Constant long term high BG

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SillySallySo

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Type 2
Hello,

I have had uncontrolled diabetes for a long time now, I'm trying to start treating this as the serious condition it is.
The problem I have ATM is that my finger prick testing shows highs of up to 30, more often than not in the 20s.
If I test and have a reading that is still high ( this morning was 15 ) but not as high as near 30 then I feel really awful.
I don't feel as bad with a reading of 20+
I have even lost weight with the high readings.

My HbA1c ranges from 88 - 112 over the year and has done for several years.

My question is, how would you deal with this? I feel like I'm having a hypo ( have experienced them the first year of diagnosis so know how a true hypo feels ) but my BG is still high.

I'm not in a good place and feel quite despondent about it all tbh.
 
Those are what are called false hypos @SillySallySo The best way to deal with them is to get your blood sugars down gradually. Your body will them adjust and you won’t feel hypo at high or normal blood sugars. In the meantime, try a few sips of water and a sit down until the feeling passes.

What’s meds do you take?
 
I know it is difficult to get a face to face appointment with GP or nurse, but I have been able to make contact by email when having bother with my feet - I would urge that you try to get information about your BG levels to your GP.
If you cannot lower your blood glucose levels by diet alone then you need to have a plan B, but it might be that you need to reduce your levels slowly, as low carb is very effective in lowering numbers but having false hypos is not pleasant, even if it is not down to low blood glucose.
 
Inka said:
Those are what are called false hypos @SillySallySo The best way to deal with them is to get your blood sugars down gradually. Your body will them adjust and you won’t feel hypo at high or normal blood sugars. In the meantime, try a few sips of water and a sit down until the feeling passes.

What’s meds do you take?
Click to expand...
I take glicizade when I remember, unfortunately I have a working memory issue so I am not reliable at taking them consistently, which happens with testing my BG as well.

I am prescribed insulin ( novomix ) and if I remember ( roughly 4/5 times a month ) I take 30 units typically in the evening.
I feel its not frequent enough to make much of an impact on my HbA1c.
 
I had no idea there was such a thing as a false hypo either, it feels like when I was in hospital for another problem and my BG dropped to 2.1 and even after being fed juice and fruit by the nurses it wouldn't go up past 3.
 
Is there any support available for your memory issues @SillySallySo or maybe aids that would help you remember your insulin and Gliclazide? That sounds like it’s the problem. While your sugars remain high, you’ll probably continue to get these unpleasant false hypos.
 
High blood glucose could be affecting your memory as when blood glucose is high it affects all the cells in your body even the brain.
Something you could get would be a box with am and pm for each day of the week and keep it handy.
You must be feeling pretty rubbish with such dangerously high 20+ so it is important to get some support for tacking it.

What is your diet like as if you are having more carbohydrates than your body can cope with that will result in high blood glucose.
Have a read of this link it may help you plan some more suitable meals. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
 
Inka said:
Is there any support available for your memory issues @SillySallySo or maybe aids that would help you remember your insulin and Gliclazide? That sounds like it’s the problem. While your sugars remain high, you’ll probably continue to get these unpleasant false hypos.
Click to expand...
I have an appointment on the 17th so I will make a note to ask the DN about options or help available, thank you, good idea.
 
Leadinglights said:
High blood glucose could be affecting your memory as when blood glucose is high it affects all the cells in your body even the brain.
Something you could get would be a box with am and pm for each day of the week and keep it handy.
You must be feeling pretty rubbish with such dangerously high 20+ so it is important to get some support for tacking it.

What is your diet like as if you are having more carbohydrates than your body can cope with that will result in high blood glucose.
Have a read of this link it may help you plan some more suitable meals. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
Click to expand...
I'm sure you are right and it doesn't help, I will make notes from these replies I can take to my DN on my next appointment, I really appreciate it.
 
SillySallySo said:
I'm sure you are right and it doesn't help, I will make notes from these replies I can take to my DN on my next appointment, I really appreciate it.
Click to expand...
It is a good idea to write you questions down as it is easy to forget in the heat of the moment, if you can take someone with you then they can make some notes for you and 2 sets of ears can help.
It may also help if you could keep a food diary to take with you so they can see what meals you are having.
If you can estimate the carbs you are having that will give you some practice at looking at carbs on food packets. tins, shop websites are a good source of info as it the internet for fresh foods, just put food x and carbs.
 
SillySallySo said:
I take glicizade when I remember, unfortunately I have a working memory issue so I am not reliable at taking them consistently, which happens with testing my BG as well.

I am prescribed insulin ( novomix ) and if I remember ( roughly 4/5 times a month ) I take 30 units typically in the evening.
I feel its not frequent enough to make much of an impact on my HbA1c.
Click to expand...
Are there any strategies you’ve tried to help you remember that have / haven’t helped as we may have some suggestions?

My initial suggestions would be to keep the tablets / insulin / note by something you do regularly. So if you always say put your glasses on your bedside table before bed, then you could put a note and pen on the bedside table for whether you’ve done the injection. Linking the medication to an activity you already do, and writing down that you’ve done it, plus having the note to remind you, might help.

You would change what activity you link it to according to when you need to take it. So if you take it with dinner, you could stick a large reminder to the inside of the cupboard that has the plates in, or to the front of the fridge.

You could also try a recurring reminder alarm on your phone. I do this one.

Or for multiple pills a day, a pill case can help. I use this too as I can then see whether I took the tablets or not.
 
SillySallySo said:
I have an appointment on the 17th so I will make a note to ask the DN about options or help available, thank you, good idea.
Click to expand...
A pill box could be handy for you as previously suggested. For your basel insulin put a note in there and throw it away after you have done it so that it is obvious to you that you have. X
 
Hi firstly hugs it’s not easy is it.
If you use the My GP app on your phone you can set regular meds to alert you to take and you tick off when done. I have to do this after stroke my memories terrible. My last bloods said 118 so drs panic I felt fine. Now with specialist nurses and about to start a base line insulin to stabilise it. Helps there you can do this
 
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