• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Such a long time and am permanently worn out.

M

Mervyn

Well-Known Member
Messages
149
Hi, I have been diagnosed T2 for about ten years now, and for about 1 year have felt that my BG is out of control.I am on 4 x 500mg Metformin and 2 x Gliclazide per day with numerous other tabs totalling 22 per day. My Doc made an Urgent appt with the specialist Diabetic Clinic 6 weeks ago and the appt I have is 28th Sept. He has tried to get them to make an earlier appt without luck.

The problem is that my BG is averaging over 15 and my GP cannot prescribe anything else due to my other health problems and medication I am taking. My GP is convinced that I need insulin, and a couple of years ago he could have prescribed it himself but, according to him he cannot now do this and I have to see the Specialist Clinic and that they may try something else even though he is convinced that Insulin is the answer.

However, whilst I am waiting I am in a permanent state of exhaustion!! As soon as I eat something the situation becomes a lot worse, in fact within an hour or so of eating Dinner I have to get to bed,and that is as early as 6.30pm, and I stay there until about 5.am and start all over again.

Not a question but just a small rant. It has really started to get me down now!!
Rant over.

Mervyn
 
Hiya Merv,

I'm not surprised that you are feeling rough at 15mmol/l.

What are you eating at dinner? I remember you saying before that you don't count carbs.

For about a year before I was diagnosed, I remember feeling the way you described everytime I ate a hotel breakfast (which is often - as I travel a fair bit with work). I now realise that it was down to the combined effect of orange juice (at least 4 glasses), fruit and cornflakes, that was putting my BG above 20 mmol/l.

I you haven't already, reducing the carbs you eat might help you feel a little better before you can get the insulin.

Stephen
 
I try to adjust what I eat to see what difference it makes. Unfortunately although my GP has started prescribing test strips again since I was put on the Gliclazide, he is reluctant to do so and even after I pressure him he only prescribes 50 strips per month. As I am on a fixed income I really cannot afford to purchase them myself. So testing before and after meals on a regular basis is extremely difficult.

Hopefully when I see the Specialist Diabetic Clinic they will prescribe more and I can fully test and adjust my diet to suit. I have cut the amount of potatoes,bread, rice and pasta etc. But without being able to test fully it is difficult.

Mervyn
 
Hi Mervyn,

It most be upsetting for you not to see any progress with your management and being constantly tired.
You do not say what your other health problems are or what other meds you are taking. Sometimes meds for other health problems can raise your blood sugars and some can make you feel extremely tired.

Has your Dr. reviewed these to see if they are the cause or have you researched them to see if they can cause high blood sugars?
 
Hi, Most of my other meds are for heart disease,high blood pressure, high cholesterol, very high triglycerides 12 when the norm is 1.7 and other health problems and have been on them for years. I have no doubt that these meds contribute but they are unfortunately essential for my well being. Most of my meds are dispensed to the maximum dosage available and according to my GP are the best for my conditions.
I do have a regular 6 monthly review of my meds and as my health is mostly under control (apart from the diabetes now) my GP is happy. I have mentioned to him that maybe some are affecting my Diabetes, he is of the opinion that, I have been on them many years and they have not affected the Diabetes before and as my other conditions are reasonably stable, best left alone.

Mervyn
 
I understand what you mean Mervyn with regards to essential meds. Sometimes the Dr's view is that your other problems have to take priority.

Is there anything we can help you with regards diet? I know you do not have a large appetite but maybe if you juggles some of your choices it would lower your readings.

It is a pity that you have to wait until late September to see the Consultant. Have you tried ringing his Secretary and explaining how you feel to se if there is an earlier appointment or to put you on the cancellation list?
 
Hi,
I have not personally telephoned the clinic as it is one of these roving specialst clinics and my GP is pretty dogmatic with regards to these things and he has tried particularly hard this time but to no avail.
As regards to my diet...my wife is a cook manager and is fairly clued up. Even when I cut my portions right down my BG still remains fairly high. For example for last nights dinner I had two very small boiled new potatoes with half a small pork chop with some green french beans,cauliflower and cabbage. Two hours later my BG was 12.4 mmol and 11 hrs after eating the meal, in the morning it was still 10.5

I will have to look for a nearly zero carb diet and see how that goes! It is just so depressing to have to wait for such a long time before I can even get to see the clinic. Then I expect to have mess about trying different things until the clinic get me sorted.

Mervyn
 
Hi Mervyn,

It may be that insulin is the answer. There are many people here who have seen a dramatic improvement once they use insulin therapy.

Sorry I cannot be of more help.

Take care.

CC
 
Hi,
Yes I have two friends who are on insulin and their health has improved greatly...in fact they both said that once they got the type of insulin etc right they have never felt better.

Thanks for your help to all

Mervyn
 
It takes a while for your BG to start dropping when you reduce your carbs (it took me a couple of weeks to get down from 24.4 mmol/l).

However, it might be, as Catherine says, that your pancreas is shot, and that insulin therapy is the only way.

Stephen
 
Hi Mervyn,

Can't help with the diabetes stuff, but wondered if you had looked at 'NHS Choices'. You can ask your GP to give you the referral number for the specialist clinic, go online and choose one that has shorter waiting times! Worth a thought.

Tony
 
Hi WhitbyJet,
Thanks...I have PM'd you.

Once again thanks to all for their kind words and suggestions.

Regards
Mervyn
 
How about a referral to the Community Diabetes Nurses? I was sent to them before I went to the Consultant (when the nurses had run out of ideas!!). I too have obtained success with insulin and now just have to attack my weight gain! :wink: Jude
 
Mervyn said:
However, whilst I am waiting I am in a permanent state of exhaustion!! As soon as I eat something the situation becomes a lot worse, in fact within an hour or so of eating Dinner I have to get to bed,and that is as early as 6.30pm, and I stay there until about 5.am and start all over again.

Mervyn
Click to expand...
Hi Mervyn, sorry you are so mizzy. But while you're waiting for the appointment, you have a great opportunity to see if strictly reducing the carbs would help you. You really don't need those starchy foods. Many of here don't eat any potatoes, any bread, any cereal etc. and we get along well without. Triglycerides and BG can come down a lot in a short time, and you could feel much better. So what have you got to lose? Try it for a week, maybe your wife will do it with you, and see if it makes a difference.
 
I don't want o sound negative and discourage anyone and indeed. we are all different but although my levels of everything and my weight are fine I have not felt well since diagnosis. Everyone else assures me I feel well and are all happily patting themselves on the back but I never feel well.
Don't wish to highjack a thread but does anyone else feel like this>

I know it is the mantra that when your levels drop you will feel better but would like to hear from anyone else who has found this not to be the case?
 
Unbeliever, it happened to me too, I had my bg well under control yet for a long time I continued to feel ill, couldnt quite put my finger on it, but certainly did not feel well.
A friend suggested that I am tense, subconsciously making myself feel ill with certain thought processes, well, I almost clocked her one at that point.
However, I did dig some deeper, started therapy sessions, conscious raising and discovered yes, actually what she said was true, I had started to listen to my body, everyone tells you to do that, but I listened a bit too hard, every little twinge and tick and bump made me a little tense, its diabetes related, a complication, it went through my mind, not excessively so but it was there in the background, enough to make me physically tense.
I learnt to relax, to let things flow, to change things that I can change, to accept the things that cannot be changed, or at least not yet. I started to look at my environment, my surroundings, things that give me pleasure, concentrated on making me feel good and although at times I felt a complete idiot, it did work.
I still have some leftovers from complications, but they are not severe and manageable. I feel energetic, positive and healthy, took some time to get there though.
 
I have entirely cut out starchy foods such as potatoes, bread, rice, etc., and it has had a big effect on my blood sugar levels (for the better). I know it can be hard, but when you are talking about your health and having the energy to do things with your family (I was just too knackered all the time), it was a small price to pay.

I hope things improve.

All the best, Mike.
 
Thanks Whitbyjet, Interesting reply. I suspec hat my problems may well be stress related but in my case the stress comes from others and is teherefore more difficul to deal with as it is no under my control.

I very much agree with your philosophy of concentrating on the good things in life etc and what you enjoy dong.
I would just like to know for sure that if and when certain people can resolve their own problems and leave me alone hen I would feel better!

I am glad you told me of your experience- it gives me hope. Thanjs.
 
Back
Top