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Panic attack imminent!

Irish Maeve

Well-Known Member
Messages
67
Location
Northern Ireland
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Rain
I posted on the Ask a Question formum a few days ago as I was concerned about my BG levels remaining high despite LCHF diet. BG test is never less than 8 even fasting. It stays around 12/14 most of the time but can jump to 19/20. I watch my diet, exercise, etc. Diagnosed 10 yrs ago. I started on diet/exercise. Progressed to 1 Glic daily, then 2, then 2 + Sitagliptin, then 3 Glic + 1Sitagliptin. Gliclazide was raised to 4 per day plus 1 sitagliptin about three months ago and was told to try that for 3 months. It hasn't helped bring BG down at all. I was worried about the constant highs and came on the Forum to get some help but since reading about Type 1.5/LADA I am now not worried but absolutely terrified. Everyone is so knowledgeable about their condition and I haven't a clue what some of the things are I am reading, ie glycation, Bolus, Basal, B-cells, low TDD, etc. I admit I just take the pills and do the best I can but I feel afraid now as I don't think I could work out all the technical stuff. Like someone else said I am almost afraid to eat anything and my already lightweight frame is getting lighter. I have an appt with GP on 31st July and I hope that I get some help and not just be given more pills. My father was T2 as was his mother, sister and all my cousins on father's side - all T2 or T1. I hope someone can understand this rant as I feel hopeless at the minute and feel that damage is being done to vital organs through not gaining enough knowledge and expertise in dealing with my condition. Thanks in advance.
 
I think you need to go on a diabetes educational course, your GP can refer you, it will help with some of gone terminology, and the ones you need to know about
I can tell you that basal/bolus is about insulin, that is a fast acting one that you take before a meal. The other is a slow release insulin that you take at night it help with Blood sugar during the day as well.
What are you eating, it might be you eat something that spikes your bs levels.
 
Hello Shar67 and thank you for your reply. I have never been informed to take my medication at any specific time. It has always been take 1 per day or (as the years went on) take 4 per day. Nobody ever told me one was slow release and some were fast acting. I take the lot with breakfast and that's it for the day. I will enquire about a course as this is all a big mystery to me and obviously what I have been doing is no longer working. I take 4 Glic a day - should I be taking 2 in the morning and 2 at night? One Sitagliptin I also take in the morning?? Will be asking more questions next Fri at my GP appt. I don't have a Diabetic Nurse to consult. I don't attend Hospital consultant - just my GP when I have my 6 monthly checkup. Best wishes
 
@Irish Maeve ...up until recently my partner was taking 4 Gliclazide a day as well as other diabetic medication and took these 2 in the morning and then 2 with evening meal....thinking about it this made sense as the action of the gliclazide is to stimulate the pancreas to release insulin so the body can deal with the food being eaten.
Another reason to take the Gliclazide in two doses is that it has the potential to lower your blood glucose to levels where you could potentially suffer a hypo so this is why it is important to test your blood sugar levels especially before driving if you drive.
I would of course suggest that you check this out with your GP or with a pharmacist before making any changes......I often find my local pharmacist particularly useful if I have any questions about my partner's medications regarding timing or potential side effects...it is far easier than trying to ask GP and the pharmacist is more knowledgeable in terms of the drugs and their interactions.
Hope your appointment goes well on Friday and good idea to go armed with a list of questions.
 
Maeve,

You do sound like a LADA - high BGs when low carbing and exercising. And of course you're worried about high numbers. You're right to be. (Only a fool would not worry, actually.)

So, ask for a GAD antibody test. Make the point that your BGs are in the context of very low carb intake (put the figures in a table and take it with you - weekly averages carb intake and BGs if you have them). Normally, low carb would drop your BG levels to 6-ish. A GAD test will establish if you have antibodies to your own insulin, ie if you have autoimmune diabetes (which means Type 1, of which Type 1.5 is a subset).

Once you've got that result, if you are Type 1, you can start to take insulin and you will begin to feel SO MUCH BETTER, I can promise you.

In the meantime, to understand the subject and to follow his excellent approach, I recommend you buy *Dr Bernstein's Diabetes Solution*, available from Amazon on Kindle or as a paper book. He sets everything out, and it will gradually make sense.

By doing so, you'll be taking control of your life again. Which always feels sooooooo much better.

Lucy
 
I agree with @LucySW

And - this is important - if you ARE lada, then you have done incredibly well to manage this long without insulin! In which case, all your efforts, diet, exercise and bg monitoring have delayed your need for insulin for an impressively long time, and you are to be congratulated.

Please let us know how you get on?
 
Yes that's utterly right. You *have* done brilliantly so far. Even if your dr wont give you the credit, we will. This diabetes game can get so lonely: we do need encouragement sometimes in order not to feel that we're cycling backwards and nobody cares.

You ain't alone.

Courage.
 
Hi @Irish Maeve

I'm so glad you found this section of the forum. I had noticed your other thread wasn't getting the answers you needed, and my expertise is very lacking in LADA and T1.5. You are now getting some good advice. Good luck.
 
I'm not so sure. All your family suffered so I am tending towards a MODY rather than LADA.

Fingers crossed when you see your doctor and get them to run a series of tests to determine what is happening
 
I agree with the others you have done exceedingly well on your own, and I think you should press for further investigations, your Gp is obviously about as much use as a chocolate teapot so do keep pressing for a referral to a specialist clinic for help, as without the right advice and meds your on a road to nowhere.
 
Hi Molly. This does make sense but honestly I was never told to take dosage at different times. I just take everything with brekkie and hope for the best. All I was warned about was Glic can cause hypos so never drive hungry! I would put "lol" but really it isn't remotely funny! I hope I am booked in for a long session as I have a list of quetions ready. Could I just add on here a big Thank You to everyone else who has replied to my queries. I am still finding my way about this Forum and I read all the replies then get lost as to who I have responded to. So if I have missed anybody please accept my apologies and my thanks.
 
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