regular testing your chances of getting control are somewhere below zero!!!
I don't have a true feel for what foods are best for me (well apart from sea bass)
It's not too difficult. All carbohydrates that you eat are converted in the stomach into glucose. This glucose passes into your blood stream as what we refer to as blood sugar. The more carbs you eat then the higher your BS goes and the more insulin your body needs to process the glucose. Less carbs = less insulin needed and lower blood sugar. That's why sea bass is great for you - no carbs!
Shes upping my dose of metformin from 1X 500mg slow release to 4X 500mg standard metformin..again this seems a high dose??
Yes it is a high dose, but hardly surprising as your BS level is very high. What is surprising is that she should have switched you from SR to the standard version. Was any explanation given? Again this is likely to be on costs - SR costs about five times more than standard. Whatever you do, don't suddenly jump from 1 tablet per day to 4 a day. What is recommended is that you up the dose to 2 tablets for a few days, then 3 for a few days, then 4. That way you are less likely to suffer the side effects of metformin, which can be quite nasty. Also make sure that you have them with some water in the middle of your meals so that they are digested along with the rest of the food. This also reduces the side effects.
I'm also being put on simvastatin as well though my cholesterol was 5.6 which is not that bad. Any comments welcome
Well, 5.6 certainly isn't good. Recommended cholesterol level for diabetics is below 5, and ideally below 4. Unfortunately some people do suffer side effects on simvastatin, some are luckier.
If you haven't already done so have a good look round the various topics, particularly those on food and diet as that is going to be how you get control of this beast! Just ask if there's anything you need more information on.
