Worried and confused Newbie!

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pippaandben

pippaandben

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi everyone - . Although I was diagnosed as Type 2 back in April and put on 500mg Metformin this was increased to 2x 1000mg at the next blood test 6 weeks later. This I have been on all summer whilst caravanning around. Came home 3 weeks ago and had a blood test which had my levels very high and I have now been on Diamicron for just a week. Realise now that I had been very thirsty for about 2 weeks. I have now been given a blood glucose monitor to use twice daily. First thing and 2 hours after evening meal. Fasting has decreased from 21.2 to 12.0 this morning. Evening from 26.2 to 17.1 last night.
I had also noticed my distance eyesight had improved so much I did not need glasses (after 25 years) for long sight or driving - only for reading.
Luckily I had an eye check appt already booked and even luckier she had specialised in diabetes and eyesight so she could explain all that side of things
to me. She also wants to monitor me fortnightly for her own research as I saw her only 4 days after starting Diamicron which I feel is great.

What I cannot find out is:
1. Will the levels gradually decrease and if so over what period
2. Will they plateau and then improve more
3. Is the link between blood glucose levels and eye lens changes instantaneous or is there a time delay. Please note I am NOT talking about retinopathy
4. I have cut out all biscuits, cakes, sweets, ice creams, alcohol on the basis that I can add a little back into my diet once things are under control and I can understand what my blood levels are telling. I have also stoped going to the gym for the same reason.

At the moment I feel it is like learning a foreign language. Can I have an interpreter please?

Anita
 
Hi anita. Welcome 🙂

Sounds like you weren't responding too well to the metformin but pleased you now have something that's helping. Still a long way to go though by the sounds of it, but I'm sure you'll get there fairly soon.🙂

I can't really answer your questions but would suggest that going to the gym will help you no end to lower your insulin resistance and get you there quicker. It will speed your metabolism and build msucle, which burns glucose quicker than anything, so can only do good short or long term.

Rob
 
Hi Anita, welcome to the forum 🙂 In answer to your question about your eyesight, the variations will continue until your blood sugar levels stabilise, and they are currently very high. My eyesight took about 6 weeks to return to normal after diagnosis as my levels decreased generally and finally settled in more or less normal range, so it's not an instantaneous change.

You have done well to cut out the most obvious sweet foods, but are you also aware that ANY carbohydrate, even those you may consider 'healthy' will have an effect on your blood sugar levels - different types will raise your levels at different rates, white bread possibly being the worst of all. So, you need to determine which foods and in what quantities you can tolerate without your levels going too high. Have a look at Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S - it will describe the best approach to achieving this. You may need to do more than your two tests a day though, so be warned. You should also learn about the Glycaemic Load diet (GL Diet) as this teaches about the types of food that release their energy slowly and steadily rather than in a quick hit known as a 'spike' - much better for your short- and long-term health. The GL Diet for Dummies is an excellent introduction. There are many more links to good sources of information in our Useful links thread.

Please feel free to ask any questions you may have and you can be sure you will receive lots of support and help - nothing is considered 'silly', so if it worries or confuses you, ask away! 🙂
 
On the diet front I have tried to change to low GI foods so whole grain bread - what a lovely flavour after insipid white why didn't someone tell me that before! Breakfast: 2 Weetabix with a light sprinkling of powdered sweetner and skimmed milk. Lunch: 2 slices wholemeal bread, light fat spread and sliced meat (ham - no fat, turkey, chicken) small side salad Dinner: pasta or rice dish with loads of vegetables. During the evening a small banana, kiwi fruit, satsuma, tart apple - two out of selection.
If out during the lunch period now I always have a snack instead of missing out completely which I always used to do.
It seems I have to be more careful about carbs than I thought as I thought I was doing good by what I was doing.
 
Sounds like you have made a very good start! People can tolerate different things, so what may be fine for some might not be for you and vice versa, so it is only through experience and testing that you can establish what works best for you. GL is a refinement of GI that takes into account portion size as well as the GI of food. Some people would find 2 weetabix would send their blood sugar levels very high, even though they are sold as 'slow-release low GI'! 😱 As I said though, it takes time and experience and you have made some good modifications so far.

The problems may be the type of food or the portion size or the combination of the two, plus it may be that you need more medications to help you to process things and stimulate your insulin production, which again can take time to establish. 🙂
 
Welcome to the forums 🙂

Eventually you should be able to bring your levels down to a more normal level, but sometimes it might plateaux for a while.

You might want to think about that breakfast - lots of type 2's have problems with consuming weetabix or any form of carby breakfast in the morning. I tend to aim for less then 10 carbs in my breakfast 🙂 Your Diamicron/Gliclazide will be helping you with those carbs most likely.
 
Hi Anita

Do you understand that ALL carbohydrate increases your Blood Glucose whether it's brown or white, the 'brown' variety just slows it down a bit so it goes into your bloodstream slower than refined stuff, which hits your bloodstream like an express train. Sugar is just another form of carb, same as anything with wheat flour in it (bread, pastry, cake, pasta) or rice or spuds or many types of fruit.

I would also highly recommend Alan's Test, review etc and I'd start by checking 1 hour and 2 hours after the Weetabix.

Good luck - you'll get there!

And keep asking questions.
 
Hi Anita, welcome to the forum. Recently diagnosed Type 2 too, but not on any drugs, so cant advise.

I also find breakfast the worst time for carbs and stick to one slice of Bergen bread (following advice from the guys on here, as its the lowest GI) as I love my toast. But even so I have to have some egg or other protein with it to slow the absorption down further.

It took me several weeks to get acquainted with the rudiments, so take your time, stick around and ask away.🙂
 
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