Help wanted

[Sarah09]

Hi
I have had diabetes type 2 for about 6 years now. I take metformin x2 twice daily and 4 glucozide a day and I.am also back on victosa injection but low starting dose again

My recent blood results were showing at 8.2 and I can't see nurse until a week Friday.
My readings in morning are 13 my after lunch readings are around 13 too and I feel awful tired and rubbish I have felt like this for a few months but only started checking bloods daily recently so guessing been high for ages.
What can I do to get them down and what is the next step with the diabetes nurse. I'm so worried at why thry are suddenly so high.please help

 

[adrian1der]

Hi @Sarah09 and welcome

The best approach is probably to loose some weight (if you need to) and to have a look at your diet. Carbohydrates are the problem for diabetics. This includes starchy things (rice, pasta, bread, potatoes etc) as well as obviously sweet, sugary things. The body rapidly breaks down carbs into glucose. Some gentle to moderate exercise will also help. A combination of reduced portions of carbs and some exercise should see the pounds drop off as well (if they need to) which will help further.

 

[adrian1der]

If you post a few typical meals or a day's menu we might be able to suggest modifications

 

[Sarah09]

Thank you.Weight loss is on my list and I am trying to reduce carbs.exercise is another thing I need to do as so unfit. Just so scared as never realised it could make you feel so ill

 

[adrian1der]

Running high will make you feel unwell. You should try and gradually reduce your figures down into single figures and you'll start to feel better. Reduce gradually as too fast a reduction can lead to complications.

 

[ianf0ster]

@Sarah09 Since you have a Blood Glucose meter, the best way to track carb reduction is by testing before your meals and then 2hrs after each one. The ultimate aim is a rise of 2.0 mmol or less. Certainly if it's over 3.0 mmol at the 2hr mark you need to look at substitutions or portion reductions.
Good substitutes for potato are Celeriac or Swede.
Good substitutes for pasta/noodles are: 'courgetti', egg noodles or bean based low carb pasta which is available in most supermarkets (certainly in Aldi).

There are many other carby foods which need may to be watched, such as tropical fruits and of course fruit juice which normally contains more sugar than a normal sugary fizzy drink.

 

[hayleyrules]

Hi @Sarah09 and welcome

The best approach is probably to loose some weight (if you need to) and to have a look at your diet. Carbohydrates are the problem for diabetics. This includes starchy things (rice, pasta, bread, potatoes etc) as well as obviously sweet, sugary things. The body rapidly breaks down carbs into glucose. Some gentle to moderate exercise will also help. A combination of reduced portions of carbs and some exercise should see the pounds drop off as well (if they need to) which will help further.

Do you get anxiety ,I've lost weight . It is I get so worked up about being a diabetic . Any advice please

 

[Drummer]

Hi
I have had diabetes type 2 for about 6 years now. I take metformin x2 twice daily and 4 glucozide a day and I.am also back on victosa injection but low starting dose again

My recent blood results were showing at 8.2 and I can't see nurse until a week Friday.
My readings in morning are 13 my after lunch readings are around 13 too and I feel awful tired and rubbish I have felt like this for a few months but only started checking bloods daily recently so guessing been high for ages.
What can I do to get them down and what is the next step with the diabetes nurse. I'm so worried at why thry are suddenly so high.please help

For ordinary uncomplicated type twos, much of the problem goes away eating a diet low in carbs. For me that means staying quite low, under 40 gm of carbs a day is my usual way of eating - but that gives me normal readings. I did eat under 50 and thought to push down my Hba1c into the 30s, didn't happen - I seem stuck at 42.
If you reduce your carbs and don't see any change - that might indicate something more interesting is the problem, something to discus with your nurse - but what would you usually be eating for lunch, for instance, before you feel unwell?

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Sarah09

Sorry to hear your higher BGs have been making you feel grim. Some people seem to get more symptoms of elevated BG than others, but it can certainly make you feel tired, lethargic, groggy, irritable, thirsty and hungry

Hopefully the adjustments to your meds will help, especially if you can balance that with a gentle reduction in your carbohydrate portions. Don’t suddenly make big changes to your diet, as you are on glucose-lowering meds, but a little gentle portion control and a few swaps in line with your meter results should really help, and should also be more sustainable long-term 🙂

 

[adrian1der]

@Sarah09 Since you have a Blood Glucose meter, the best way to track carb reduction is by testing before your meals and then 2hrs after each one. The ultimate aim is a rise of 2.0 mmol or less. Certainly if it's over 3.0 mmol at the 2hr mark you need to look at substitutions or portion reductions.
Good substitutes for potato are Celeriac or Swede.
Good substitutes for pasta/noodles are: 'courgetti', egg noodles or bean based low carb pasta which is available in most supermarkets (certainly in Aldi).

There are many other carby foods which need may to be watched, such as tropical fruits and of course fruit juice which normally contains more sugar than a normal sugary fizzy drink.

Cauliflower also makes great rice and mash