I’m in a muddle and am worried

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Mrs D

Mrs D

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi! This is my first time on here and need some support. I’ve had diabetes for a number of years and recently had a burn out episode following a short stay in hospital. This spell in hospital and the outcome of this, has given me a huge kick up the preverbal and at the age of 62 I am finally taking my diabetes seriously. I’m really looking forward to sharing my journey with you all and hope that I can break the family mould and overcome the things that I have let, hold me back from becoming more healthy.
 
Hi and welcome.

Sorry to hear that you got yourself into a bit of a hole with your diabetes but it sounds like you are now ready to tackle it with a positive mental outlook. I am really pleased that you have come to the forum for support with this as I myself have found it a huge inspiration and fantastic source of knowledge and practical experience and it has given me the confidence to manage my diabetes well. I hope it can do the same for you.

Would you like to tell us a bit about how you manage your diabetes? Things like which medication, if any, you use and what dietary/lifestyle changes you have made over the years, if any? Dietary advice is changing with regard to managing diabetes so having some fresh input on this, particularly from people who are having success with different approaches can really help you decide what might be the best approach for you. Also being able to compare notes with people using similar medications and particularly insulin which can be quite tricky sometimes.

Anyway, if you can give us more information and ask any questions or concerns you have, we will be happy to share our own experiences which will hopefully give you some guidance and encouragement.
 
Where can I get dietary advice on how to combat the dreaded Dawn phenomenon ?
Example; Last night, 2 hours after eating my blood glucose level was 7.2 mmol, when I woke this morning at 6am, my blood glucose level was 10.2. Most mornings I wake with my blood glucose level at 10mmol or more. I have read on forums, spoke to my doctor and diabetic nurse and recently a diabetic dietician. Most have said it’s a fight or flight reaction to not eating for up to 8 hours. Suggesting my body decreases insulin production to allow my blood glucose level to rise so that I have the extra energy to get me through till morning.
Some suggested. Taking a couple of Plain Biscuits to bed and to eat during the night. Others have suggested not biscuits. Take something high in protein. Over the last week, I have tried both but still wake up with my blood glucose level at 10 or higher mmol. The diabetic dietician said I may be Insulin Resistant but did not explain what this is and how I can over come this. I’m a type 2 diabetic and on oral medication. Fear and dread being put on insulin injections and am Flapping Wildly!!
 
Mrs D said:
Where can I get dietary advice on how to combat the dreaded Dawn phenomenon ?
Example; Last night, 2 hours after eating my blood glucose level was 7.2 mmol, when I woke this morning at 6am, my blood glucose level was 10.2. Most mornings I wake with my blood glucose level at 10mmol or more. I have read on forums, spoke to my doctor and diabetic nurse and recently a diabetic dietician. Most have said it’s a fight or flight reaction to not eating for up to 8 hours. Suggesting my body decreases insulin production to allow my blood glucose level to rise so that I have the extra energy to get me through till morning.
Some suggested. Taking a couple of Plain Biscuits to bed and to eat during the night. Others have suggested not biscuits. Take something high in protein. Over the last week, I have tried both but still wake up with my blood glucose level at 10 or higher mmol. The diabetic dietician said I may be Insulin Resistant but did not explain what this is and how I can over come this. I’m a type 2 diabetic and on oral medication. Fear and dread being put on insulin injections and am Flapping Wildly!!
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Sorry you are really struggling with the 'Dawn Phenomenon or perhaps Foot on the Floor', some find testing in bed gives a better more consistent picture. But also morning readings can be the last to come down when other day time readings are pretty good.
What oral medication are you taking as that will to some extent determine what dietary approach will be suitable.
There seems to be very little one can actually do about those stubbornly high morning readings.
 
I find exercise on an evening really helps with my morning levels as my muscles suck glucose out of my blood stream whilst I sleep to replenish their stores so that helps to offset the glucose released by the liver (DP/FOTF). It can be something as simple as walking or running up and down stairs 10 or 20 times depending upon your fitness levels or a brisk walk round the block or 30 mins on an exercise bike. Something which makes you breath deeper and works your muscles, raises your heart rate a bit and gets the blood flowing. It is also really good for mental health to exercise as well as physical health.
 
rebrascora said:
Hi and welcome.

Sorry to hear that you got yourself into a bit of a hole with your diabetes but it sounds like you are now ready to tackle it with a positive mental outlook. I am really pleased that you have come to the forum for support with this as I myself have found it a huge inspiration and fantastic source of knowledge and practical experience and it has given me the confidence to manage my diabetes well. I hope it can do the same for you.

Would you like to tell us a bit about how you manage your diabetes? Things like which medication, if any, you use and what dietary/lifestyle changes you have made over the years, if any? Dietary advice is changing with regard to managing diabetes so having some fresh input on this, particularly from people who are having success with different approaches can really help you decide what might be the best approach for you. Also being able to compare notes with people using similar medications and particularly insulin which can be quite tricky sometimes.

Anyway, if you can give us more information and ask any questions or concerns you have, we will be happy to share our own experiences which will hopefully give you some guidance and encouragement.
Click to expand...
Hello Barbara,
I have to draw a line under how I used to manage my diabetes. It’s always been a struggle because I comfort eat as a coping mechanism for being a carer for my husband who has Autism and a 90 year old friend who can be quite difficult. At every diabetic review I explain my difficulties and why I have been unable to cope. There is no Autistic help for carers of adult Autistic people in our area and my 90 year old friend is going through a very difficult time as she is not ready to pop off yet, is angry. Can be selfish and scarily independent, but miraculously and amazingly still very cognitive so caring for her can be a struggle and takes its toll on me.
I’m a type 2 diabetic and my meds are Metformin, Foxiga, Losartan and if I remember rightly, Simvastatin. (Do you need to know how many mg.?) I take two metformin and 1 Foxiga in the morning, 2 metformin, 1 Losartin and 1 simvastatin before going to bed at night.

Gosh! Things really have changed regarding Diabetes. There is so much more information and support on the Diabetes UK website, I can’t get enough of it fast enough!!! When I was first diagnosed, there was not the amount of information and support then as there is now and I’m realising that with the state of the NHS the kind of help & support I need is either just not there, limited, unforthcoming and that managing my diabetes is up to me.

I have posted this morning about the Dawn Phenomenon as it seems I have this. I find it incredibly frustrating as I am eating according to my current blood glucose levels and can’t follow meal plans as the knock on effect through out the day means I can’t plan what I’m going to eat at meal times.

My recent HBa1c test was 64. Prior to going to hospital it was 110. My new target is 48.
I had a spell in hospital because I got bitten by a Feral cat that caused a massive infection in my hand. The hospital at first were talking Sepsis and possibly amputating part of my hand. THANK GOD, my body responded to the antibiotics but my HBa1c was off the meter and the hospital said it could be because of the infection. My own Dr. Said not and to be honest I think it was both as prior to being bitten by the cat, I was really suffering stress and anxiety because I don’t know how to cope with my husbands Autism and it was seriously affecting every aspect of our relationship. (His main triggers are communication or the lack there of and food.) At the time my blood glucose levels were between 10-20 mmol.

Being bitten by the cat was the best thing that could have happened to me as it highlighted how bad things were. Until I can better manage my diabetes, I have had to leave my husband to sort himself out. As for my 90 year old friend. It is what it is and I guarantee I will be going through what she’s going through if I live to 90. So for the time being, I do what she will let me do and try to carry on being a kind, supportive friend to her and while she’s still able will help her to remain part of every day life and enjoy it.
As for me! It’s back to school, I am learning so much about effective diabetes management and food. At the moment I am eating a protein/vegetable based diet and am experimenting on different other foods to see what makes blood glucose levels go higher. I’m also learning how important being active is and am mindful of keeping active but am starting to feel a bit over loaded with it all and am losing focus.
 
Although with the flozin which forixaga is one, type medication low carb should be adopted with caution around the 130g per day is thought to be fine but also making sure you drink plenty is also important as the medication encourages the kidneys to excrete excess glucose via urine.
 
Goodness, you have a lot on your plate! Really sorry to read that you are having such a stressful time with your husband and your friend as well as trying to manage your own health. I can sympathise with you comfort eating. I have done that for a lot of years but mostly got it under control when I was diagnosed with diabetes. I think going low carb straight away really helped with that because I have less cravings but it is really important to have daily treats which I enjoy which are low carb, so that when I need a bit of "comfort" I can have it but not something which will raise my BG levels. For me a cup of coffee with real double cream in it is something that I can luxuriate in. Mixed roasted/salted nuts also work well. I find it particularly satisfying to eat crunchy things. I also consume rather a lot of nice cheese and I have 75% dark chocolate in the cupboard and one square broken in half and eaten with a spoon of crunchy peanut butter works well. I was a Cadbury's Dairy Milk girl pre-diagnosis and could easily eat a whole 200g bar in one afternoon or a multipack of Snickers on a bad day, but I manage to restrict myself to just one or at most 2 squares of 75% dark chocolate a day now and not tempted to eat more, so I am pretty sure that changing my diet and the type of treats I have, helps me to control the comfort eating.

As regards feeling overwhelmed, try to make one small change at a time and work on making that change a habit before you make the next change. If you try to do too much you will risk burnout, so just commit to one small improvement each week and then consolidate that change. Try not to worry too much about the Dawn Phenomenon at the moment. It is what it is and it is probably the reading you have least control over, so perhaps work on just one meal to start with.... breakfast is usually the easiest because most of us have the same thing most mornings just for convenience, so do some testing and find a morning meal which works for you. For me that is mostly Creamy Greek Style natural yoghurt with berries and mixed seeds or sometimes an omelette with salad and coleslaw but I have been known to have leftover homemade curried cabbage (cabbage bhaji) for breakfast and we have at least one member who sometimes has steak or chops and mushrooms for breakfast, so don't feel you are limited to conventional breakfast options. Sometimes I just have a couple of cups of coffee with cream for breakfast and the energy from the fat in the cream will keep me going all morning as well as the comfort factor.

Anyway, that is the way I would approach it..... one small change at a time. Find alternative foods you enjoy instead of the old comforts that were causing your diabetes problems and start new healthier habits. It is fair to say that I was a sugar addict pre-diagnosis, so it is possible to manage these situations and I definitely feel like I will now live longer and with a better quality of life as a result of breaking those old bad habits.

I hope you will find the forum as practically helpful and inspirational as it has been for me.
 
Welcome to the forum. Someone in this forum advised me to just do a lesson at a time in the learning zone, for instance, and, rebrascora said, one change at a time. After a scare, it's easy to want to change the whole world. You can, but not in one go, especially with so much on your plate.
I'm a newbie here, like you (joined yesterday!) and I was also feeling overwhelmed. Being here has really made a difference and it's only been 24 hours! The best about reading other people's experiences is that I know I'm not alone and also that, actually, I can do this, this is possible. *We* can do this!
There's a lot of conflicting information and different diet pathways to follow, as well as suggestions of exercise. I've decided to start small and I'm doing walks. Any bit I add is a bit I didn't have before, but it's something while I figure everything out. And with food, I'm getting more information and making small changes. Posts like rebrascora are great, because they have easy suggestions to implement. Good luck! (And thank you both!)
 
Does your diet include enough protein? It stimulates insulin says Dr Nichola Guess: see this video, Best Diets for Type 2 Diabetes.

Dr Guess is project manager for the NewDAWN project, part funded by Diabetes UK, which aims to come up with less demanding diets for losing weight than NHS Soups and Shakes by 2027.
 
rebrascora said:
I find exercise on an evening really helps with my morning levels as my muscles suck glucose out of my blood stream whilst I sleep to replenish their stores so that helps to offset the glucose released by the liver (DP/FOTF). It can be something as simple as walking or running up and down stairs 10 or 20 times depending upon your fitness levels or a brisk walk round the block or 30 mins on an exercise bike. Something which makes you breath deeper and works your muscles, raises your heart rate a bit and gets the blood flowing. It is also really good for mental health to exercise as well as physical health.
Click to expand...
Hey! Thank you Barbara! First time in ages My BGLs were below 10mmol this morning. Following your exercise suggestion Yesterday, I walked up and down our stairs 10x on the trot fifteen minutes before going to bed!!!
 
JITR said:
Does your diet include enough protein? It stimulates insulin says Dr Nichola Guess: see this video, Best Diets for Type 2 Diabetes.

Dr Guess is project manager for the NewDAWN project, part funded by Diabetes UK, which aims to come up with less demanding diets for losing weight than NHS Soups and Shakes by 2027.
Click to expand...
Hello Dr Guess. ATM, I’m eating a low carb, high Fiber (Vegetable) based diet just until I manage to stabilise my BGLs. and bring them back to an acceptable range. I will check out the diet link. Thank You.
 
Meglorien said:
Welcome to the forum. Someone in this forum advised me to just do a lesson at a time in the learning zone, for instance, and, rebrascora said, one change at a time. After a scare, it's easy to want to change the whole world. You can, but not in one go, especially with so much on your plate.
I'm a newbie here, like you (joined yesterday!) and I was also feeling overwhelmed. Being here has really made a difference and it's only been 24 hours! The best about reading other people's experiences is that I know I'm not alone and also that, actually, I can do this, this is possible. *We* can do this!
There's a lot of conflicting information and different diet pathways to follow, as well as suggestions of exercise. I've decided to start small and I'm doing walks. Any bit I add is a bit I didn't have before, but it's something while I figure everything out. And with food, I'm getting more information and making small changes. Posts like rebrascora are great, because they have easy suggestions to implement. Good luck! (And thank you both!)
Click to expand...
Thank You and rebrascora, I needed that advice and feel less frantic and calmer today. Good Luck & All the Best to you!
 
Great to hear you are beginning to see some positive changes in your numbers in response to the changes you are making @Mrs D

Sorry to hear about your burnout, and all the factors that contributed to it. But it sounds like it has become a catalyst for you to make some real and sustainable changes to the way you manage your diabetes going forward.

Diabetes is a marathon, not a sprint - and some things like DP (which to an extent everyone has - with diabetes or not) may always give a bit of a bump to your BGs early on - but generally more stable glucose levels do seem to lessen the impact, and though DP can be a bit stubborn, waking levels often settle down eventually.

Keep doing what you are doing!
 
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