After nearly a year of feeling very unwell I was diagnosed with Type 2 in January and what a whirlwind it's been! First off 4 routine blood tests showed pre-diabetes but this wasn't raised by my GP practice so I was unable to take action despite not sure what action apart from a few tweaks to my diet as physically fit and active. There was initial panic from my GP, I was called in immediately and handed a prescription for Metformin, since then I have had a urine test and a phone call from a Diabetic nurse who suggests I start insulin immediately to bring my levels down quickly as currently at 117; and said that if I've not heard anything from my GP in a fortnight I was to raise a concern. Fast forward to today and I had a lengthy chat with a doctor who has actually taken the time to discuss everything and I've raised a complaint with them for investigation. They've increased my Metformin to 2000mg a day and Gliclazide 40mg once a day, a blood sugar monitor has also been suggested...I genuinely feel so overwhelmed by it all and would appreciate any support!
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Help please!
- Thread starter Popeye
- Start date
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scotcheggs
Active Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Evening Popeye
Understand your worry and uncertainty. I'm just diagnosed and currently on a very steep learning curve. The best thing I've done so far, is join the forums here and read lots on the diabetesuk site. I've changed my diet over the last week removing all sugar and a lot of carbs. I was bad for snacking and most of that was processed food so that's all gone. I'm still waiting to hear from my GP (was diagnosed in hospital while there for something else entirely). I also need to get a glucose monitor and been looking on Amazon. Folk here have suggested a few types. I'm fairly sure that I'll likely end up with Metformin or similar. Lots of really helpful folk on here so we can learn together!
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
@Popeye The medication you are on is one that potentially could cause low blood glucose so you should be prescribed a monitor and strips by your GP.
I hope they advised you to build up the metformin slowly to minimise any stomach issues.
It is also better to bring down your levels slowly as you are less likely to get issues with your eyes and nerves so be aware of that. You probably ought to be looking at some dietary changes but discuss what might be suitable with your GP.
Has something changed that led to your level shooting up so much as that is a huge increase in such a short time, have you by any chance lost weight if so that could send up a red flag that you may be Type 1 or LADA not Type 2.
I hope they advised you to build up the metformin slowly to minimise any stomach issues.
It is also better to bring down your levels slowly as you are less likely to get issues with your eyes and nerves so be aware of that. You probably ought to be looking at some dietary changes but discuss what might be suitable with your GP.
Has something changed that led to your level shooting up so much as that is a huge increase in such a short time, have you by any chance lost weight if so that could send up a red flag that you may be Type 1 or LADA not Type 2.
Hi Popeye, welcome to the forum.
It's good to hear that your GP is taking you seriously, just a shame that it wasn't caught earlier. Now they are looking into things, I would push to make sure they've given you the correct diagnosis so that you can begin to manage your sugar levels.
Type 2's don't usually get monitors so you would need to purchase one from Argos or Amazon for example. You can find out more about testing via our main site https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/testing.
It can be overwhelming to start with but you're in good company. We're right by your side so feel free to ask as many questions as come to mind.
It's good to hear that your GP is taking you seriously, just a shame that it wasn't caught earlier. Now they are looking into things, I would push to make sure they've given you the correct diagnosis so that you can begin to manage your sugar levels.
Type 2's don't usually get monitors so you would need to purchase one from Argos or Amazon for example. You can find out more about testing via our main site https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/testing.
It can be overwhelming to start with but you're in good company. We're right by your side so feel free to ask as many questions as come to mind.
Lucyr
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
As the OPs medical team has suggested the blood glucose monitor and changing to insulin then they certainly should be provided the monitor on prescription and the OP should not be advised that they’ll have to buy one!
Make sure to also inform the DVLA when you start insulin if you drive, as you’ll need to change to a medically restricted licence. You’ll also have to update your licence type with your car insurance to medically restricted licence. Make sure also to familiarise yourself with the rules around testing before driving, and how to treat a hypo. The DSN should go through that with you when you start the insulin.
Admiral Benbow
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- At risk of diabetes
I note you are the same age as me (42) and seem to have been having blood sugar issues since around the same time as I was having them. I don't know if you know my story, but I posted yesterday that I reversed my trigs of 210 and fasting glucose of 130 down to 73 and 93, and received an A1C of 4.8.
What are your current measurements of height, weight, waist size, BMI, Blood Pressure, and today's fasting glucose? You said 117, is that in mg/dl?
I don't know what you have done to begin to reverse this, but what seems to have worked for me and many others
is to slash the carbs as much as possible.
Here is what I did:
1.) Changed the Diet
Breakfast (except Tues and Wednesday when fasting) consisted of only an apple (in the beginning it was a banana but I swapped it out because of the carbs).
Lunch -1-2 boiled eggs and a handful of almond, cashew nuts and pumpkin seeds, probably 45 grams thereabouts
Dinner - Half a plate of steamed broccoli, mushrooms, tomatoes or carrots, and 1-2 chicken breasts
After Dinner dessert -a bowl of blueberries or mulberry
*Drank only water the whole time, and I intend to continue doing so
2.) Intermittent fasting -water fasted after Monday's dinner until Wednesday's dinner
3.) Exercised - Did sprints on the weekend for 2-3 hours. Usually did 20 sprints down the side of a running track, walked the remainder of the lap, and did a follow-up lap for about a total distance of about 40 laps.
Doing these things allowed me to reverse my numbers and excess body weight fell off. There was a member here who told me Diabetes cannot really survive in a body that has a BMI of 22 or less. When I did my last test my BMI was 19.9. Don't worry about going to low, you have until 18.6 until you are underweight I believe. Don't feel too discouraged by the Doc's, either, they have to see many people in the day and they are trained for basically crisis intervention and treating symptoms, not preventative medicine. It's your body at the end of the day, and only you can fix it, so just take a deep breath, relax, and start making changes in the right direction. You can do this. Here is a testimony of an older guy beating this disease (some good motivation for you):
What are your current measurements of height, weight, waist size, BMI, Blood Pressure, and today's fasting glucose? You said 117, is that in mg/dl?
I don't know what you have done to begin to reverse this, but what seems to have worked for me and many others
is to slash the carbs as much as possible.
Here is what I did:
1.) Changed the Diet
Breakfast (except Tues and Wednesday when fasting) consisted of only an apple (in the beginning it was a banana but I swapped it out because of the carbs).
Lunch -1-2 boiled eggs and a handful of almond, cashew nuts and pumpkin seeds, probably 45 grams thereabouts
Dinner - Half a plate of steamed broccoli, mushrooms, tomatoes or carrots, and 1-2 chicken breasts
After Dinner dessert -a bowl of blueberries or mulberry
*Drank only water the whole time, and I intend to continue doing so
2.) Intermittent fasting -water fasted after Monday's dinner until Wednesday's dinner
3.) Exercised - Did sprints on the weekend for 2-3 hours. Usually did 20 sprints down the side of a running track, walked the remainder of the lap, and did a follow-up lap for about a total distance of about 40 laps.
Doing these things allowed me to reverse my numbers and excess body weight fell off. There was a member here who told me Diabetes cannot really survive in a body that has a BMI of 22 or less. When I did my last test my BMI was 19.9. Don't worry about going to low, you have until 18.6 until you are underweight I believe. Don't feel too discouraged by the Doc's, either, they have to see many people in the day and they are trained for basically crisis intervention and treating symptoms, not preventative medicine. It's your body at the end of the day, and only you can fix it, so just take a deep breath, relax, and start making changes in the right direction. You can do this. Here is a testimony of an older guy beating this disease (some good motivation for you):
Dragonheart
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
This is not or should not be true with regards to drivers on drugs such as the op is, gliclazide in this case (even before the insulin is considered). I’m a little surprised DUK staff are not aware of this. I’m sure there are many drivers on this and similar medication that should legally be testing and are at risk of prosecution for not doing so should it be discovered (eg after an accident) not to mention the safety of all road users, themselves included.
Please see NICE 28 1.6.12 (https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng28/chapter/Recommendations#blood-glucose-management) that says drs should take DVLA’s rules into account. (https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...ss-to-drive-a-guide-for-medical-professionals). That in turn says on page 78
“Managed by tablets carrying hypoglycaemia risk
Including sulphonylureas and glinides (for example Repaglinide, Nateglinide)
May drive and need not notify DVLA, provided:
■ no more than 1 episode of severe hypoglycaemia while awake in the last 12 months and the most recent episode occurred more than 3 months ago
■ should practise appropriate glucose monitoring at times relevant to driving
■ under regular review
It is appropriate to offer self monitoring of blood glucose at times relevant to driving to enable the detection of hypoglycaemia.
If the above requirements and those set out in Appendix D (page 127) are met, DVLA need not be informed.”
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
As the OP is posting from the UK the units for the HbA1C result will be in mmol/mol and117 mmol/mol is a very high reading.
Admiral Benbow
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- At risk of diabetes
Yeah, that is an A1C of about 12.9%. That is like blood glucose over 300. Still I've heard testimonies of people with higher who were able to get it down relatively quickly by doing some extreme things, like frequent water fasting 48 hours. In these kind of situations that would be my starting point. Immediate water fasting, and thereafter poultry diet only of eggs and chicken until the numbers came down.
Drummer
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I really don't see the point in that - the problem is carbohydrate and a simple reduction in the starch and sugar in the diet is all that is required, extreme diets are simply not required to correct the metabolism of an ordinary type 2 diabetic.
It is true that I only eat twice a day at 12 hour intervals, but that is because it is all I need to eat because I am not hungry.
Admiral Benbow
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- At risk of diabetes
True, but if he wants to see immediate results quickly, he can get those numbers down in a few weeks by water fasting and poultry, and then re-introduce low carb vegetables and fruits to see how it affects him. Blood takes 120 days to replace, so its fully possibly he could have most of cells very lowly glycated within three months, and be ready for a much better fasting glucose or A1C score. Depends on how quickly he wants to get his numbers down.
silentsquirrel
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
A very rapid decrease in glucose levels can lead to problems with eyes and nerves, a less extreme approach should avoid this.
Drummer
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I did Hba1c of 91 to 47 in 80 days - was seeing numbers below 10 as soon as I started to test - I really, strongly advise that no one tries to go from the levels of blood glucose associated with such a high Hba1c as 117 down to normal by fasting as it could result in problems with eyesight, not to mention the 'wobblies' due to the precipitous fall in levels.
Dropping down step by step over a couple of months is the safest option plus it will be easy, untroubled and almost certainly successful in it main objective of being in remission on a sustainable way of eating - no one has ever designed a sustainable way of eating by fasting and then reintroducing the problem foods. That is the diametric opposite of the method I chose.
Thanks for your comment HSSS.
I'm very much aware of the NICE guidelines and as much as I'd like to talk about what should happen, it's important to provide a realistic view on what actually happens, especially when people are in urgent need of support.
I fully agree that drivers should be adhering to the DVLA's requirements which is why I made no mention to the contrary and hence the suggestion to be proactive as unfortunately, things do not always go as smoothly as they should when it comes to caring for people who live with diabetes. In reality, a person may need to drive before their next appointment and before proper arrangements can be made.
It shouldn't be but it's very much the case that type 2's are not usually given monitors. This doesn't mean that no-one is given them, just that it's not the case for everyone. My numbers were so high that I was admitted into hospital yet not given so much as a leaflet re medication which is an experience that a good number of the type 2's who post on the forum also share.
The worse case scenario is that the OP has 2 monitors which they can store in the car and home as It's important that they're able to check their levels asap. They can always chase this up their team when convenient, given the significance of the important points that you've highlighted.
Dragonheart
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Whilst all this is very true and I fully accept the reality doesn’t always meet the guidance and that most type 2 (not on hypoglycaemic meds) don’t get a meter it doesn’t alter the fact that you told a person taking gliclazide they needed to go buy their own meter without mentioning they should be given one. Nor did you mention the need to test whilst driving as the reason why they should be given one.
Being realistic does mean advising how to circumvent the shortcomings often experienced as you say but definitely shouldn’t preclude informing people of the correct process so they can advocate for themselves when the system fails. If they don’t know what should happen and why they simply can’t do that. For example many people for example can’t afford to buy strips easily. If they know they should be getting them free in order to drive legally and safely it can make all the difference.
I guess one of the arguments in favour of a more gradual approach to reducing BG levels is that (presumably) they built up gradually in the first place, with ageing, eating and indolence, and so it would be appropriate therefore to reduce them back again gradually through eating less/better and exercising more? Alas, can't reverse the ageing ingredient!!
I think, though, psychologically, something the newly diagnosed may need to be aware of (I know I need to) is there can be a kind of 'wow, this is broke, I need to fix!' and think to oneself that so long as one can 'get out' of bad levels and readings then, hey, they can 'turn off' diabetes and 'get back to normal life the way it used to be'.
But diabetes, or preferably, warding off diabetes, is our 'new normal' and has to become our way of life. Hopefully, a healthier one than the one that got us to the diagnosis in the first place!
I think, though, psychologically, something the newly diagnosed may need to be aware of (I know I need to) is there can be a kind of 'wow, this is broke, I need to fix!' and think to oneself that so long as one can 'get out' of bad levels and readings then, hey, they can 'turn off' diabetes and 'get back to normal life the way it used to be'.
But diabetes, or preferably, warding off diabetes, is our 'new normal' and has to become our way of life. Hopefully, a healthier one than the one that got us to the diagnosis in the first place!
Hi Cherrelle, thank you so much! I had a lengthy phone call from one of the managing doctors who responded to my complaint. I'm still overwhelmed but more informed. They believe my T2 is due to malnutrition as a child and my almost 2 years of homelessness more recently. They've acknowledged that it could have been caught sooner and that the Diabetic nurses haven't acted on my diagnosis as well as they could have, I've now been given a glucose meter and testing twice daily which allows me both to monitor my levels and make better meal choices. Thank you again for the support!
Thank you, I am a former highland games athlete so on the large side but with body fat of only 15%. I've always watched what I eat and exercised regularly until I had major surgery to my right leg and suffered a shoulder injury. I own 3 Huskies and a Utonagan so walk them twice daily, I have maintained my kettle bell training as much as possible and ate clean wherever possible. Thank you for the suggestion though, anything is worth a go!
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Admiral Benbow
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- At risk of diabetes
Interesting you are a highland games athlete. I grew up going to highland games in Canada and Scotland, as I played pipes in a pipeband as a young lad.
Hi Popeye, I am new to this forum as well as T2 so I can’t offer too much advice. I am on Metformin, but I was given a BG monitor at my first visit to the GP nurse. I have only had a telephone consultation with the GP and have to have a follow up blood test in a few weeks. The BG monitor does help to see what your levels are at, so I was surprised to learn that many type 2’s are not given them. I would ask your GP/nurse for one of these.
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