Struggling newbie

[Cris]

Hello, I am type 2 diabetic and really struggling with the ins and outs. In the last 5 years since moving to this area my readings have been high but I felt really well, now I finally have readings of 5.6 before breakfast and around 8.9 2 hours laterand I often feel weak and dizzy with shaking limbs. The nurse wants me to get my readings even lower to 4.00 but I'm worried it will make me feel worse.

 

[Northerner]

Hi Cris, welcome to the forum 🙂 It's often the case that people feel perfectly well with higher than desirable blood sugar levels, and this is one of the reasons that many people with Type 2 don't get diagnosed for a long time. However, the higher levels will possibly be causing longer term damage, so it's best to try and get them down. From what you say, it sounds like you've pretty much succeeded! Your waking levels are ideal in the mid-5s and your post-meal levels are pretty good too, so I don't really understand why your nurse wants you to get them lower.

The reason you feel bad at these kinds of levels is that your body has got used to the higher levels over a long period of time and now your brain thinks that you don't have enough glucose in your blood so is sending out 'warnings' that have the effect of making you feel weak, dizzy and shaking. These symptoms should disappear after a while, as your body adapts and your brain stops 'panicking' so don't imagine that you will always feel like this! Eventually, you will feel just as well as your did at the higher levels, but without risking possible diabetic complications. 🙂

If you have any questions, please don't be afraid to ask - nothing is considered 'silly', and there is usually someone around who can help!

 

[KayC]

Hello, I am type 2 diabetic and really struggling with the ins and outs. In the last 5 years since moving to this area my readings have been high but I felt really well, now I finally have readings of 5.6 before breakfast and around 8.9 2 hours laterand I often feel weak and dizzy with shaking limbs. The nurse wants me to get my readings even lower to 4.00 but I'm worried it will make me feel worse.

Hi Cris, welcome to the forum!
It's great that your readings are coming down.
I think it's possible that you're having hypo-like symptoms because the decrease of BS level was very quick....(Your body thinks it's hypo)
Or, have you lost a lot of weight recently and lost musles as well as fat, that's why you're feeling weak??
Anyway, more experienced people will come around and give you more advice...
Take care
Kay🙂
Edit: Oh I didn't see Northey's post before writing this.

 

[wallycorker]

Hi Cris - Welcome!

Yes it would be worthwile trying to get them lower - especially the after eating readings.

Eating less starchy carbohydrate usually helps with that - i.e. cereals, bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, pizza etc - and the improvement usually comes around very quickly.

Why not give people some idea as to what you are eating and I'm certain that people will give you a bit of advice?

Good luck and best wishes - John

 

[Andy HB]

Personally, whilst you're getting these 'fake hypos' (assuming that is what they are), I wouldn't change my diet any further for the moment. The readings are within the suggested guidelines (i.e. 4-7 before meals and 7-9 2hrs after).

However, once the symptoms subside, then you could review your diet to see where improvements can be made along the lines that wallycorker suggests.

My diet has changed several times over the last year and depended on how I was coping/feeling at the time.

I hope things improve for you quickly (but I had feelings on and off like you suggest for a few months after my levels were under control - but they happened less and less).

Andy 🙂

 

[Steff]

Hi Cris sorry we have to "meet" this way but welcome to the forum..Hope things get sorted for you .