Hello

[whooshman]

Hi, my name is Frank. I hope everyone has had as good a Christmas time as they or we can have under present climes.
I've been Type2 for sometime now. Not had too many problems, other than those I guess a lot have experienced. Before covid, I experienced MH problems. Not sure what started it, or if diabetes added to my problems. But was in a very dark place.
Had a blood test not taken for quite a while recently and received a call on Christmas eve for me to contact the diabetic nurse at the surgery I visit. Loads of missed calls, but got through to someone whom told me not to worry. I know I'm being monitored for prostate. But apparently this is not why they called. Can't remember my H levels, but have always had problems with it, though I did make some headway in reducing it. I take metformin, Lipsinopril, gliclizide, and simvastitiin, though haven't taken the statin for some time. I have 2 main worries at the moment. If I'm advised to take insulin, I'm worried it may affect my ability to drive, which is quite important for my job and only recently bought a new car which I'm still paying for. And 2nd, if a combination of my diabetes and MH problems are the reasons for my erectile problems. I do have sildenafil on my prescription. I take 100mg sertraline for my MH problems, having recently upped my medication from 50mg. I am trying various things to improve my MH, including taking up yoga, which I find very beneficial. Any advice or comments would be gratefully received. My very best wishes of the Christmas season to everyone.

 

[LMT1]

Hi, my name is Frank. I hope everyone has had as good a Christmas time as they or we can have under present climes.
I've been Type2 for sometime now. Not had too many problems, other than those I guess a lot have experienced. Before covid, I experienced MH problems. Not sure what started it, or if diabetes added to my problems. But was in a very dark place.
Had a blood test not taken for quite a while recently and received a call on Christmas eve for me to contact the diabetic nurse at the surgery I visit. Loads of missed calls, but got through to someone whom told me not to worry. I know I'm being monitored for prostate. But apparently this is not why they called. Can't remember my H levels, but have always had problems with it, though I did make some headway in reducing it. I take metformin, Lipsinopril, gliclizide, and simvastitiin, though haven't taken the statin for some time. I have 2 main worries at the moment. If I'm advised to take insulin, I'm worried it may affect my ability to drive, which is quite important for my job and only recently bought a new car which I'm still paying for. And 2nd, if a combination of my diabetes and MH problems are the reasons for my erectile problems. I do have sildenafil on my prescription. I take 100mg sertraline for my MH problems, having recently upped my medication from 50mg. I am trying various things to improve my MH, including taking up yoga, which I find very beneficial. Any advice or comments would be gratefully received. My very best wishes of the Christmas season to everyone.

Hi Frank I just wanted to say hi and a Merry Christmas to you !!! Sorry I can’t give any help to your story however I’m new to the forum and sure there will be folk to point you in the right direction, have found everyone so helpful and extremely nice . Hope you find someone on similar meds as you that can help !
Lisa

 

[Alan S]

I've been Type2 for sometime now. Not had too many problems, other than those I guess a lot have experienced. <snip>
Had a blood test not taken for quite a while recently and received a call on Christmas eve for me to contact the diabetic nurse at the surgery I visit. Loads of missed calls, but got through to someone whom told me not to worry. <snip> Any advice or comments would be gratefully received.

G'day Frank.

It is very difficult to offer any suggestions without some details of your present type 2 management. I hope you don't mind some questions.

• Do you know your most recent HbA1c result?
• Apart from telling you not to worry did they provide any lab test numbers?
• Do you test at home; if so when do you test related to meals and what numbers do you usually see?
• What dietary advice have you been given, if any?

 

[whooshman]

G'day Frank.

It is very difficult to offer any suggestions without some details of your present type 2 management. I hope you don't mind some questions.

• Do you know your most recent HbA1c result?
• Apart from telling you not to worry did they provide any lab test numbers?
• Do you test at home; if so when do you test related to meals and what numbers do you usually see?
• What dietary advice have you been given, if any?

Hi Alan. Thank you for your reply.
The only questions I have answers for are the last two.
I was told to test only if I was having problems. However I don't currently have a testing kit. But have rarely if ever thought I needed to test. Perhaps wrongly.
And on dietary advice, to try to eat porridge for breakfast, more chicken, to eat a little every now and again rather than a big lunch. I don't eat fish or seafood. I try to eat a piece of fruit rather than sweet stuff when at work. But I can never get to grips with that I shouldn't eat too much fruit. I understand there's sugar in fruit, but it's naturally there, not added. As soon as I have other answers, I'll post them.

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi Alan. Thank you for your reply.
The only questions I have answers for are the last two.
I was told to test only if I was having problems. However I don't currently have a testing kit. But have rarely if ever thought I needed to test. Perhaps wrongly.
And on dietary advice, to try to eat porridge for breakfast, more chicken, to eat a little every now and again rather than a big lunch. I don't eat fish or seafood. I try to eat a piece of fruit rather than sweet stuff when at work. But I can never get to grips with that I shouldn't eat too much fruit. I understand there's sugar in fruit, but it's naturally there, not added. As soon as I have other answers, I'll post them.

It is important that you try to get your HbA1C result as that will give an indication about how much you need to be doing to reduce it if it indeed high, that is above 48mmol/mol.
The best fruit to have is berries of any sort as these are the lowest carb, Porridge for breakfast is something that many people find they cannot tolerate as they tend to be more sensitive to carbohydrates in the morning so go for eggs or greek yoghurt with berries and seeds or nuts as that is lower carb.
Chicken or other meats are all good as is cheese, eggs, nuts, vegetables and salads.
Foods to be cautious of are bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, breakfast cereals, pastry and snacks like crisps as well as cakes, biscuits and sugary drinks.
Getting a blood glucose monitor for home testing would be a good investment and gives you control over your condition. Inexpensive ones can be purchased from Amazon, the GlucoNavil being one with the cheapest test strips as that is the consumable bit. The kit contains a few strips and lancets but it would be good to get extra at the outset.
There is plenty about testing strategy on the forum.
I have just noticed you are on gliclazide so you should be prescribed a testing kit and strips by your G P as that is a medication with can cause low blood sugar (hypos) so you should have the ability to test especially if you drive and also keep some hypo treatment to hand so jelly babies or full sugar coke (150ml cans) or glucose tablets.

 

[whooshman]

It is important that you try to get your HbA1C result as that will give an indication about how much you need to be doing to reduce it if it indeed high, that is above 48mmol/mol.
The best fruit to have is berries of any sort as these are the lowest carb, Porridge for breakfast is something that many people find they cannot tolerate as they tend to be more sensitive to carbohydrates in the morning so go for eggs or greek yoghurt with berries and seeds or nuts as that is lower carb.
Chicken or other meats are all good as is cheese, eggs, nuts, vegetables and salads.
Foods to be cautious of are bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, breakfast cereals, pastry and snacks like crisps as well as cakes, biscuits and sugary drinks.
Getting a blood glucose monitor for home testing would be a good investment and gives you control over your condition. Inexpensive ones can be purchased from Amazon, the GlucoNavil being one with the cheapest test strips as that is the consumable bit. The kit contains a few strips and lancets but it would be good to get extra at the outset.
There is plenty about testing strategy on the forum.
I have just noticed you are on gliclazide so you should be prescribed a testing kit and strips by your G P as that is a medication with can cause low blood sugar (hypos) so you should have the ability to test especially if you drive and also keep some hypo treatment to hand so jelly babies or full sugar coke (150ml cans) or glucose tablets.

Hi Alan.
Spoke to the nurse this morning. Apparently I was doing well, but now it's 103. We've agreed measures to help this. I must admit I've not been taking all my meds. So I will now take my Met's in the evening, and my Simvastatin. She's putting together a package which I can collect tomorrow, including a new testing machine. I have strips on my prescription and hope they will fit.
Did smile when both you and they suggested keeping Jelly Babies in my car as a go to. Even with my best will, they would be too tempting as they're my favourite. Probably Glucose tablets would be the best option.
The interview was done by phone, though I was still a little cautious to mention my problems downstairs. But was told it was connected to my HB score. I suppose when I get my score down, I can talk again about such problems. Know that a number of factors can attribute to such matters. Not a big drinker, more an occasional small whiskey or bottle of beer, even around this time of year, though it can be said my drinking habits are increased a little.
Have become rather partial to porridge. Whether I'm getting too much like my late father, whom loved it especially with a bit of salt. Do love an orange, and get banned from the office as I like the larger ones and they complain it stings their eyes when I peel and eat. I always say it's better that than someone farting. Bananas as well, though too many upsets my stomach. Grapes and melon, but been told melon is like a laxative.
I very much appreciate you taking the time and trouble to try to help me.
I promise not to resort to cheap Aussie phrases. Would love to visit. But 4hrs is enough for me on a plane, whatever the current circumstances.
Take care, sir.
Frank

 

[whooshman]

Hi Frank I just wanted to say hi and a Merry Christmas to you !!! Sorry I can’t give any help to your story however I’m new to the forum and sure there will be folk to point you in the right direction, have found everyone so helpful and extremely nice . Hope you find someone on similar meds as you that can help !
Lisa

Hi Lisa.
I hope you are well. Thank you for your message. Even though you say you're a newbie, taking the time and trouble to reply is very much appreciated. And I apologise for the bad manners in not replying soonest.
I hope you've had a nice Christmas. For several years now, this time of year has bought me little joy. But I must admit this year with the help and encouragement of family I both put up decorations and enjoyed it.
My best to you and your family for the New Year.

Frank

 

[Leadinglights]

Hopefully once you have your monitor you can put it to good use to see if you can tolerate any of those high carb foods you have mentioned above eg the porridge and fruits. I would think that with levels still pretty high at over 100mmol/mol you need to make every effort to reduce your carbohydrate intake.