Over 3 stone since September

[Rugbyboots]

It went up to 23:4 over few hours and i began to feel very unwell. Was panting quite heavily and red hot. Did 111 and it ended up with me in A and E where I am now typing this !! Had loads of bloods taken and now just waiting - feel better than I did a few hours ago and the breathlessness has thankfully gone…..

 

[Leadinglights]

It went up to 23:4 over few hours and i began to feel very unwell. Was panting quite heavily and red hot. Did 111 and it ended up with me in A and E where I am now typing this !! Had loads of bloods taken and now just waiting - feel better than I did a few hours ago and the breathlessness has thankfully gone…..

Oh my goodness, I hope they sort you out be insistent that you have a plan in place before they let you home.

 

[Rugbyboots]

Well done with the weight loss. I would be very careful with self diagnosis. See what a doctor or the Diabetic Nurse says. I lost about 3 stone once by just walking 4 mile a day.

Thanks mate appreciated

 

[Rugbyboots]

Oh my goodness, I hope they sort you out be insistent that you have a plan in place before they let you home.

On a drip now and beginning to feel so much better - will be here all night but can’t complain, service has been superb and in the right place

 

[Rugbyboots]

Well done with the weight loss. I would be very careful with self diagnosis. See what a doctor or the Diabetic Nurse says. I lost about 3 stone once by just walking 4 mile a day.

Thanks mate appreciated

Well done on the weight loss, that's impressive.

Being thirsty at night can be a sign of high blood sugar. You can get blood testing devices from Amazon or Boots (Boots sell one that has expensive test strips!).

Type 2 diabetes can cause weight loss, as can type 1.

Did you make any dietary changes? I lost 3 stone in 3 months by changing my diet.

thanks to you I ordered a blood glucose machine. It arrived today and I tested straightaway. The result ended up landing me in A and E with real problems. If you hadn’t told me to get a machine I would never have checked myself and undoubtedly I have Diabetic Ketoacidotis snd im now in hospital getting the treatment I needed. I cannot thank you enough my friend - not being over dramatic but you could have quite literally saved my life today …. My readings started at just over 19 and were 26 by time I got tested at hospital

 

[RichardsUsername]

@Rugbyboots You can never be too careful with your health. Hope you are feeling better soon.

 

[Inka]

Sending you best wishes @Rugbyboots Hopefully you’re gradually feeling a little better with the drip up. Let us know how things go.

 

[harbottle]

Hope you are feeling better soon!

 

[Martin.A]

It went up to 23:4 over few hours and i began to feel very unwell. Was panting quite heavily and red hot. Did 111 and it ended up with me in A and E where I am now typing this !! Had loads of bloods taken and now just waiting - feel better than I did a few hours ago and the breathlessness has thankfully gone…..

Sorry to hear what's unfolded but at least you're in the right place and getting the treatment you need. Please keep us posted on how you're doing.

 

[Rugbyboots]

Morning. Got out of hospital around 4 am ( superb service. ) levels were down to 16:2 after intravenous fluid. After not having eaten for 13 hours I just tested again and still 15:6. Tested me for type 1 and told I’m not. Seeing a diabetic nurse today so fingers crossed I’ll get to the bottom of it. I felt amazing after the fluids - but feeling a bit ‘cloudy’ again now ….. thanks for all the support it’s really appreciated

 

[Leadinglights]

Morning. Got out of hospital around 4 am ( superb service. ) levels were down to 16:2 after intravenous fluid. After not having eaten for 13 hours I just tested again and still 15:6. Tested me for type 1 and told I’m not. Seeing a diabetic nurse today so fingers crossed I’ll get to the bottom of it. I felt amazing after the fluids - but feeling a bit ‘cloudy’ again now ….. thanks for all the support it’s really appreciated

The test for Type 1 usually would take a while to do so I am surprised they were able to say immediately. The tests that are normally done are C-peptide and GAD antibodies so you could ask if those were the test that have been done.
I hope you soon feel better.

 

[Inka]

Morning. Got out of hospital around 4 am ( superb service. ) levels were down to 16:2 after intravenous fluid. After not having eaten for 13 hours I just tested again and still 15:6. Tested me for type 1 and told I’m not. Seeing a diabetic nurse today so fingers crossed I’ll get to the bottom of it. I felt amazing after the fluids - but feeling a bit ‘cloudy’ again now ….. thanks for all the support it’s really appreciated

They might have meant a ketone test because the tests for Type 1 take a while to come back. They are the C Peptide test and the Type 1 antibodies test, which includes a number of Type 1 antibodies not just GAD.

 

[rebrascora]

We really need a "Phew" wiping sweat from brow emoji to respond to posts like these! Pleased you sought medical help and don't be frightened to do so again if necessary.

I would take that Type 2 "diagnosis" with a pinch of salt. They haven't had time to do the important tests which are the C-peptide and antibody tests as mentioned above, which take several weeks to come back, if they have done them at all which I would doubt. They will likely have tested you for ketones but a negative ketone test does not rule out Type 1. I didn't have ketones but I am Type 1, and the other two tests eventually came back confirming that.

Have they given you any other medication to help manage your BG levels or given you any advice on what to do if they go into the 20s again and you feel unwell?

 

[Rugbyboots]

So I saw Dr yesterday. After 12 hour fast I was back up to 18:2. Saw Dr and he asked me if I wanted to up my METFORMIN to 2000mg a day. He then asked me if I wanted Gliclazide on top - he said ‘it’s up to you’ …. My response was ‘well you’re the Dr you tell me’ - he said ‘it’s totally your choice’ …. I didn’t have a clue - I was hoping he would tell me what to do !!!!! I said what happens then if I still keep getting these readings, the response was call 111 - I said I can’t keep ringing 111 every time I get these reading as they either send me to A and E or tell me to come and see you and you ask me what medication and / or dose I want !…. Feeling totally lost now. The Dr does not have access to the bloods taken at hospital so got to wait for those to come through - in meantime I’ve up’s the Metformin and added this 40mgs of GLICLAXIDE on top. Frightened to eat anything now but already lost 4 stone and I can’t afford to lose anymore I’ll look ill !!!

 

[harbottle]

At that level you need to keep hydrated as your body will be expelling glucose via urine.

It's part of the process to add extra medication to keep levels under control, which is what the GP is suggesting.

Although in my non-medical view, being at 18 after fasting and with rapid loss should be sending alarm bells with the GP - 18 is in the risk area for ketosis, so he is right about calling 111.

 

[Val1133]

I am due for my first check up on Friday since being diagnosed.

Are you still due a checkup today? Hopefully this is with a Diabetic Nurse who knows more about diabetes than your doctor.

Did you give a blood sample for GAD Antibodies and C-Peptide?

I had lost almost 2 stone when first diagnosed and was put on Metformin and Gliclazide, but was still losing weight. I was initially given great support from my Diabetic Nurse, and when it was confirmed Type 1 / LADA, I was transferred to the hospital Diabetic Team. I am now on insulin and have put all of my weight back on 🙄

 

[rebrascora]

It will be interesting to see if the Gliclazide does anything but gut feeling is that you need insulin and are likely Type 1 or possibly Type 3c. They have started you off on a low dose.
Has the doctor explained that Gliclazide can cause hypos and what you need to look out for and that you need to test if you feel wobbly. I doubt this will happen with your levels being so high, but it is important to be aware that it might happen and keep hypo treatment with you at all times and to test your levels. The doctor should have supplied you with testing kit if you are prescribed Glic. I would also ask for Ketostix to check for ketones by checking your urine. If you can't get the doc to do this, buy some over the counter or online sooner rather than later. As with testing your BG levels, testing for ketones with Ketostix really could save your life. High BG levels cause complications long term but are not life threatening in themselves, ketones on the other hand can make you dangerously ill very quickly and potentially put you into a coma with possible organ failure. This is called Diabetic KetoAcidosis (DKA) and is when you have insufficient insulin production and your BG levels go high and make your blood acidic. You may have heard of people with uncontrolled diabetes having their breath smell like pear drops and this is what causes it... sweet fruity smelling breath. Being able to test your urine for ketones will tip you off for this starting to develop and therefore know when to get emergency help.

You should test your urine for ketones when your BG levels are persistently mid teens or above, so if you are at 18 and have been for several hours then you should be testing for ketones.

You can buy them over the counter or online for about £5 for a pot of 50 dip strips. Please get some and if your levels get to 2 or above on the dip sticks go to A&E again.

In the meantime, drink plenty of water and walk or do some gentle cycling if you are able to try to bring those levels down. Any carbs you eat or drink will push your levels up but protein and fat should have a minimal effect, so maybe have a 2 or 3 egg omelette with whatever filling you like (other than potatoes) with salad and coleslaw. You can't go on starving yourself and your liver will pump glucose into your blood stream if you do. Eating something low carb like an omelette or maybe scrambled eggs with bacon and mushrooms will hopefully stop the liver from releasing glucose and provide you with some nourishment that will not inflate your BG levels too much.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

So I saw Dr yesterday. After 12 hour fast I was back up to 18:2. …
Frightened to eat anything now but already lost 4 stone and I can’t afford to lose anymore I’ll look ill !!!

So sorry to hear about what you’ve been going through @Rugbyboots

Do you have any information about why they concluded you weren’t T1?

Unintended weight loss, low BMI, rapid onset, ketones, and very high glucose levels despite a long fast seem to fit the NICE guideline for T1 in adults.

Are they offering any explanation for your hyperglycaemia despite increased meds and in the absence of carbs?

It does sound like you need the support of insulin to my (medically unqualified) mind.

 

[Rugbyboots]

The Ketones are 0:2 so that’s one good thing.

I asked the diabetic nurse how they can tell I’m not Type 1 snd i was told my age and that I was not displaying ‘any of the signs at the moment’ of being Type 1.

It seemed strange to me but I was also told they don’t get people with Type 2 to test their bloods as they can ‘change often’ - but if I didn’t check, how would I have known I was 23:6 and sent to hospital - none of this makes sense to me.

As for the ‘Did you give a blood sample for GAD Antibodies and C-Peptide question….. I have been told I’d only get this if I get referred to a specialist it’s not something GP would ask for ‘apparently’.

I said I was not happy so I am fasting tonight and having blood test done again at the hospital in the morning….

To be honest I think im going to pay to see a Diabetic specialist privately - shouldn’t have to but I’m losing confidence in my GP surgery’s response to my questions and concerns … it seems, as far as the surgery is concerned I am worrying unnecessarily and it’s not anything to gr overly concerned about

 

[Leadinglights]

The Ketones are 0:2 so that’s one good thing.

I asked the diabetic nurse how they can tell I’m not Type 1 snd i was told my age and that I was not displaying ‘any of the signs at the moment’ of being Type 1.

It seemed strange to me but I was also told they don’t get people with Type 2 to test their bloods as they can ‘change often’ - but if I didn’t check, how would I have known I was 23:6 and sent to hospital - none of this makes sense to me.

As for the ‘Did you give a blood sample for GAD Antibodies and C-Peptide question….. I have been told I’d only get this if I get referred to a specialist it’s not something GP would ask for ‘apparently’.

I said I was not happy so I am fasting tonight and having blood test done again at the hospital in the morning….

To be honest I think im going to pay to see a Diabetic specialist privately - shouldn’t have to but I’m losing confidence in my GP surgery’s response to my questions and concerns … it seems, as far as the surgery is concerned I am worrying unnecessarily and it’s not anything to gr overly concerned about

The bit about age is rubbish as a friend who is nearly 80 has just been diagnosed as Type 1 after 2 years of struggling with oral meds and losing weight.
Sometimes if you can afford it it is worth seeing someone privately as after the initial consultation they will often refer you back under themselves into the NHS system.