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need better control i know

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goodybags

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi great to find this forum
I was diagnosed as type 2 around 15 years ago
and been taking metformin, pretty much since then, they had tried me on glicazide first and then metformin and then metformin and rosiglicizine ? I think it was, that was ok for a while

but been taking insulin nova-mix 30 for around 4 years plus metformin

I take 3 metformin 850g per day and been taking the insulin morning and evening (started on 12 units) and think I am supposed to be taking something like 20 units twice a day,

But recently finding because my sugars are going high sometimes over 20 rarely under 10 I think I need to be using 30 units,

if I take 30 is that to much ?

Ok I know I should really go and see the diabetic nurse, if we still have one at practice? not sure

Its all getting me a bit down, and quite stressed at work, anyway today feel exhausted
and not gone to work, Dr diagnosed me with anxiety a few years ago and take some tablets for that
then my neighbour told me the other day stress can affect your diabetic control,

I ate a aero chocolate bar BIG ONE yesterday,
Felt good at the time...but not good FOR ME Big chocolate probably why I feel sh*t today
 
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Hi goodybags and welcome to the forum 🙂

It certainly sounds like you need to increase your insulin dose, but you do need to contact your doctor or diabetes nurse for advice on the appropriate amount to take.

Presumably you have a glucose meter for home testing - when in the day are you checking your levels? One thing that could help you when using fixed doses of mixed insulin is to be a bit more fixed about your meals and snacks. Try to be consistent from one day to the next with the amount of carbohydrate in each meal, including a sweet treat if you enjoy them! Keep a diary for a week or two of food eaten, plus your blood glucose level before each meal and 2-3 hours after. Then you can take this information to your doctor or diabetes nurse for them to adjust your insulin appropriately. Otherwise you are stuck with a fixed dose which is a bit of a stab in the dark, leaving you trying to fit your diet to your insulin.

Sorry to hear you are stressed out at the moment - stress can certainly play a part in pushing your levels up. Hope you have a relaxing weekend 🙂
 
Hi goodybags, welcome to the forum 🙂 We can't give medical advice, so it is something that you need to discuss with your GP or nurse. You might want to consider changing to a different insulin regime called MDI (Multiple Daily Injections). This involves more injections, but offers greater flexibility and the possibility of better control. Basically, you take one or two injections a day of slow-acting insulin and then an injection of quick-acting insulin every time you eat. This allows you to vary your insulin doses according to what you want to eat rather than having to 'eat to the insulin' as you do with the mix.

Stress can affect your levels - usually it causes a rise, although some people experience a fall. If you are having generally high levels then it will make you feel rubbish, unfortunately. I would suggest starting a food diary, noting down the carb content of everything you eat and drink. This will help you look for things you might improve in your diet, either by replacing some items or reducing portion sizes. Do you get much exercise? Regular exercise is one of the best ways to get your levels under control as it makes you more sensitive to the insulin.

Let us know how you get on with the doctor or nurse (yes, you do need to go! 😉) and if you have any more questions, and we will do our best to help! 🙂
 
Welcome to the forum goodybags 🙂
 
poor control

have been struck by poor control
having not been under regular control
I now have had some vicious boils on my neck
so went to doctors last week finally having not been able to get an appointment, was seen by doctor, I say I WAS SEEN, actually doc lectured me, listened to me, didn't actually look at these boils on my neck, and have been prescribed penicillin to clear them up, ok some have gone down, but one is big and hard, lesson here being learnt keep blood sugars under control, take all medication, stop eating the c**p, think maybe should change doctor as well,
 
Hi goodybags, sounds like you are determined to turn things around - good for you, and shame on your doctor for not being more supportive and just berating you! Changing doctors often works, as they can be quite different in their approach and attitude (why can't they all just be good?). How about starting a food diary also, and analysing your carb intake, then looking for places where you might make better substitutions or cut down portions of carby elements? Getting things under control should really help with the boils and any other infections you may be prone to.

And please come here and let us know if there is any way we can help to support you - you're not alone in this, you've got hundreds of people backing you up! 🙂 Good luck!
 
WOW I just found the posts I put up back in 2013,
Am glad to say I am finally getting control of the diabetes (that was previously controlling me)

I previously ignored so many people who were previously trying to tell me,
the secret really is cutting down on the carbs, plus the obvious junk foods & sweet treats,
it seems when my sugars were high (and they were very high)
I was just craving more sweet & carbohydrate laden foods !
previously sometimes even went a few years without diabetic check no Hba1c etc

moving forward to last year, when after the arrival of the dreaded Covid lockdown #1
I’m finally starting turning things around and now starting to control the diabete,
it’s certainly easier to test (I’m now doing the finger pricking 4/6 times a day)
found it so much easier to eat healthy whilst furloughed than a busy life on the go
Mc Donald’s, KFC Greggs & Petrol stations etc.. might be convenient when out and about (working)
but I’ve Ilived on that rubbish for to long !

Its been a real eye opener some of the what I thought was ”good for me foods”
actually spiking my sugars ! .. like Porridge & Fruit & Some Vegetables

doing quite well on a low carb diet now,
even eating more fat than I would’ve thought I should,
but I've now lost over 2 stone in 3 months (need to loose another 3/4 really)
looking forward to getting my Hba1c tested on 22nd feb

also feeling good today having been at eye dept today (DMO)
a great improvement on last visit NO INJECTIONS for either of my eyes today
will see how it is when I got here again in 6weeks time

there is hope
 
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Congrats on grasping the bull by the horns and turning things around. It is good to hear that the pandemic has had a positive effect on your control and I very much hope you are able to form a new healthier lifestyle habit which you can maintain when things return to normal .... if they ever do!
 
Well done in wrestling back control. You are the winner here, the doctors don't really care. It's your life that matters and you are the one who can improve it (as you are).

As things continue to improve (and, wow what a difference in such a short time), always look at the improvements you have made through your own hard work, determination and knowledge. When the odd difficult day comes remember the battles you are winning and refuse to be defeated by this or by that.

I too understand 'busy life, rubbish diet, constant stress'. I thought it was all good, except that I felt rubbish. Now I have turned things around and feel great. And I am determined not to let go of things again.

Do I crave the chocolate bars and stuff? ....no, but occasionally I kinda feel 'a small piece would be nice'. I hit those thoughts on the head, firmly. As that famous film quote goes 'Never give up. Never surrender!'

Keep going in this marathon! Its a new life! Its a good life! It's your life!
 
Welcome back @goodybags

And huge congratulations on the changes you have made

Great to hear you sounding so upbeat and positive 🙂
 
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