I’m an older version of a Newbie

[Moemoff]

My name is Maureen. I’m 71 years of age and I’m a type 2 diabetic. Diabetes runs in my family,my mother and grandmother on my other side.

I was diagnosed Type 2 many years ago. I was happily bumbling along with readings within normal ranges for HABC1 until September of last year when suddenly last year they went off the scale. I mean the blood test monitor read hi and would not give a reading.At that time I was on 4xMetformin glucophage 500 mg slow acting because of stomach issues.

In Sept I had an issue when I woke up and everything was weak. My legs buckle and I couldn’t get my balance. I started to use a frame to mobilise. I do have sundry problems. During the height of Covid I had two major operations for different cancers. The last one was a tumour in the upper right lobe of my right lung which needed the lobe removed. I have recovered from it but have Asthma. I have never smoked. I have a preventer Fostair and Ventolin.

Anyways they have altered my medication to 2 x Glicazide 40mg in the morning and 1x Glicazide plus 3 Slow acting Meteformin. Plus 8 points of Humani 1 Kwickpen insulin morning and night at the times I do my blood readings. I have so far not got it below 10.1.

This has recently been changed by the DN, phones every week for readings, to 1 x Glicazide in the morning x12 insulin points and in the evening 3xMetformin slow acting no Glicazide and 10 units of insulin. Still the readings are higher than the should be, around the 12 or 13 level.

My Asthma effects me in the heat and I have stomach issues..need to see the Gastro people as I get stomach bleeding for which I take Omeprazole 40mg. Plus a small dose of Indapamide for blood pressure. Blood Pressure is controlled.

I get a bit depressed because I’m chained to a frame and exercise is a problem. The heat is getting to me and I cannot turn on a fan because of cost issues. I get really tired and they found out I was was seriously anaemic because of lack of Folic Acid. I have been on a low carb diet for ages and it has been approved by the DN. I do have kidney function issues.

Insulin is not because of anything I have done but it’s just one of those things.

I’m pleased to get it off my chest but the DN is on the job. Just hope the insulin works and I get off Glicazide.

 

[Vonny]

Welcome to the forum @Moemoff, and sorry to hear about your complex medical issues. And it must be dreadful not daring to put a fan on in this weather due to the cost. I'm afraid I know little about diabetic medication other than metformin, but it does seem that the DN is looking after you. I'm sure others will be along soon who have experience with other medications.

 

[gll]

Welcome to the forums Maureen.

Sorry you have had a rough ride of things. I completely understand the ups and downs of things (frustratingly) just not working.
I have just moved past the insulin you are on and onto a background and mealtime insulin and hoping I can keep the bg monster tamed this way. Been on gliclazide as well but the old metformin hates me 🙂
It did stop the mid 20s - high readings I was getting before that but couldn't quite get out of that 12-20 range with the one insulin alone.

Like yourself, foliate is low for me too and I started on folic acid last week. The tiredness of running high, worrying and low foliate is exhausting. I'm hoping my levels bump up soon as do yours.

Re exercise, I know there are some exercise videos on youtube that are done from a sitting position.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=sitting+exercises
I can't guarantee the quality but you might find something that you feel you can manage there?

We have a daily waking reading thread where we pop our morning readings in and have a bit of a chat. Its more active in the mornings but we do tend to post whenever. Its a great place to chat about your day and just get to know other people of all ages and types who all have the daily task of trying to manage life and diabetes.
https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/group-7-day-waking-average.20148/
Everyone is welcome on there but thought I would let you know its there and see if it might be of some help to feel some peer support on a daily basis.
It has been vital of keeping me together through this entire journey so far, all be it I'm a bit held together with sellotape and glue at the moment

Sending some hugs your way.
If you have any questions please do ask 🙂

 

[Moemoff]

Since the new regime has started today the brunch reading before eating is 11.3 and the evening is the same reading so it’s working. I was getting high 27s or 28. I think it’s needs patience but my hope is it will go down below 10 but not into hypo territory.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Moemoff

Sorry to hear what a rough ride you’ve been having over the past year or so. Must have been quite bewildering after several years of just pottering along.

Glad to year that they have added insulin and some other potent meds into the mix (some of which will be encouraging your pancreas to produce more insulin). Good to hear your Diabetes Nurse is on the case and keeping a close eye on things.

Has it been suggested that you might keep a food diary for a week or two to see if any patterns emerge between meals and glucose levels?

Ultimately your diabetes management may well involve balancing your doses with your food and activity levels (whatever activity you are able to engage with - even things like stress and the weather can have an impact!)

Keeping a note of meals along with a reasonable estimate of their total carbohydrate content (not just ‘of which sugars’) might give you some useful pointers if you can spot any patterns between meals and levels.

Having said that it’s more of an art than a science, and there may well be some contrary and confounding observations along the way. Diabetes is fickle like that!

 

[Moemoff]

Your so very kind with your help.

I have gone down the food book route and what I take has been approved some time ago. However I have stomach and bowel problems. Hence gastro people involvement. I have diarrhoea problems with salad and cooked spinach etc. I cannot absorb some vitamins. I have had iron and folic acid anemia. To put it blunt I am down to bare minimum. I have two main meals and a snack of blueberries. The gastroenterologist may help but they are taking me off Glicazide and trying insulin plus metformin.

The truth is out there and I’m still digging for it!