This is probably a stupid question, but although diagnosed with D2 a year ago I'd not noticed any real symptoms, though I have been getting very fatigued and sl. dizzy on occasions - but last Weds I felt nausceous, giddy and very weak - though I was going down with a 'bug' - I was sweating and exhausted for over 24 hours, and finally realised then it wasn't an illness but a Blood Sugar issue - I've been trying to regulate it since with diet, but am STILL- 5 days on - getting giddy attacks and am quite 'weak' still . I got out today and bought 'good' food and a finger pricker to test my BS as shown by the Boots Assistant - However having got home I realise this is just that - a pricker - so HOW do I test the blood please - I assume I should have bought something else?
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'Newbie' Help please
- Thread starter Sue13344
- Start Date
Jordi77
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 790
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
You need to have a blood glucose meter which reads your blood sugars and you can get them from the chemist or get in touch with any company that does a blood meter like accu check and see if you can get one free online and they will send you one out but your health care team are the ones who can help as they may lend you one until you get one but that is all you need to get and if you are on medication you may be able to get hold of the test strips free on prescription but that you will need to check out when you are feeling better
Thanks Jordi - the Chemist's Assistant obviously misled me - but I should have checked. Hopefully I can get in to see a med Professional tomorrow - for now I'm chugging ginger ale when I feel giddy...? Is that right?
Jordi77
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 790
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
Just make sure that you tell them what you need and how you feel and how you are and if you get really bad call for a ambulance and you will be taken to hospital and you will be checked over and may be they will be able to tell you what is wrong with your diabetes and your system and if needs be placed on medication and you should be back to normal over the next few weeks as you get used to the medication and ginger beer is good as it will help you feel a little sleepy and help you sleep but it has plenty of gas as does much of pop and I only have it once in a blue moon or if I fancy it so I hope you enjoy
Thanks all - I'm not on Diabetes Meds - yet.
I've been (supposed to be !) controlling it with diet - but as I had no recognisable symptoms I have been very lax and am overweight for my size and age (70). This is a wake-up call and I'm now very seriously going to watch what I eat and have been looking online and on the leaflets gathered from the Docs and a Touring Diabetes Pantechnicon! Unfortunately a lot is quite contradictory - but I'm sure I can work out a sensible diet with a little help. Ironically I have an annual diabetes review in a weeks time but I'm going to phone tomorrow and see if I can get an emergency appointment.
One Final query - the leaflets I was given from the Doc I had a year ago, state categorically that unless a Diabetic Type 2 is on Insulin or Meds they CANNOT have a Hypo - I'm on neither but my symptoms were EXACTLY what is described for a Hypo - short of passing out or seizures - I had Nausea, Anxiety, Sweating, EXTREME Fatigue/weakness, Mood Swings and Giddy/Dizzy...? But the Symptoms of HypERglycemia are not those - so again I'm puzzled. Also when in one of these 'episodes' where ther is a blood sugar issue - Is Exercise good or bad . When I went out for the first time after 3 days, initially I felt better, but by the time I got back (about half an hour later) I was feeling weak and giddy again? Any answers very helpful please?
I've been (supposed to be !) controlling it with diet - but as I had no recognisable symptoms I have been very lax and am overweight for my size and age (70). This is a wake-up call and I'm now very seriously going to watch what I eat and have been looking online and on the leaflets gathered from the Docs and a Touring Diabetes Pantechnicon! Unfortunately a lot is quite contradictory - but I'm sure I can work out a sensible diet with a little help. Ironically I have an annual diabetes review in a weeks time but I'm going to phone tomorrow and see if I can get an emergency appointment.
One Final query - the leaflets I was given from the Doc I had a year ago, state categorically that unless a Diabetic Type 2 is on Insulin or Meds they CANNOT have a Hypo - I'm on neither but my symptoms were EXACTLY what is described for a Hypo - short of passing out or seizures - I had Nausea, Anxiety, Sweating, EXTREME Fatigue/weakness, Mood Swings and Giddy/Dizzy...? But the Symptoms of HypERglycemia are not those - so again I'm puzzled. Also when in one of these 'episodes' where ther is a blood sugar issue - Is Exercise good or bad . When I went out for the first time after 3 days, initially I felt better, but by the time I got back (about half an hour later) I was feeling weak and giddy again? Any answers very helpful please?
wookie101
Well-Known Member
Hi Sue,
Thought I'd just add that I got a free meter from my Doctors but with the help from this forum and Daisy's very helpful advice (which should be along shortly) I for 1 month (paid for my own strips and meter) and tested 3 times a day, keeping a diary of what I was eating and then testing 2 hours later. I quickly found what was still ok for me to eat and sadly those things that I had to let go.
And I'll echo Jaylee, never a stupid question here, if you don't know, you don't know...
Thought I'd just add that I got a free meter from my Doctors but with the help from this forum and Daisy's very helpful advice (which should be along shortly) I for 1 month (paid for my own strips and meter) and tested 3 times a day, keeping a diary of what I was eating and then testing 2 hours later. I quickly found what was still ok for me to eat and sadly those things that I had to let go.
And I'll echo Jaylee, never a stupid question here, if you don't know, you don't know...
leslie10152
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 1,110
- Location
- Canberra ACT
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Insulin
- Dislikes
- Ignorance
Welcome to the forum. Fatigue and weakness are classics signs of excessive glucose. This will need to be regulated and done quickly to avoid complications. The glucose meter is an essential part of diabetes management, so procure one without delay. Good luck and remember, we are all behind you.
Thanks Leslie - will do tomorrow
catapillar
Well-Known Member
Well yes, a type 2 diabetic treated with diet and exercise is no more likely than the next person to have a hypo. In fact they are less likely to have a hypo because diabetes is a condition of high blood sugar.
If you've just changed your diet to try to reduce blood sugar you could be experiencing false hypos.
The symptoms of hyperglycaemia can include nausea, sweating, extreme fatigue, mood changes and anxiety and vision changes, which might explain the giddiness. So rather similar, on paper, to hypo symptoms. The onLy way to know is to test your blood sugar when you're experiencing the symptoms.
Link to a free meter, mine arrived next day.
http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-blood-glucose-meter/
http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-blood-glucose-meter/
DavidGrahamJones
Well-Known Member
Not 100% correct, just unusual. I have a non diabetic friend who has hypos if he doesn't eat enough carb and I had a hypo when only taking Metformin. It wasn't supposed to happen but I'd been digging round the garden and then mowing the lawn and skipped lunch, which wasn't the best idea, but you live and learn.
The one thing that can be said about Diabetes is that there's no on rule that fits everyone. It might be cliché, but we are all different.
daisy1
Legend
- Messages
- 26,457
- Location
- Switzerland
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
- Dislikes
- Cruelty towards animals.
@DevonPete
Hello Pete and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask more questions when you need to and someone will be able to help.
BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS
Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.
A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 235,000 people who are demonstrating this.
On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.
The role of carbohydrate
Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.
If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.
The bad news
Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.
The good news
People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.
Controlling your carbs
The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.
The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.
Choosing better carbohydrates
The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.
Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.
Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a free 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.
Eating what works for you
Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.
To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.
The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:
Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.
You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.
Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. They're all free.
Hello Pete and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask more questions when you need to and someone will be able to help.BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS
Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.
A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 235,000 people who are demonstrating this.
On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.
The role of carbohydrate
Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.
If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.
The bad news
Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.
The good news
People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.
Controlling your carbs
The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
- Reduce your carbohydrate intake
- Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.
The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.
Choosing better carbohydrates
The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.
Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.
Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a free 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.
Eating what works for you
Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.
To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.
The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:
Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
- structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
- self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education
Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.
You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.
Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. They're all free.
- Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why
- Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
Lampman
Well-Known Member
Always ask about anything that is concerning you, or you are not sure about. There is a huge wealth of experience on here. You definitely need a blood glucose meter to see what is going on and then you have the information to look up what to do about it here, or ask! You might find your doctor tries to put you off testing for yourself, that is very common, but don't be put off. You cannot make the necessary adjustments without knowing what is going on.
