Diagnosed with Type 2 a while ago but also struggling with multiple other issues and cant tell what is causing my overwhelming fatigue and a seizure last Sunday. Just bought a prick test glucose meter and all results so far are high ie between 11.9 and 18.5. BP is also rather high. What can I do in the short term to bring glucose down?
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PattiEvans
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Hi there Rob.
In the short term try cutting carbs out of your menu. By that I mean breakfast cereal, bread, pasta, rice and potatoes, or at least stick to very small portions. You obviously have a meter so I suggest you use it wisely to test before and 2 hours after you eat so see how different foods affect you. Please ask lots of questions. No question is silly here.j
Any idea what caused the seizure? Could it have been low blood glucose, or maybe low BP. Please tell us what your other issues are to help us help ypu.
In the short term try cutting carbs out of your menu. By that I mean breakfast cereal, bread, pasta, rice and potatoes, or at least stick to very small portions. You obviously have a meter so I suggest you use it wisely to test before and 2 hours after you eat so see how different foods affect you. Please ask lots of questions. No question is silly here.j
Any idea what caused the seizure? Could it have been low blood glucose, or maybe low BP. Please tell us what your other issues are to help us help ypu.
SB2015
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Welcome to the forum @Rob H
Sorry to read of your health issues. With regard to your diabetes, it is the carbs that are getting changed to glucose, so at present your body is not able to process the amount of carbs you are eating.
You can use a BG meter, taking a reading before and 2 hrs after eating to see how food is affecting you as an individual (everyone is different, and it’s important to understand your own tolerances and ‘safe choices’). The numbers themselves don’t matter so much at the beginning, it is the difference between them - the ‘meal rise‘ which you want to keep as near to 2-3mmol/L as you can. If you happen to identify any carbs that seem to be spiking BG, you can experiment with reducing amounts or swapping types (sometimes just having things at a different time of day makes a difference). If you are interested in this apporach you may find test-review-adjust by Alan S a helpful framework.
Do come back with any questions that you have, and if you are happy to do so let us know what meds you are using, and what other conditions you are managing as this will help us in answering your questions.
Sorry to read of your health issues. With regard to your diabetes, it is the carbs that are getting changed to glucose, so at present your body is not able to process the amount of carbs you are eating.
You can use a BG meter, taking a reading before and 2 hrs after eating to see how food is affecting you as an individual (everyone is different, and it’s important to understand your own tolerances and ‘safe choices’). The numbers themselves don’t matter so much at the beginning, it is the difference between them - the ‘meal rise‘ which you want to keep as near to 2-3mmol/L as you can. If you happen to identify any carbs that seem to be spiking BG, you can experiment with reducing amounts or swapping types (sometimes just having things at a different time of day makes a difference). If you are interested in this apporach you may find test-review-adjust by Alan S a helpful framework.
Do come back with any questions that you have, and if you are happy to do so let us know what meds you are using, and what other conditions you are managing as this will help us in answering your questions.
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Welcome to the forum @Rob H
Sorry to hear about your siezure - is that being investigated?
I find high BG levels really exhausting. So it may be that tweaking your meals using before-after BG checks as @Pattidevans suggests to make them raise your BG by a lower amount will help to bring your levels back into range, which should reduce your fatigue.
Are you able to get out and increase your level of exercise/activity too? Doesn’t have to be all that strenuous - even just brisk walking can really help.
Sorry to hear about your siezure - is that being investigated?
I find high BG levels really exhausting. So it may be that tweaking your meals using before-after BG checks as @Pattidevans suggests to make them raise your BG by a lower amount will help to bring your levels back into range, which should reduce your fatigue.
Are you able to get out and increase your level of exercise/activity too? Doesn’t have to be all that strenuous - even just brisk walking can really help.
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Thanks for your prompt replies. The cutting out of carbs suddenly seems very daunting but I shall tackle it. I had no definitive diagnosis on the cause of the seizure. Low glucose or blood pressure sounded plausible but seems unlikley given my usually high blood pressure and glucose levels. My only previous seizure 3.5 years ago was just put down as a one off (hospitalised both times).
My other issues include Gilberts syndrome, hypopituitarism, hypertension, heart damage and more recently polycythemia vera. Currently my blood tests show 15 'abnormals' in the results. Apart from the fatigue I usually dont have any symptoms and feel OK.
I am currently seeking a second opionion to try and get an overview of how the pv relates to the other issues and treatments and am finding this challenging!
My GP practice have previously insisted that checking my HbA1c every 3 months (if I am lucky) is all that is required and I shouldnt get a finger prick monitor. However I have lost confidence in their treatment and was pretty shaken by this seizure (not to mention my poor wife who had to call the ambulance and had been pretty traumatised by the first seizure which featured a lot of blood). Having to surrender my driving licence again is a bitter blow.
My other issues include Gilberts syndrome, hypopituitarism, hypertension, heart damage and more recently polycythemia vera. Currently my blood tests show 15 'abnormals' in the results. Apart from the fatigue I usually dont have any symptoms and feel OK.
I am currently seeking a second opionion to try and get an overview of how the pv relates to the other issues and treatments and am finding this challenging!
My GP practice have previously insisted that checking my HbA1c every 3 months (if I am lucky) is all that is required and I shouldnt get a finger prick monitor. However I have lost confidence in their treatment and was pretty shaken by this seizure (not to mention my poor wife who had to call the ambulance and had been pretty traumatised by the first seizure which featured a lot of blood). Having to surrender my driving licence again is a bitter blow.
trophywench
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Having a stroke or heart trouble is a side effect of polycythemia generally so the polyc will already be being treated by a haematologist presumably? (ie not a neurologist) BP will be higher because the blood is thicker presumably. Are you having venesection for that, or what? Blood thinning meds?
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