New Type 2 diabetic - do I need to buy a blood sugar monitor?

[Windy]

I found out that I'm a type 2 diabetic, with a fatty liver and high blood pressure a few weeks ago and it's been a whirl of blood tests, wee samples and appointments. I've got a "Desmond" course next month.
I've put myself on the 800 calorie blood sugar diet and have been on that for ten days, it's going ok. The practice nurse seemed ok with me being on it, and I've written to the GP too, however, he's an "old school" GP, so I don't know if he'll be happy. I've got a phobia about going to the doctors which means I'm not very calm or coherent when I see him, hence the letter.
I'm trying to go for a walk each day as a bit of exercise, but am 5 stone overweight, so have a long way to go with my weight loss, but I'm aiming to lose 15Kg initially.
Should I be buying a blood sugar monitor? The nurse didn't say anything about it, but I don't know if my lower carb diet and the 2 x 500mg metformin are helping. I was a terrible bread/ potato/ crisps/ kitkat / biscuit eater pre diagnosis, and have cut them out completely, so I'm hoping that's brought my sugar levels somewhat.
Cheers, Sarah

 

[janw]

Hi and welcome
To be honest a BG monitor can be one of the best investments a type 2 can make. It gives us the power to see when we have a big spike, so then we can work out whether we just need to reduce the portion size or find an alternative. Without one we are going blindly forward, not knowing how we are doing or where we can make improvements. It is rare for type 2s to be given a monitor, so the onus is on ourselves. The Gluco Navii is a good make and, currently, has the cheapest test strips available ... I've just changed to that one myself.
If you have any further queries, just ask, so many friendly people on here with lots of advice and support. 🙂

 

[Windy]

Thanks Janw, I'll get one ordered. Thanks for your prompt response 🙂. Not massively looking forward to the finger pricks, but like you say, it's better to know what effect my diet is having so I can adjust it. Sarah

 

[janw]

Do the sides of your fingers (tips), they are less sensitive, just change finger/position or hand each time to prevent sore spots. The amount of testing will reduce as you go on. I test every morning and sometimes when I feel the need, or to check my reaction to a different food, but to start with it was on waking, before each meal, 2 hours after starting each meal and at bedtime. We all react differently to carbs, some we are more tolerant towards, others send us way too high, it is all trial and error. Keep a food diary too, plenty of free ones online, that will help you keep a tally of how you are doing too, it all helps in the long run. Best of luck Sarah

 

[helli]

Not massively looking forward to the finger pricks,

There is a fear of finger pricking and sore fingers but, as @janw points out, there are techniques for minimising soreness.
Having T1 I had little choice. Before I was lucky to be prescribed the Libre, I was finger pricking 10 times a day and did not have sore fingers.
For me, the important thing seem to be
1. not stabbing too deep. Most lancet devices have a dial to control stab depth. I dial this back as much as possible.
2. rotating fingers. I had a technique for choosing fingers depending whether it was an even date (2nd, 4th, 6th, … of the month) when I would use my right hand or odd date when I would use my left hand and time of day to determine finger.
3. warming my hands before stabbing. Typically, I use a fresh cuppa as a hand warmer but also have rechargeable hand warmers for when I am out.

 

[goodybags]

Hi welcome to the forum @Windy

defiantly recommend you get a blood testing monitor,

I’m hopeful one day GP’s will realise it helps us T2‘s understand (with regular testing)
what foods (usually foods high in carbs) that sends our BS levels high,

 

[Moortt]

I found out that I'm a type 2 diabetic, with a fatty liver and high blood pressure a few weeks ago and it's been a whirl of blood tests, wee samples and appointments. I've got a "Desmond" course next month.
I've put myself on the 800 calorie blood sugar diet and have been on that for ten days, it's going ok. The practice nurse seemed ok with me being on it, and I've written to the GP too, however, he's an "old school" GP, so I don't know if he'll be happy. I've got a phobia about going to the doctors which means I'm not very calm or coherent when I see him, hence the letter.
I'm trying to go for a walk each day as a bit of exercise, but am 5 stone overweight, so have a long way to go with my weight loss, but I'm aiming to lose 15Kg initially.
Should I be buying a blood sugar monitor? The nurse didn't say anything about it, but I don't know if my lower carb diet and the 2 x 500mg metformin are helping. I was a terrible bread/ potato/ crisps/ kitkat / biscuit eater pre diagnosis, and have cut them out completely, so I'm hoping that's brought my sugar levels somewhat.
Cheers, Sarah

Hi Sarah !

I was diagnosed 4 months ago, although honestly I didn't really accept it until very recently. I didn't look for these forums and I didn't know about meters and testing.

Although I was successful in losing a lot of weight and bringing my HBA1C levels down by reducing my calorie and carb amounts it was largely guess work.

I'm finally coming to terms with the diagnosis and came to this forum - I read a lot about testing and decided I wanted to try it.

I was given a meter at the weekend and got myself test strips and I've been checking my levels through the course of this week; fasting blood glucose levels when I wake up, then after breakfast, then before and after lunch and dinner.

It's allowing me to test certain foods and daily / meal carb amounts and seeing how my body reacts. This is teaching me what my limits are to ensure I maintain, and hopefully reduce, my current BG levels and stay off the meds.

I was really nervous about the pricks and it being painful, I really flinched the first time I pressed the trigger on the lancer. But it's really not that bad at all. You feel it sure, but it doesn't hurt and the bleeding stops almost immediately, I don't have any obvious signs it even happened a minute or so after the test is done. As mentioned above just use the side of the finger and rotate around them.

Good luck, there are some great people on here who have really helped me a lot already!

 

[Felinia]

Well done for making such a positive start. You will soon learn by testing what foods spike your blood glucose. After a time I slowly reduced my testing to when I have new foods so I can add them to the lists of what I can and cannot safely eat. You will need to do that when you wean yourself off the blood glucose diet, and introduce more foods. I found the best exercise for me is in the pool, as the water supported my very overweight body - I do Aquafit now 3 times a week. Best wishes

 

[Windy]

Thanks for all your excellent responses.
I am ( was? Not sure if they'll still have me) a blood donor, so have had finger prick tests done there for iron levels, but by a staff member.
I ordered a BS monitor last night, and a box of extra test strips. Does it matter which make of lancets I get to use with it? The ones at the blood donor centre are blue and sort of umbrella shaped, the ones with the monitor don't look anything like that in the picture.
What I've taken from your helpful responses is:
-prick the side of my fingers, and change sites to prevent sore spots.
- test in the morning and after meals.
- warm my hands on a nice cup of tea! ( I love tea )
- keep notes of what I'm eating and how it effects my BS. I have a spreadsheet I've been logging on, I'll add a BS column.
- adjust my diet accordingly.
- take up swimming.
Thanks again, Sarah

 

[Lucyr]

The lancets used in medical settings are usually single use whereas the one you get with a monitor is a reuseable device with small lancers you put in it.

It doesn’t matter what lancing device you use but you have to use the compatible lancers

 

[Windy]

Thanks @Lucyr , that makes sense. I'll find out which type I need to order when the BS monitor and kit arrive. Cheers, Sarah

 

[Lucyr]

Thanks @Lucyr , that makes sense. I'll find out which type I need to order when the BS monitor and kit arrive. Cheers, Sarah

The kit should come with them in it, you can buy more if you want to change them regularly and the kit will tell you which ones to get. Many people don’t change it each time and haven’t found problems with that.

 

[janw]

Please try and wash your hands with warm water and soap before testing, where possible, not only does that warm your fingers for you (plus a rub dry with a towel), but it prevents any cross-contamination of anything (food etc) you may have touched - otherwise you could get a false high. Lancets seem to come in 2 sizes either a 28 or 30, but there are compatible ones around for either, which are cheaper. I don't change mine until I feel the need, so have enough for a couple of years lol

 

[Gwynn]

I was very nervous/uncomfortable with the idea of doing blood tests several times a day too. Me and needles...noooooo

The very first finger prick took me so long to do the meter shut down before I could get a drop of blood to it. I was that scared of doing it.

But I found that it doesn't really hurt that much and the sight of blood wasn't as scary as I thought it would be, oh and, my fear that blood might spurt everywhere was a complete nonsense.

Now, a year on, yes I am still a little nervous every single time but having the knowledge of my blood glucose levels has been empowering and essential.

Good on you for taking the right steps to help yourself. Lots of people here will be able to offer good advice. My own advice?

1. Warm your hand before each test (I use a hot water bottle to warm my hands before washing them)
2. Wash hands in warm water before each test
3. Alternate the hand/finger used (some fingers are better than others)
4. Prick on the sides near the top of the chosen finger. Never the top or pad as that CAN be very painful.
5. Use a new lancet needle each test time (there is some debate about this as some do not change their lancets each time for various reasons)
6. Use the thinnest lancets you can. Mine are Glucoject 33G (the thinnest I could find)
7. Don't panic before or after the test. Have a steady routine to do the test calmly and do not be upset if the readings are out of whack. You won't suddenly keel over. Mine were horrendous at first.
8. Record the test results and use those results with your GP and DN to agree the way forward.
9. Dispose of the needle in a sharps box
10. Develop a routine so that a test is never missed and the test itself becomes very straight forward

Good luck

 

[Windy]

Thanks for that @Gwynn and your advice on taking blood for BS measuring.
Where do I get a sharps box from? Also, what do I do with it after I'm done with it?
I'm guessing it has to go for secure incineration as clinical waste somewhere?
Cheers, Sarah

 

[Gwynn]

Amazon sell sharps boxes if your GP won't prescribe one.

However, when full the surgery will (should) take them. Best to check. I hand mine (sealed) to the reception.

 

[grovesy]

Sharps disposal varies around the country, and if you Dr has not prescribed some services won't take.

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks for that @Gwynn and your advice on taking blood for BS measuring.
Where do I get a sharps box from? Also, what do I do with it after I'm done with it?
I'm guessing it has to go for secure incineration as clinical waste somewhere?
Cheers, Sarah

The issue over sharps boxes is a hot topic. I recently had to inject anticoagulant following knee surgery and was given a sharps box by the hospital but now they will not take it back, or my local pharmacy. They basically say phone the council.
It does seem to vary depending on where you are. The hospital pharmacy where my daughter works do take them as people were just leaving them in any old place.

 

[grovesy]

The issue over sharps boxes is a hot topic. I recently had to inject anticoagulant following knee surgery and was given a sharps box by the hospital but now they will not take it back, or my local pharmacy. They basically say phone the council.
It does seem to vary depending on where you are. The hospital pharmacy where my daughter works do take them as people were just leaving them in any old place.

When I was prescribed them and the council contracted disposal to a contractor, your name had to be on the contractors list , to get collection.

 

[janw]

I got my sharps box prescribed by my surgery and I already know (from son's previous ops) that our local chemist's accept them when full. Maybe ask your surgery if they take them or where they need to go for disposal.