Diabetic newbie

Minotaur

Minotaur

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi all, my name is Paul.

So quick history, back in in May I was in hospital, via a&e, minor issues, but I finally left hospital in late June, after ending up having a triple bypass. So whilst I'm trying to get my head around having that, (and living alone, trying to recover from the operation). I end up back in hospital last month, for a week to be diagnosed with diabetes.

I haven't been typed, yet, but I do have a libre 2 sensor on my arm now, and have to take insulin each day.

I'm not very mobile, still doing things I was before, like only eating once a day, drink alcohol etc.

my question is, what/how am I supposed to be changing what I'm doing/not doing?

Am I supposed to be chasing people, (other than a quick, 'your diabetic, this is your sensor, how to fit it, and how to take/administor insulin'. I haven't seen anyone, I'm currently having a once a week, 'numbers' check, phone call, which seems rather rushed, to see if my insulin is correct?

The bypass resulted in my eyesight altering, but now the diabetes seems to have also resulted in a change, not very helpful.

I guess, I really have no idea what I'm doing, I'm trying to overcome two major lifestyle changes at the same time.
 
Sorry to hear you needed a triple bypass @Minotaur That must have been very stressful for you.

What’s the full name of the insulin(s) you’ve been given, including any numbers or letters after the name? And how often do you take it?
 
I'm on Toujeo, solostar injection. I take it once a day, currently on 16 units, but started on 12 units.
 
Ok 🙂 Toujeo is a long-acting/slow insulin that works away in the background over approx 24hrs to control your blood sugar. It’s very usual to be started on less than you need and have the dose built up gradually. This is safer, and it’s kinder to your body to bring blood sugar down gradually.

Why do you only eat once a day? And what size is that meal (ie is it big to make up for the meals you’ve missed)? Does your nurse know this? You might well find it best to spread your food over 3 meals a day. This will give a more regular/steady release of glucose rather than just having one larger meal.
 
Eating once a day (reasonably larger meals) is a habit I've grown into, I'm more of a night owl, than a day time person. I'm also on gliclazide, I haven't seen a nurse except briefly in hospital.
 
So I’m guessing you only take the Gliclazide once a day (before your meal)? How are your blood sugar results at the moment?
 
Hi @Minotaur and welcome to the forum.

That's a lot you've had to deal with in just a couple of months, goodness! Please know that you're 'in good hands' - there are a lot of experienced users here, who are happy to answer any questions that might pop up so feel free to ask, rant or use the space in whichever way would support you best.

As Inka has said, spreading your food across the day into 'more meals' would be more kind on your body, especially as you're having to take meds now. What and how much needs to change would be dependant on your full diagnosis and what's called the HbA1c levels. Depending on your medical team, you might require a bit of 'chasing' and reminding about yourself, to get the appropriate support. We do have a lot of info on the forum, our website and the Learning Zone, however a lot of that could be dependant on your diagnosis.
 
Minotaur said:
Hi all, my name is Paul.

So quick history, back in in May I was in hospital, via a&e, minor issues, but I finally left hospital in late June, after ending up having a triple bypass. So whilst I'm trying to get my head around having that, (and living alone, trying to recover from the operation). I end up back in hospital last month, for a week to be diagnosed with diabetes.

I haven't been typed, yet, but I do have a libre 2 sensor on my arm now, and have to take insulin each day.

I'm not very mobile, still doing things I was before, like only eating once a day, drink alcohol etc.

my question is, what/how am I supposed to be changing what I'm doing/not doing?

Am I supposed to be chasing people, (other than a quick, 'your diabetic, this is your sensor, how to fit it, and how to take/administor insulin'. I haven't seen anyone, I'm currently having a once a week, 'numbers' check, phone call, which seems rather rushed, to see if my insulin is correct?

The bypass resulted in my eyesight altering, but now the diabetes seems to have also resulted in a change, not very helpful.

I guess, I really have no idea what I'm doing, I'm trying to overcome two major lifestyle changes at the same time.
Click to expand...
What you need to be doing will ultimately depend on what your final diagnosis is, what your HbA1C is and how well your current regime is helping to bring down your glucose levels whilst at the same time keeping you safe from having low blood sugar (hypos) because your medication and carb intake is not quite balanced if you are sticking to just 1 meal a day. You should really be having some input from a specialist diabetic nurse who should be advising you to get this better if not right at this stage.
You should also be having eye and foot checks.
Have you had any tests to determine your diabetic Type, these may be a C-peptide to determine if you are still producing insulin and antibody tests to see if you may be Type 1.
 
Apologies for late reply, I take the Gliclazide twice a day, I've just had an appointment made for me to see a diabetes dietician, next month, I also have more bloods to be taken in about 10 days time, and then, I've also made an appointment to be seen with my surgery's diabetes nurse, I have also made a podiatrist appointment for the end of the month.
 
Here’s the guidance @Minotaur

www.nhs.uk

How and when to take gliclazide

NHS medicines information on dosage for gliclazide, how to take it and what to do if you miss a dose or take too much.
www.nhs.uk www.nhs.uk

If you are taking 2 doses a day, take 1 dose with your breakfast and 1 dose with your evening meal.

If you are taking slow-release gliclazide, take your dose once a day with breakfast.
 
Just got a new prescription filled and it says to take two once a day with breakfast, so I'll need to eat when I get up from now on.
Leadinglights said:
What you need to be doing will ultimately depend on what your final diagnosis is, what your HbA1C is and how well your current regime is helping to bring down your glucose levels whilst at the same time keeping you safe from having low blood sugar (hypos) because your medication and carb intake is not quite balanced if you are sticking to just 1 meal a day. You should really be having some input from a specialist diabetic nurse who should be advising you to get this better if not right at this stage.
You should also be having eye and foot checks.
Have you had any tests to determine your diabetic Type, these may be a C-peptide to determine if you are still producing insulin and antibody tests to see if you may be Type 1.
Click to expand...
On my discharge summary my HbA1c was 114
 
Not only will doing that make taking the Gliclazide safer/more effective, you might also find a more regular routine helps your body overall @Minotaur Nightshift workers are at greater risk of Type 2, for example, and eating one meal a day can send a message to your body to use every calorie of that meal because there ‘must be a famine’.
 
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