Struggling

[Emmaathome]

Hi all
Glad to see so many happy threads on here at present, and feel guilty for ruining the positive vibes!

I am still having problems with my D, i just can't get it to behave itself, and am just a bit fed up of it now.

Diagnosed about 18 months ago now, started on Metformin, quickly onto sitagliptin, plus glimepiride, plus Lantus. Then, more recently, novorapid (plus all the tabs). I take 50u of Lantus in an evening, and novorapid with each meal.

Still getting high morning readings which take ages to come down if i dont correct. But, to add a layer of complexity i really dont understand, i started at the gym.

I seem to drop like a stone after about half an hour, and have ended up hovering at around 4 - because i am used to running much higher, i feel hypo, which isnt pleasant on the treadmill! Can someone give me any advice as to how to adjust to take into account the exercise, do i change my novorapid or lantus, do i just eat a banana etc before going to the gym?

Also, oddly, my 5pm readings have been around 10/11, (i test before driving home from work), but then when i get home, it can have dropped to 5/6. This seems a massive drop in the space of an hour, if i haven't taken any insulin since 12pm for my lunch?

I am lost with it all to be honest, i do keep trying to persevere, but just feel overwhelmed with how it all works. In addition, i had a suspected slipped disc in March this year, which was not helped by physio / exercises suggested. Just saw the specialist, who basically said he believes its my nerves rather than a disc, so the pain will remain. He is sending me to pain management therapy - can't believe i have something else that i just need to get used to.

Sorry to whinge on, any help would be much appreciated (or just give me a kick up the bum and send me on my way)

 

[SimplesL]

Hi

I don't know about the injection side of things, but I felt I was low when first started at the gym. I was told to eat something like a banana about 30 mins before I went.

I tend to eat an apple as banana's can have a bit of a side-effect for me if I eat them every day!

Hope this helps.

Take care
Lynne

 

[Northerner]

I'm sorry to hear you're struggling with things Emma Have you been taught how to carb count, now that you are on novorapid and lantus? If not, then it's certainly something that should be on the agenda. To move so quickly through the types of meds as you have in the space of 18 months suggests to me that you are more than likely Type 1.5 rather than Type 2. This can have a bearing on the type of education courses available to you, as a lot of insulin-based courses are not available to Type 2s - certainly not without a struggle!

Regarding exercise - it can be notoriously difficult to work out what you need to do to keep your levels steady as people vary so much in what they require. It can also make a difference depending on the type of exercise you are intending to do. For me, running usually has no effect on my levels whilst I am doing it, but later in the day I will need less insulin for my meals,and for up to 40 hours later! Something like rowing, however, will drop my levels fairly quickly - I did just 5 minutes rowing the other day and dropped 3 mmol/l! 😱

As you are dropping quickly on the treadmill it sounds like you are one of the people who may need to decrease their novorapid for the meal you have beforehand and see what effect it has. It's a lot of trial and error and can be frustrating, but once you have established what you need to do then it becomes less of a chore. Exercise will make you more sensitive to the insulin you use, plus your body will often slurp up the glucose in your blood to restore the muscle glycogen and the liver's stores. You may need to do something such as sipping lucozade or having a jelly baby to maintain your levels.

Also, as you surmised, you may also need to reduce your lantus, although this is tricky as it can take up to 3 days for the change to fully take effect. These things are much easier to manage on a pump, so another reason why you need to get reclassified as Type 1.5, if in fact that's what you are. Do you see a consultant or a GP about your diabetes?

I would recommend getting hold of a copy of the Diabetic Athlete's Handbook which will help you understand the relationships between exercise and insulin - it covers all sports and I found it very useful when I was getting back into my running after diagnosis. Also you may find the following websites useful:

http://www.excarbs.com/excarbs/
http://www.runsweet.com/

Regarding your drop after work, this might be related to the stress of driving, or concentration, or the pain from your back - remember your brain uses a lot of energy/blood glucose when it is working hard too, and some people's levels fall when stressed! Although you won't have any novorapid circulating at that time, you do have the lantus.

I hope the pain improves soon - if you have any other questions or I haven't explained things well, please ask! 🙂

 

[jalapino]

WoW you really have had a lot to take in...I can understand how it is all over whelming! to say the least!!

I really hope you start to get the advise and numbers you want to achive.

We are all here to help you on your journey 🙂

 

[trophywench]

Are you seen by the hospital Emma, or the GP surgery?

I want to refer you to a proper DSN and quickly. If you do usually go to the hosp - ring the clinic up and see if you can have a chat or a 'soon' appointment?

 

[Emmaathome]

Hi Guys

Thank you for your advice. I do see the DSN rather than just the practice nurse, so will give her a ring to ask for some help.

Thanks again!

 

[Northerner]

Hi Guys

Thank you for your advice. I do see the DSN rather than just the practice nurse, so will give her a ring to ask for some help.

Thanks again!

Let us know how things goe Emma, hope you can get things sorted! 🙂