5 months in and still struggling

[Angela77]

Hi

Type 2 diabetic, diagnosed in January, hc1b was 88 and in Apr it was down to 50. Take empagliflozan 10mg a day.

My sugar levels are sitting above 10 all the time at the moment and feeling unwell. Will this be high sugar causing this? Sick feeling and sometimes feel like I can’t focus my eyes. It’s a weird feeling.

I’m just wondering if your body gets used to medication and it stops working. This prob sounds stupid.

 

[rebrascora]

Hi.

I just looked back through your previous posts and you mention that you were diagnosed at hospital with a very high BG level.
Can you tell us a bit about what caused you to be admitted to hospital and how the diagnosis came about?

I am just wondering if perhaps you may not be Type 2 diabetic. That might sound a bit odd but there is no specific test for Type 2. A blood test called an HbA1c with a result of 48 or more gets you a diabetes diagnosis but after that there is a bit of assumption and guess work involved as to what type of diabetes you have and there are more options than just Type 1 or Type 2. There are specific tests for Type 1 but they are not routinely performed and are sometimes not as clear cut with the results as you might hope. Usually Type 2 is assumed if you are a mature adult and possibly a bit (or a lot) overweight (who isn't in middle age) or have a poor diet or inactive lifestyle. The problem is that not enough consideration is given to other types of diabetes for adults and it can be hard work pushing for more investigation particularly in the current climate with the NHS so overwhelmed. This is why the information relating to your initial hospital admission and diagnosis, may shed a bit more light on the matter.

It might also be helpful to know what you are eating and drinking... ie what an average day's breakfast, lunch and evening meal might consist of, so we can get an idea of whether a carb reduction might help matters.

Blurred vision is common in the early days of diagnosis and treatment, and most of us bought some ready reader specs from the pound shop to tide us over, but feeling unwell all the time is another matter and needs looking at.

Sadly there is quite some ignorance about diabetes even within the medical community and you sometimes have to do your own research and then push for what you think needs to be done or referral to a specialist.

If you can give us more information we can perhaps point you in a direction that might be useful to investigate.

 

[Angela77]

Hi,

I had gone to doctors as was not feeling well and urinating so much. When I went the nurse said that I had ketones in my urine and was diagnosed at that point with diabetic ketonacidosis. They siad in hospital they would do blood check to see what sort of diabetes it was, not sure what that was. They never said anything more so assumed it was type 2. I am overweight and it runs in my family. My 4 grandparents had it and my aunt and uncle have it as well.

I was out on metformin but it really didn’t agree with me and then slow release but again it just made me feel I’ll. so they then opted for jardiance which has been better but feel now it’s not doing what it did at start. I also am beginning to feel really sick again. My bg is usually over 10.

I am prob eating too many carbs so will try to cut down and see if that helps.

Thanks for advice

 

[rebrascora]

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is quite unusual for a Type 2 diabetic at diagnosis, so it is possible that you are Type 1 or that something is inhibiting your pancreas from producing enough insulin.... We have quite a few Type 3c diabetics on the forum, which is a form of diabetes associated with damage to or removal of the pancreas and I wonder if inflammation of the pancreas might cause DKA. Essentially DKA happens when there is insufficient insulin in the body. Most people who have Type 2, especially in the early days, produce plenty of insulin but can't utilize it properly because they are insulin resistant. I wonder if a scan of your liver and pancreas might shed some light on your situation.

Reducing carbs is a good strategy if your levels are persistently high and particularly if you are still eating quite a lot. It really is an incredibly powerful tool to lower BG and help with weight loss and much less side effects than taking medication. It is difficult at first but once you get used to it, it becomes easier and the less carbs you eat, the less you crave them.....and I speak from experience as a sugar addict and carb monster at diagnosis. I can't tell you how much better I feel now for reducing them in lots of ways, not just lower BG. We can make suggestions for lower carb meal options if you need them. I have found new foods that I love as a result of cutting back on carbs, so my diet is now different but just as enjoyable.

 

[Angela77]

Thanks so much, have appt with nurse next week so will mention how I’m feeling and see what she thinks. I will get there. Thanks

 

[Dominic DUK]

Hi

Type 2 diabetic, diagnosed in January, hc1b was 88 and in Apr it was down to 50. Take empagliflozan 10mg a day.

My sugar levels are sitting above 10 all the time at the moment and feeling unwell. Will this be high sugar causing this? Sick feeling and sometimes feel like I can’t focus my eyes. It’s a weird feeling.

I’m just wondering if your body gets used to medication and it stops working. This prob sounds stupid.

Hi Angela and welcome to our online support forum. We are so sorry to hear that you have been experiencing these symptoms. It might be worthwhile flagging this to your GP or Diabetes team. You can find side effects for empagliflozin here https://mayocl.in/3wmG012. You are also very welcome to contact our helpline on 0345 123 2399 or helpline@diabetes.org.uk 9am-6pm Mon-Fri

 

[trophywench]

When you see the nurse, ask her what tests they did when you were in hospital and those you would expect to inform whether you have Type 1, are GAD antibody and C-peptide tests.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thanks so much, have appt with nurse next week so will mention how I’m feeling and see what she thinks. I will get there. Thanks

Hope it’s a good appointment with the nurse. Blurry vision can be associated with high blood glucose levels, and high levels can make you feel pretty grim (though it’s very individual, and some people can feel ‘fine’ at much higher than 10s).

Hopefully by reducing your carb intake a little you will be able to balance a little better with your medication 🙂