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Overwhelmed

Y

YorkieShell

Member
Messages
17
Hi all
Firstly I just wanted to say that I’ve read a lot of posts on here and everyone seems to knowledgeable and friendly. I was diagnosed on Wednesday after a UTI and subsequent blood test gave a reading of 75. My diabetic nurse specialist has told me she’s not sure if I’m type 1 or 2 as I don’t fit some of the criteria for type 2. She’s said I’m inbetween the two. I’ve had various health issues over the last couple of years and I’m worried I’ve had diabetes for a long time, and have already got complications. Ive had a lot of kidney infections and kidney stones, had issues with my eyesight which never really got resolved and quite a lot of gastro issues. I’ve been given a monitor and am testing my blood twice a day before and after meals. It’s only been a couple of days so is difficult to get my head round all this. I’ve also been prescribed metformin once a day for a week then will be increasing the dose. I’ve been given my list of foods to cut out which is basically most of my normal diet. I am feeling quite low that maybe I have caused this all myself in my diet previously. I’m small framed and bmi is too high. I’m not massively overweight. I am having a review to go over my blood readings in a weeks time and have been told I might be able to get a special blood test which will confirm exactly which type I am. I know it’s too early to gauge what’s what but it’s just all so overwhelming right now. I’m hoping once I know exactly what type I am, I will have a better idea of how to manage things. It would be good to hear from anyone who has had a similar situation where they’ve been told they’re between type 1 and 2, as I feel a bit in limbo currently and just a bit helpless.
 
Hello @YorkieShell Welcome to the forum

First and foremost please do not blame yourself, guilt is a natural emotion with any diagnosis, type 1, 2 or others, however it's not a helpful emotion to deal with when trying to get your head round your treatment and care and can weigh quite heavily. The best thing is you are on the radar and how you respond now to medication will help achieve your best outcomes. It will help to know what diabetes type you have to help control it, but in the meantime learn as much as you can about both types and go easy on yourself.
 
Thank you for your reply. I’m doing research -but not too much as to frighten myself further. I think I just need to keep positive and stay in control. Have a good day
 
YorkieShell said:
Thank you for your reply. I’m doing research -but not too much as to frighten myself further. I think I just need to keep positive and stay in control. Have a good day
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Okay, so fear can be a good motivator but getting overwhelmed won’t help but understandable as a lot to take in, so absorb from the information here and ask anything you need to. There is really good advice on these forums.

out of interest, what foods have you been recommended to stop and what are the criteria you aren’t meeting with regard to type 2?

before meals is good, after meals you want to wait 2 hours and test again, looking for rise of 2 or lower after meals as that will show what food impacts you. What are you getting reading wise?

lowering carbs may well help for both blood control and helping reduce weight, that’s a beneficial side effect
 
Hi Andy thank you for your reply. I’ve been recommended to stop sugar obviously, all carbs, root veg, tropical fruits, alcohol, processed meat. I haven’t been feeling really thirsty and have actually lost weight recently- a stone in one month. My DN didn’t go into why she thinks I’m more type 1. And if she did I haven’t absorbed it. My readings on the morning are around 13 and go to around 10 in the evening.
 
Okay, surprising (in a good way) that they suggested dropping carbs. Weight loss where unexpected and quickly is often a symptom of type 1, however it can be type 2 (I had that symptom on diagnosis)

Counting carbs is a good way to reduce, to be honest most fruit outside of berries (strawberries, raspberry etc.) are quite high carb and may need to be avoided not just tropical

What I learnt was things I thought were healthy were not good, so breakfast cereals, porridge, fruit etc... you soon get used to checking labels (total carbs, not just ‘which sugars’)

those levels are quite high and could do with coming down, but you have the most important thing now, knowledge and the ability to make changes and take control
 
I used to love porridge and was told porridge with blueberries was ok by my DN but recall seeing on here that porridge is a no-no. I was hoping I would lose another stone or so, and it sounds like this will be happening now.. every cloud and all...
 
YorkieShell said:
I used to love porridge and was told porridge with blueberries was ok by my DN but recall seeing on here that porridge is a no-no. I was hoping I would lose another stone or so, and it sounds like this will be happening now.. every cloud and all...
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Well, it depends I think on your aimed for carbs. It is higher in carbs than some alternatives and could raise your blood levels but that’s what the meter can let you know. People can tolerate different things
 
When diagnosed it was unclear what type I had but I was treated as type 1 and put on insulin straight away.

Since then I’ve had GAD antibody tests which were negative and a c-peptide test which showed my insulin production normal/low. It took 7 months but last month type 1 was finally confirmed.

It seems like you have been given some good advice regarding diet & if metformin doesn’t bring your levels down you may start on insulin but that isn’t something to be scared of, just a new thing to learn.

Make sure you test before each meal and 2hrs afterwards, this information is key so you can see what food to eat and which to avoid.

Stick around the forum, you will get loads of help.
 

I'm so glad you are here, this is a good place to be for us. I'm new as well. I believe a lot of my issues could be because of diabetes as well. Although I had bloodwork done before that wasn't abnormal until 2018, and then, I didn't know about the report/test results. Now I know I can see them right online.

It is so hard to change up our eating habits but lots of folks here to support you in that. For me it was "don't have it in my house and I won't eat it". That may not work if you have a store too close, lol But seriously, it didn't take me too long when I first started changing up when I had GERDS issues pretty bad. Again, I am glad you are here, and do let us know how your next tests come out. I don't know if my diagnosis can be trusted right now either, I know I'm sick with diabetes of some kind, pretty certain of that. Sounds you have some good medical folks, thank goodness for that.
 

Thank you- I hope you have a lovely weekend. I will of course post again when my results come back. I’ll be sure to take readings before food and 2 hours after and am going to start a food diary too. I really want to be in control of this.
 
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Thank you for the reply. I’m glad you got your diagnosis. I’ll definitely be sticking around on here- lots of friendly people
 
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Quick update...
So I’ve emptied my cupboards and started afresh. Not going to lie, I’ve struggled a little. I was getting really sore fingers and after reading another post, I may have been pricking too much in the middle of my fingers when doing my readings. I’ve started to prick at the side of my finger but don’t seem to get enough blood for the strip to read, and have had to prick twice or three times to get “enough” blood. I’m testing before and 2 hrs after each meal. I think it may just be a case of technique so will check with my DN on Wednesday. I’ve also struggled with Metformin which was no surprise. Its giving me the worst diarrhoea after my main meal in the evening which is meaning I’m going to bed feeling hungry and waking up feeling terrible. I’ve got some whole meal water crackers today and am going to see if I can take them before bed without causing a high reading in the morning. I’ve lost 5lbs since Wednesday and feel like I have nothing inside me, almost like I feel I have no substance anymore if that makes sense. DN said we will be increasing the metformin to 2 per day (it’s the slow release), come Wednesday but I really don’t think I’m going to tolerate it judging by the last few days- can anyone tell me if they’ve had similar with metformin and if it will get better? I’m sure it’s just a case of adjusting and like I said previously, once I know if I’m T1 or 2 I may have a better idea of where I’m at.
 
hi Yorkieshell
Try washing your hands in hot water before testing, it draws the blood to the surface. And yes pricking is a knack. I have 3 fingers on my left hand that give up blood easily, but only 2 on my right. Sides are definitely less painful. You well get it, it took me best part of a month initially.
Until you get a clear diagnosis, try not to worry or try too much. I know it sounds silly as you are probably wanting to try everything but T 1 and T2 are very different things. At least you re I the system and have appointments and tests.
The only possible immediately dangerous situation is dka which happens if both bg and ketones go sky high. Its rare, mainly in T1s, and everything else is long term so is unlikely to change much in the short term.
I've never been on Metforim so can't answer those questions, just wanted to reassure and calm you a bit
 
I was told to take Metformin with food, but I take the regular kind, not the slow-release kind. It gave me horrible diarrhea at first but it wore off. I think our systems have to adjust to it -- ask your diabetes nurse.

Does your lancet device have numbered settings for pricking your fingers? My first one had to be set to 7 (the highest number) in order to get any blood; my new one (different brand) only has to be set to 1 (lowest number). I prick the sides of my fingertips partly because I play guitar and the middles of my left hand's fingertips are callused; I've gotten to where I always just prick my little finger on my right hand.

Good luck!
 
I had my meter "lance" set to high, so I lowered it. Mine adjusts from 1-10 and mine is good at 4. A lot better than when I had it at the medium setting.

On the meals, I'm been doing eggs and cheese for breakfast, adding left over pork one morning. Not paying attention to calories at all and lost 6 lbs in two weeks. Are you drinking adequate water? I learned that helps but I only do about 4 eight ouncers. I could use more probably. Sugar/carb withdrawals made me feel way hungry like I would have shot a chicken, plucked it and cooked it too! You could try some low carbs like Yogurt with a little sugar substitute (I use stevia) Yogurt helped my stomach cramping somewhat, plus I do ginger in water. But it's not really working well on the metformin ER.

Please keep letting us know, I'm new but will share what I've learned anytime I see someone in need, Denise
 
There are several of these vids but this one I used. It was helpful for me, except he doesn't talk about the "setting for depth of lance".
 
Hi I will try this thank you
 
Hi Saskia I’ve just checked and had the setting quite low so will try adjusting to get a deeper prick. Thank you for your advice. Will definitely be talking to DM about the Metformin
 
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