NEWBIE WITH HBA1C PROBS

[bastetprincess]

Evening All.

I need some help and advice. I have been type 2 for 8 years now and have ALWAYs been well controlled my hb1c level never rose above 6.8. My brief history (so as not to bore you all :roll: ) is that I have a 9 year old seriously disabled with cerebral palsy and life limiting epilepsie and 4 year old who has been diagnosed with ASD. Now I know life style and stress can effect our condition, but until I got pregnant with my 4 year old all was well. My pregnancy with him whilst injecting insulin, was well controlled and normal and he was born a healthy 7lbs not a typical size to a diabetic mum. about 9 months after he was born it all went to pot. What little natural insulin I was producing stopped completely and the GP said the pregnancy had put pressure on my body and I could not produce the little amount of insulin I was making anymore. So I went onto a regieme of slow release metformin (gut issues withthe fast acting ) glictazide, statin. All went back to normal. Then last year, after two bouts of phnuemonia it went to pot again :evil: my hba1c was up to 11.2 they put me straight onto victoza (not very overweight, just need to loose a stone ) they kept he metformin as it was 2 night and day, 125 victoza and one prioclitazide once a day. Had a hb1c back lst week down to 8.2 but still not great. I eat a low fat diet I do not drink, I dont eat cream cakes, I have even cut back haing only one small chocolate bar once a month around PMT time. The only thing I can't consistantly do is exercise, because my sons condition means we are in and out of hospital I very rarely get time to myself, this is the only thing I can think of that might be causing aproblem. Could it be because I am 40 turned that last month. I m desperate to keep off insulin, I have an uncle, sister, who use it, but my grandfather, father and other sister are all type 2 and very well controlled. what is wrong? GP referring me to hospital now which is never good. Has anyone else had this problem? any drug recccomendations. HELP

 

[WhitbyJet]

Bastetprincess, welcome, I am new here myself, like you I am type 2, like you I once was taking plenty of medication, yet my bg levels kept getting out of control, it was a worry.
Yes stress does affect our bg it is true, and goodness, you have more than your fair share of it, nothing much worse than having poorly children. I am so sorry. Do you have plenty of support and back up? Mentioning ASD, are you in touch with the sunfield organisation? They are very helpful so I have heard.
You say you are following a low fat diet, but fat makes no difference to your blood sugar, I wonder what you are eating, do you carb count? It is all to do with carbs really, you need to test and see how different foods affect your bg, you will find some raise your bg very high, these are the foods that you need to cut back on or cut out altogether.
I know you are scared of insulin, but to be honest there is no need to be scared of insulin, even type 2 can use insulin, some say insulin and carb counting or low carbing is a better way than swallowing a whole load of pills. It is of course personal choice on how you decide to deal with your diabetes, you will soon see in the forum some of us are controlling our condition with low carb eating, some are doing low GI, some restrict carbs and take more medication, but I think ultimately everyone is careful with carbs to a certain extent and doing their best to stay away from junk and sweet stuff. Dont despair, try and learn more about diabetes, make some informed choices that are right for you and your circumstances.

I will give you a website that I found very helpful, http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/

Good luck with it all.

 

[bastetprincess]

Hi

thanksfor your advice. I try not to eat to much bread, I have sandwhiches every other day, pasta once week, porridge in the morning, potatoes twice aweek. i am worried about going on insulin because of the weight issue and I know insulin has come in the last 30 years, but I watched a very loved relative go through awful times with insulin and I don't want it to be like that. I also think that insulin doesn't give you a good long life expectancy and with two special needs children they need me for most of their lives.

Life really sucks at the moment and am trying to take care of myself whilst looking after everyone else.

Will check out the website you suggested. Thanks again

 

[WhitbyJet]

Bastetprincess, I am sorry if I made you worried re the insulin. I have not used insulin myself, but I know many fellow diabetics both type 1 and type 2 who are coping really well on insulin, some type 2s even say they wish they had gone on insulin sooner.

I think most type 2 would go on a long acting insulin at first and then carefully watch their carb intake and so avoid the risk of hypos. but there are lots of good people in here to give you advice on this issue if you need it. There are plenty of very elderly insulin users out there.
But anyway, you might never need to go on insulin so no point worrying right now.

I forgot to give you the links for ASD, http://www.sunfield.org.uk/asd.htm and http://www.asdfriendly.org/
Life sucks I am sure, I wish I could help you.

 

[bastetprincess]

dear whitbyjet

Don't worry I have tough skin, been through to much. Deling with my sons health comes naturally and I am a well seasoned carer now, more that then a mother. When it comes to taking care of myself, thats another matter, I don't think any full time carer puts themselves first. You haven't worried me, no more than I am already.

Its just nice to talk to other human beings, all be it via a computer. I don't see or speak to many people and you don't realise how much you miss being able to talk. I usually fall into my chair exhausted this time of night either watch the tv for an hour read a book.

I need a lottery win or my sons litigation case to come in then life will get better and considerably easier and bearable. but life is life and we deal with it how we can.

I think I am fcing the inevitable of going onto slow realese insulin along with my tablets. I can't keep feeling **** like this and the mouth ulcers are just unbearable.

thanks again

 

[Unbeliever]

So sorry to hear of your problems. A few times when I have been unable to exercise due to problems with taking care of others and my HBA!C has risen I oo have been threatened with insulin. I wish to avoid it for as long as possible for much the same reasons as you.
I do think exercise is crucial and I understand that this must be very diffficult for you. Walking seems to be the most effective for lowering your levels - even a short walk can help.
I found low-carbing and Januvia very effective in helping o lower my bs along with increased exercise.

Sometimes insulin is thought of as some sort of magic bullet but it can be difficult to find a regime to suit.
I am afraid to ry insulin because any change appears to affect my macular oedema adversely.
If you are having difficulty following a regime of oral medication I don't see how insulin will make your life easier but maybe others who are taking insulin will have a different view.

I hope you have some help or relief soon.

 

[Gappy]

My god I feel for you! I had a motorbike accident (could of died for 6 reasons) but I was positive through all my recovery. The legal case is what got me on anti-depressants! More for my anger at them all than anything else. The good thing is I can promise you'll feel so much better when solicitors aint writing and being generally useless (most are). So the stress (felt consciously or not) will be easier in time.

 

[ClaireG 06]

Unfortunatly stress does seem to pay a big part in BG levels. I was on metformin but couldn't tolerate it and was then put on Gliclazide but this wasn't bringing my levels down enough even on the highest dose. I have now been put on a mixed insulin (humulin m3). I came to accept that i needed more help to gain good control. Taking insulin is not as bad a some people think, the injections don't hurt at all and with the mixed insulin i only inject twice a day.

 

[WhitbyJet]

Bastetprincess, how are you feeling today? I know from that carers lead a very hard life indeed, its a daily struggle, the responsibility with little or no back up, you must feel emotionally and physically drained. Do you have any chance of a little bit of 'me' time at all? Even if it is just a couple of hours, but I guess you still worry that any relief carer/babysitter is not handling situations the way that you would, so you probably find it hard to relax. Going through a whole load of legal wrangle is stressful in itself and och Its always the wrong people that win the lottery and life is so unfair sometimes.
Just letting you know we care, dont feel abandoned, come here often, there is always someone here to listen to you, dont hold back.

 

[bastetprincess]

Hi thanks for the advic e. I'm not worried about injecting, because I have to inject the victoza, its just the worry of complications that will occur later on in life through going onto insulin. I can't afford to get complications later on in life, have to little people that are going to depend on me for most of their lives, thats asuming my eldest makes it to adulthood. His EEG not looking good.

I managed to get a book from watersons today on eating low carbs, so going to try and make time the next few evenings to read it and get some idea.

Hi whitbyjet, Feelin knackerd today, 9 year old had leg cramps most of the night, needs his botox injections for the cerebral palsy, but wating on the PCT to decide whether they are going to allow the treatment to continue. 6 weeks of hell on its way with summer holidays, will get no time to myself till September now.

Still go the foul taste in my mouth and the mouth ulcers are so painful still never mind, my son as a worse time then I do.

 

[WhitbyJet]

Ahhhhh Bastetprincess, what is causing mouth ulcers, do you know? Must be painful eating with them, mouth ulcers need investigating, could be due to some vit/min deficiency. I found rinsing with mild, tepid salty water helped.
(((((Bastetprincess)))))

 

[Lynmi]

Basketprincess,

i cant be much help with lowering your levels as i've only been diagnosed myself less than a year, and I cant imagine how much extra stress you are under with your son's health issues, and i'm sure you have all this sorted (if 1don't say this i'll keep thinking i should so please don't take any offence and feel free to tell me to but out) do you have any respite care sorted out for your eldest son, I ask because my sister-in-law works for Demelza house in Kent http://www.demelza.org.uk and I know the amazing work they do for family's in your situation.

 

[sugar2]

Hi Basketprincess,

You deserve several medals!

I am T1, so not best placed to advise on T2, BUT, I believe that most complications are not caused by using insulin...they are caused because of poor control. I agree 100% that using insulin is not for everyone, and there is more to get wrong...BUT, if it is what is needed to improve your control, it may, in the long run, prevent complications, I understand that sometimes the insulin use, could be linked to complications... possibly becasue people who use it, tend to have diabetes, or lifestyles that are harder to control, but I don't think that it is the insulin that is the route cause.

i am sure someone will correct me if I have got that wrong!

 

[bastetprincess]

Hi

I have got an infection so on antibiotics and with the hba1c level at 8.2 the Gp said the mouth ulcers are a sympton of the cause and they can't do anything till I see consultant at hospital.

I do get respite 2 days and one night A MONTH! lost a day thanks to government cut backs, you'd think David Cameron would know better aftr having had Ivan, my son like Ivan, just able to communicate more and crawl around on the floor. Waiting for hospice placement, but it has to be agreed by PCT for funding and justification!

Off to do kids tea then physio and drugs for my son. SPeak soon.

 

[Lynmi]

it's so wrong that you have to fight all the time for any help, i really hope things get sorted for you real soon

 

[viviennem]

Hi Basketprincess, and welcome - you're among friends

You have got a lot on your hands! Stress does cause your BGs to rise, so do infections. As for the mouth ulcers - I developed something called 'oral lichen planus' (OLP) in April last year, after the most stressful house move I've ever done - and I've done plenty - 26, actually :lol:

The OLP manifests itself as groups of little sore blisters and long slightly raised ridges across the inside of your cheeks. It's not exactly ulcers, but very painful. It can be made worse by eating things like cheese, acidy things like tomatoes, preserved things like smoked mackerel, and for some reason, almonds! No-one know what causes it, but it can be associated with stress, and it often goes again. Mine has nearly gone completely now, with no treatment. Google the full name for more info. It might be worth mentioning it to your doctor, just in case that's what it is.

Your BG levels might go lower if you reduce your carbs a bit. Have a look at 'Viv's Modified Atkins Diet', which I've just bumped up the Low-carb Diabetes Diet Forum on here, for someone else to read. It may give you some ideas for low-carb eating. PM me about it if you like.

Buy yourself a carb-counter book - Collins do one in their Gem series called 'Carb Counter', which is very portable - and in one of your leisure moments ( :shock: :lol: ) try working out how many carbs you are eating at the moment. You might get a surprise. Then you can think about how to lower them a bit.

Finally - if you go to parliament.gov.uk, you'll find a contact email address for David Cameron in the list of MPs. Tell him what he's done to you!

I wish you the very best. Don't be afraid to come on here and have a moan - we all do it, that's what we're here for!

Viv 8)

 

[bastetprincess]

Hi everyone, how are you all today?

I have sorted one problem, the foul taste and ulcers in my mouth were a result of the ahstma inhailer I was on, they have swapped the steriod pump for a kinder and gentler one which I breathe through a chamber. today is the firs morning that I haven't woken up with a yuck taste. Ulcers not so bad, either, although I expect they will tkae time to go.

One thing I did want to ask you all, do any of you get a certain time in the day when you are just really tired and have to sit down for an or two or have a nap or rest? my sister and I both feel absolutely drained, for me its between 2 and 3.30pm (slap bang in school run time) and my sister is 5 to 6.30pm. I just feel so drained and like I could sleep for 12 hours( I wish!)

 

[Lynmi]

Hi

Good news about your inhaler,
I do sometimes get really tired and heavy eyed of an afternoon, but I must confess this does tend to be on the days that i know I've eaten too much carb at lunch so I just presume my sugar has gone high.

 

[bastetprincess]

had pooridge for breakfast, salad with once slice of ham, cup of tea with one rich tea biscuit at 3pm. water and thats all, so don't undersstand, not many carbs in that lot!

 

[Unbeliever]

i have always had a "low" at about 4pm. ever since I can remenber, Certainly for years before diagnosis.

I make a habit of having a little snack at this time. Sometimes I eat a very light lunch so tha I can have a little snack to avoid that dreadful drained feeling at around 4pm.

When I was aking amaryl as well as sitagliptin I had a hypo every day at this time.. Biorhythms?