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Any advice please

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suzanna valentine

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi,

I was diagnosed as type 2 around 4 years ago. I was overweight after stopping smoking and the weight gain caused the diabetes. I was controlling it with 1000mg metformin a day. My daughter was found dead xmas 2015 and it all spiralled out of control from there. I can't stop eating. Chocolate, crisps, cakes. I eat more sweet things than non diabetics eat. I cry, I eat, I cry, I eat. I never feel full. My sugars for a long time have been around 16 when i wake up before breakfast and can go up to 24. I have one diabetes appt per year and even though they see it is high they just say its because of what has happened and stress etc. I have been feeling dizzy and tired for days because I am also on citalopram and i have hypothyroidism. Last week i went to the doctor and she put metformin up to 2000mg a day and told me to book a blood test which i did. I know I've been an idiot and i'm frightened it's too late for me to do something about my diabetes. nobody listens to me when i tell them i never feel full. It is always brushed aside.

Anyway yesterday i had a blood test to check out my levels and today quite quickly got a call to say i have to have an appointment as they have come back abnormal. I'm really scared now. i don't know what that means. They didn't say high levels just abnormal. I don't know what to do anymore. I get little help to help me with eating and i don't understand my diabetes at all. Can anyone advise please because i'm picturing a lot of horror stories now. is it too late for me to do something and what will abnormal mean? They made an appt for 10 days time but i've called and have got a locum appt for later today. I can't sit for ten days wondering. Could it possibly also be high because i take citalopram for last few weeks?

Thank you for any help with the mess i have created myself.
 
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Welcome to the forum Suzanna, glad you found us. It is not too late to do something about your diabetes and it is great that you are looking to make changes. Whilst your Dr is right, the terrible loss of your daughter has led you to not caring for yourself, that is not very helpful for you looking forwards. I think it would be a great idea to get other support, can you work with a friend to change your diet together, or join a group? Hopefully with support you could find alternatives to the crisps etc to keep you from feeling too hungry. Lots of us on here snack on protein, like cold meat. Just not eating something you are used to turning to for comfort is very hard, especially if you are doing it by yourself. Try finding healthier yummy alternatives and getting support to try with you. Let us know how you get on with your appointment this afternoon. I don't know what they mean by abnormal either. Best of luck🙂​
 
Hi Suzanna, Welcome to this friendly forum.
I am sorry to hear about your Daughter. It's perfectly understandable that you have fallen of the D waggon, so please stop berating yourself. We'll do our best to help you get back on track again.

It is never too late to do something about diabetes !

You've had an unpleasant wake up call. Firstly have you made the appointment? .
 
suzanna valentine said:
Hi,

I was diagnosed as type 2 around 4 years ago. I was overweight after stopping smoking and the weight gain caused the diabetes. I was controlling it with 1000mg metformin a day. My daughter was found dead xmas 2015 and it all spiralled out of control from there. I can't stop eating. Chocolate, crisps, cakes. I eat more sweet things than non diabetics eat. I cry, I eat, I cry, I eat. I never feel full. My sugars for a long time have been around 16 when i wake up before breakfast and can go up to 24. I have one diabetes appt per year and even though they see it is high they just say its because of what has happened and stress etc. I have been feeling dizzy and tired for days because I am also on citalopram and i have hypothyroidism. Last week i went to the doctor and she put metformin up to 2000mg a day and told me to book a blood test which i did. I know I've been an idiot and i'm frightened it's too late for me to do something about my diabetes. nobody listens to me when i tell them i never feel full. It is always brushed aside.

Anyway yesterday i had a blood test to check out my levels and today quite quickly got a call to say i have to have an appointment as they have come back abnormal. I'm really scared now. i don't know what that means. They didn't say high levels just abnormal. I don't know what to do anymore. I get little help to help me with eating and i don't understand my diabetes at all. Can anyone advise please because i'm picturing a lot of horror stories now. is it too late for me to do something and what will abnormal mean? They made an appt for 10 days time but i've called and have got a locum appt for later today. I can't sit for ten days wondering. Could it possibly also be high because i take citalopram for last few weeks?

Thank you for any help with the mess i have created myself.
Click to expand...
Suzanna it sounds like you've had an horrendous time...lots of questions there...but...first let me say I am so so sorry to hear you lost your daughter...not surprising that has had a profound effect on you...just wondering if you had any counselling...or bereavement support since that time...firstly you need to get the idea you have created 'this mess' yourself out of your head...no one wants to be diabetic...it's no ones fault...forget the horror stories you hear from the media about type 2 diabetes...how it is the fault of those diagnosed with it...it's not...clearly those diagnosed with type 2 must have a genetic pre-disposition for diabetes...otherwise all the overweight /inactive people we know would be diabetic...we can manage to control it with a little hard work...I would never say it's too late for anyone to make improvements...let us know what was said...I really feel you need support with the trauma of losing your daughter...possibly still in shock...suffering from depression...please mention that to the GP...it's important...in saying your blood sugar is abnormal...that may mean it's outside normal range...however...you know that already...don't panic...try to note down the points you need to raise with your GP...possibly now is not the perfect time to start giving advice on diet...how to reduce your blood sugars and so on...have your appointment...then come back to us...there will be many that can offer support/advice...you may feel like you are in the most tremendous mess...but...given time you can find a balance...good luck this afternoon...please keep us updated.
 
I do have an appointment this afternoon. The doctor who i usually see and who asked me to make an appt didnt have one for 10 days so i made that appt. But then thought i didn't want to sit and way ten days. I'm dizzy all the time so i've made an appt with another doctor for today. I don't know if he'll be able to do anything. I have high blood pressure of 160 average for months. Hypothyroidism. Diabetes. I'm on citalopram for anxiety and depression. It just goes on and on and i always feel so poorly. :( Thank you for the kind comments and i'll come back after my appointment later today xxx I guess i'm frightened that with ignoring my diabetes i've damaged myself in some way that there is no coming back from :(
 
Hello and welcome. I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter, what a horrendous time you've had :(
I agree with what @Bubbsie posted. Hopefully once you know more about the test results you can move forward and also get some emotional support x
 
suzanna valentine said:
I do have an appointment this afternoon. The doctor who i usually see and who asked me to make an appt didnt have one for 10 days so i made that appt. But then thought i didn't want to sit and way ten days. I'm dizzy all the time so i've made an appt with another doctor for today. I don't know if he'll be able to do anything. I have high blood pressure of 160 average for months. Hypothyroidism. Diabetes. I'm on citalopram for anxiety and depression. It just goes on and on and i always feel so poorly. :( Thank you for the kind comments and i'll come back after my appointment later today xxx I guess i'm frightened that with ignoring my diabetes i've damaged myself in some way that there is no coming back from :(
Click to expand...
Suzanna concentrate on your appointment this afternoon...try to ensure you mention all you need to the doctor...disappointing you could not get an appointment with your regular GP for 10 days...however...may be that make work in your favour...a 'fresh ear' to listen...be persistent...you need help...they are there to provide that help...good luck...will be interested to hear how you get on...honestly you can make a change... make a difference...for now why not save your energy for your appointment..good luck.
 
I think your right in getting an early appointment. At least this way you will know what's what. I can only speak for myself but I fear more what I don't know, it really plays on my mind.
Do let us know how you get on
 
Can you ask the doc to review your medication, maybe it needs adjusting slightly. As for eating all the sugar things, the more you eat them the more we crave them, I know they are a comfort food and I remember the feeling of constant hunger before my diagnosis was made, I never felt satisfied no matter how much I was eating.
 
Grannylorraine said:
Can you ask the doc to review your medication, maybe it needs adjusting slightly. As for eating all the sugar things, the more you eat them the more we crave them, I know they are a comfort food and I remember the feeling of constant hunger before my diagnosis was made, I never felt satisfied no matter how much I was eating.
Click to expand...
I know that i need to do something and i know only i can do it. I'm 5ft 3 and weight 13.7 stones. I eat constantly. It's like a craving for food in general. I need to wake up and do something about it.
 
suzanna valentine said:
I know that i need to do something and i know only i can do it. I'm 5ft 3 and weight 13.7 stones. I eat constantly. It's like a craving for food in general. I need to wake up and do something about it.
Click to expand...
I fully understand that. I am 5ft 2 and almost the same weight, but don't be too hard on yourself. You have been through a terrible trauma and high blood glucose levels make you hungry and tired (or they do me). Plus I am also on Citalopram and my doc told me that can make it harder to lose weight.

But we are all here to support you.
 
I've seen that said re citalopram online and that it also raises blood sugars. They haven't helped me much to be honest and so i'm going to tell him when i go up soon that i want to stop them. Thank you for the kind words Lorraine xx
 
Have just got back. The test said something about HB being 88. No idea what that means. He said two years ago it was 44 and a few months ago it was 79 and now up to 88. On top of the 2000 metformin he's added something called Sitagliptin. No idea what that is. He's also added a beta blocker to the ramipril and amlodipine i take for high blood pressure. he said to carry on with the escitalopram for a couple more weeks and i have a thyroid yearly check in 2 weeks as well. All these problems sound so depressing. So now every day i take, metformin, Sitagliptin, Ramipril, Levothyroxine, Amlodipine, Atenolol, Avarstatin and Citalopram. No wonder i feel ill. Is it safe to have such a mix of tablets every day?

I'm sorry to have rambled on. I've become very scared about my health. I'm 56 and if i'm like this already what chance do i have of a long life to old age :(
 
Suzanna your HbA1c test is the blood test that will show what your average blood glucose is for the preceding three months...blood sugars can be measured in two ways...the HbA1c as said gives an average over three months...testing your own blood with a meter & testing strips will give an on the spot figure...what your blood sugars are at that particular time...these are the recommended levels for your BG...what we should all be aiming for:
Non-diabetic 4.0 to 5.9 mmol/L under 7.8 mmol/L
Type 2 diabetes 4 to 7 mmol/L under 8.5 mmol/L
Type 1 diabetes 5 to 7 mmol/L 4 to 7 mmol/L 5 to 9 mmol/L

The figure 88 would roughly average 10.2 which is outside the recommended range...quite high...not massive and not insurmountable...at diagnosis mine was 17.4...now down to an average of 5.8...you can reduce that figure... once you find a routine that suits you...at the risk of offending you how much do you know about diabetes?...what foods to avoid...how to adjust your diet...the effect activity can have on lowering your BG's...has anyone ever mentioned testing your blood...what the purpose of that is...how to do it...as for the other medication I am unable to advise...but there will be other members who can help with advice on those...many here are on multiple medications...I've been lucky so far...I did have high blood pressure...took medication initially...but stopped that approximately six months ago...it can be managed...firstly you need to understand exactly what diabetes is...what you can do to manage/control it...honestly it can/does get better...never apologise for asking questions...we all been in a similar position...if you could answer the points above...it would help us give the right advice...offer the right support...importantly you've seen the doctor...know what your levels are...you're asking questions here...those are all positive steps in the right direction...keep us updated.
 
Hi Bubbsie,

I already test my own blood each day. It averages at around 16 when i wake up before breakfast and around 18-24 after a meal. I don't know a lot about diabetes. I should because i should have researched it all myself. I see a diabetic nurse once a year and have no other information or advice given to me. I know i should eat low carbs i think and eat as little processed food as possible. I haven't touched pure white sugar for a long time and use canderell in coffee and always drink zero drinks. I'm now on 2000mg metformin and the sitagliptin.

I know i shouldn't eat potatoes or white rice or pasta. Yet those are the three main items in most meals so i'm not sure what i'm supposed to eat really. I don't have a lot of money at the moment and have a uni student son living with me so basically buy for him and eat what he eats. I have done some tests over the last few days but not really sure when to do them. The test results i've had recently are:

Sun 25th 2 hours after lunch 24.01
Sun 25th before dinner 11.1
Sun 25th 3.5 hours after dinner 16.9
Mon 26th before breakfast 16.8
Tues 27th before breakfast 16.4
Wed 28th before breakfast 18.8

That's pretty much an average day for me in the last 6 months.

I'm very grateful for the help
 
Hi Suzanna

I understand your concerns about taking a lot of medication. I too have a lot to swallow on a daily basis. Hopefully getting you blood sugar under control may mean you cut back on some of your pills. Be guided by your GP on this. The Sitagliptin should help to get your blood sugars down.

Take one day at a time and keep looking forward not back
 
Hi Suzanna.

Small steps at a time....try swapping the standard potatoes for sweet potato, white rice & pasta for the brown versions.

I have found they are quite similar in price & I find the taste very similar.

I have done this, & whilst it is still carbs, it is more of a slower release, so should keep you going longer & not need to snack or eat more later, whereas the white rice & pasta gives you a short term energy boost along with the higher sugars but you will find you will want to eat again as your body is craving carbs / sugars.

If you look to eat healthy fats & more proteins, you should feel fuller for longer & these tend not to raise blood sugars very much if at all.
 
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