Confused and new to all this stuff

[Richard Moriarty]

Hi all,
This is all new to me so please understand that I haven't a clue.
I was diagnosed with type 2 this last week and given Glicazide to take, it all seemed to be going reasonably well at my appointment with the nurse two days later when I was given a BG meter to test with and had a BG reading of 6 after being naughty and eating some jelly babys a couple of hours earlier - so I thought the medication was working. Since then my readings have been down to 6 a couple of times around 4PM but generally are up over 9 before breakfast and stay there all day even after only eating salad and nuts.
I wasn't given loads of test strips so because I want to know what is going on I've bought some so that I can test things going through the day, just for my own information really, rather than just once in the morning as was suggested by the nurse.
Should I be worried enough to go back to the doctor or do the Glicazide take time to build up in the system?

 

[Ljc]

Hello @Richard Moriarty ,Welcome. it can be very confusing as well as a shock when your first diagnosed.
I have a question for you, you seem to have a limited amount of testing strips, how many have you been given?
You see, to be really effective at finding out how various foods affect us as it's not just sugar, testing just before meals then two hours afterwards is a best. Also if you drive or ride a motorcycle you will need far more strips!
I am afraid to say, they often try to cut down on costs by limiting testing strips severely or denying us T2s any.
We here follow a variety of diets to help control our diabetes.
Basically it carbohydrates , sugar is just another carb. The worst ones for us is usually, potatoes, rice , past , and bread esp white.
Many of us have to be careful with fruit , berries are often tolerated best.
Feel free to ask questions, we're a friendly bunch here and we've all been where you are now.
In the Newbies forum their is a thread with a lot of helpful info and suggested reading , it's called, useful links for people new to diabetes, scroll down to the T2 section
https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/useful-links-for-people-new-to-diabetes.10406/

 

[grovesy]

Welcome.

 

[Richard Moriarty]

Thanks for the welcome,
I've been given 50 strips every few months - as I drive I don't think that's going to work at least until things settle down - I've just gone down to 4.1 and that's a bit close to the lower limit. I do understand that I'll have to balance things but it also seems like it will be a steep learning curve and that it will take time to work out what I can eat and what I can't. I don't mind buying a few pots of strips to get myself sorted out but if I need to keep testing then I'll bring this up at my review in a couple of months time.

 

[trophywench]

Gliclazide can cause hypoglycaemia - therefore the Law says you must test before driving - and every two hours whilst driving and if your BG is below 5 you have to remove the keys, get out of the driving seat and take something to get your BG back up to 5 again, before resuming your journey. They absolutely haven't given you enough strips to test your blood pre drive (eg to work in the morning and back in the evening) - let alone see what it is any other time!

You need to attack this and get it sorted out asap long before a review in X months time - do it on Monday morning!

 

[Steff]

Hi Richard a warm welcome to the forum

 

[Ljc]

Hi Richard. It as @trophywench says re driving.
As you drive they must provide you with far more testing strips so you can follow the DVLA rules on driving whilst on meds that can cause hypo's (low blood glucose)
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Life-with-diabetes/Driving/
Also 50 strips is not enough if you don't drive.
You need to get this sorted asap. Please let us know how you get on.

 

[Richard Moriarty]

I will give them a call tomorrow when I'm not at work - I'd found the DVLA info and it is very clear that I need to test regularly.
It's all a bit confusing when you are only given half of the information to start with but I'm certainly going to get this sorted as it will be me that gets prosecuted if I drive without testing not the doctor. In the mean time I've bought 100 strips to keep myself going, might need to get some more if I have to test seven or more times a day - they will soon get used up.
Thanks for the advice - so glad I've joined this forum

 

[Ditto]

Hello and welcome to the forum. 🙂 Invaluable isn't it? Dunno what I would have done if not for here.

 

[Grannylorraine]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Richard Moriarty]

Well I finally got an answer - they will be changing my medication so that I don't have to test to be able to drive legally. In other words no increase in test strips is going to happen

 

[Bill Stewardson]

Hello Richard.

 

[Bubbsie]

Well I finally got an answer - they will be changing my medication so that I don't have to test to be able to drive legally. In other words no increase in test strips is going to happen

Richard they should be changing your medication because it's beneficial for you...not to save them the expense of supplying you with testing strips...you should try to clarify why they feel they need to change your medication...for the right reasons?...even then you need a regular supply of testing strips...it really is the only effective way to manage your diet/adjust your food choices (my opinion)...show what/how different foods lower/increase your blood sugar...more and more often T2's are fobbed off with ridiculous excuses for 1) not supplying testing strips...2) restricting the number of strips they are prepared to supply...I test on waking...before each meal...then two hours after eating......regularly...essential for me to keep my blood sugar under control...I believe essential for all of us...whether type 1or 2...dependant on hypoglycaemic medication or not...I would speak to you GP...ask why changing your medication...why limiting the number of testing strips...you may find if the medication does not pose a risk of a hypoglycaemic episode they may stop prescribing you any testing strips at all!...if that does happen...its not acceptable...particularly for those who are proactive in managing their diabetes...not everyone wants to test...for those that do...as said essential...I hope that does not happen...if it does come back to us...we can help...suggest ways to deal with it...be persistent...it can/does pay off...good luck.