Question:I haven't posted for quite some time - varied reasons, all personal. But, recently, my diabetes has gone haywire. Those of you who know me well will know the struggles I've had with getting the correct treatment. I was originally diagoosed in 2005 with type 2 and recently been told this is probably type 1.5 or late onset type 1. Yesterday, for the first time I spoke to a diabetic nurse specialist. She immediately suggested I halve the Metformin and double the gliclazide I was on. So starting from Breakfast yesterday, I've done that.
Now its seems there is no improvement and maybe even deterioration. I'm now 19.3, four hours after eating. I had a small croissant for B/F, a small mushroom soup for lunch and two slices of pizza for dinner (I'm quite embarrassed reading that back) This was a heavy carb day for me, but regardless, I was able to handle twice as much as that a few months ago.
The nurse said if the changes didnt work in a couple of days then I needed insulin. But I suppose I really thought if I'm 1.5 then double gliclazide (160md bd) would work, maybe not??
I'm off on hols on Sat morning for a week and don't relish the thought of struggling with this the whole time. Equally I suspect holidays are not a good time to start insulin.
I'm feeling really down at the moment - like I'm trapped, and I'm angry its come to a head when I have so little time to deal with it. Maybe I should cancel the holiday.....
Glodee
Answers:
I don't know what 19 equals out to however I am assuming it is quite high.
Dear, if you are type 1.5 you need insulin. The meds won't work if your pancreas isn't working. Please seek medical help.
Answers:
Your experience sounds very very much like my own. When I was a teen I was called Pre-D then they decided that Pre-D didn't exist so I was D free. I never got checked again until I was in my late 20's and showing some complications. At first I was told I was a
. Which my body type just didn't fit. I started with avoiding sugar, then learned to avoid carbs. All that did was cause me to lose even more weight. I wasn't eating and watching my numbers climb higher and higher regardless of what I did. Taking bad advice I was the same way thinking insulin is a bad thing. Believe me from the other side its a million times better.
The current line of thinking is to start insulin therapy as soon as possible for a
.5. Just so you can preserve what function you have left. By doubling up on the other med you may just force your pancreas to burn out faster.
I wouldn't be afraid of insulin or even swapping during a vacation. I notice you've got a daughter who's a
, So you've already got a great education in your favour there. The easiest way I describe being a
.5 is starting like a
and ending as a
within a period of time. This would be for
of course.
As for your meal there is nothing to be embarrassed with there. That's a pretty average and normal set of food for a lot of people. Its not as high carb as you're making it out either. That's what 30 carbs for the croissant, 10 for the soup, and depending on size 60-90 carbs. That's still under 150 carbs in a day. Definitely not something to worry about. The only reason I really carb count right now is to know how much I need to inject. After that I don't worry about it and try to live as normal as possible. Just remember carb counting is a tool to lower
's not the answer to lower glucose.
Answers:
Dusty the 19.3 would be 349 by US measures
I'll add when I was admitted and swapped to insulin I had woken up in the morning with a number around 20 to 23. Since your daughter is
perhaps you have Ketone strips available to see if you're close to
perhaps.
Answers:
Gloria, testing for ketones (ketoacidosis) is important. Your 19 is 18 x 19 = 342 in the states numbering system. We are told here to test for ketones whenever we are over 250 (13.9) so you are very much above that boundary. Since you are not yet using insulin you should go to the emergency room at the hossie if the count is high.
The other alternative would be to take a small dose of Gem's fast acting insulin. If the dose brought you below 12 or so you should be OK as far as ketones are concerned. I would not have suggested insulin, but with your knowledge of diabetes and Gem as a Type 1 already aquainted with insulin, I felt that would be safe. The hospital would be the best idea.
Answers:
I would definatly consult your dr or maybe even talk to your daughters dr.... if you are 1.5 you should be on insulin. My Dr. is actually considering me more twards type 1 then 1.5 based on several different factors...I am turning 30 this year and was diagnosed only a year ago. I tested at 19.2 when i was diagnosed ... I was placed on metformin for all of 3 weeks then they tried gliboride ... once blood test came back they took me off all pills and started me on Levemir and novolog - (rapid). The insulin + diet and exercize has been wonderful ... I have seen a huge improvement. My A1c is not perfect yet down now to a 7.3 but much better then what it was.
I have learned to take things a day at a time .. to go From a Festive Holiday time in Dec to Feb being told you need insulin wasnt easy... I still have bad days and like you Days where i guess the carbs just call to me ... Talk to your dr and hopefully they ll find the right plan that will work for you... Unfortuantily Diabetes is one of those that doesnt like to follow one specific pattern .. But keep us updated .. I'm sure you ll do fine.
Answers:
Originally Posted by glodee
... recently been told this is probably type 1.5 or late onset type 1. ... I'm off on hols on Sat morning for a week and don't relish the thought of struggling with this the whole time. Equally I suspect holidays are not a good time to start insulin. ... I woulddn't want to go on holiday without insulin ...
Answers:
It amazes me they up the glipizide and half the met way to go health experts. I would not go without insulin that long the numbers are to high, if the meds arent working now I doubt there going to work in the future. Why let them in the health field cause you damage, sorry thats the way I see it.
Answers:
Gloria, you should definitely not cancel the holiday. Call back the
, tell her what's happening, and tell her you need insulin, and you need it today. Numbers like this on holiday are a much bigger problem than learning to adjust insulin. You can start conservatively, you know what you're doing, and you have Gemma for support, who knows just how you feel. Learning to deal with insulin while you're on holiday could actually be easier than doing it when you're working. I really hope you get this sorted before you go, and I hope you have a fantastic holiday
Answers:
I don't think you should cancel . It really gets me quite angry the way they guess guess at what type you could be. Surely a few tests would put that right, so now you're in a situation when truly you do need some insulin.
As Mandy said - you are around someone with experience, and I think the time to experiment with this sort of thing (as we all do) - would be better when you are on holiday and at least have the time to do this.
I would phone right away and get it sorted & with a bit of insulin you will feel much better on your holiday anyway.
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