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CathyB

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
hi everyone, I was diagnosed 10 days ago by a phone call at 2.30 in the morning after my blood test, to be told the on call doctor had been trying to get hold of me all night and was about to send paramedics to my house in case I was in a diabetic coma as my blood sugar was 22.....needless to say I was a little stunned. Next day I was put on metformin 500 with my evening meal, now up to 1000 with a target of titration to another 1000 with breakfast. I am taking my blood glucose pre breakfast and before bed, the best I have had in the morning is 14.6.
Needless to say my diet has changed completely, I’m reading every label before I buy and my daughter has been and cleared my cupboards and fridge of everything I shouldn’t have, I’m also doing my best to walk on a daily basis but finding this a challenge as I also have heart disease.
I am hoping that if I can get down to single numbers I might feel better, have felt ‘rough’ for so long now it’s become normal.
Been reading posts for the last few days, learned so much more than my doctor told me!!
 
Hi @CathyB and welcome to the forum 🙂
Wow what a shocking way to be told! If you have any questions please do feel free to ask and we will all do our best to help
Morning readings are often the last to come down, if you don't mind me asking, what are your levels like before bed?
What ARE you eating? Are you drinking plenty fluids?
Does your GP prescribe you with your strips or are you self funding? I don't mean to sound nosey but if you are being prescribed them have you thought about testing the foods you are consuming and seeing what effect they are having? Sorry if you are already doing this!
Sorry also for bombarding you with questions! xx
 
CathyB said:
hi everyone, I was diagnosed 10 days ago by a phone call at 2.30 in the morning after my blood test, to be told the on call doctor had been trying to get hold of me all night and was about to send paramedics to my house in case I was in a diabetic coma as my blood sugar was 22.....needless to say I was a little stunned. Next day I was put on metformin 500 with my evening meal, now up to 1000 with a target of titration to another 1000 with breakfast. I am taking my blood glucose pre breakfast and before bed, the best I have had in the morning is 14.6.
Needless to say my diet has changed completely, I’m reading every label before I buy and my daughter has been and cleared my cupboards and fridge of everything I shouldn’t have, I’m also doing my best to walk on a daily basis but finding this a challenge as I also have heart disease.
I am hoping that if I can get down to single numbers I might feel better, have felt ‘rough’ for so long now it’s become normal.
Been reading posts for the last few days, learned so much more than my doctor told me!!
Click to expand...
My blood test (Friday ) came in at 20.7, got a phone call at 7pm (Sat) told me that in the morning (Sunday) go to the clinic to get tested again. This I did, it was 16.8 then appt with GP on Weds.
You had emergency services on standby and I had to drive to the clinic and then wait 3 days for meds? What the Hell? You must be more important than me 🙂
Anyhoot, once on meds my blood sugars went straight down to 5-8 so give it time. This forum has answers, don't be afraid to ask questions. 🙂
 
Thanks, I don’t mind questions at all, I am keen to learn. My bed time numbers fluctuate between 16.8 at best and 19.6, I thought the morning numbers were the most relevant?
I have cut back on carbs and sugar, so lots of fresh veg, I am eating salads, stews, curry with brown rice pork loin chops with new potatoes and veg. Where I am struggling is finding deserts or snacks, I did buy a soya yoghurt but I would have been just as well chewing cardboard! Shopping today took twice as long as I had a marathon label reading so make sure I checked everything. Reading the post on what people were eating was really helpful, I am now stocked with sugar free caramel syrup for porridge and Burgen bread
I am drinking a lot of water but not as much as I was pre metformin thankfully, the burning thirst was driving me mad. My doctor did give me a testing meter and a prescription for strips and needles, she said I was to test twice a day until I am down to single numbers. I have an appointment with the diabetic nurse on the 3rd April so hoping to learn more then.
Brando77, sounds like you had a rough deal there so I don’t quite feel so bad about my odd call now!!
 
2.30 am is not normal to be told that you have a medical problem ? on a phone, yes if you where in Hosp but I have not herd that before. You are doing the right thing reading what the carbs are on foods. Welcome CathyB 🙂
 
Hi @CathyB and welcome to the forum. Well done on finding us so quickly, I was diagnosed in Spain and had little or no useful advice. The doctor told me that if I wanted pasta or potatoes I should eat them mid day, not in the evening! haha. Like you I have found the advice on here invaluable, so much so that I have brought my blood sugars down to the pre-diabetic range and stopped the Metformin, yeah! If I can do it, anyone can.
A couple of tips,
Greek yogurt. Have you tried it? It is thick, creamy and delicious. You could add a few berries if you like.
Porridge. I make it with almond milk and add a dollop of extra thick cream. No need for any sweetener.
If you have any questions ask away.
 
I agree about the greek yogurt with berries (raspberries or strawberries are my faves). I only discovered this treat on this site last week and now I am addicted...is 2 individual pots of greek yogurt a day too much? I have not tested with strips for it because I seem to be testing rather a lot and my fingers are getting sore. Seem to be stuck in the range 6.5 to 9.0 in the main so nothing too drastic...on the other hand, I have been on holiday for a week and eating out most meals so I feel very thankful that it's not worse.
 
Theresa Dawn said:
I agree about the greek yogurt with berries (raspberries or strawberries are my faves). I only discovered this treat on this site last week and now I am addicted...is 2 individual pots of greek yogurt a day too much? I have not tested with strips for it because I seem to be testing rather a lot and my fingers are getting sore. Seem to be stuck in the range 6.5 to 9.0 in the main so nothing too drastic...on the other hand, I have been on holiday for a week and eating out most meals so I feel very thankful that it's not worse.
Click to expand...

Sorry for the thread drift but I know what you mean about holidays. We are going back to Spain today for a week and we will be eating out most days, I will have to use lots of willpower.
I think 2 pots of Greek yogurt is fine. Low carb deliciousness 🙂
 
I have just been diagnosed too. I like sugar free jelly and also bought Alpen coconut ice cream which is going to be an occassional treat but is very nice
 
@CathyB to save time on your shopping journeys you could always check out the supermarkets website first, if you click on the items and scroll down the nutrition information is there, I found that to be a great help on many occasions as I can sit and write a list, then your in and out the shop in no time!! 🙂 xx
 
happyanna said:
I have just been diagnosed too. I like sugar free jelly and also bought Alpen coconut ice cream which is going to be an occassional treat but is very nice
Click to expand...
Do you mean Alpro? As, as far as I'm aware Alpen only make cereal based products? Correct me if I'm wrong though xx
 
Kaylz said:
@CathyB to save time on your shopping journeys you could always check out the supermarkets website first, if you click on the items and scroll down the nutrition information is there, I found that to be a great help on many occasions as I can sit and write a list, then your in and out the shop in no time!! 🙂 xx
Click to expand...
Wow, thanks for that idea!
 
Theresa Dawn said:
I agree about the greek yogurt with berries (raspberries or strawberries are my faves). I only discovered this treat on this site last week and now I am addicted...is 2 individual pots of greek yogurt a day too much? I have not tested with strips for it because I seem to be testing rather a lot and my fingers are getting sore. Seem to be stuck in the range 6.5 to 9.0 in the main so nothing too drastic...on the other hand, I have been on holiday for a week and eating out most meals so I feel very thankful that it's not worse.
Click to expand...
I am sure when I was label reading that Greek yoghurt are in higher in sugar than quark? I think I need to have another look at that one, thanks.
 
Thanks everyone, it is a little overwhelming so any advice or help is greatly appreciated 🙂
 
CathyB said:
Wow, thanks for that idea!
Click to expand...
No bother, I found it a great help! 🙂
CathyB said:
I am sure when I was label reading that Greek yoghurt are in higher in sugar than quark? I think I need to have another look at that one, thanks.
Click to expand...
Yes this is true BUT greek yoghurt has a higher fat content than quark, fat helps slow the spike that foods can cause, so therefore a full fat greek yoghurt is probably better, also its not just the sugars its the total carbs xx
 
Kaylz said:
No bother, I found it a great help! 🙂

Yes this is true BUT greek yoghurt has a higher fat content than quark, fat helps slow the spike that foods can cause, so therefore a full fat greek yoghurt is probably better, also its not just the sugars its the total carbs xx
Click to expand...
Ah...I see what you are saying, that’s next weeks shopping list tweaked then! So much to learn, each time I think I’m taking a step forward I have to fall back!
 
trophywench said:
Two things to read about testing that are very very helpful

http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.co.uk/2006/10/test-review-adjust.html

http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=painless+pricks
Click to expand...
Wow, so much to take in but more than my doctor has told me. The test and review approach makes so much sense, I will definitely start to do that. An I ask about the lancet as I wasn’t quite sure what the message was there, at the moment I am using a fresh lancet for each test, is that right or can I use the same lancet more than once?
 
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