help

[tracy1]

hi all

I'm in need of some help I recently had a bit of a funny turn in work and when I went to the local walk in centre and they tested my sugars to find I was 15.8 because I'm type 2 and been told not to test this came as a bit of a shock when they tested my urine it showed high levels of glucose they sent me to the drs who shrugged it of as a glitch and I was told to make appointment to have my hba1c checked I didn't have to wait long as the could do it there and then. I got the results a few days later and all came back normal apart from the hba1c which came back at 66 an increase on last year I was told to make an appoint to see the nurse this week. when I called this morning I got told my named nurse isn't back till sept and the other diabetic nurse was off for 2 weeks so they booked me in with my dr. when I went it was less then 10 mins who checked my weight and found out that I had lost a stone since last year they have increased my meds and told me to have a blood test in 3 months didn't care that I'm consistently going to the toilet and drinking loads and the fact that my work is getting annoyed coz I'm going to the toilet so much. there was no advice on why my sugars have leaped or how I can reduce them just gave me more meds I'm now on 2000 mg metformin sr how much more meds can I take

 

[Pine Marten]

Hi tracy1, I'm sorry to hear this. Have you ever tested your own blood glucose with a meter? Unfortunately many GPs and surgeries refuse to give type 2s meters and tell you not to test, as you have found (mine does, too), but it is the only way to check which foods affect you well or badly.

Reducing or cutting out carby foods like potatoes, bread, rice & pasta, and eating more green leafy vegetables can have a dramatic effect on the blood glucose. The cheapest meter is the SD Codefree from Home Health or Amazon (sorry, someone more techy can give you the link), and once you start testing you can take control and not be reliant on the GP surgery. I'm sure others will be along shortly to support you 🙂

 

[Robin]

Hello, Tracy, and welcome to the forum. If I were you, I would be ignoring my doctor's advice not to test, and equipping myself with a meter. The cheapest option for people who have to self fund, is the Codefree meter, available from Amazon, or from the manufacturer. If you look at the pinned thread at he top of the Newbie's section, there are more details for it, plus a link to something called 'test, review, adjust' which tells you how to make the most out of testing.
How long have you been diagnosed? A sudden deterioration in your levels if you haven't been diagnosed for very long, could mean that the original diagnosis is suspect, and you might be a slow onset Type 1, or it could be that Metformin alone isn't enough, and you need other meds added to the mix. ( it's not uncommon for Type 2s to be on three different meds). These are things that your GP ought to be considering.

 

[Robin]

Ha! Pine Marten types faster than I do!

 

[grovesy]

Welcome.

 

[tracy1]

thanks guys I have tested on and off since 2013 they gave me a meter and I have loads of lancets but they refuse to give me the strips I bought some last week and tested for a few days and I was nearly in double figures in the morning had my breakfast and tested before I started work and I hit 16 and stayed in double figures all day. I have requested a referral to the diabetes clinic as m not happy with all the answers. my dr did say if I'm still struggling or the hba1c doesn't come down with the increased metformin (1500mg-2000mg) then they will put me on gliclazide but I have no idea why the hba1c has gone up

 

[Bill Stewardson]

Hello Tracey,,

You absolutely MUST test test test then test some more.

Keep at your gp,, armed with your test results.

You will get there, might be worth putting somebody at work in the picture, first aider, H&S rep etc.

Good luck girly.

 

[Kaylz]

thanks guys I have tested on and off since 2013 they gave me a meter and I have loads of lancets but they refuse to give me the strips I bought some last week and tested for a few days and I was nearly in double figures in the morning had my breakfast and tested before I started work and I hit 16 and stayed in double figures all day. I have requested a referral to the diabetes clinic as m not happy with all the answers. my dr did say if I'm still struggling or the hba1c doesn't come down with the increased metformin (1500mg-2000mg) then they will put me on gliclazide but I have no idea why the hba1c has gone up

Out of curiosity what type of meter do you have? x

 

[Bill Stewardson]

Out of curiosity what type of meter do you have? x

I have the codefree, not the dearest but fine for me.

 

[Kaylz]

I have the codefree, not the dearest but fine for me.

Was wondering if she had the freestyle optium neo though as I have some test strips for that meter! x

 

[tracy1]

I have the accu check Aviva which I can get the test strips in boots or Lloyds chemist. my dr is still refusing me the test strips even now, the first aiders and the h and s know as it had to be recorded whe I had funny turn in work x

 

[Ljc]

I have the accu check Aviva which I can get the test strips in boots or Lloyds chemist. my dr is still refusing me the test strips even now, the first aiders and the h and s know as it had to be recorded whe I had funny turn in work x

Hi Tracy. Once you get your BG levels down ,the symptoms will go so will the numerous loo trips. TBH it seems to be you are being badly let down by the very people who should be trying to help you , I am afraid this is not unusual.

The only way to start getting to grips its diabetes, is by knowing how various carbohydrates affect you, Diabetes is very individual in this
The test strips for your meter will be considerably more than the SD Codefree meter , the strips are around £7 for 50 when your testing just before and two hours after meals, cost is important. My advise is while you join the fight in getting test strips prescribed, go for the SD Codefree
https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/
We use the mmol/l measurement and you're entitled to VAT relief.
Sorry got to go, could someone please put links to
Test review adjust
Maggie Daveys letter
Thanks

 

[trophywench]

I'm not knocking your meter by any means - but unfortunately the test strips for Aviva are amongst the most expensive ones for you or the NHS. For that reason I'd agree with the others - the Codefree is pretty accurate and reliably so even though they aren't considered 'top notch' like the Aviva products. Pots of strips for the C one are only about £8 - less than half the price of the A ones.

Have a read of 'Test, Review, Adjust' to see how to use blood testing the best way - see http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.co.uk/2006/10/test-review-adjust.html. You'll soon see exactly what's happening each day.

Incidentally - if the doc adds Gliclazide to your prescription - he will have also to prescribe test strips since Glic is what they call a hypogycaemic agent - since it causes your own pancreas to produce more insulin, and thereby if that happens to be too much more you at the time - then you'll go hypo - and you'll need to avoid doing that if you can. Also if you drive, the Law says you MUST test at certain times and at certain intervals - whether you want to or not if you want to stay legal.

1000mg of Metformin isn't a huge amount actually, but 2000mg is the maximum recommended dose. It takes anything up to 3 weeks to become fully effective, it isn't instant but once it's working fully you may find you don't need anything else, as long as you keep it constantly topped up at that level - ie take it every day as instructed. (some folk expect it to work if they only take it when they feel like it - it doesn't! LOL)

 

[Copepod]

Welcome to the forum.
Others have already covered carbohydrate content of diet and blood testing. I'd like to mention that, in addition to those, plus medication, two other factors are vital in managing diabetes) - physical activity and body weight. Any activity is good, as long as you enjoy it and it fits into your lifestyle eg short journeys on foot, longer on bike etc. If you are overweight, then reducing to a BMI of 20 - 25 (crude measure, but adequate, especially in contrast to eg a BMI over 30). If already healthy weight, then avoiding weight gain is key. Obviously, if you're a muscular rugby player, for example, you need to work to different targets.