[Diabetes] General Chat and Support Thread

silverharp · 21-11-2018 9:03pm

interesting podcast for anyone interested in fasting as a way to reverse or improve type 2 symptoms

https://twitter.com/bschermd/status/1064978605619310592

Harry Palmr · 22-11-2018 11:58am

What do people who have foil protected test strips do with the foil?

Meauldsegosha · 22-11-2018 12:03pm

I usually put the used strip back in the foil and throw it in the bin.

CramCycle · 22-11-2018 12:05pm

Foil in recycling bin, strip in clinical waste I presume.

gerrybbadd · 22-11-2018 12:36pm

Meauldsegosha wrote: »

I usually put the used strip back in the foil and throw it in the bin.

This. Always

Zebrano · 24-11-2018 8:52pm

Hi All
I have a T 1 toddler thats 3and a half. Diagnosed about a year and a half ago.
But the last week or ten days she has developed a big insulin resistance from dinner time until about 3 in the morning.
Any boluses have doubled at least
I dont think she is getting sick as surley it would have developed more by now.
Plus from breakfast until dinner is normal.
Thanks
Zebrano

CramCycle · 24-11-2018 9:57pm

Injections or a pump?
Are you changing sites regularly?

Could she be coming to the end of her honeymoon period, as in was she on very little insulin anyway?

I would ring the Diabetes Specialist Nurse in your hospital Just to cover yourself. I imagine as it's at a certain time than across the board, it's simply one of those things where she needs more insulin in the evening.

Lastly if it appears to be until three in the morning and she is on the pump, only increase the basal until midnight as the increase in Insulin will carry over for a few hours.

Zebrano · 24-11-2018 10:28pm

She on a pump
And we change the site every 2 days.
We had noticed that sometimes on the second night se was a bit higher but this has been everynight.
I dont think its anything to do with honeymoon period as i think that ended quite some time ago from what i can tell anyway.
Its just weird really it started the day after her last appointment and now its gonna screw up the a1c.
Ill give the nurse a call on monday.

gerrybbadd · 26-11-2018 2:42pm

Just back from Sligo after my 6 month check. HBA1c gone from 6.7% to 7.9% :eek::eek::eek:.

Sligo ordered me a pump about 2 years ago. They've never given it to me, and I ask about it every time. It's just sitting on a shelf in the hospital. I've even gotten literature out in the post from the manufacturer.

Anyhow, i spoke with the professor over the clinic, and she tells me that in order to get the pump, I need to do a Berger course. Problem is, they need to have a dietician to carry out the course, and the diabetes dietician has been covering maternity in another part of the hospital for AGES. :rolleyes:

I've been told to adjust my insulin intake now - 1.5 units per 7.5g of carbs. That's gonna be fun to work out:rolleyes:

CramCycle · 26-11-2018 3:08pm

They run a version of BERGER in James every few weeks, maybe ask your consultant to ring up and see can you join in. As for the Dietician thing, load of rubbish, ours was run by two nurses.

CramCycle · 27-11-2018 12:31am

Talking to a type 1 last night, I copped the Glucometer. Turns out her Mam is an ICU nurse across the water. Her Mam copped her Diabetes when she was young as she seen it alot. She was telling me that her Mam sees a death every week or two over there. All male, all in their late 20s , early 30s. I was shocked but suppose it could be missed easily.

RobbingBandit · 27-11-2018 4:14pm

Got very bad news I'm sad to say am waiting on an x-ray now Charcot has gotten extremely worse I don't know what to do next gonna take some time to think but not the news I wanted to hear.

calfmuscle · 27-11-2018 9:38pm

Sorry to hear that Robbungbandit!
Try not to let it get you down, it's hard but you will bounce back!! Remember there will be better days!

gerrybbadd · 28-11-2018 11:06am

Anyone here suffering from Gastroparesis?

I have serious bother with my stomach, I've had scopes done (too many), both ends, I've had a PH test done where they stick a tube up your nose and down into your stomach for 24hrs, loads. I have pre-existing issues with my stomach, that led me to believe I had a hiatus hernia. However, the surgeon is reluctant to do anything with me, as he feels it's Gastroparesis I have.

Basically, I get painfully bloated. A lot. When I do relieve some gas, the smell from the burbs is terrible. Really strong sulphur smelling. People think its actually a fart, but it's coming from my mouth. It's pretty embarrassing to say the least.

I was on a train once, and when the burbs come, there's no stifling them. Anyhow, some girls in the seat in front of me starting spraying perfume back over the seats at me.

When i was diagnosed with Diabetes, i had some neuropathy in my feet, legs etc, but this was not an evident issue. It came on later.

Alanstrainor · 30-11-2018 11:11am

Well I got my HbA1c back on Tuesday, and grand 6.7 the exact same as it was 6 months previously. Happy enough really! The interesting change after my consultant visit was a change in insulin for my pump. I've been pumping for 12 years and throughout that time I've been using Novorapid. But now I've been told to try FIASP, (faster acting insulin asparte) this is a much faster acting insulin which begins to affect your blood glucose after 2 minutes and peaks after an hour with a quick drop off. The benefit of this is to minimise spikes after eating carbohydrates and to quicken the drop of any high blood glucose.

I've been on the new insulin for less than 2 days at this point, but so far so good. I will have to make changes to my basals but I need time to figure them. But from my very brief time with the new insulin it does seem very quick so I'm excited to see what impact it has!

banie01 · 30-11-2018 2:23pm

gerrybbadd wrote: »

Anyone here suffering from Gastroparesis?

I have serious bother with my stomach, I've had scopes done (too many), both ends, I've had a PH test done where they stick a tube up your nose and down into your stomach for 24hrs, loads. I have pre-existing issues with my stomach, that led me to believe I had a hiatus hernia. However, the surgeon is reluctant to do anything with me, as he feels it's Gastroparesis I have.

Basically, I get painfully bloated. A lot. When I do relieve some gas, the smell from the burbs is terrible. Really strong sulphur smelling. People think its actually a fart, but it's coming from my mouth. It's pretty embarrassing to say the least.

Are you on Victoza or bayetta by any chance?

CramCycle · 30-11-2018 2:33pm

Really interested to see how you get on with the FIASP Alan, let us know after a few weeks.

Alanstrainor · 30-11-2018 3:29pm

CramCycle wrote: »

Really interested to see how you get on with the FIASP Alan, let us know after a few weeks.

Yes I definitely will. Even my consultant wants me to follow up in a few weeks. As far as I know this has only very recently come onto the scene in Ireland, and was only released a year ago in other countries. It's something I had asked about before as I felt it would be one way to solve the slight highs that come after carbs. Ironing these out would be a huge benefit.

CramCycle · 30-11-2018 3:40pm

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Yes I definitely will. Even my consultant wants me to follow up in a few weeks. As far as I know this has only very recently come onto the scene in Ireland, and was only released a year ago in other countries. It's something I had asked about before as I felt it would be one way to solve the slight highs that come after carbs. Ironing these out would be a huge benefit.

Same here, I have tried giving my dose earlier but I run the risk of getting distracted, so stick to only dosing at the time of eating. But sometimes, the high leaves me drained and borderline non functioning for work, to the point where I often don't eat anything with carbs until the evening nowadays. If I do, it is never more than 40g over the day as otherwise I am asleep or cranky.

gerrybbadd · 02-12-2018 6:43pm

banie01 wrote: »

Are you on Victoza or bayetta by any chance?

No, neither of those

BlackEdelweiss · 02-12-2018 7:28pm

CramCycle wrote: »

Same here, I have tried giving my dose earlier but I run the risk of getting distracted, so stick to only dosing at the time of eating. But sometimes, the high leaves me drained and borderline non functioning for work, to the point where I often don't eat anything with carbs until the evening nowadays. If I do, it is never more than 40g over the day as otherwise I am asleep or cranky.

I am the same with carbs these days, I usually skip breakfast, maybe even lunch or else just some kind of meat. I ty to keep the carbs to a minimum but when I do eat some high carb food like pasta or rice it can affect me for days.

I even have to bolus for non carb food, if I eat anything I have to take a minimum of 1.5 to 2 units. That is for things like salad, scrambled eggs, steak. No carb but will still shoot my blood up if I leave it uncorrected.

arybvtcw0eolkf · 04-12-2018 6:23pm

gerrybbadd wrote: »

When i was diagnosed with Diabetes, i had some neuropathy in my feet, legs etc

You say you 'had' neuropathy, is it gone now?.

It drives me mad, feels like I'm wearing heavy socks all the time but worst of all is the cold. My feet feel like they're freezing all the time but when I touch them they're nice and warm, plus I've excellent circulation in them.

Sorry I can't comment on the smelly burps, must be awful.

gerrybbadd · 05-12-2018 12:53pm

Adalyn Big Numeral wrote: »

You say you 'had' neuropathy, is it gone now?.

It drives me mad, feels like I'm wearing heavy socks all the time but worst of all is the cold. My feet feel like they're freezing all the time but when I touch them they're nice and warm, plus I've excellent circulation in them.

Sorry I can't comment on the smelly burps, must be awful.

Ya, it's what prompted me to go to the doctors for the diagnosis in the first place. I had the awful thirst, constant hunger, weight loss, peeing loads - ignored all that. Then my legs started to get restless, progressing to pins and needles, progressing to a feeling like my feet were constantly in boiling water. With random pin pricks, feeling like i had been stabbed with a needle.

I couldn't have blankets on my legs at night going to bed.

After being on insulin for a while, and stabilising my sugars, eventually, all these symptoms improved. I still get restless legs when very tired though, my legs ache and i have to move them constantly to get relief

arybvtcw0eolkf · 05-12-2018 5:54pm

gerrybbadd wrote: »

Ya, it's what prompted me to go to the doctors for the diagnosis in the first place. I had the awful thirst, constant hunger, weight loss, peeing loads - ignored all that. Then my legs started to get restless, progressing to pins and needles, progressing to a feeling like my feet were constantly in boiling water. With random pin pricks, feeling like i had been stabbed with a needle.

I couldn't have blankets on my legs at night going to bed.

After being on insulin for a while, and stabilising my sugars, eventually, all these symptoms improved. I still get restless legs when very tired though, my legs ache and i have to move them constantly to get relief

Thanks for the reply.

Sometimes I feel like I'd some normal feelings in my feet then I'll ask something to touch my soles with something pointy (like the sensitivity prick test) but then I'm always disappointed when I don't feel anything.

You'd gotten my hopes up there for a minute lol

pew · 05-12-2018 9:27pm

I got bloods done in my gp and my hba1c was up, so she put me on another tablet, glicazide, there's a risk of hypos on it.

I was disappointed in myself for having to take another tablet, but looking at it now, I'm not overly surprised.

But hey, onwards and upwards I guess.

RobbingBandit · 07-12-2018 11:07pm

In hospital this evening abruptly due to infection in foot no doctors here until Monday pray for RobbingBandit

CramCycle · 08-12-2018 12:13am

RobbingBandit wrote: »

In hospital this evening abruptly due to infection in foot no doctors here until Monday pray for RobbingBandit

Will on call or ER docs at least look at it and get something administered?

RobbingBandit · 08-12-2018 1:49pm

Discharge this morning due to extremely problematic night am home now in bed with very sore foot and sore brain think I'll take a break until my problems f tom last night are addressed thanks for the kind words guys.

banie01 · 08-12-2018 1:53pm

Hope the soreness and the mood improve for you soon RB.

hadepsx · 18-12-2018 9:33pm

Anyone know where I could get a replacement Lilly insulin pen. For humalog 100 unit vials. Thanks in advance.

not yet · 23-12-2018 12:57am

Right, long story long..

Kind of high blood sugar reading over the past 10 years, mid 6s. Two GTT in that time, all grand..

Bloods in May showed 7.3, seriously pisssed and worried, set out on cutting all Pasta,rice, bread, carbs, added sugar etc from diet, lost 14lb felt great, no tiredness or naps etc. Fast forward 2 weeks ago, bloods done, fully expected to be much,much better...fcuking showed 7.3, doc said I'm diabetic...!! Agreed to come back in Feb 2019 to get GTT.

Now the thing is 4 times in the past couple of weeks I've done prick test on my Dad's little machine, all read mid 5s, even after dinner or snacks.

I'm seriously confused, any help or ideas as to what's going on..?

PS, the night before fasting on last test I drank bottle of wine.

banie01 · 23-12-2018 11:10am

not yet wrote: »

Right, long story long..

Kind of high blood sugar reading over the past 10 years, mid 6s. Two GTT in that time, all grand..

Bloods in May showed 7.3, seriously pisssed and worried, set out on cutting all Pasta,rice, bread, carbs, added sugar etc from diet, lost 14lb felt great, no tiredness or naps etc. Fast forward 2 weeks ago, bloods done, fully expected to be much,much better...fcuking showed 7.3, doc said I'm diabetic...!! Agreed to come back in Feb 2019 to get GTT.

Now the thing is 4 times in the past couple of weeks I've done prick test on my Dad's little machine, all read mid 5s, even after dinner or snacks.

I'm seriously confused, any help or ideas as to what's going on..?

PS, the night before fasting on last test I drank bottle of wine.

Don't start self testing or diagnosing without any actual prandial or post prandial targets from a health professional, it's a short path to serious anxiety.
The gold standard test is the HbA1c, the GTT gives an indication of how quick and effective your insulin response is but for diagnosis the HbA1c is the accurate and easily taken method.

So my advice on your next visit to your Doc is get a HbA1c to confirm your position.
In any case, continue the changes you are making. It will benefit your health and if you are pre-diabetic will hopefully forestall and reverse it.

not yet · 23-12-2018 12:33pm

banie01 wrote: »

Don't start self testing or diagnosing without any actual prandial or post prandial targets from a health professional, it's a short path to serious anxiety.
The gold standard test is the HbA1c, the GTT gives an indication of how quick and effective your insulin response is but for diagnosis the HbA1c is the accurate and easily taken method.

So my advice on your next visit to your Doc is get a HbA1c to confirm your position.
In any case, continue the changes you are making. It will benefit your health and if you are pre-diabetic will hopefully forestall and reverse it.

Cheers for that, He did say My HbA1c over 6 months was good, As you say the changes I've made have really impacted on my life in a positive way. Before I changed my diet I was drained day and night, no amount of sleep helped, Cutting out carbs and added sugar has made a huge difference..

ebbsy · 07-01-2019 7:09pm

RobbingBandit wrote: »

Discharge this morning due to extremely problematic night am home now in bed with very sore foot and sore brain think I'll take a break until my problems f tom last night are addressed thanks for the kind words guys.

You have a boot bud ? Make sure they give ye one.

Buford T. Justice XIX · 08-01-2019 12:48am

I came across the article below earlier and said I'd post it here. A non diabetic woman wore a CGM to investigate her blood sugars and had some interesting results.
https://lilynicholsrdn.com/cgm-experiment-non-diabetic-continuous-glucose-monitor/
It's a very long article but gives a good run down of using a CGM and a few current bits about diet too.

MrMacPhisto · 08-01-2019 11:59am

Buford T. Justice V wrote: »

I came across the article below earlier and said I'd post it here. A non diabetic woman wore a CGM to investigate her blood sugars and had some interesting results.
https://lilynicholsrdn.com/cgm-experiment-non-diabetic-continuous-glucose-monitor/
It's a very long article but gives a good run down of using a CGM and a few current bits about diet too.

Thanks for that, interesting read.

The "oatmeal test" is pretty interesting. Particularly because it is my staple breakfast choice along with a very small amount of fresh orange juice

.

When I tested the freestyle libre I had the same response as the individual in the article. I tend to go for a run shortly after breakfast so I find it good for counteracting the glucose drop during activity. I must try to change my breakfast choice on non exercising days! I require 6-7 units of novorapid on non-exercise days and 2-3 units if I am running.

I think it is reassuring to see non-diabetic patient results with a CGM and their normal diet. Emphasises how difficult it can be to maintain good glucose control and that we need to look at the big picture rather than individual blood sugar results.

silverharp · 09-01-2019 4:00pm

Someone commented on Twitter that Quaker oats would go bankrupt is everyone wore a CGM, ill read that article thanks

Moyglish · 10-01-2019 12:44am

Which blood glucose monitor to get?

It looks as though my sister is a Type 2 Diabetic and her doctor has mentioned prescribing her a blood glucose monitoring system along in starting her off on metformin.

The doctor said she can just prescribe "blood glucose monitor" on her medical card prescription form and the pharmacist should be able to give her any type of one with that prescription.

Not knowing anything about such monitors myself I was hoping that some of you more knowledgeable folk on her may be able to recommend a brand or particular model or even just pointers about what features to look out for?

Are they all much of a muchness or is there much variance between them?

Thanks!

banie01 · 10-01-2019 12:48pm

Moyglish wrote: »

Which blood glucose monitor to get?

It looks as though my sister is a Type 2 Diabetic and her doctor has mentioned prescribing her a blood glucose monitoring system along in starting her off on metformin.

The doctor said she can just prescribe "blood glucose monitor" on her medical card prescription form and the pharmacist should be able to give her any type of one with that prescription.

Not knowing anything about such monitors myself I was hoping that some of you more knowledgeable folk on her may be able to recommend a brand or particular model or even just pointers about what features to look out for?

Are they all much of a muchness or is there much variance between them?

Thanks!

I'm a big fan of the OneTouch verio flex.
It's Bluetooth and the app allows automatic syncing of readings with a cloud based back up so no diary or logbook to worry about if she has a smart phone.
It also allows meds and other info to be logged and gives a single overview.
Only thing it doesn't do is ketones but that is much more a Type1 need.

Xofpod · 10-01-2019 6:53pm

Folks, I'm doing the Berger Diabetes Education programme shortly and I put together a very short information note for my employer for the time off. I've attached it here in case it's of any use to anyone.

I'm sure many of you have done the course already but I'll follow up in a couple of weeks with my thoughts in case anyone's on the fence

CramCycle · 11-01-2019 5:32pm

Xofpod wrote: »

Folks, I'm doing the Berger Diabetes Education programme shortly and I put together a very short information note for my employer for the time off. I've attached it here in case it's of any use to anyone.

I'm sure many of you have done the course already but I'll follow up in a couple of weeks with my thoughts in case anyone's on the fence

Great spiel.
As a matter of interest, do you normally have to justify time off like this? Normally I just say I have a hospital appointment, and that's it.

Xofpod · 14-01-2019 11:18am

CramCycle wrote: »

Great spiel.
As a matter of interest, do you normally have to justify time off like this? Normally I just say I have a hospital appointment, and that's it.

It's three days in a row so definitely need to justify it here. They're good about it but the case still needs to be made.

wakka12 · 15-01-2019 12:16am

Does it just take one fasting glucose prick test to determine if you have diabetes? Or several times? Likewise, if somebody got a normal reading does that mean they definitely do not have diabetes or could their blood sugar have just been temporarily down at that time, and at diabetic levels other times?

Martina1991 · 15-01-2019 12:19am

wakka12 wrote:

Does it just take one fasting glucose prick test to determine if you have diabetes? Or several times? Likewise, if somebody got a normal reading does that mean they definitely do not have diabetes or could their blood sugar have just been temporarily down at that time, and at diabetic levels other times?

One abnormal fasting glucose result can indicate the presence of diabtes or impaired glucose tolerance.

A glucose tolerance test and/or a HbA1c measurement on 2 separate days would confirm diagnosis.

arybvtcw0eolkf · 16-01-2019 12:05am

wakka12 wrote: »

Does it just take one fasting glucose prick test to determine if you have diabetes? Or several times? Likewise, if somebody got a normal reading does that mean they definitely do not have diabetes or could their blood sugar have just been temporarily down at that time, and at diabetic levels other times?

Am I remembering correctly but did I read on another thread awhile back that you had experienced a tinkling feeling in your legs?.

If that's the case and you done a fasted prick test which showed elevated blood sugars my advice is to get off down to your doctor for a proper test without delay.

What was your fasted reading?.

silverharp · 16-01-2019 10:20am

Unfortunately high sugar readings are the result of years of developing insulin resistance and pre diabetes. You can generally find a chemist that will give you a free monitor which may come with 10 test strips, its worth shelling out ~30 euros to get a batch of 50 . Your morning fasted number is one thing to check , then you can check an hour or 2 after your meals which will give a reasonable idea of whats happening. If you wanted to tweak your diet , I came across an interesting way of testing different foods, pick particular foods and eat 50 grams of carbs worth of that food ideally in the morning and keep everything else identical, people sometimes tolerate foods differently.

ohnonotgmail · 16-01-2019 10:22am

Dont bother with the test strips go to your doctor and get a HbA1c done.

MrMacPhisto · 16-01-2019 10:26am

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

Dont bother with the test strips go to your doctor and get a HbA1c done.

Exactly. You will get peace of mind and an answer. The sooner the better.

navono · 18-01-2019 9:57am

Hi all I am just wondering if there is a way to access a private diabetic clinic in North Dublin. I go to a public clinic at present but the visits are every year, maybe twice a year if I'm lucky, I would like my bloods and diabetes reviewed more frequently to manage my health. I contacted the secretary of my current consultany and asked could I go private and she told me no. I'm really at a loss here, can someone offer any advice, many thanks

Xofpod · 18-01-2019 10:19am

navono wrote: »

Hi all I am just wondering if there is a way to access a private diabetic clinic in North Dublin. I go to a public clinic at present but the visits are every year, maybe twice a year if I'm lucky, I would like my bloods and diabetes reviewed more frequently to manage my health. I contacted the secretary of my current consultany and asked could I go private and she told me no. I'm really at a loss here, can someone offer any advice, many thanks

There should be no problem with going to a private consultant in parallel with your public clinic if that's what you want and are happy to pay for. Your GP should be able to recommend some and make a referral.
One that I'm aware of directly is Dr. Margaret Griffin, an endocrinologist who works out of both the Beacon and Bon Secours. The number for her office is 087 7531061 - they'll be able to tell you if you need a referral, or what the exact process is.

[Diabetes] General Chat and Support Thread

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