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OK glucose level???

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Caroline1967

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi
Brief synopsis of my 'journey!'
Diagnosed as diabetic at the beginning of May. Hba1C 120 glucose level 26.2
Told over the phone with very little explanation.
Have been prescribed Metformin 1g twice daily.
Gliclazide 40mg twice daily and Dapagliflozin 10mg once a day.
I have had to stop the Gliclazide and the Dapagliflozin as I am having an allergic reaction to one of them. Think it has been narrowed down to the Gliclazide.
I have spoken to GP several times about what to do now but nothing has really been sorted.
My glucose level is about 8-9 when I test, but a couple of times it has been nearer to 11. One appointment GP said that was fine, now she is saying it is a bit high and I need to do something about it....but not sure what! I am not keen on going back on the dapagliflozin as I found it very hard to cope with going to the loo constantly and having to drink so much.

GP asked if I am having any diabetic symptoms....not sure as I have been thirsty since May (never feel that I am quenching my thirst completely when I drink). She also asked if I am tired at the minute - which I am but as a teacher coping with the end of the year, exhaustion is just one of those things!!

I am having an Hab1C blood test on Wednesday and told the GP I want to get the results of that before I do anything so have a phone call with my diabetic nurse on August 1st.

Not really sure what to expect now. Been taking Metformin and blood sugar has come down from 26 - 9 which to me sounds ok but not sure whether 9 is generally ok. If I presented with a glucose level of 9 today would the GP do anything? Or would I just be told to try to control with diet (Which I am trying to do anyway)

Sorry I have rambled a bit!!!

Caroline
 
Hi there @Caroline1967 welcome to the forum,
obviously you know your levels have started to come down as the readings and Hba1c you initially had are very high,
if your self testing and have seen resulst of 8-9 and the occasional double figure obviously somethings changing - and your heading in the right directio,
have you changed your diet or is it just the medication you’ve initially been on ?
 
HI
I probably haven't explained things terrible well!
I changed my diet and went very low carb, took Metformin, Gliclazide and Dapagliflozin and my glucose went down dramatically. I was regularly testing below 7 - 5-6 mostly. I was hospitalised with swollen tongue and lips which they thought was due to the gliclazide or Dapagliflozin. Stopped the dapa but the swelling continued so stopped the glic and the swelling as how stopped. Dr thinks the Glic was causing it. I have been off the Dapa for about 5 weeks and the glic for about 3 weeks. My glucose levels are now rising to 8-9 most days and sometimes higher. Doctor can't seem to decide whether I need something on top of the metformin. What worries me is my levels are higher this week than last week and I think I should be doing something about it. I have an appointment with the nurse on August 1st so hopefully they will suggest something. I figure even 11 is a lot better than 26 but is it good enough?!

Thanks
 
It does sound as if your body might need a bit more help, but could you say what you mean by 'very low carb' about how many grams per meal or day are you having. The levels you mention, when do you test to be seeing those results.
What sort of meals are you having?
 
HI
I am having about 40 - 60g carbs a day. Am doing an online weight loss course for diabetics and they say I should have at least 100g a day....haven't started their diet plan yet. I don't have any carbs for breakfast and have 20-30g of carbs at lunch and evening. I test 2 hours after eating and have less than a rise of 2. I am testing at 8-9 or higher when I get up in the morning so after fasting. Yesterday I was 9.7 and today 10.6. Levels tend to be lower at lunch time but have risen again by the time I go to bed. I have another week before I speak to anyone about this and I at this rate I will be back to almost 26 before then!!!
 
Caroline1967 said:
HI
I am having about 40 - 60g carbs a day. Am doing an online weight loss course for diabetics and they say I should have at least 100g a day....haven't started their diet plan yet. I don't have any carbs for breakfast and have 20-30g of carbs at lunch and evening. I test 2 hours after eating and have less than a rise of 2. I am testing at 8-9 or higher when I get up in the morning so after fasting. Yesterday I was 9.7 and today 10.6. Levels tend to be lower at lunch time but have risen again by the time I go to bed. I have another week before I speak to anyone about this and I at this rate I will be back to almost 26 before then!!!
Click to expand...
You could be one of those people who get what is often referred to as Foot on the Floor syndrome where the liver releases glucose as soon as you get out of bed and start pottering around so testing when in bed may show a lower reading.
The increase from food sounds OK especially with 30g carbs.
Have you tried having a low carb breakfast say 10-15g as well as protein and healthy fats.
Just to make sure that you are counting TOTAL carb not just the 'sugar'.
You may need to do a structured testing regime for a few days of before you eat and after 2 hours together with exactly what you have eaten and the amount of carbs to get some idea of what is going on.
I have 70g total carbs per day but no meds and that keeps blood glucose where it needs to be but everybody is different and finding what suits you can be challenging.
 
Hi
I'm on Canagliflozin, the same family as Dapagliflozin. The known side effects include: increased urination, thirst, nausea and fatigue. These are also known symptoms of diabetes so I guess it can be difficult to know if it's the drugs or disease that are causing them. But the "flozin" family can also cause hypersensitivity (including swelling), UTI's (including thrush and itching) and kidney problems. I was told to double my fluid intake and now have 3-4 litres of water, decaf tea and coffee daily. So of course run to the loo all the time. It seems all the treatments have side effects, and I have had to learn to live with mine to get my diabetes under better control.
 
Thanks Felina. I think I will end up back on the dapagliflozin even thought the side effects are horrible. The side effects from the gliclazide aren't something I can live with. My tongue swelled up and although it didn't cause any breathing problems this time, doctors are concerned it might next time! Not something I am prepared to risk!
I have only had diabetes for 3 months and I am thoroughly fed up with it!!!
 
Hi, good to meet you. Your diagnosis is early days still and it takes quite a while to find the balance with medication, diet and for your body to adjust. Let’s just say your average blood sugar is 9/10 that would put your hba1c at around 50/60. So in a little over 2 months you you have halved your average glucose. Obviously the finger pricks give us limited info not the whole picture. As for the carbs, I went down to 20-30 g and got a little told off by an endocrinologist, he said 60-70 is the lowest he would like me to go. Saying that a lot of folk on here manage well on lower. You will find your balance but for now, you are doing your body a massive favour already… your doing great xx
 
Caroline1967 said:
HI
I am having about 40 - 60g carbs a day. Am doing an online weight loss course for diabetics and they say I should have at least 100g a day....haven't started their diet plan yet. I don't have any carbs for breakfast and have 20-30g of carbs at lunch and evening. I test 2 hours after eating and have less than a rise of 2. I am testing at 8-9 or higher when I get up in the morning so after fasting. Yesterday I was 9.7 and today 10.6. Levels tend to be lower at lunch time but have risen again by the time I go to bed. I have another week before I speak to anyone about this and I at this rate I will be back to almost 26 before then!!!
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum @Caroline1967

Well done on the great progress you have been making so far, and the reduction in your levels. Sorry to hear they have been rising a little recently despite all your hard work, and the significant changes you have made to your menu.

Did your diabetes come on suddenly? Or was it building up for some time? Did you notice any weight loss before you were diagnosed?

Do make sure your Dr or nurse are aware that you are limiting your carbohydrate to quite modest levels when you discuss your situation with them - otherwise they may assume you are eating 250-300g of carbs a day.

Hopefully you can work out which of the meds is causing the unfortunate reaction, and find an alternative.

Are you carrying much extra weight around your middle? Just wondering if you might have a bit if visceral fat build-up around your organs which might be impeding their function slightly.
 
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