Newly diagnosed

[Jacks nanny 71]

Hi there I'm lisa I was diagnosed with type 2 on Thursday and put straight on metformin 500mg 3 times a day. As my bloods were reading 30.3 I was just wondering how long it takes for the tablets to start lowering your levels so that my eyesight returns from the blureness mess that it is now . Sorry for the long post but I've never felt so alone in my life and scared

 

[Drummer]

Ah that is not how it works. You need to reduce your intake of carbs in order to reduce your blood glucose.

 

[Docb]

Drummer is quite right and to be sent away with some pills and what appears to be little information is not good. No wonder you feel alone and apprehensive, particularly if your eyesight is affected.

I take it that the 30.3 was from a finger prick test. If so, that is very high should have set the warning bells ringing in your GP surgery and you should have been checked for ketones. Also you should have been sent for further blood tests and an arrangement made for you to see a diabetes specialist nurse who would have done some more checks. I am not trying to alarm you because it is perfectly possible to get things back on track - many on here have done it. You have to get all the information together and work out the best plan for you and for that you need help.

Have any of these things been done?

 

[SueEK]

Hello and welcome. It is very scary when first diagnosed and I agree that you should have been given more information and follow up appointments. I also had problems with blurriness with my eyes and in fact it was the Metformin working that changed it back to normal albeit not straight away, it took a few weeks but has been absolutely fine since. If you can start to lower your carbs straight away you will be doing yourself a big favour. Basically carbs equals sugar and that’s what we can’t have. Try to reduce potatoes, pasta, rice, bread, all forms of pastry and limit your fruit intake because of natural sugars. I don’t want to overwhelm you with info but start with those things and your bg levels should start to reduce. If you start to feel very poorly then don’t suffer in silence ring your GP or 111 or come on here and ask advice. There is always some around to help if they can and we are here to help and support each other. I too felt very lonely and completely out of my depth when first diagnosed but through this forum have learnt lots and had loads of support so use us all. Have a look through the various posts and ask any questions at all that you have xx

 

[Jacks nanny 71]

Drummer is quite right and to be sent away with some pills and what appears to be little information is not good. No wonder you feel alone and apprehensive, particularly if your eyesight is affected.

I take it that the 30.3 was from a finger prick test. If so, that is very high should have set the warning bells ringing in your GP surgery and you should have been checked for ketones. Also you should have been sent for further blood tests and an arrangement made for you to see a diabetes specialist nurse who would have done some more checks. I am not trying to alarm you because it is perfectly possible to get things back on track - many on here have done it. You have to get all the information together and work out the best plan for you and for that you need help.

Have any of these things been done?

Hi docb
I had a finger prick done 2 days prior that read 30.6 the 30.3 reading was done from a blood test the following day by the drs I am attending a diabetes education session on tuesday that was the only info I was given by the dr . I spoke to a diabetic nurse on the friday morning as I felt very anxious about it all to be honest she wasnt that helpful. I already watch what I eat as I've been attending slimming world for 2 years and so far i have lost 3 stone . I have an underactive thyroid problem too today i am feeling very dizzy and really not myself at all . I know the metformin will take time to get into the system but i just feel so tearful and just not myself. They haven't provided me any wee dipping sticks as apparently I will get these given to me on tuesday . I have no way of knowing if my blood sugars have even gone up more or are starting to come down

 

[Jacks nanny 71]

 

[Martin9]

Listen to the advice here, it’s golden, if you want to get hold of your diabetes, do what they advise..I was in in your position nearly year and half ago I’m now in a good place with my blood sugars...

 

[Martin9]

And please listen if you still have vision problems, I suggest goto A&E ...not kidding

 

[SueEK]

Hi docb
I had a finger prick done 2 days prior that read 30.6 the 30.3 reading was done from a blood test the following day by the drs I am attending a diabetes education session on tuesday that was the only info I was given by the dr . I spoke to a diabetic nurse on the friday morning as I felt very anxious about it all to be honest she wasnt that helpful. I already watch what I eat as I've been attending slimming world for 2 years and so far i have lost 3 stone . I have an underactive thyroid problem too today i am feeling very dizzy and really not myself at all . I know the metformin will take time to get into the system but i just feel so tearful and just not myself. They haven't provided me any wee dipping sticks as apparently I will get these given to me on tuesday . I have no way of knowing if my blood sugars have even gone up more or are starting to come down

Hi again, it looks like those results are not your HbA1c which is the more accurate reading and hopefully that will be lower. You are naturally very worried but hopefully your result will be back very soon. The education course on Tuesday has diabetic nurses and people from the diabetic care service there so if you are still experiencing problems, which you probably will, make sure you talk to them individually. Do not be worried about making a fuss because you need help and answers. The team I saw were really friendly and very helpful.

You say you are following slimming world and well done on your weight loss but I believe, and please correct me if I’m wrong, that you still have carbs and this is absolutely key to reducing your bg levels. Most, but of course not all, people do very well losing weight when using a low carb diet, please look into this and take care x

 

[Martin9]

When people mention Carbs there are 2 main types there are the simple sugars and the more complex starches which our body’s readily convert into sugar. Simple sugars are in cakes , biscuits anything sweet , but more hidden are the starches from grain products so anything made from them like breakfast cereals, bread, rice, wheat, oats, corn etc
Conversely to what you might think higher fat products like bacon, and other meats are better, with green leafy veg which grow above ground...
Fish is great especially the oily varieties ...

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Blurry eyesight may just be connected with the very elevated blood glucose levels you are running at, I’m not sure what A&E would do, but you might find it reassuring to call NHS 111 for advice.

If the blurry vision is down to chances in the shape of your eyes because of the fluid reacting to high BG, it should gradually return to normal as your BG normalises. It’s best to do this gradually as it places less strain on the fine blood vessels in the eyes.

Looks like you are testing negative for urine ketones - which is a good thing.

As others have said, significantly reducing your carbohydrate intake until you have been given more information will help your body in the short term. You may also find keeping well hydrated and drinking plenty of fluid is helpful as it can help the body flush out the excess glucose.

 

[Docb]

Phew, Jacks Nanny, looks like things are being done and your GP or the diabetic nurse have not taken the trouble to explain things, probably assuming that will be done on the education course. See if you feel more comfortable when you have been on the course and don't be afraid to speak up if you do not understand when you are there. Anything else, come on here and ask.

Lots on here have been in your position and have got things under control. We are here to help.

 

[Bronco Billy]

Hi Jacks nanny 71, welcome to the forum.

I hope the advice you have received so far has helped ease your worries. Good luck with the course on Tuesday, please let us know how you get on.

There may be a support group in your area. If there is one, you will find it at https://www.diabetes.org.uk/how_we_help/local_support_groups

 

[Jacks nanny 71]

Hi again, it looks like those results are not your HbA1c which is the more accurate reading and hopefully that will be lower. You are naturally very worried but hopefully your result will be back very soon. The education course on Tuesday has diabetic nurses and people from the diabetic care service there so if you are still experiencing problems, which you probably will, make sure you talk to them individually. Do not be worried about making a fuss because you need help and answers. The team I saw were really friendly and very helpful.

You say you are following slimming world and well done on your weight loss but I believe, and please correct me if I’m wrong, that you still have carbs and this is absolutely key to reducing your bg levels. Most, but of course not all, people do very well losing weight when using a low carb diet, please look into this and take care x

On slimming world you have at least a 1/3 of your plate of vegetables then your protein then you can have your starch I've been drinking plenty of water as so thirsty . I dont drink fruit juice as to be honest I dont like the taste , this evening I popped round to a friends house who has had type 2 for years and she pricked my finger and it read 18.8 so things looking like they are going in the right direction. I'm hoping on Tuesday I will have a lot more answers and I will feel more at ease I cant thank you all enough for making me feel so welcome and helping me put my mind at ease hoping for a better nights sleep (well apart from the million times I have to get up and pee ) ha ha . Once again thank you all so much

 

[Drummer]

Unfortunately vegetables are sources of carbs - it might be a god idea to calculate the number of carbs you were eating, are eating now, and then to reduce them to get your blood glucose to a more normal number.

 

[SB2015]

Reducing your carbs will reduce the amount of glucose in your blood. If you work out how many carbs you are eating, even as part of your chosen diet, you can then reduce this.

 

[KARNAK]

Hi @Jacks nanny 71, enough to take onboard at the moment, just too want to welcome you to the forum, look no further.🙂

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome from me too.
I know there is a lot to take in and adjust to and it is all very overwhelming in the first few months but you will learn to deal with this and get things back under control.

Can you give us an idea of everything you ate yesterday so that we can suggest where you might cut carbs to help reduce your levels which are currently dangerously high (more a risk of long term damage than immediate risk) and must be making you feel pretty unwell. Going very low carb will help to bring them down as well as the Metformin.
Hope you find the course today helpful.