Newbie

[Egyptianwrap]

Newbie to all of this - overwhelmed. Diabetes diagnosed in September following pancreatic surgery, tried medicines but now diet only for treatment. My A1c has gone from 9 to 6.5 so I’m considered in control. .Have lost 31 pounds since Sept, 51 since the surgery. Just diagnosed with EPI and started Creon. It’s a lot. I track diet and wear Libre 3 to monitor glucose.

Questions:
How high is to high BG in after meal spike? My 2 hour is mostly below 180 but the spikes go to 250.
Does Creon help with BG control? It seems a bit lower overall since starting Creon.
how can I become less obsessed with diet, weight, dr visits, etc. and mostly return to normal?

Thanks

 

[Melgar]

Hi there @Egyptianwrap welcome the forum. I cannot help you with your questions, but I am sure members will be able to give you some incite from their own experiences.

 

[Egyptianwrap]

Thank you. I have a different numbering system I think. Ah, so 180=10.0 mmol/l, 250=13.9mmol/l. Now I see.

 

[EllieM]

The mg/dL versus mmol/L is , as you say, just a factor of 18.

If you are quoting hba1c as a % rather than mmol/mol you'll probably need a conversion table

HbA1c Units Converter - DCCT to IFCC

Since June 2011, the way HbA1c values are reported has switched from a percentage to a measurement in mmols/mol.

www.diabetes.co.uk

In any case, this is an international forum, so if you specify your units we'll work out what you mean.

I can't help much with your specific questions (T1 not T3c) but I think you are doing very well to have reduced your hba1c to 6.5%

If you are diet controlled only I am guessing that you are still producing some insulin so have reduced carbs to make it work for you?

 

[Ledzeptt]

Hi @Egyptianwrap I can sympathise with how you’re feeling as I remember those early months when I was both recovering from a serious illness, having to learn so much and generally having to manage massive change.

One resource that helped me more than anything is this book (free to download or can be purchased if you don’t like electronic books): “Bright spots and land mines” https://diatribe.org/understanding-...ary-diabetes-book-here-bright-spots-landmines

It will explain why some foods/meals are more likely to cause those 250/13.9 spikes and how to minimise them, without necessarily avoiding the food you enjoy e.g. adding more fat if your pancreatitis allows this or exercising if you’re now fit enough. Otherwise, you may need to swap ingredients at least for now (and it may be worthwhile if the spikes make you feel dreadful!).

One simple thing I learnt is not to stress about a BG number, whether your Libre displays 100 or 250 is not a “good” or “bad” number: treat either as information, that you can decide whether or not to take action upon. I found this took much of the stress away.

When you say “return to normal”, perhaps think about what that means. It may mean accepting it will be different to how it was, however you can still do the things you enjoy even if you’re not well enough right now. I read your profile and appreciate how important exercise is, so get doing as much as you can to rebuild your fitness: muscle strength will help your insulin resistance and hence your blood glucose control. (Obviously check with your doctor about how much exercise you can do.)

I don’t know for sure, but wonder if the Creon helps blood glucose by ensuring you’re absorbing all your meals “correctly”, particularly the fat content, which typically slows down carb absorption and minimises “spikes”/sharp rises.

FYI Much of this forum is aimed at people with type 2 diabetes and they mainly follow a low carb high fat (LCHF) diet. Check with your doctors that a high fat approach is suitable for your pancreas problem as it may cause inflammation.