Newbie

[lucy_muse]

Hi, newly diagnosed type 2.
My GP still checking if she can give me metformin. Currently on gliclazide.
I think i might have had high sugars for a long time as I seem to feel faint and have hunger pangs when my sugars fall below 10... its difficult.
Had 7.2 this morning my last meal was 6pm yesterday. Had some yogurt and 4pcs. of strawberries after 4 hours it became 11.4... i don't get it.

 

[Martin.A]

Hi, newly diagnosed type 2.
My GP still checking if she can give me metformin. Currently on gliclazide.
I think i might have had high sugars for a long time as I seem to feel faint and have hunger pangs when my sugars fall below 10... its difficult.
Had 7.2 this morning my last meal was 6pm yesterday. Had some yogurt and 4pcs. of strawberries after 4 hours it became 11.4... i don't get it.

What was your HbA1c when diagnosed? I suspect it was high if you were prescribed Gliclazide, in which case it will take a while for your readings to come down. It took me 3 weeks to drop from 20.5 and into single figures.

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi, newly diagnosed type 2.
My GP still checking if she can give me metformin. Currently on gliclazide.
I think i might have had high sugars for a long time as I seem to feel faint and have hunger pangs when my sugars fall below 10... its difficult.
Had 7.2 this morning my last meal was 6pm yesterday. Had some yogurt and 4pcs. of strawberries after 4 hours it became 11.4... i don't get it.

Welcome to the forum
Your HbA1C must have been quite high in order for the first medication to be gliclazide, that medication encourages your pancreas to produce more insulin and works best when there are some carbohydrates for it to work on. It is normally taken about 30 mins before you eat so it can get to work. The breakfast you had was pretty low carb so may not have been enough from that insulin you would have produced so your liver released glucose which may then account for the higher level than you would expect from such a low carb meal.
The advice when taking gliclazide is that people should not go Keto or very low carb.
The faint feeling is probably your body adjusting to lower levels though not actually low.

 

[lucy_muse]

I am still trying to figure out the meal planning. I would usually have a toast with smoked fish and avocado, but i had a spike so i am trying to find a balance. Not planning to go keto or anything, still reading up on alternative to my usual faves.

 

[Leadinglights]

I am still trying to figure out the meal planning. I would usually have a toast with smoked fish and avocado, but i had a spike so i am trying to find a balance. Not planning to go keto or anything, still reading up on alternative to my usual faves.

You might benefit from a routine of testing and recording exactly what you ate and when you took the medication as that would help both you and your GP to see what might be going on. Try to work out the carbs you have in each meal. 4 strawberries would likely only have been about 4g carb.
Testing immediately before you eat and 2 hours after the first mouthful and look at the increase from the food, 2-3mmol/l would be OK and 4-7mmol/l before eating is the aim.
Having that information will help you sort out what is or isn't OK.
Have a look at this link, it is low carb but can be tailored to your medication needs but may give you some ideas https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I am still trying to figure out the meal planning. I would usually have a toast with smoked fish and avocado, but i had a spike so i am trying to find a balance. Not planning to go keto or anything, still reading up on alternative to my usual faves.

Welcome to the forum @lucy_muse

It can take a while to develop a new way of eating that suits your body, balances with any meds you are taking, helps with your weight, and aims to keep your BG levels pottering along where you want them.

If you’ve been running high for a while, then making changes gradually and incrementally (rather than going ‘all in’) can be kinder on the fine blood vessels in the eyes and supplying nerve endings. Making changes very rapidly can sometimes cause temporary pain / damage. It’s often better to aim to let things coast down gradually.

There are a variety of different meal plans here, based on different strategies eg low carb, mediterranean, low calorie - which might give you some ideas?

Meal plans and diabetes

Eating nutritious, healthy and downright delicious food is that bit easier with our meal planners. We've created multiple different weekly meal plans to suit all types and tastes. They're nutritionally balanced, are calorie and carb counted, and can help if you want to lose weight. They also...

www.diabetes.org.uk

 

[helli]

I am still trying to figure out the meal planning. I would usually have a toast with smoked fish and avocado, but i had a spike so i am trying to find a balance. Not planning to go keto or anything, still reading up on alternative to my usual faves.

Hi Lucy,
The advice above is great and, hopefully, helpful.
I just wanted to add that a spike is normal. People without diabetes will see a spike in their BG after eating. Complications come from sustained highs rather than an up and down.
Good luck with your diabetes journey - remember it is a marathon not a sprint.

 

[lucy_muse]

Welcome to the forum
Your HbA1C must have been quite high in order for the first medication to be gliclazide, that medication encourages your pancreas to produce more insulin and works best when there are some carbohydrates for it to work on. It is normally taken about 30 mins before you eat so it can get to work. The breakfast you had was pretty low carb so may not have been enough from that insulin you would have produced so your liver released glucose which may then account for the higher level than you would expect from such a low carb meal.
The advice when taking gliclazide is that people should not go Keto or very low carb.
The faint feeling is probably your body adjusting to lower levels though not actually low.

Thanks, is that usual? The
I had a 10.4 before the tablet so I ate dinner around 2pm but by 6pm my sugars were 17.

You might benefit from a routine of testing and recording exactly what you ate and when you took the medication as that would help both you and your GP to see what might be going on. Try to work out the carbs you have in each meal. 4 strawberries would likely only have been about 4g carb.
Testing immediately before you eat and 2 hours after the first mouthful and look at the increase from the food, 2-3mmol/l would be OK and 4-7mmol/l before eating is the aim.
Having that information will help you sort out what is or isn't OK.
Have a look at this link, it is low carb but can be tailored to your medication needs but may give you some ideas https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/

Oh, thank you! That helps a lot. I wasn't quite sure about how much was an acceptable increase after food. I'll add that link for my reading list.

 

[lucy_muse]

Welcome to the forum @lucy_muse

It can take a while to develop a new way of eating that suits your body, balances with any meds you are taking, helps with your weight, and aims to keep your BG levels pottering along where you want them.

If you’ve been running high for a while, then making changes gradually and incrementally (rather than going ‘all in’) can be kinder on the fine blood vessels in the eyes and supplying nerve endings. Making changes very rapidly can sometimes cause temporary pain / damage. It’s often better to aim to let things coast down gradually.

There are a variety of different meal plans here, based on different strategies eg low carb, mediterranean, low calorie - which might give you some ideas?

Meal plans and diabetes

Eating nutritious, healthy and downright delicious food is that bit easier with our meal planners. We've created multiple different weekly meal plans to suit all types and tastes. They're nutritionally balanced, are calorie and carb counted, and can help if you want to lose weight. They also...

www.diabetes.org.uk

I'll check this out too. This is just my 3rd day of being on gliclazide and i think i am achieving the 5-9 levels at times that my GP said to aim for.
Thank you!

What was your HbA1c when diagnosed? I suspect it was high if you were prescribed Gliclazide, in which case it will take a while for your readings to come down. It took me 3 weeks to drop from 20.5 and into single figures.

I actually Don't know. I keep on checking the results online and i haven't seen Hb1ac results. I think all other tests came. I have an appointment with the GP on tuesday. Maybe it just takes time? I have spikes if 17, now seen single digits before going to the GP. After having tablet, I have had 7.2 at the lowest but yeah, its difficult to keep the numbers down. I can't differentiate when I have high or low sugars as I seem to feel intense hunger if its below 11 or higher than 13.

 

[Leadinglights]

You are in pretty early days and it will take time for your body to settle into a new regime so don't be too impatient and take things slowly. It is better to reduce blood glucose levels gradually as you are less likely to get issues with your eyes and nerves.
I think your GP must have your HbA1C otherwise I would be surprised at them prescribing gliclazide before trying metformin as the first medication.
I suspect you may have made too much change too quickly so perhaps ease up a bit until you have had you appointment when hopefully you can get your HbA1C result and you will know your starting point and how much you need to do.
Your food diary would be useful to take to that appointment.

 

[lucy_muse]

You are in pretty early days and it will take time for your body to settle into a new regime so don't be too impatient and take things slowly. It is better to reduce blood glucose levels gradually as you are less likely to get issues with your eyes and nerves.
I think your GP must have your HbA1C otherwise I would be surprised at them prescribing gliclazide before trying metformin as the first medication.
I suspect you may have made too much change too quickly so perhaps ease up a bit until you have had you appointment when hopefully you can get your HbA1C result and you will know your starting point and how much you need to do.
Your food diary would be useful to take to that appointment.

Thanks! I am in the early days, started a food diary today.

 

[lucy_muse]

What was your HbA1c when diagnosed? I suspect it was high if you were prescribed Gliclazide, in which case it will take a while for your readings to come down. It took me 3 weeks to drop from 20.5 and into single figures.

Finally saw my Hb1Ac result... it was 88... i think mg gp said she wants to check it again after a month?

 

[Martin.A]

Finally saw my Hb1Ac result... it was 88... i think mg gp said she wants to check it again after a month?

88 is high, though not as high as mine was and I was only prescribed Metformin. Once again, no consistency in treatment decisions across the NHS. Now if you'd seen my GP and I'd seen yours........Hmm

As an HbA1c covers a 10-12 week period another test so soon will overlap the first one, but it should at least show whether your medication is working.

 

[lucy_muse]

88 is high, though not as high as mine was and I was only prescribed Metformin. Once again, no consistency in treatment decisions across the NHS. Now if you'd seen my GP and I'd seen yours........Hmm

As an HbA1c covers a 10-12 week period another test so soon will overlap the first one, but it should at least show whether your medication is working.

It's tough as i was diagnosed about 2 weeks from my birthday... i just suffered through on the day and back on the diet wagon the day after.
I was also wondering when I will be prescribed metformin. I have another follow up ob the 13th, maybe she'll tell me by then?
Anyway, reading up on CGM as I seem to drop sharply after going to the gym..