Type 2 diabetic, dealing with pricks daily

WhiteChocolateChunk
WhiteChocolateChunk Posts: 3 Member
in Motivation and Support
I wanted to start a discussion for those of us doing our best to be fit while also struggling with type 2 diabetes. I thought it would be nice to hear some stories and tips from people going through the same thing I am.

To introduce myself, my name is Kelly. I'm a 37 year old professional in the tech industry (former medical professional), married, no kids but close nieces and a nephew. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes last Feb. I'm still working to get my blood sugar under control with diet and exercise and working closely with a great doctor who happens to be a naturopath.

Lately, I've struggled with symptoms of hypoglycemia (even when my blood sugar is still high by the numbers) which I've discovered can be pretty common among those of us who lived like crap for a long time, ate garbage, got fat and probably lived with high blood sugar for years. (Thank God we're finally getting it together, right? :) ) I will often have a racing heart, get sweaty, very hungry and it leads to panic attacks that have been so bad my husband calls 911. This mostly happens at night before bed, which will be several hours after dinner. This week, it's started happening almost daily, which coincides with my blood sugar being much lower than usual (but still not low by the numbers - my weekly average this week is 211)

Has anyone else experienced this? What are your worst diabetic symptoms? How do you deal and what makes you feel better?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Challenged pancreases unit!

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Replies

  • Jelaan
    Jelaan Posts: 815 Member
    My husband was finally diagnosed yesterday actually so it is all new to us. He also has heart issues but your comment about a racing heart and getting sweaty is interesting as it happens to him often before bed time and we assumed that it was a result of his heart issues. Maybe it's a combo problem. The diagnosis has given him a big push to finally lose the extra weight although his diet has been good, just too much extra. He is trying to get his blood sugar levels down before he sees the specialist and he is hoping that losing weight helps. It should help his blood pressure too. Given that it will a couple of months before he gets an appointment (yay Canadian health system), we will see what we can do. Sorry my post is not of any help to you, but you have given me a bit of a boost knowing we are not alone :).
  • sewgingerific
    sewgingerific Posts: 6 Member
    Hi Kelly, I am pre-diabetic and test once a day to check bg level. I’m doing better since Feb when doc said I needed to take it more seriously by adding Metformin. I’ve had night sweats and unusual body pains and have anxiety. The former two have dissipated in the last couple of weeks once I started dropping weight. I am on this journey with you and offer to be a friend on here if you’d like. I am a newbie to MFP (like <2 weeks). I love this apps ability to track macros so I know where my carb count is throughout the day.
    Keep your chin up and we can fight this together.
  • DBMX925
    DBMX925 Posts: 2 Member
    Hello all, Just diagnosed on Wed 3/28. Started Metformin, had 1 bad evening with that but otherwise not too many side effects. I was wondering if any of you had been on long term statins before being diagnosed? I'm the first in my family for this.
    I haven't spoken with anyone about options for diet or testing other than a followup in 6 weeks for more blood work. I was expecting a call for advice on diet and exercise. From what I've read though typical medical advice is a guideline at best.

    I'm hoping to have lost some weight by the time I return and see improvement. Awhile back I did Dr. Fuhrmans eat to live diet and I remember my Doc commenting on how good my numbers were. However that was a few years ago and I reverted back to my old habits.

    I'm going to reread the book this afternoon after the Easter guests have gone and start following that diet again tomorrow morning.

    Good luck to you all and keep us posted on your progress. It may help if we all stick together and discuss peaks and valleys.
  • tolkat
    tolkat Posts: 11 Member
    Happy Easter to those that celebrate. I was diagnosed with type 2 and high cholesterol last June. My Dr. put me on statins and metformin. The statins are working. Dr. keeps adding dosage of metformin I am currently on the highest mg. I am now prescribed glimeperide along with my other prescriptions. I had heart palpitations in Feb. My fasting BS was 140 I felt like i was going to pass out. I thought it was low sugar due to the fact that i had taken my pills and had not eaten right away. I chugged some juice and re tested results 160. 2 hrs later same thing. I drank more juice and tested. this time BS was 240. I concluded that it was NOT BS. I drove down to the corner RX and bought some low dose asperine I chewed 4 then called my Dr office while still in parking lot of RX. As soon as i got off the phone I had another. I called 911. By the time the rescue got to me my heart rate was back to normal. My Dr. has no explanation as to what caused my palpitations. I've had a couple more but they don't last more than 10 seconds (long enough) I'm not sure but i think it may be related to the medications
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    Hi, all. I was T2 diabetic for over a decade. I've been to dozens of classes for diabetes and weight management. I am happy to say with significant weight loss the diabetes is in remission and I am off all medication.

    What helped me most, especially at the beginning, was to visualize my plate with the macros laid out in the right proportion.

    http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/planning-meals/create-your-plate/

    Looking back, having a routine and eating at the same times and testing at the same times made a big difference. I was able to prevent all the undesired side effects from blood sugar, and my eyes have no damage. Compare that to someone else I know who was diagnosed, in denial, and in six months had lost a toe to gangrene.

    The only time I experienced hypoglycemic symptoms was when I lost significant weight. When that happened I let my co-workers know and I kept glucotabs with me. If it has been two hours since you ate, test your blood sugar and find out if you are too high or too low.

    Those of you getting dizzy after dinner, try adding a little more fat to the dinner, like a pat of butter or a tablespoon of vinaigrette to your salad.

    @REDMANIV , I have a bad feeling about that diet. And you should be testing at least twice a day; at waking and two hours after breakfast to start. I suspect your blood sugars are wildly out of control.

    @Kristenlovesmark090 as the parent of children with autism, you must put your health first. What would happen to your children if you were blind, permanently disabled, or hospitalized for extended periods? I guarantee that God and your children want you to treat your health as absolutely sacred.
  • Brelynn
    Brelynn Posts: 105 Member
    I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes awhile back and I wanted to set things straight before developing full blown diabetes which my father had. I read 2 books by Diane Kress: The Diabetes Miracle and The Metabolism Miracle. (The content and program of these 2 books is similar) The writer is a dietitian and has diabetes. For the first time as an adult I was able to follow her program and lose the extra weight I had accumulated (about 15 pounds), and lower my blood sugar levels to the normal range. I have kept most of the weight off and my blood sugar levels are now consistently in the normal range.
  • WhiteChocolateChunk
    WhiteChocolateChunk Posts: 3 Member
    Wow thank you all for the awesome responses! I hope everyone had a good weekend. It's been great to read these stories and know I'm not alone. The most interesting thing is even though we all have or know someone with Type 2, our bodies can all respond differently. It really is a customized and very individual treatment plan.

    @sschauer513 I'm a former health care professional so traditionally, stuck with mainstream medicine too. My Naturopath is an MD just like any other, with a focus on more natural approaches that help the body correct itself. I'll say what I like most is my first appointment with her took an hour and a half (opposed to the 15-20 mins and prescription standard you get with most docs here) Her waiting room isn't packed so my appointments are on time, always and my treatment is very individualized. If you're curious about the false hypoglycemia here's an article that explains it a bit more: http://blog.joslin.org/2012/02/a-false-sense-of-hypoglycemia/

    A lot of you have mentioned Metformin (the first line of defense and go to for most docs) which I tried at first as well. @sewgingerific , I had a lot of those same exact symptoms, so bad it drove me off it. I couldn't function and go to work like that. I know it also gives people a lot of digestive issues.

    Sometimes it gets exhausting just trying to manage, figuring out what you can eat and when, working in exercise time even if you're tired, stabbing yourself with needles and it's easy to want to give up or fall off the wagon and then you're tempted to eat a roll of cookie dough in the corner and just cry. But I'm proud of all of us who don't give up and even if we slip up, we correct it and move on. @REDMANIV I know it's a lot of ups and downs but you sound strong like you got this. I've never heard of that diet plan, but if it works for you keep it up. I know the best one for me so far has been a ketogenic diet at around 50 carbs per day. The nice thing is you get to eat a lot of the healthy fats which make up for missing those carbs lol.

    @Kristenlovesmark090 I definitely do believe in God and I've been guilty of that same mentality - putting everyone and everything before taking the time to think about myself, or "being too busy". I've tried to remind myself that taking care of ME is a way of looking out for those I love, just like @jgnatcajgnatca said.

    @BrelynnBrelynn thanks for the book recommendations, might be worth reading from a nutritionist with diabetes!

    It can be really hard to make huge lifestyle changes. I'll say I've learned so much and changed so much for the better, for my health. Thanks for reminding me that I'm not alone in the struggle and I wish you guys a great week and blessed health.

    Anything else you want to discuss....leave it below, feel free to add me as a friend.
  • tolkat
    tolkat Posts: 11 Member
    Fasting BS this morning was 140. I want to see it below 130 anything below 100 I get hypoglycemia. i saw a dietitian when i was first diagnosed, who told me i should have 45 grams of carbo each meal. That drove my sugar up. and my weight. I am also trying to learn what spikes my sugar. I think my sugar will be high and it isn't then i think it may be low and it is high So confusing and frustrating. I'm trying a new diet starting today. So far so good. I think the trick is to keep the starchy carbs low. Ill know more with time.
  • RavenLibra
    RavenLibra Posts: 1,737 Member
    I was diagnosed type 2 about 4 years ago currently on metformin & gliclazide, also dealing with high bp, I am currently working on my fitness, strength training and working the cardio. My diagnosis is similar to y’all, prior to meds, I was on a camping trip, couldn’t stay in the sun, was drinking soo much water, got back from the trip went to see the doc, got my blood work done that day... it was Thursday, doc called me Saturday morning and told me to get to the nearest emergency room... my blood sugar read 24... immediately started on metformin... before I was diagnosed t-2... I would get all sorts of anxiety attacks, usually on the commute to work, hitting the gym and working the cardio helped with those issues... I stay away from white food, white bread, white rice, potatoes, also avoid melons and fleshy fruit that has to be pealed... booze is another no no carb, but, who can live without wine? Or good whiskey & smooth sipping tequila? I digress, being type 2 is not the end, it’s the beginning of living my life with intent... I watch what I eat, drink... get as much exercise as I can. Don’t get obsessed with my numbers, and I keep a chocolate bar handy when things start to feel a bit off
  • swebb1103
    swebb1103 Posts: 200 Member
    I am T2D, diagnosed in November 2016. I was placed on Janumet and glyburide, and decided on my own to start a rigorous exercise regime. My A1C was nearly 8% when I started. I used my glucometer to figure out which foods were good (proteins, veggies), which were OK (potatoes, Chips Ahoy cookies) , and which I absolutely should never eat (pancakes, Nutella), so I was testing and logging religiously. I started running 2 days a week and strength exercises 3 days a week. My last checkup, in Nov. 2017, showed my A1C is now at 5.4% and I was having so many issues with hypoglycemia during the day that I am now only on metformine. I still test daily, just to make sure I am on track. My daily glucose numbers are pretty consistant and are within non-diabetic limits, unless I skip exercise. If I miss a day, my numbers all rise. This is all the incentive I need to hit the gym!
  • REDMANIV
    REDMANIV Posts: 348 Member
    Hello everyone amazing post! Thank you to everyone that shared and thank you to the OP @WhiteChocolateChunk on taking the time to read and respond to those that replied : ). Just checking in on this end I am now on day 5 of my new diet plan. I have noticed that I am making a lot of healthier food choices, that I feel fuller for longer periods of time, that my energy levels have been really high and my focus mentally has seemed really sharp. Yesterday was another restricted calorie day. I got in another 24 hour fast before consuming my 600 calories, lots of herbal tea and black coffee and of course water was allowed during the fast. To the poster that assumed that my blood sugar is widly out of control you are incorrect. Now that I have gotten back to taking my meds on a regular basis and back to sticking myself every morning my fasted glucose numbers are as follows:

    Sunday: 98 mg/dl
    Monday: 113 mg/dl
    Tuesday: 98 mg/dl

    Last 7 days: 106 mg/dl average

    Last 14 days: 110 mg/dl average

    Last 30 days: 114 mg/dl average

    My Doc is happy if I keep my numbers anywhere in the 120's while fasted so I am definitely back on track. : ). I use the Precision Xtra to check my numbers. I was pleased to recently find that I could get averages for 7 days, 14 days and 30 days so that I can compare the things that cause my numbers to go up.

    I am pretty pleased that after completing my going off the plan with a poor diet, no exercise, binging on sugar and totally disregarding my health that once I realized how high my fasted blood sugar had got I did not quit. I fought and I am still fighting. It has not been easy at times to say no to some of my favorite foods, especially when I am stressed or a little down with the curve balls that life can through our way. The numbers above show that I am on a good track. I see my Dr again in a few weeks and I am kind of dreading that he will be able to tell how far I let myself go. I am hoping that he will see that I was able to self correct and to get myself back on track.

    Thank you to everyone that shared your journey so far...hopefully this can be a place where we can share our ups and downs as we continue to support one another on this journey. I was wondering if it is possible to one day to get off the meds completely, it is nice to know that is a possibility...maybe not for me however still something to strive for.

    As a father of 7 children, with 5 of them under the age of 18, I want to continue to do what I can to increase my odds at hanging around on this earth for a while. Only God knows when my last day will be though so I will just keep working on doing what I can to help myself.

    Thanks again everyone you are all amazing and brave for taking the fight to "The Betes"
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    @REDMANIV how many calories are you getting in a day?

    I have to convert to Canadian blood sugar measures to make sense of your numbers.

    http://www.diabeteschart.org/mgmmol.html

    All your morning fasted numbers are within normal ranges. 98 is getting on the low side. Watch you aren't getting low blood sugar moments either. Let's keep you a healthy dad.
  • WhiteChocolateChunk
    WhiteChocolateChunk Posts: 3 Member
    Wow @REDMANIV way to flip it around! That's amazing and goes to show when you get serious and work hard the results will pay off. And hey we all have those bad days and curve balls that knock us off our game, but it's always possible to try again to be better the next day. I'm sure your kids are proud of you! Keep it up and keep us posted.

    @31shines I'm right in your same ball park and going back in 3 months, also hoping to see that lower a1c....fingers crossed for both of us!

    @tolkat I heard that same thing like 40-50 carbs per meal but that seemed high for me and kept my sugars high too. I think that's what the recommendation from the American Diabetes Association is (or something like that) but to each their own right lol
  • REDMANIV
    REDMANIV Posts: 348 Member
    Hello again everyone. Checking back in. I have had another good couple of days with the sticks and pricks. Numbers are holding solid. I have started reading a new book called "The New Glucose Revolution". I found out some pretty enlightening things. Not all diets will work properly for a type 2 diabetic is the main thing that I found out. Fasting for 24 hours is not good at all for T2D's, Going into Ketosis is not good for T2Ds so I have a few tweaks to make to the 5 day 2 day diet that I am on. Mainly I will stick to 600 calories on my fast days however I plan to split those calories up throughout the day with healthy Low GI items. Diets high in protein also are not good for T2D's so I have had to scratch that plan also. I spend part of my time out here on Ships and I have my food scale with me however it is not always easy to figure out how many calories I am eating in a day. I have been more focused on the type of calories that I eat.

    I try to eat breakfast everyday, my standard go to meal out here on the ocean is:

    - Instant Oatmeal with protein (not a low GI food I found out)
    - 2 Hard boiled eggs with salt and pepper (I need to cut down on the salt)
    - and I will have a few pieces of bacon when they have that on the line
    - Half a grapefruit (Just started that up this morning)

    Depending on what they have on the line I try to select a healthy protein, some green vegetable of some type and have been avoiding the bad starches, rice, noodles, potatoes for lunch.

    If I have a pretty high calorie lunch then I opt for a healthy snack around dinner that runs about 400-500 calories. My go to is Flavored Tuna from the pouch. Zero Carbs, takes a while to eat, tastes delicious right out of the pouch. Tuna has been a life saver.

    I would estimate that my calorie intake on my normal days has been between 1700 and 2100 calories per day.

    I do not try to finish my plate anymore, if I am full then I will push away from the table and throw the remainder of the food away. (Once I get back home I will be able to control my portion sizes much better).

    I will continue to stick myself every morning to make sure that my numbers are on track. During my 24 year career in the Navy my Fasted Blood sugar averaged around 90. I do not experience any hypoglycemic reactions unless my blood sugar drops into the 60/70 range (This happened a few times when I took a glyburide when I did not really need too.)

    My normal dose of meds currently is 1 - 1000mg Metformin tablet twice a day. I have the glyburide to use in case my blood sugar exceeds 200 when fasted. This has not happened since I got back on track.

    I have remained consistent with my exercise. I am focusing on doing fat burning exercise right now, nothing to strenuous as I get back into the groove again.

    I weigh myself again Friday morning after finishing up my second restricted cal day of the week. About two weeks ago my weight was 226 right before jumping in the shower. I am hoping that with diet and exercise that we shall see a drop in those numbers.

    hang in there everyone.........one day at a time. @WhiteChocolateChunk Thank you : ), you rock socks!

    Fred
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    Where are the Fung critics?
  • REDMANIV
    REDMANIV Posts: 348 Member
    Hello everyone been a few days! I am finally back home again and trying to adjust to having more food options to pick from. Things are definitely quite a bit more challenging being able to have all of these options. So far I have logged everything and that is helping me to stave off the cravings to go plumb crazy with food.

    Yesterday I ran into an interesting situation where due to my work schedule I had gone 15 hours without taking a dose of my meds. I ended up taking my fasted glucose about 5 hours later than I normally did and my numbers were 120. I am good with that.

    Coming off of my fast day (600 calorie day) my blood sugar was a solid 113 this morning.

    I also was able to weigh in for the first time since March 15th and I am down 8 pounds. I logged my body fat readings today also so I will see if that number goes down as my weight continues to come down.

    Well team here comes the weekend. Make a sound plan as to how you plan to navigate it so that you can avoid any pitfalls.........if you happen to fall off and get a high stick.........just turn it right back around and get back on it.

    Tuesday morning I go give blood to find out how my health is going and what my A1C numbers are. I will share once I know. My next Drs visit is on the 17th of this month!

    Well lets continue to kick some buns everyone.

    Have a great weekend!

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