Trying to understand highs

[luceeloo]

I'm worried by the amount of highs that I've been having lately. This afternoon I was 16.6, despite not having anything carby or unusual (protein shake for breakfast, mackerel and salad for lunch). I drank loads of water, and my level stayed in the teens for several hours until an hour ago where it dropped from 15.3 to 5.6 in less than an hour.
This kind of experience isn't unusual for me of late. My blood sugar seems to peak mid-afternoon, and last thing at night, and every three or four days I get a much bigger peak like today. Each time I peak, I seem to be going a little higher.
I don't really understand this, but the fact that it does eventually reduce does suggest that the insulin that I am producing is having some kind of effect ?

I've also noticed that my early morning readings are a bit higher. They've always been a bit messed up by what I presume is Dawn phenomenon, but now they regularly are 9 upon waking.

I don't have a cold or any illness, and don't feel like I'm coming down with anything. Have had some female hormone problems lately, but that seems to be settled.

I am seeing my DSN on Tuesday, but she never seems overly concerned by what I perceive as highs. She always says that the only time to be concerned is when there's a pattern... and to me, there seems to be some kind of pattern forming. What kind of things should I be asking her when I see her?

I know that progression is a give - this is a progressive illness, but I am worried that if this is progressing quickly then not much seems to be registering with my health care team and like many of you, I'm not getting much in the way of help or advice. I had hoped that losing weight would help, but so far, it's not improved my control. I often feel like they are hoping that I will lose all the weight first, and then miraculously I'll gain wonderful control. But I don't feel it's happening that way.

Any tips, ideas, or advice?

 

[novorapidboi26]

what meds are you on if any.........

i think you either need some or if your on some you need them reviewed......

 

[bruciebonus]

what exercise are you doing? your muscles are part of your endocrine system you need to work them so they soak up the glucose.

 

[johnco]

I would certainly try exercising more, as well as eating less if you are not using all of the calories you`re taking in. If these measures don`t help with the high numbers then you will need a review of your meds..

 

[luceeloo]

I promise I didn't post and run on this thread!
I'm on metformin 2 x 500mg twice a day. I do 1 to 1.1/2 hours cardio (treadmill or crosstrainer) every day, and I also go swimming, walking, and do a yoga class once a week. I'm currently considering doing another class, but I can't realistically fit in more exercise due to work.

I showed my numbers to my Nurse today - she is not happy, but neither is she content to have me put on to further meds until we establish what is going on. So, more tests and a review in 6 weeks time to see what the next course of action is.

Really not sure what to do diet-wise from here on in.

 

[Totto]

In your position I would go very strictly low carb in order to preserve my organs and nerves. Have a look here: http://www.dietdoctor.com/diabetes

I would also do quite a bit of yelling to get the attention of the medical staff.

Have you had antibodies tested? C-peptide?

 

[douglas99]

I promise I didn't post and run on this thread!
I'm on metformin 2 x 500mg twice a day. I do 1 to 1.1/2 hours cardio (treadmill or crosstrainer) every day, and I also go swimming, walking, and do a yoga class once a week. I'm currently considering doing another class, but I can't realistically fit in more exercise due to work.

I showed my numbers to my Nurse today - she is not happy, but neither is she content to have me put on to further meds until we establish what is going on. So, more tests and a review in 6 weeks time to see what the next course of action is.

Really not sure what to do diet-wise from here on in.

Your profie says you are on other meds for blood pressure, is it recently you changed them?
Are you still on the Amlodipine?

 

[luceeloo]

Your profie says you are on other meds for blood pressure, is it recently you changed them?
Are you still on the Amlodipine?

Yep - I've been on the amlodipine for about four months now, and bisoprolol for two-ish. I've just checked the side effects of Amlodipine and can't believe I've never read before that in rare cases it can increase blood glucose.
That might fit in with what's going on. My levels peak mid afternoon - today after a lunch of salmon and two ryvitas, I "enjoyed" a high of 12.9 three hours later. Yet, at breakfast time I can eat a couple of Ryvitas and get no higher than 8. So perhaps it's linked in with the amlodopine having it's peak effect at that time?
I think that my biggest problem with the peak is that it's at a time at work when all my daily deadlines fall, so I am least physically active.

Hmmm, thank you Douglas, you have given me food for thought. As of tomorrow I'm going to start taking the Amlodipine at lunchtime instead of early morning. Then monitor to see if I still get a high. If it is caused by the tablets, then it would fall during my exercise time so might give me half a chance of beating it!

 

[luceeloo]

Gah!
I went for a jog - was out for an hour, and then did 30 mins on the cross trainer. My blood was 5.7. Not low, but one of the lowest readings for weeks.
A couple of hours after the job I had two slices of livlife and some turkey for my tea. Two hours later my blood is 9.9

I guess I can cross livlife off the ever shrinking list of food that I can eat.