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Feel like a failure.

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donnarob

donnarob

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi Guys,

You know that I haven't been on here for many months, due to one thing and another - stressful things due to house leak and menopause.

I was so delighted last December when the doctor recommended I try coming off the Metformin as I had shown consistently good levels.

By January, my levels had started to creep up and I wasn't sure it was because of the lack of Metformin or hormonal problems. I was so alarmed, I re commenced the Metformin that month and since then, have really struggled to cope with increased or erratic blood glucose levels. Sometimes, they are fine, and other times they just go through the roof. The highest levels are always in the mornings returning to near normal levels by the early evening.

I know I must sound like a long playing record, but I do suffer from absent periods (5 months now) and feel my hormone levels have dipped dramatically as I am probably approaching the menopause. I can't find anything on the internet about how erratic hormones affect blood glucose levels, but there is plenty about women who suffer from PMT and still have their monthly cycle.

I am no expert, but I would assume, that if hormone levels have reached a level where your period stops, it is bound to have some sort of knock on effect on your blood glucose levels.

Quite frankly, I feel I am going mad, as I am obsessing about getting my blood glucose levels and have been on a very low carb diet and been taking regular exercise. The only other thing it could be is that I suffer from frequent bouts of cystitis and wonder whether I have a low lying infection?

I am desperate for someone to talk to about this as no one seems to understand. I have a feeling when I see the doctor next (he's Norwegian) that he will automatically increase my Metformin dose back up to 1000mg per day. I was originally on that dose and coped very well.

One more question, the doctor took me off the 1 x 500mg of Metformin in December mainly because he thought it would have minimal impact on my blood glucose numbers.

Of course good old stress might be the guilty party here?

Any input would be good.

Donna :(
 
I can't comment of the female hormones thing (except that I have seen enough posts to recognise that the cylce has a major effect for some people).

I saw a 'roundup' of research into the effectiveness of various low and moderate carb approaches to regulating BGs.

I'll see if I can dig out the link. What I found interesting, was that while the vast majority found massive improvements in BG with moderate and low carb, for others it did not prove so effective.

Would it be worth having a chat with your doc and saying that you were finding it a struggle and wonder whether it might be worth trying Met again to see if that supports your metabolism?

EDIT found that link: http://www.diabetesdaily.com/edelman/2012/03/the-best-diabetes-diet-according-to-the-research
Worth reading a few of the comments for clarification of some of the suggestions (many here, for example show MUCH more than a 0.5% improvement in A1c by moderating carbs). Overall conclusion? Everyone's different... Eat To Your Meter (no surprises there then!)
 
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Sorry Donna, about your problems, afraid I have no answer in which I can help you. I am only posting a reply to to say that I have just had a very strange thing happen . I would have sworn on my life that I read this post from you a couple of days ago, I could remember it as I read it, including Marge's response . It is such a weird feeling and something I've never experienced before, and I am still shaking lol.

Anyway, I hope you can find some answers Donna.
Best wishes
John.
 
My periods have been erratic for a long time and to be honest I am always very pleased when they don't come. I put this down to my age as I'll be 54 next birthday.

Stress is a factor in your erratic levels and may be a factor in your absent periods too, but it may also be the start of menopause.

It is easier said than done to say don't worry, but try not to let it worry you. It might help to have a chat with the doctor.

If the cystitis is persistent you'll need to see the doctor to get something to clear it, in the mean time try to drink plenty of water as it helps keep you hydrated and helps flush the kidneys and the bladder out.

Remember above all you are not a failure, we are all on the diabetes roller coster together. I hope you feel better soon
 
ukjohn said:
Sorry Donna, about your problems, afraid I have no answer in which I can help you. I am only posting a reply to to say that I have just had a very strange thing happen . I would have sworn on my life that I read this post from you a couple of days ago, I could remember it as I read it, including Marge's response . It is such a weird feeling and something I've never experienced before, and I am still shaking lol.

Anyway, I hope you can find some answers Donna.
Best wishes
John.
Click to expand...

You might be thinking of this thread John:

http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=26240

Donna, you have cited several possible reasons for the changes you are experiencing, so it may be one or a number of them combined that is the cause. Hopefully, your doctor will be able to investigate and reassure you. Also, bear in mind that diabetes is a fickle thing and also affects individuals differently. Some people are able to remain medication-free for many years by watching their diet and staying active, but for others - no matter how hard they try - they find that they need the support of medication to keep their levels good. This is not a failure on your part if you fall into the latter category, it is simply the way things are. Your efforts are never wasted, for without making the effort your numbers would no doubt be much worse.

Hope you can get some answers and that things improve for you soon 🙂
 
Hi Donna,

I've not much useful to add im afraid, but from my own experience stress, infections & hormone changes all affect my bg levels, to varying degrees. Definitely worth a chat with the doc to try & pin down which, or maybe which combination of these are at play. And don't feel like a failure Donna - if you'd lost a leg in a road accident noone would think worse of you for not being able to tango without a prosthetic, so look on diabetes & meds the same way - as i understand it t2 diabetics generally end up on meds at some point so it's progressive, not a failure, just something that happens. Hold on to the thought too that if your hormone levels are fluctuating you will probably be seeing the worst aspect of everything, including how you are coping...be kind to yourself. 🙂 not sure if you're 'into' hugs, but here's one just in case! ((((())))) 🙂
 
Hugs Donna. ((()))
How can you be a failure when you are trying your very best to get to grips with this puzzle? We are all human beings with complex needs and our phsyiological responses to hormones, stress etc. are so different. No one size fits us all.
 
Thanks so much for all of your support. I guess it's just that I'm panicking as I'm not used to seeing such high numbers. They can fluctuate 3 points within minutes which suggests to me that stress and or fluctuating hormones are at play.

I think I am going to suggest to the doctor that I recommence another dose of Metformin as I seemed to have a very good control when on 1000mg per day.

My feet are tingling today and I am really worried that I have begun complications. But then, my levels just before Christmas were very good, could it turn around as quickly as that?

I think it's just the very thought of trying to explain to a Norwegian male doctor that I have become a quivering emotional mess.

I have written him a letter describing in detail how I feel as he is always very busy and doesn't have a lot of time in surgery. I will make an appointment next week once he has received the letter.

The one thing I can't fathom, is the meter readings, they are being so very erratic (see above)!.

Sorry to sound such like a moaning minnie. I truly value your advice and I shall try and calm down.

Donna x🙂
 
No apologies necessary Donna. I think that the letter is a good idea and I hope it gives the doctor an opportunity to study the situation rather than make a quick decision in a rushed surgery appointment.

I know how you feel about seeing erratic numbers when you are used to seeing good ones all the time. Usually I am 'Mr Sickeningly-Perfect-Levels', but if I have an illness or infection (even if I'm unaware of it!) my levels really misbehave and I find it very frustrating! Best of luck in finding a solution 🙂
 
(((hugs)))

((((Hugs)))) back, I feel so much better already. Definitely think hormones, or lack of them, are making me feel a bit down at the moment.

I'm away to take the dogs out for a walk in the sunshine.

Thanks again everyone.

Donna x🙂
 
You might be thinking of this thread John:

http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boa...ad.php?t=26240

Northerner.
Thanks for trying to clear up the mystery, but no, that is not the thread. It is this exact thread that I read, there were just two postings, the one by Donna, followed by the 2nd posting by Marge, saying that she had sent her a Pm.

John.
 
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