Hello I’m New here!

[Chasthechops]

Hello, my name is Charlie, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes over 10 years ago in my late 40’s and for many years it was just dietary controlled and then around 5 years ago I was put onto 1 metformin a day and this has worked fine up until this Christmas 2020 when I was admitted to hospital with Covid pneumonia and prescribed amongst other drugs steroids, 8 weeks on and I find myself on 4 metformin a day and insulin pen twice a day, my D nurse is very happy with my blood glucose levels and we are seeing if I can dial the insulin down and see what effect it has on my levels however this will be ongoing.

 

[Inka]

Welcome @Chasthechops 🙂 Sorry to hear about the Covid and pneumonia. I hope you’re feeling a lot better now.

 

[Chasthechops]

Improving slowly thank you, I just wasn’t expecting the insulin card quite so quickly! But I guess i’m not the first nor will be the last.

 

[Inka]

Steroids can really push your blood sugar up @Chasthechops Hopefully you might be able to reduce your dose or even come off it altogether as time goes on. You were just very unlucky to get Covid like that. I know Covid alone (without the steroids) can affect blood sugar too.

 

[Gilly149]

Hello, my name is Charlie, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes over 10 years ago in my late 40’s and for many years it was just dietary controlled and then around 5 years ago I was put onto 1 metformin a day and this has worked fine up until this Christmas 2020 when I was admitted to hospital with Covid pneumonia and prescribed amongst other drugs steroids, 8 weeks on and I find myself on 4 metformin a day and insulin pen twice a day, my D nurse is very happy with my blood glucose levels and we are seeing if I can dial the insulin down and see what effect it has on my levels however this will be ongoing.

That is exactly what happened to me.
I have been diagnosed for over 10 years, after diet controlled for about 5 years,and then metformin twice a day. I had Covid last March. Since then my sugar levels have been off the scale, just saying ,”Hi” on the meter
I have been on insulin pen twice a day since December 3rd. My levels are now at 7-8 morning and evening.

 

[Chasthechops]

Steroids can really push your blood sugar up @Chasthechops Hopefully you might be able to reduce your dose or even come off it altogether as time goes on. You were just very unlucky to get Covid like that. I know Covid alone (without the steroids) can affect blood sugar too.

Thanks Inca I didn’t know that, but surely the steroids are out of my system by now or do they have an effect on blood sugars for a long time after? My last dose of prednisone steroids was on 14th January?

 

[Chasthechops]

That is exactly what happened to me.
I have been diagnosed for over 10 years, after diet controlled for about 5 years,and then metformin twice a day. I had Covid last March. Since then my sugar levels have been off the scale, just saying ,”Hi” on the meter
I have been on insulin pen twice a day since December 3rd. My levels are now at 7-8 morning and evening.

Hi Gilly149, it’s mad isn’t it, I’ve now got to inform DVLA and my insurance company and i’m not even sure i’m allowed to tow our caravan anymore, it’s all so frustrating, and so little information on the driving side of things, it’s nice to be able to discuss thIs sudden change of medicines with someone else, thanks.

 

[Yorkshirelass61]

So sorry to hear what you have been going through Charlie. Not nice at all for you can't give you any advice just look after yourself and I pray that things will improve for you.

 

[grovesy]

There are increasing reports of the incidence of Diabetes following Covid.

 

[trophywench]

You would think that, being logical, wouldn't you!

Human bodies however do not subscribe to the sort of logic you or any of us know, in every single way.

Pre Covid, a non diabetic local Type 2's sister was rushed into hospital with whatever and received heavy duty steroid treatment from which she recovered well after a few months - but had become insulin dependant before her discharge from hospital. After about a year thereafter her body started to recover and over the next few months, fully recovered.

Nobody can give you a definitive answer re what your body can or might or will do, I'm afraid.

We can most likely give you tips on living comfortably with the insulin requirement whilst you need it though - exactly what insulin are you on (will probably be what is known as a mixed insulin, a mixture of long and shorter acting ones eg. Humulin or even Hypurin) and what instructions have you been given regarding your diet?

 

[Chasthechops]

So sorry to hear what you have been going through Charlie. Not nice at all for you can't give you any advice just look after yourself and I pray that things will improve for you.

So sorry to hear what you have been going through Charlie. Not nice at all for you can't give you any advice just look after yourself and I pray that things will improve for you.

Thank you

 

[Chasthechops]

There are increasing reports of the incidence of Diabetes following Covid.

I am beginning to hear this, time will tell I guess!

 

[Chasthechops]

You would think that, being logical, wouldn't you!

Human bodies however do not subscribe to the sort of logic you or any of us know, in every single way.

Pre Covid, a non diabetic local Type 2's sister was rushed into hospital with whatever and received heavy duty steroid treatment from which she recovered well after a few months - but had become insulin dependant before her discharge from hospital. After about a year thereafter her body started to recover and over the next few months, fully recovered.

Nobody can give you a definitive answer re what your body can or might or will do, I'm afraid.

We can most likely give you tips on living comfortably with the insulin requirement whilst you need it though - exactly what insulin are you on (will probably be what is known as a mixed insulin, a mixture of long and shorter acting ones eg. Humulin or even Hypurin) and what instructions have you been given regarding your diet?Hi, well i’m on Humulin Kwik pen and started on 16 units before breakfast and 10 units before evening meal this was dialled up after two weeks 2 units morning and evening so at present I am on 18 units morning and 12 units evening plus then added 2 x 500mg metformin morning and 200mg metformin evening (the maximum you can have), my D Nurse says my blood glucose levels are pretty good and to carry on as I am, and could even try reducing the insulin doses slowly keeping an eye on my sugars. As far as diet is concerned i eat healthily measuring carbs and sugars so as to not exceed recommended levels, I drink plenty of water/ fluids, have the occasional 1/2 glass of wine and the even rarer beer but again take these into account in the carb sugar equation, Im not sure I can do anymore at present.

You would think that, being logical, wouldn't you!

Human bodies however do not subscribe to the sort of logic you or any of us know, in every single way.

Pre Covid, a non diabetic local Type 2's sister was rushed into hospital with whatever and received heavy duty steroid treatment from which she recovered well after a few months - but had become insulin dependant before her discharge from hospital. After about a year thereafter her body started to recover and over the next few months, fully recovered.

Nobody can give you a definitive answer re what your body can or might or will do, I'm afraid.

We can most likely give you tips on living comfortably with the insulin requirement whilst you need it though - exactly what insulin are you on (will probably be what is known as a mixed insulin, a mixture of long and shorter acting ones eg. Humulin or even Hypurin) and what instructions have you been given regarding your diet?

You would think that, being logical, wouldn't you!

Human bodies however do not subscribe to the sort of logic you or any of us know, in every single way.

Pre Covid, a non diabetic local Type 2's sister was rushed into hospital with whatever and received heavy duty steroid treatment from which she recovered well after a few months - but had become insulin dependant before her discharge from hospital. After about a year thereafter her body started to recover and over the next few months, fully recovered.

Nobody can give you a definitive answer re what your body can or might or will do, I'm afraid.

We can most likely give you tips on living comfortably with the insulin requirement whilst you need it though - exactly what insulin are you on (will probably be what is known as a mixed insulin, a mixture of long and shorter acting ones eg. Humulin or even Hypurin) and what instructions have you been given regarding your diet?

Hi, well i’m on Humulin Kwik pen and started on 16 units before breakfast and 10 units before evening meal this was dialled up after two weeks 2 units morning and evening so at present I am on 18 units morning and 12 units evening plus then added 2 x 500mg metformin morning and 200mg metformin evening (the maximum you can have), my D Nurse says my blood glucose levels are pretty good and to carry on as I am, and could even try reducing the insulin doses slowly keeping an eye on my sugars. As far as diet is concerned i eat healthily measuring carbs and sugars so as to not exceed recommended levels, I drink plenty of water/ fluids, have the occasional 1/2 glass of wine and the even rarer beer but again take these into account in the carb sugar equation, Im not sure I can do anymore at present.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear about the Covid, steroids, and subsequent need for insulin @Chasthechops

Are you still on the steroids now?

Glad your nurse is happy with your BG results and progress so far

When you say you are sticking to the recommended levels of macronutrients, do you mean that you are aiming for 250-300g of carbs a day? Depending on how your levels and metabolism continue to respond, you might decide to reduce your carb intake a little - I average something like 120-170g a day, and wouldn’t consider I am being at all deprived or missing out. A more modest carb intake might make it easier to redice the need for insulin if your metabolism begins to bounce back?

I find beer is spikier by far than wine or spirits, which don’t push my BG up at all - if anything the alcohol is more likely to reduce my BGs overnight and the following day

 

[Chasthechops]

Hi Gilly149, it’s mad isn’t it, I’ve now got to inform DVLA and my insurance company and i’m not even sure i’m allowed to tow our caravan anymore, it’s all so frustrating, and so little information on the driving side of things, it’s nice to be able to discuss thIs sudden change of medicines with someone else, thanks.

Sorry to hear about the Covid, steroids, and subsequent need for insulin @Chasthechops

Are you still on the steroids now?

Glad your nurse is happy with your BG results and progress so far

When you say you are sticking to the recommended levels of macronutrients, do you mean that you are aiming for 250-300g of carbs a day? Depending on how your levels and metabolism continue to respond, you might decide to reduce your carb intake a little - I average something like 120-170g a day, and wouldn’t consider I am being at all deprived or missing out. A more modest carb intake might make it easier to redice the need for insulin if your metabolism begins to bounce back?

I find beer is spikier by far than wine or spirits, which don’t push my BG up at all - if anything the alcohol is more likely to reduce my BGs overnight and the following day

Sorry to hear about the Covid, steroids, and subsequent need for insulin @Chasthechops

Are you still on the steroids now?

Glad your nurse is happy with your BG results and progress so far

When you say you are sticking to the recommended levels of macronutrients, do you mean that you are aiming for 250-300g of carbs a day? Depending on how your levels and metabolism continue to respond, you might decide to reduce your carb intake a little - I average something like 120-170g a day, and wouldn’t consider I am being at all deprived or missing out. A more modest carb intake might make it easier to redice the need for insulin if your metabolism begins to bounce back?

I find beer is spikier by far than wine or spirits, which don’t push my BG up at all - if anything the alcohol is more likely to reduce my BGs overnight and the following day

Hi, no I completed steroids back on 14 JAN however I am reliably informed that both Covid and steroids really mess with your sugars for sometime?
I aim at under 60g carb per meal normally around 45-50 actually, I get the odd unexplained higher reading ie 9.1 but on the whole it’s fairly consistent, one of the thingscI didn‘t realise was that your liver releases sugar during the night, I couldn’t understand why my blood sugars were up a little first thing in the morning. This is of course all new to me and will no doubt get easier and more familiar as I go on! Thank you for your reply.

 

[Inka]

Thanks Inca I didn’t know that, but surely the steroids are out of my system by now or do they have an effect on blood sugars for a long time after? My last dose of prednisone steroids was on 14th January?

I don’t know @Chasthechops but you’ve also had Covid so your body is having to deal with the effects of both. It must be frustrating not knowing how things will go. Only time will tell, I think.