Another Newbie with Questions....

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-31-2004
Another Newbie with Questions....
3
Sat, 07-31-2004 - 2:01am
Hi Ladies,

First, a big thank you to all of you...lurking this board kept me sane while I waited for my appointment with my internist to confirm my GYN's findings.

I was diagnosed a week ago with type 2. Initial BG was 400 and I was sick as a dog. All the usual, infections, blurry vision, thirst and constantly running to the bathroom. I knew something was wrong...but I was too sick to put the pieces together. Except for the vision problems, I'm feeling a lot better now. But my readings are driving me crazy....

I'm on Glipizide and Avandamet (both with breakfast)and a diet that consists of protein, green vegetables and some 1% milk. I was doing very well the first four days...got my numbers down below 200, the lowest in mid-150s...and then they started bouncing around. Not dropping as low in the AM...and climbing instead of dropping by bedtime. Thought it might have been the lean red meat I'd had for dinner for two days...so switched to fish...or that I'd had too much milk...so cut down on that. But no improvement. Only other thing I can think of that was unusual was very bad indigestion...almost like an ulcer attack...the night before this started. I was fine again by the next morning.

I'm up to my ears in books and info...but I really have no idea what to expect at this stage. I feel like I've reached some kind of plateau...and not a good one.

Was I being unrealistic in hoping to see these numbers continue to go down...or at least stay somewhat stable? What confuses me is that I'm being good. Sick to death of brussel sprouts and eggs but still good. (OK...I will admit...I could mug someone for a slice of bread & butter...but I haven't...yet)

Would really appreciate if someone could tell me why this may be happening...

Thanks,

Pat


Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sun, 08-01-2004 - 12:25am

Pat,


Welcome to the board. First off let me tell you that you can have a slice of bread and butter. The diabetic eating plan has been liberalized over the years and there isn't much that you can't have. What you can have will be re-arrange and in a measured amount. Almost anything is possible provided it is put into your meal plan.


I am glad to read that you are testing your blood sugar. At this point two things need to happen: You meds will need to be increased and your doctor needs to send you to a dietitian who hopefully specializes in diabetes for meal planning help. I know some folks on the baord didn't think the visit to dietitian was helpful but I totally disagree. I was recently started on insulin and I was having a terrible time. At my request I got a visit with the dietitian. We have totally re-arranged my meals and my snack and I am doing much better and seem to have even lost a few pounds!


When are you scheduled to see your doctor again? The effects of the Avandamet takes longer to see than the Glipizide. It fact you can see improvements for up to eight weeks. The stomach difficulties that you experienced may be from the metformin in the Avandamet. It usually goes away within two weeks.


Are you beginning to exercise? If not, please ask your physician but the goal for diabetics now is four hours per week. Start slowly especially if you haven't been moving your bod too much! Walking is a great way to start.


I hope this helpful and please pull up a chair and join our conversation. We have all been where you are now!

Mary Frances


cl-maryfrances40

Co-CL Diabetes Board


Avatar for cl_d_minnick
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sun, 08-01-2004 - 1:02am

Hi Pat and welcome to the board. I have to say that your doing a great job by sticking to your meal

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-31-2004
Sun, 08-01-2004 - 10:20pm
Hi Mary Frances & Denise,

Thanks for the welcome and the advice. :-)

I have a doctor appointment this Friday and, for the first time in my life, I'm looking forward to it. There's so much we still need to discuss. He had suggested the South Beach diet but I started researching and decided I'd rather have a dietitian's input. I asked my local hospital for info about their diabetes program. Hopefully, I'll have the info by the time I see my doctor.

Working on exercise...hard right now because I'm on antibiotics that increase my natural photosensitivity so I can't stay outside during the day. Tried mall walking, which seemed to bring my level up. Yesterday, I tried night swimming...and could have danced when I took a reading. 122. Wish the weather had been better today...would have loved to swim. Really lousy day. In mid 200s most of the day and vision very blurry. My doctor says my eyes should improve in two months...I hope he's right.

I know I need to be patient but it's so hard. I worry about the ease of infection with my sugar this high. I'm allergic to too many antibiotics.

And thank you both for mentioning wheat bread. :-)

Pat