Newbee!

[AWhiting]

Hello,

My name is Allan, I am 35 and am married with two lovely children.

I have read quite a few threds and have found this site extremely useful since being diagnosed. I was diagnosed a diabetic 1st December but have yet to be classifed! My first A1c was 14.2 and my confirmation 13.8, doesn't mean a lot to me at present. The doctor has told me I could be T1 or T2 and I still have no confirmation yet but I have been put on 80mg Gliclizide twice a day and told to test my levels be fore breakfast and before evening meals, which I do.

At first my readings for the first few weeks were around 12 (215) in the mornings now around the 9's (160 to 180), which seems weird considering I haven't eaten for a long time. In the evenings they have gone from the 9's (160 to 180) to 5 to 9's (90 to 180). Is it normal to be this erratic at the start, I am confused??

I have stuck to a diet I have been told to stick to very well. I have also found myself feeling strange sometimes after meals and have decided to take a reading. An example follows: after eating oily fish and a salad, four hours later I felt weard so took a reading, it was over 22 (400's).

I am not convinced that testing twice a day before two meals is sufficient enough to build a full picture so have decided to test before each meal and two hours after as a lot of people on this forum seem to be taking readings around this time, does that sound like I am doing the right thing?

My doctor has said everytime I go to see her, which is weekly at the moment, to prepare myself for insulin as I may need it. Are there any diabetics out there with a similar story to mine and what happened with your meds with time?

My Cholestrol is also high and it seems this is a side effect and goes pretty much hand in hand with diabetes, is this true?

Any advice on my levels, are they high, failrly normal for a new diabetic?

Help me please...........................

[notme]

Hi AWhiting, Welcome to the forums.

It sounds like you are taking control and that is awsome. I think testing first thing in the morning and before a meal and then again two hours after a meal is the right thing for you to be doing. This will tell you what your morning blood sugar is and what you should be eathing throughout the day. Try to stear clear of foods that send your blood sugar soaring. High carbohydrate foods will send your blood sugar through the roof. Oily food will keep your blood sugar in the high range for longer. Stay away from things that are made with processed flour or sugar.

If you go to the diet section and look through the archives, I think you will find there are many things you can eat without those soaring blood sugars after your meal.

Also, if you google the "Glycemic Index" there are foods that you can find that are low on the index. Those are the foods that you should stick with until you are either put on insulin or they find you can control with medication and exercise.

Exercise is an important part of staying healthy and keeping your blood sugar at a more normal level.

Erratic blood sugar is pretty normal in the begining. Until your doctor figures everything out you will find that your sugar will be harder to control. Just keep your food choices good and exercise as much as you can.

Good luck and welcome to the forums!

[princesslinda]

Hi AW: Welcome to the forum. I think you'll find tons of useful information here.

For me, testing 2 hrs after a meal has been invaluable, as it allows me to see how certain foods affect my BS levels and therefore know what to avoid and what I can have without problems. My doctor told me to only check a fasting BS, but I feel more "in control" knowing what's going on by testing more frequently.

If you end up being a T2, you'll probably find that the lower carb you go, the lower your BS levels will be. I avoid bread, potatoes, rice, pasta and try to each more veggies and lean proteins.

Sounds like once they determine your type, you'll do well, as you seem willing to "do what it takes."

Hang in there. Again, welcome.:biggrin:

[kgm0612]

Welcome to this terrific forum, Allan. We're glad you found us and I'm sure you will benefit from the information that is here.

Karen

[ProudNanaof5]

Welcome to our family. :wavey: I'm sure you will find that we are always here for you. We are a very caring group. I test 1st thing in the morn, again before each meal and 2 hours after, and again before bed. Of course if I feel strange I test right away. You have to test, test, test if you want to be in control. It can be a very frustratilng disease. But you have us to lean on. Sounds if you have started out in the right direction. Good Luck!!

[soso]

Hi Awhiting
Has your doc done a c-peptide test? This would tell how much insulin you are producing and help decide if you are a T1...a reading of 22 after fish and salad is very high in my opinion...have you told your doctor about that reading?
You are right on the money to test more frequently, it's the only way to get the big picture..ask your doctor what they are doing to determine which type you are..it's amazing how many don't bother but just wait to see if you get worse.
Good luck
ss

[tanyatype1]

Nice to meet you Allen!

[Tattoo azz]

welcome fellow Brit!!! up the comonwealth!!!
the people here are the best anywhere

[AWhiting]

Wow, what a response, I will certainly try lowering the carb intake and ask the doc about more testing.

Thanks all to those that replied and the support, I'll let you know what happens as you all do for me to read!

[Stuboy]

Welcome to the forummmms!

[pinkytricia]

Welcome Allan,
Seem to me you are taking charge keep it up....
Just like the Weather.... Some days will be rougher than others...but you will get thru them all.....and start fresh in the morning.....
{oohhh...uhhh English weather ...uuhhh well...lol....} No really you will do fine!
Good Luck to you .... there are plenty of people here to help you....
Enjoy the forum.!

[Cyborg]

Testing more often should help you fine tune your treatment plan. Welcome aboard :wavey:

[Keezheekoni]

Hi and welcome to the board! Glad to have you here. :D