Appreciate above - have bought myself an Accu-check and would appreciate some testing advice. What type of readings should I be looking at. I thought I'll start in the morning before breakfast and then 2hrs later to see if what I'm eating for breakfast is good or bad for me. Do same at lunch time test 2 hours before and then 2 hours after. Want to start off slow because at the moment I'm not really sure I know what I'm doing...and I know I'll panic at first as results are likely to be high. Amanda 🙂
-
Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
Calling all type 2's
- Thread starter Jill
- Start date
- Status
Appreciate above - have bought myself an Accu-check and would appreciate some testing advice. What type of readings should I be looking at. I thought I'll start in the morning before breakfast and then 2hrs later to see if what I'm eating for breakfast is good or bad for me. Do same at lunch time test 2 hours before and then 2 hours after. Want to start off slow because at the moment I'm not really sure I know what I'm doing...and I know I'll panic at first as results are likely to be high. Amanda 🙂
grufflybear
Active Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
There is much advice about timings, I tested just before I began each meal then 2 hours after I started eating it, the food begins to have its effect when you start to eat the meal. If you also test when you first wake you may also find that dawn phenomenon, your body naturally gets sugars going to help you wake up but in diabetics this of course may not then be controlled, actually eating breakfast then controls this.. So don't be dis-heartened if your levels are low before lunch and dinner but higher before breakfast.
After you get the hang of it some also test 1 hour after beginning a meal, level will likely be high but gives a measure of just how well your body can still cope with the real peaks.
Can't emphasise enough that we are all different, some people for instance apparently find they cannot eat any kind of cereal at breakfast but can have a modest bowl in the evening.
The accu check will come with a diary and you can use that as a guide to when you test, it seems a lot but remember that you wont need to carry on doing so frequently once you find out basic foods and meals which "work". At the same time you have to remember that you also need to eat a balance of the essential fibre minerals vitamins etc., there are some very good "diet" apps which help you keep track of the breakdown of your food.
And if I may add once personal piece of advice, try to forget "treat" mentality, it seems tough but I am happier looking forward to the delicious food I can eat rather than pining after those which I have had to put behind me, much safer way to avoid lapses !
check the advice on Diabetes UK for testing times... http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/Diabetes_and_blood_glucose.html
you will also find guideline levels to aim for but it is important to understanding what you are doing or you could end up kidding yourself by taking too many test at low times or vice versa and then depressing yourself if they always seemed too high.
And keep asking questions, everybody on here has different experiences but there will always be many with very similar feelings and frustrations which they have worked through. Take it step by step, I was very confused at first but quickly got the hang of it and it is so very rewarding to see real results.
After you get the hang of it some also test 1 hour after beginning a meal, level will likely be high but gives a measure of just how well your body can still cope with the real peaks.
Can't emphasise enough that we are all different, some people for instance apparently find they cannot eat any kind of cereal at breakfast but can have a modest bowl in the evening.
The accu check will come with a diary and you can use that as a guide to when you test, it seems a lot but remember that you wont need to carry on doing so frequently once you find out basic foods and meals which "work". At the same time you have to remember that you also need to eat a balance of the essential fibre minerals vitamins etc., there are some very good "diet" apps which help you keep track of the breakdown of your food.
And if I may add once personal piece of advice, try to forget "treat" mentality, it seems tough but I am happier looking forward to the delicious food I can eat rather than pining after those which I have had to put behind me, much safer way to avoid lapses !
check the advice on Diabetes UK for testing times... http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/Diabetes_and_blood_glucose.html
you will also find guideline levels to aim for but it is important to understanding what you are doing or you could end up kidding yourself by taking too many test at low times or vice versa and then depressing yourself if they always seemed too high.
And keep asking questions, everybody on here has different experiences but there will always be many with very similar feelings and frustrations which they have worked through. Take it step by step, I was very confused at first but quickly got the hang of it and it is so very rewarding to see real results.
Last edited:
Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Just wanted to point out that diabetes.co.uk is not Diabetes UK - they are http://www.diabetes.org.uk/ - it's a common misconception. Apparently a few years back a commercial company bought up all the possible domain names for all sorts of health conditions, including diabetes, and then sold them on. When I was first diagnosed I thought for quite a while thatthe .co.uk site was DUK! I beleive their forum is run by an ex-employee of DUK.
For testing schedules I'd suggest reading Alan S's 'Test, Review, Adjust':
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/10/test-review-adjust.html
muddlethru
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I was diagnosed in 2002 and have just been on diet control and so far no medication. I keep pretty much between 4-7 mark and after meals usually stay under max 10. although I know now they say 8.5 after meals but 10 was what I was told all those years ago. Fingers crossed I can stay off any medication for some time. It is hard not eating what I really want to eat and watching everyone else stuff themselves but so far it has paid off.
You've done brilliantly - I've bought myself a Accu-check tester today and have tested 2 hours after lunch and my reading was 7.1; Can you just explain the 4-7/10 figures. I appreciate everyone is different and I'm trying hard to continue losing weight and doing physical exercise (I haven't been prescribed any medication and nurse told me not to test but I'm with you guys, if you don't check how do you know what you're putting in your mouth is agreeable/not agreeable) - if I can help myself (even if I can become a yummy mummy in the process) more than I'm up for any tips; suggestions etc... Do you follow a certain diet? Amanda🙂
Steffie. I'm sorry to hear about the poor treatment/advice you experienced at diagnosis; you're always such a help to everyone it seems unfair that you couldn't get the help you needed. You seem to be coping very well now so that's encouraging.
Mcdonagh47. My last three HbA1c's were 5.9 5.9 5.8. Testing after 2 hours roughly between 6 and 8.5 so that possibly could be improved upon. I was diagnosed almost two years ago so thought I was managing fairly well.
Thanks to all who responded to my post.
Mcdonagh47. My last three HbA1c's were 5.9 5.9 5.8. Testing after 2 hours roughly between 6 and 8.5 so that possibly could be improved upon. I was diagnosed almost two years ago so thought I was managing fairly well.
Thanks to all who responded to my post.
Sorry Amanda, I wasn't ignoring you. I've been away most of today and also missed your reply anyway.
I suspect my eating plan may not be suitable for you because I believe that my pancreas is still pumping out a reasonable amount of insulin. My problem was that I wasn't using it properly due to being overweight (otherwise known as insulin resistance).
Since diagnosis, I'd lost around 50lbs and this means I can be a little more relaxed with the level of carbs I eat without it impacting my levels too much.
Typically I have porage for breakfast (the recommended serving on the packet) plus a banana. From what other people have said on this forum I know that both of those can cause some peoples levels to go haywire, but it doesn't for me (more often than not I'm back in the 4's within 2hrs ... I seem to be very insulin sensitive in the mornings ... but that is just a hunch).
Lunch varies between a bowl of soup and 2 slices of granary bread, half a can of beans on 2 slices of granary toast or grilled mackerel in tomato sauce on toast (yep, 2 slices of granary). Plus an apple.
Evening meal varies greatly but usually consists of some variety of meat or quorn concoction plus 3 small new potatoes and assorted veg. Plus 1 or 2 clementines (2 if they're particularly small).
Of course this is the 'perfect' day and I sometimes don't keep to the plan! 🙂
p.s. This is also my 'weight loss' diet because I'm still angling to lose another stone ... some time!
Straight out of hospital I was still in double figures after meals, but that was more because I was still eating pre-diagnosis portions (14.3, 12.4 and 10.9) but then it quickly settled into 8's and 9's pretty regularly with the odd major blip when I still ate something that I reacted badly to (like bowls of fruit and fibre cereal).
It looks like I started hitting the better levels around 3months later and that's when I ditched the metformin.
I did start the exercise the moment I left hospital and have kept it up ever since. I mainly concentrated on brisk walking (started slowly at first because I often kept getting false hypo symptoms), but now I can maintain a good 4mph pace for 60-90mins.
I also threw in the odd rowing machine sessions (again built up slowly up to my current maximum of 10km taking around 37mins).
So, the levels I get now are probably due to the mix of exercise, diet and weight loss. They all played their part.
Andy 🙂
I was diagnosed in the january, immediately put on metformin then met plus glic then off glic then background levemir within 3 months and 18 months later im on novorapid too.
Ive sort of played with the medication myself a bit but I cannot come off the novorapid.
I reduced my carb intake for this purpose and failed to control my bs by diet alone.
Ive been a 3 times a week at the gym girl since last september and although ive toned up really well and feel lots better, my bs was still high as I didnt have enough insulin to maintain the excercise.
Novorapid is my best friend and I realise that there is nothing I could have done to prevent this and I accept that this is a way of life.
Ive sort of played with the medication myself a bit but I cannot come off the novorapid.
I reduced my carb intake for this purpose and failed to control my bs by diet alone.
Ive been a 3 times a week at the gym girl since last september and although ive toned up really well and feel lots better, my bs was still high as I didnt have enough insulin to maintain the excercise.
Novorapid is my best friend and I realise that there is nothing I could have done to prevent this and I accept that this is a way of life.
I've also started losing weight - I've lost 21 1b since 1st July and walk 10-11,000 steps per day (I've taken up the courage to learn to swim......); once I feel its achievable I'm going to do 30mins on the cross-trainer as well. I just took my first morning test and was a 5 (don't know if this is good/bad); I know what I'm doing may not stop me having to go onto medication/insulin but I'm determined to give myself a fighting chance. You're an inspiration 🙂
I think a 5 on waking is very good. I'd certainly be very satisfied with that.
Well done on your weight loss and I think that you're an inspiration too with your determination and progress!
Andy 🙂
Katieb
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Wow Andy you've done really well!! Because I'm prediabetic, I too am producing more insulin than a diabetic I guess and also like you I have some weight to lose (have lost 21 pounds since diagnosis in May with another 28 to go!). I need to step up the exercise a bit more (I have started to run (ish!) ie. walk a lot/run a little/walk a lot etc!!). I also walk the dogs half an hour twice a day, but I need to include more hills! I am also getting my head round testing to see what I can/cannot tolerate so well. Reading your post strikes a real chord with me and you have given me faith that I can do this!🙂 Katie
I'm in danger of turning this into a mutual appreciation society!
Like Newtothis, I think you've done a lot better than I had, so I am very impressed. 🙂
There will be times when the progress slows or even reverses though. The thing is not to fall to the temptation of giving up. For me, just thinking about how rubbish I felt is incentive enough to get back on track (which is where I am now after a 'naughty but fun' period!).
Good luck (not that you need it, I think).
Andy
Katieb
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi Amanda. Your waking BG is brill at 5! Mine has never gone below 6.2! I'd love to know how to get this down! I understand the dawn phenomenon (ie body releases a surge in glucose early morning to prepare you for waking up). I'm just hoping with the weight loss/exercise this will improve. I love my porridge and blueberries in the morning. Used to always have weetabix but have found this pushes my BG higher than porridge. At weekends I opt for scrambled eggs, egg and bacon or, if feeling decadent, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs!! Yum!!
KatiexxI was doing diet and exercise for three months but had to go on metformin which I had to keep upping until I was on 2000mg a day.I lost three stone in 18 months but it still wasn't enough and then went straight onto levemir and novorapid for all meals.
I was diagnosed type 2 3yrs ago and still not on any medication....i have managed to keep things under control with diet and exercise. I was nearly 10stone but have managed to get to just under 9stone and have stayed the same for 2yrs. My next review is in December.I don't do any testing at the moment!!!!
- Status