confused (nothing unusual)

[chris7]

Hi
I am confused as to why GP's seem to treat type 2 so differently. For instance some people on this site are controlled by diet, I for instance take one metformin 500mg a day and others take 2 metformin. Why is there such a big (seems big) difference?

Also I have always got the shakes (mainly noticable in my hands) and had to eat something (usually chocolate, and stuff food in myself) to make it go. What is this? I am assuming that my sugar levels have dropped and it comes on suddenly. This doesn't happen very often but it does happen.

 

[Mark T]

Hi Chris,

I think there is a certain amount of postcode lottery that goes on but also not everyone?s Type 2 is exactly the same. So not everyone?s treatment will be the same.

Do you have a test meter? Because those shakes could be because you were low (a hypo) or they could be because you are coming down from being high (a false hypo). Only a meter will really tell you which.

 

[Cat1964]

Hi
I am confused as to why GP's seem to treat type 2 so differently. For instance some people on this site are controlled by diet, I for instance take one metformin 500mg a day and others take 2 metformin. Why is there such a big (seems big) difference?

Also I have always got the shakes (mainly noticable in my hands) and had to eat something (usually chocolate, and stuff food in myself) to make it go. What is this? I am assuming that my sugar levels have dropped and it comes on suddenly. This doesn't happen very often but it does happen.

I was diagnosed 2 weeks ago and frequently get the shakes. I am not on medication. Like yourself eating something, not necessarily sweet, makes it go but it takes a while to feel better. It's very unpleasant and it was so bad once I was scared. Would be interesting to find out what it is.

 

[trophywench]

Well a pound to a penny it's a hypo - either a real one or a false one.

Easy to find out, not rocket science - get a meter and TEST.

 

[Cat1964]

Well a pound to a penny it's a hypo - either a real one or a false one.

Easy to find out, not rocket science - get a meter and TEST.

Seems like a plan......my nurse said I didn't need to have a meter to test because it wasn't needed. However I would be interested to see exactly what the BG is when I have the shakes. Now being new to all this what would be the best meter to buy?

 

[Newtothis]

Seems like a plan......my nurse said I didn't need to have a meter to test because it wasn't needed. However I would be interested to see exactly what the BG is when I have the shakes. Now being new to all this what would be the best meter to buy?

Hi Cat1964; I'm also a type 2 and one of the first things I did when diagnosed was buy a meter (DN told me I didn't need to 🙄) as I wanted to be able to control my condition and only by testing can you see which foods you can tolerate. At the beginning I wasn't sure what I was doing but I asked hundreds of questions on this site and now I feel a little less daunted. There are meters you can get free but I bought a Accu-Chek Nova; the strips can be pricey but you can get a good deal on Ebay (my opinion only). Any questions you have just ask; this is a great forum xx

 

[Newtothis]

Hi
I am confused as to why GP's seem to treat type 2 so differently. For instance some people on this site are controlled by diet, I for instance take one metformin 500mg a day and others take 2 metformin. Why is there such a big (seems big) difference?

Also I have always got the shakes (mainly noticable in my hands) and had to eat something (usually chocolate, and stuff food in myself) to make it go. What is this? I am assuming that my sugar levels have dropped and it comes on suddenly. This doesn't happen very often but it does happen.

Hi Chris; welcome to the Forum; I'm diet & exercise because my initial readings at diagnosis was borderline; I've managed to reduce my HbA1c a little further by testing food; losing weight; increasing exercise and most importantly taking control. Buying a meter is a really good idea - I wouldn't be without mine now x

 

[Cat1964]

Hi Cat1964; I'm also a type 2 and one of the first things I did when diagnosed was buy a meter (DN told me I didn't need to 🙄) as I wanted to be able to control my condition and only by testing can you see which foods you can tolerate. At the beginning I wasn't sure what I was doing but I asked hundreds of questions on this site and now I feel a little less daunted. There are meters you can get free but I bought a Accu-Chek Nova; the strips can be pricey but you can get a good deal on Ebay (my opinion only). Any questions you have just ask; this is a great forum xx

Thanks Amanda and once again Trophywench. I'll have a look for that meter. I have asked lots of questions here and always get great answers....even when I ask Rediculous questions!

 

[Vicsetter]

500mg is the starting dose for metformin, it should be ramped up to a max of 2500 or 3000 (depends who you talk to) depending on how you react. It will take a little while to build up in your body. If you start too high then you will hit the digestive problems some people have.

Getting a meter is a good idea so you can see what different foods do to you and whether different feelings are a result of your BG levels (or not).

Davmii mentioned the SD codefree (http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=29835). I have found that the 'cheap' meters tend to read on the high side but seem to be consistent. Be aware that the expensive side of testing is the strips. You may be lucky to get a free meter from one of the manufacturers but the strips are expensive. You can get one from Amazon here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...d+glucose+monitor&sprefix=sd+codefree,aps,128

 

[trophywench]

Abbott Healthcare are the meter to get if you want to buy strips direct from the manufacturer rather than eBay - but anyway seeing as you seem like you will get a meter, and I do think everyone should have one! and you are 'new' can I also point you at this?

http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.co.uk/

Read it, and click on the Test Test Test link Alan gives on that first page.

There's a lot of us who have learned many things from Alan - some of us have been lucky enough to have met him - lovely man - and he always talks complete SENSE.

The entire Blog is great and when you get bored of diabetes, have a look at his travel blog. He don't half get to some interesting places! Fab photos.

 

[Cat1964]

Hi, I was looking at meters and couldn't figure out which one to get. The Accu chek ones looked quite good but various models again confusing. I messaged the company asking what meter was the best one for me to get. They said they'd give me a free meter if I was checking my BG daily and on condition that my GP would prescribe strips and lancets. I don't think that's very likely for my GP to do that. So seeing as I am unlikely to get the free meter can someone direct me as to the best one to buy.

 

[Northerner]

I've used an Accu chek Aviva since diagnosis and have got on well with it. They all have to conform to certain accuracy standards and most share similar features. The company don't know whether you are being prescribed strips - you can buy them over the counter, so you could take one of their free meters and they'd be none the wiser. Abbotts will give a free meter and I believe it's relatively cheap to buy strips direct from them:

https://www.abbottdiabetescare.co.uk/free-meter-signup

Alternatively, quite a cheap option is the SD Codefree Meter has test strips that are only ?6.99 for 50.

But don't give up on persuading you GP to prescribe you some strips! 🙂

edit: I see this has already been covered! 🙂

 

[Cat1964]

I've used an Accu chek Aviva since diagnosis and have got on well with it. They all have to conform to certain accuracy standards and most share similar features. The company don't know whether you are being prescribed strips - you can buy them over the counter, so you could take one of their free meters and they'd be none the wiser. Abbotts will give a free meter and I believe it's relatively cheap to buy strips direct from them:

https://www.abbottdiabetescare.co.uk/free-meter-signup

Alternatively, quite a cheap option is the SD Codefree Meter has test strips that are only ?6.99 for 50.

But don't give up on persuading you GP to prescribe you some strips! 🙂

edit: I see this has already been covered! 🙂

So can I presume then the company will probably not ask for GP details for confirmation?

 

[Northerner]

So can I presume then the company will probably not ask for GP details for confirmation?

None of their business! 🙂

 

[Cat1964]

Fair enough

 

[Lauras87]

Hi, I was looking at meters and couldn't figure out which one to get. The Accu chek ones looked quite good but various models again confusing. I messaged the company asking what meter was the best one for me to get. They said they'd give me a free meter if I was checking my BG daily and on condition that my GP would prescribe strips and lancets. I don't think that's very likely for my GP to do that. So seeing as I am unlikely to get the free meter can someone direct me as to the best one to buy.

I've got an accu chek aviva & love it
But one thing & pardon my French ****es me off about the NHS is that they say type 2's don't need to test.

I think all diabetics should test to know where they are at with their levels.

Are you not at hospital for your diabetes too? Coz if you are hospital will give you a free kit

 

[Cat1964]

I've got an accu chek aviva & love it
But one thing & pardon my French ****es me off about the NHS is that they say type 2's don't need to test.

I think all diabetics should test to know where they are at with their levels.

Are you not at hospital for your diabetes too? Coz if you are hospital will give you a free kit

No first appointment at the diabetic clinic is at the end of this month. I have only been to see diabetic nurse once to discuss basics with her.

 

[rustee2011]

When I diagnosed back in summer 2011, these are the words the doctor said to me "It could be controlled by diet and exercise, however, I would rather start you on metformin right away". I think it was due to my weight, that was why he put me on it. It turned out Ok. I was on 2x500mg of Metformin per day, then it got vamped up to three then 4. Now, I am just on the 500mg metformin (1 tablet) per day. It depends on the doctor methinks. Also when a person is daignosed, it depends what stage the diabetes is - mine was borderline, however there are some people I know who as soon as they were diagnosed were put on insulin.

 

[chris7]

I have a meter but have run out of strips and when I last went to the gp's (re my symptoms returning) she told me to ask my diabetic nurse when I saw her! Big help that was! My meter is a glucorx nexus not sure on how much the strips are so think I had better go and check them out !
Trophy wench thanks for the link I have been off reading some of it and it is very helpful.

 

[Cat1964]

Can't wait for h meter to arrive. I had a huge attack of the shakes half an hour ago. I am making dinner and some homemade soup for lunch tomorrow. I was washing some mushrooms and it hit me so suddenly. I put some of the soup in a bowl and sat down for ten minutes and had that. My hands have never shook that bad!! 😱 I felt better after a wee bit of soup but am curious to know hat my BG is at when I have the shakes.