New to this and quite worried !!!!

[Frillypants46]

I am new to this and quite worried. I have been borderline diabetic for a while and have kept it under control by diet. After a spell of five weeks in hospital I have now had many symptoms of type 2diabetes. Hospital reason was infection and a flare up of myelitis in my spinal cord which has left me with further weakness in my left leg. It has affected my right one but not as much. I can still drive(automatic). When in hospital they tested my sugar levels every day (something I had never done) they ranged from six to nine which they were not worried about. Also the meals were not any different. I am not on any medication for diabetes and am now to see the Diabetic Nurse soon. My symptoms are quite strange I often feel very weak a bit light headed and very often feel quite awful. I must stress that I have other health issues, very low iron being one of them ( I had an iron infusion whilst in hospital) I felt so much better after. My symptoms were very similar to low or high blood sugar. I am so confused about what I should eat or not eat. Can I have snacks between meals if so what should they be. I am due to go into hospital for an operation on my bowel and don't know if that will be affected. I do eat healthy, bran flakes and fruit in the morning. Ham sandwich (one round) lunch. Then chicken or salmon with vegetables for evening meal. Can someone give me any good tips of what works for them. I am household at the moment so rely on online shopping. It looks like I have to buy different stuff.

 

[Inka]

Sorry you’re feeling rough @Frillypants46 Did you mention the feelings to your hospital team? Could it be the myelitis or the anaemia? As you’ve got other health things going on, it would be best to speak to your medical team.

Your blood sugars sounded good in hospital, especially with the stress of being there. If you want to reduce the carbs in your diet, you could cut the fruit and/or bran flakes, but really I think you’re doing ok.

 

[Leadinglights]

An HbA1C might not be all that accurate as any sort of anaemia can affect the result.
It is probably wise to get advice if you can from your medical team.
A home blood glucose monitor would help you tell if your symptoms are due to high or low blood glucose and enable you to see if the meals you are having are OK for you.

 

[Magenta71]

I really relate to your post. I'm not new to diabetes - diagnosed May 2019 - but I haven't really been taking it that seriously. Trying to cut down on sugar etc but not giving it my full focus. Tried a few things like keto, which did drop my sugar to below 50 but we found difficult to stick to as quite restrictive.
November last year started to feel really unwell, breathless and fatigued and - long story short - I have bowel cancer and it was extreme anaemia that caused the health issues. I'm here because, despite losing over 2 stone and not having diabetes symptoms like dry mouth and lots of weeing, my HbA1c test last week showed a blood sugar spike to 127. This is at a level where my cancer surgery is in danger. I may be taken into hospital early to get sugars down pre-surgery next week. I know anaemia can have an impact but they have ruled that out as I had an iron infusion and my Hb is 137. It was a complete shock as I thought I was eating healthy after my cancer diagnosis.

So I am now going to get more involved and face this head on. The cancer will be gone after the operation (stage 1) but I need to work on the diabetes.