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Help needed

N

NuttyNatty

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi,

I have had high sugars since I had long covid about 18 months ago. As a result of long covid I developed asthma and I also have another chronic condition which means i am often in lots of pain. Before my long covid I was able to keep blood sugars down within the 50 range using two slow release metformin. I have since been 69, 86, 93 and now am 105. I am struggling due to different medications, not being able to be as mobile and exercise also not been as rigid with my diet. I am now terrified as 105 HBAC1 and have lost of feeling in hands, toes etc and some horrible pains in my arm and feet. The consulant said i am at very high risk of stroke or a heaet attack as well as losing use of hands/feet. This has really scared me and the last two weeks I have drastically reduced sugar intake but its been a minefield to understand hidden sugars in foods. Life is absolutely miserable but I cannot risk the possible outcomes. Does anyone have any advice to help me navigate through this?
The consultant has increased my inusulin, I take Ozempic and maximum metformin dose.
 
Sorry to hear about your pain @Natalie Woods That must be very wearing. You mention sugars - just to be sure, you are watching all carbs not just sugar, aren’t you? That is, bread, pasta, potatoes, etc?

Which insulin do you take (full name inc any numbers or letters after)?
 
Inka said:
Sorry to hear about your pain @Natalie Woods That must be very wearing. You mention sugars - just to be sure, you are watching all carbs not just sugar, aren’t you? That is, bread, pasta, potatoes, etc?

Which insulin do you take (full name inc any numbers or letters after)?
Click to expand...
Yes I am watching all carbs including bread, pasta, rice, potatoes etc. I take Humalog and Abalasgar
 
Natalie Woods said:
Yes I am watching all carbs including bread, pasta, rice, potatoes etc. I take Humalog and Abalasgar
Click to expand...

Have you identified times when your blood sugar is high, eg during the night, after breakfast or whatever? Or is it that you’re running too high most of the time?

And do you adjust your Humalog for the carbs you’re about to eat?
 
Natalie Woods said:
That's the issue as there are so many hidden sugars in foods.
Click to expand...

As long as you know the carbs and are avoiding obviously high sugar foods, that doesn’t matter too much. A tiny bit of hidden sugar isn’t the end of the world if your overall diet is good.
 
Natalie Woods said:
That's the issue as there are so many hidden sugars in foods.
Click to expand...
Can you explain what you mean by hidden sugars?

Most of us here look at the nutritional information panel on food packaging which tells you how many total carbs there are in 100g of that food and usually how many grams of carbs there are in a portion of that food and how big a portion is. Underneath the carbs will be a line which reads of which sugars, but for insulin use you need to know the total carbs not the sugars, although obviously it is best to avoid high sugar foods.

Do you count the carbs in your food and adjust your Humalog dose to what you are eating or do you just inject fixed doses and what are those fixed doses? Have you been advised roughly how many carbs to aim for per meal, if you are on fixed doses?
 
NuttyNatty said:
I have had high sugars since I had long covid about 18 months ago. As a result of long covid I developed asthma and I also have another chronic condition which means i am often in lots of pain. Before my long covid I was able to keep blood sugars down within the 50 range using two slow release metformin. I have since been 69, 86, 93 and now am 105. I am struggling due to different medications, not being able to be as mobile and exercise also not been as rigid with my diet.
Click to expand...

Oh goodness @NuttyNatty what a difficult time you have been having.

So sorry to hear how much more difficult your diabetes has been to manage recently.

Hope you find a balance between your menu and your medications. Do make any changes to your diet carefully and in stages, while keeping a close eye on your glucose levels.
 
NuttyNatty said:
Hi,

I have had high sugars since I had long covid about 18 months ago. As a result of long covid I developed asthma and I also have another chronic condition which means i am often in lots of pain. Before my long covid I was able to keep blood sugars down within the 50 range using two slow release metformin. I have since been 69, 86, 93 and now am 105. I am struggling due to different medications, not being able to be as mobile and exercise also not been as rigid with my diet. I am now terrified as 105 HBAC1 and have lost of feeling in hands, toes etc and some horrible pains in my arm and feet. The consulant said i am at very high risk of stroke or a heaet attack as well as losing use of hands/feet. This has really scared me and the last two weeks I have drastically reduced sugar intake but its been a minefield to understand hidden sugars in foods. Life is absolutely miserable but I cannot risk the possible outcomes. Does anyone have any advice to help me navigate through this?
The consultant has increased my inusulin, I take Ozempic and maximum metformin dose.
Click to expand...
Stress and fear can add to a vicious cycle of anxiety and elevate everything. What I do to calm the body down is water fasting, classical music, quiet time, and prayer. It also has the benefit of you knowing there is no possible way you are making your diabetes worse because you are simply not putting any carbs/sugars or anything else into your body. Maybe a short 24-hour water fast once a week will start to calm things down for you and you will be able to regulate your body more with what you eat. I always feel fantastic when I water fast. I used to do 48 hour water fasts every week not only to try and reverse high blood sugars, but also deal with my anxiety issues over health, psychological, spiritual, and a whole host of issues. That might help. I also had a friend who didn't water fast, but only ate 6 eggs a day and drank water and nothing else he said weight came off him like crazy and he felt super healthy.

Moderation Note

Please note that the above post is based on personal experience and may not be suitable for all members

Alan
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi @NuttyNatty hope things improve for you soon I’m not familiar with the insulins your taking although others on here I'm sure are, How long have you been on insulin & Ozempic together
I used to take Ozempic and for me it did help is it a new to your medication?
 
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