• Guest, the forum is undergoing some upgrades and so the usual themes will be unavailable for a few days. In the meantime, you can use the forum like normal. We'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Type 2 Life

Thanks @loulou99782 I have numbness so it looks like neuropathic damage. I'm calling diabetic nurse on monday for advice. I'm not sure what's the right thing to do. GP cannot do anymore I guess as diabetic unit looks after all that in Sunderland. I am under them so I guess they have to be my port of call. My diabetic nurse is back Monday so I'm going to ask her to examine it for her opinion. Dvt has been ruled out so with numbness it must be sugar but my sugar averages are 7.0. Bit frightening as I've read it can get worse. =-O
 
I'm afraid it sounds like peripheral neuropathy to me too, often described as feeling like you're wearing gloves and socks even when you aren't in the early stages.

I suffer with it and believe the damage gets worse whenever your BG levels go above 7.8.

Keep them below that and any damage may be reversed, but it can take a long time.

I have found Alpha Lipoic acid, methyl B1 and methyl B12 are helping me with this problem, there is a lot of information about it over in the diabetic complications bit, in a thread called "help in dealing with Neuropathy"

Also, I have found taking these supplements has allowed me to halve my Metformin dose, and I may reduce it again yet.

I have also found that taking Ibuprofen was associated with raised BS levels, although I don't know if that was due to the underlying problem that caused me to take it, or the drug itself.

It is not a hopeless case though - it will get worse if not dealt with, but it can get better too.

Good luck with it, I know how unpleasant it is.
 
Thanks @Tim55 . Is it the diabetic nurse or consultant who helps me? Should I still let GP know or can I wait til I renew my sick note in 3 weeks time?
A bit new to all this. Metformin has in the past prevented all this - for me. I feel I've been in a safe bubble with good care at my old GP and health centre. My new GP has 2 docs and they both are good with different things but my diabetic unit staff at hospital are very very good. I'm sure my nurse will keep me right. What do you find is your biggest help with your care?
 


Actually, I didn't get much help at all. NHS approach seems to be "we can't do anything about that, you've poisoned your nerves. Be a good boy from now on and it shouldn't get any worse, take Ibuprofen if the pain gets too bad."

And I think generally, my GP is one of the better ones.

The best advice I found was on here as I said earlier, in particular from a couple of members called Omnipod and Winnie53. Apparently, if we were German, we would be prescribed the supplements I am trying, but not in the UK.
 
Diabetic specialist nurse is my first choice of contact as my doctors are OK with the basic stuff. See what the diabetic nurse says but like Tim says try and keep your levels under 7ish, I know its hard. Have you looked to see if any painkillers your taking contain sugar or sucrose. Keep smiling
 
@loulou99782 I run on average 7.0 but I have increased my insulin today to get it lower. My last consultant appointment he told me to reduce insulin in blocks of 10s as I do have very bad insulin resistance.
I've read some excellent advice on here today and that will execute one of them.
How is your changes coming along? I dont mind making any changes. A little disappointed that my low carbing hasn't save me from this development. I'm just thankful I am allowed insulin to at least help. Tight lower sugars for me now. I'm not going to worry too much about reducing my insilin again - for now.
 
I have gone back to 10u in a morning and 5-7u at night of Insulatard depending on BG levels. The hypos seam to have disappeared (I hope).
 
loulou99782 said:
I have gone back to 10u in a morning and 5-7u at night of Insulatard depending on BG levels. The hypos seam to have disappeared (I hope).
Click to expand...
@loulou99782 I was taking 36, 30,64 humulin m3 mix. I reduced it to 16 then back to 20 on a morning. 10 now 20 at lunch then 44 evening meal now 64.
I have very bad insulin resistance not helped by my 8 stones over weight. I've started lchf diet at the same time as starting insulin. So instead of adding huge amount of weight I only added 6lb. I am stuck with that added 6lb even on Lchf and increased exercise. My body cannot cope with that extra 6lb. My structure cannot support the weight. Only 5ft 6.
 
Had my first Hypo last night woke at midnight with a weird feeling and stomach ache then my left hand started shaking, tested at 3.2. All because I was expecting a high carb meal last night and took an extra unit of insulin, the meal wasn't as high carb as I thought, Hunters chicken and veg for main and plum crumble for pud. the crumble was made specially for me from a diabetic recipe. rolled oats instead of flour and butter and no sugar just a drizzle of honey. 2 glasses of white wine to make things worse. A couple of jelly babies and 10 minutes later felt fine, was going to test again but fell asleep and when I woke at 8 it was 5.1

Also I was told I was looking scrawny which I took as a compliment.
 
Sorry for delay in answering @loulou99782 I was diagnosed in 2006 and put straight on to 2x500mg metformin. I stayed on that until earlier this year when I couldn't take them after major surgery on my gut.( I haven't got a lot of large gut left ) Three months ago I was taken off metformin and put on gliclazide 40mg x 1 daily, but found this forum and started lchf diet and increased my exercise. After a few weeks stopped gliclazide and my latest HbA1c last week was 40 so I'm going to try to continue on with control through diet & exercise only. I do take an ace inhibitor low dosage.It will depend on my being well enough each day to exercise etc. I feel very Blessed to have this chance after 9+ years on meds and am in a position to give it a go. Hope you have a good day today x
 

You seem to be doing really well. I do hope this continues. I get occasional readings that are higher than I would like but for now I'm sticking with things. Diet and exercise but wonder how I will cope with the exercise during the winter as mostly it's walking and even that has to be gentle.
 
Hi @Hiitsme thanks for encouragement. I can't get out walking this week so far as the rain is non-stop up here in Scotland so I've been running up & down stairs every half-hour or so. Maybe you could try that if you have stairs at home? I can see you and me being reduced to marching on the spot I think it's mostly diet which keeps BG levels down, do you agree? Good luck with your diet+ exercise
 

I think we all need encouragement which is why I like this particular thread. We can share experiences and ask questions. I do feel the exercise (only gentle walking in my case) is really helpful. It also enables me to eat a bit more and I do like my food.
I was so pleased this morning to have a 4.4 fasting - my lowest morning reading. I have had a 3.9 during the day but that was when I was very hungry and just about to eat. The other week I was up in the 6's in the morning. Sometimes I haven't a clue with the readings but just try to keep going. I hope your weather clears up a bit so you can get out. It's been dry today in London and not even that cold so I have managed to get out.
 
I agree that exercise makes a difference, after a big walk I'll have readings in high 4s most of my readings are 5s though. My fbg is always high in relation to rest of days readings which are usually in normal range. Yours sound really good, well done you!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…