New to the site, not new to Diabetes and struggling with it.

[MJW80]

Hi all. I'm Mike, 43 from South Devon.

Been a fair few years now dealing with Type 2 diabetes, the first time I managed to get it under control enough for it to go away completely, only for it to return a couple of years later with an absolute spit on your grave style vengeance.

I am also a sufferer of fibromyalgia, orthostatic intolerance, a lifetime of chronic acid reflux caused by a huge hiatus hernia, severe anxiety and depression, and am currently awaiting the diagnosis procedure for autism and am trying to push for ADHD as well.

I am having severe problems at the moment with diet control and spontaneity when it comes to eating what I shouldn't, as well as terrible brain fog, memory issues, and a severely high blood sugar reading that's been the same for the best part of 2 years now, rarely going below 15mmol and more often in the 20-25 region. I'm on 2000mg metformin, 45ml insulin twice daily, and 50ml ozempic once weekly. However I need to stop the ozempic because it is causing me severe sulphuric wind issues, more than I am willing to live with. I have restrictive time constraints due to working a full time job (9am-9pm two days on, two days off) and on my days off looking after my 5 children on my own.

So with all that in mind I will be perusing the forum here looking for advice and may ask my own questions or ask for specific advice as I require. I'm really struggling at the moment to try to get on top of the diabetes and since my doctors and diabetic care team I deal with just tend to not give a damn, I'm going to have to find my own answers.

Thank you everyone for listening to me blah blah away, hopefully get to know some of you soon!

Mike

 

[Jessica DUK]

Hi Mike and welcome to the forum.

I'm sorry to hear that you're struggling with your diabetes, and for all the hardships you have faced. After years of living with diabetes, it's understandable to be overwhelmed by its relentlessness.

We have lots of information around diet and food advice on our website, which can be viewed here - https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-t...with-diabetes/what-is-a-healthy-balanced-diet. Is there a specific part of your diet control which you'd like advice with?

I am really glad that you've found us, as we can definitely help in answering any questions you may have, and are a community here to support you whenever you need it! I'm sure some of our other members will chime in soon to help with more specific parts that you've mentioned.

Please continue to reach out with any questions or concerns you may have, and hope you enjoy being a part of the forum's community 🙂

 

[Nattiemac]

Hi, I'm type 1 and also have fibro, first things first fibromalgia can cause high blood sugars as your body is dealing with the pain it's also in "fight or flight" mode meaning your body is constantly releasing adrenaline and that causes high bloods in itself BUT with your bloods been very high it also causes worse fibromyalgia pain/flair ups (very vicious circle), I do find that when I'm having an almighty flair I have to monitor my bloods so much more and I also need more insulin than a normal "pain free day" you will have to find a way that suits you as the nurses can give you ideas but really you need to find your own pattern, get some amitriptyline from the doctors for the fibro it's not magic but it does help to a small point. I had to change my insulin and that to me has made a world of difference through the fibro, maybe you need more fast acting insulin through the day and maybe try carb counting, you will start suffering if you don't get your bloods under control, I was diagnosed at 10/11 months old and it's no easier than been diagnosed at 13/30 or 50 my hba1c is 50 and iv just been put on cholesterol tablets iv got high BP now medicated, under active thyroid and I'm 36, it's taken me a long time to get where my bloods are stable but you need to get it done sooner rather than later. Hopefully you will find something that works for you.

 

[MJW80]

Hi and thanks for the replies. I've asked so many times at my doctors about adjust types of medications etc and they just seem too keen on digging their heels in. There's a lot of areas I could certainly improve my own lifestyle, I'm not throwing blame around unfairly, but with such a hectic lifestyle and a pretty difficult income to outgoings ratio, its very difficult to put anything into action.

Even time to come back here and check the replies has been hard to find. Eventually I'll have a chance to peruse properly and dig for advice.

Thank you again!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear about the tough time your diabetes has been putting you through recently @MJW80. Those kind of high levels can be exhausting - and can have a negative impact on mood

Juggling the needs of work, a busy home, and multiple health conditions is tough. And add mental health challenges into the mix, and you should feel very proud of yourself for how you are managing. Be kind to yourself, and look after your whole self.

Sorry to hear about the sulphur burps with Ozempic - it seems some get far more distressing gastric side effects than others. Hopefully you can either find a replacement, or adjust your insulin to help further?

Are you on a mixed insulin (eg Humulin M3, or Novomix?). Or is it a long-acting insulin (like Lantus) that you are taking.

When I was initially put on mixed insulin I was given a set target of carbohydrates (starchy carbohydrates as well as natural sugars) that I had to aim for, but not exceed, for each meal. Has this strategy ever been suggested?

Keeping to roughly regular ‘carb counts’ at different meals helped the insulin and food work together to balance out.

Hope exchanging experiences with others on the forum helps you. Keep firing away with any questions - there are always lots of different approaches that folks here have tried, and one of them might also suit you 🙂