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Update of previous forum discussion re high blood sugar

Posted , 5 users are following.

gill70346
gill70346

Since I last write on the forum about my concerns about my constantly raised blood sugars things have changed so I wanted to let all the people who responded what the situation is. I was in hospital on an unrelated matter (mild heart attack) and my blood sugats were tested 4 times per day and they were never below 11.8 and went up to 22.9. The ward staff were very concerned and referred me to the diabetes consultant who saw me on Friday just before I was discharged.He said that contrary to what my GP said, I do need to be testing every day, at least once but at the moment whilst it is so high it has to be tested 4 times per day and the hospital have given me the relevant number of testing strips.

The consultant has also told me that, contrary to what a number of people on the forum have told me, poorly controlled blood sugars are not always caused by too much sugary food and drink. in my case the raised sugar levels are due to the long term use of steroids (because of uveitis) and the particular form  of Type 2 diabetes I have which can cause quick deterioration. I have 2 other friends with type 2 diabetes who had to start using insulin after only 2 years as a disagnosed diabetic. It looks as though I may soon have to go onto insulin myself if the blood sugars. does not start getting to safe levels. In my case after talking over my medical history he feels it is likely that my blood sugars are particularly sensitive to illness ie if I have an infection they will go up in addition to the diabetes getting worse - it has nothing to do with what I am eating/drinking

1 like, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • jean62175
    jean62175 gill70346

    Posted

    Glad you are getting sorted.  With regards to what people have said on this forum. I would think that everyone just kindly gives their own experiences and if nothing else it gives people an idea of what their illness might be, (also comfort that they are not the only one going through an illness or symptoms of same) some people are effected by diet and others are not.  But you seem to be on the right track now so wishing you good health going forward.
  • graham09410
    graham09410 gill70346

    Posted

    Hi gill,

    Thanks for the update and I whole heartedly agree with jean62175 comments.

    Good luck.

    G.

  • gill70346
    gill70346

    Posted

    I am probably hyper sensitive but when so many people tell me my blood sugars have gone up because I am eAting the wrong foods and that is the only reason, I cannot help feeling and confused because I knew me diet had not changed. I suppose I was hoping that there was someone on the forum who is, or had been, in a similar situation.

    however thank you all for your concern for Mr.

    • jean62175
      jean62175 gill70346

      Posted

      That programme is now on BBC 1 now - hopefully u see his on time but as you say, u will get it on catch up J.
  • Whizzieliz
    Whizzieliz gill70346

    Posted

    Pleased that your issues are being addressed by the medics.  A recent TV programme highlighted the problems of foods and drinks containing saccharine can cause high spikes in bs levels!  Apparently the newer natural stevia does not do this.  Since many people use saccharine thinking it is calorie free and therefor right for diabetes it is a concern.
    • gill70346
      gill70346 Whizzieliz

      Posted

      Thanks whizzie Liz. Could you tell me the name of the programme so I can watch it on catch up TV. As it happens I do not use saccharine and rarely buy ready made food but what you have said makes me wonder if I am unwittingly eating saccharine.
  • Whizzieliz
    Whizzieliz gill70346

    Posted

    The programme was Trust me I'm a Doctor on BBC 2 on a Wed evening at 9pm
  • grandmaDylan
    grandmaDylan gill70346

    Posted

    I had perfectly controlled type 2 with metformin, I started taking steroids for polymyalgia and within a week or so my blood sugars were up to the high 20's. I hadn't been warned and didn't check my sugars and it was only when I developed thrush I realised something was amiss. I now inject insulin twice a day and tryludan once a week. I am desperate to get off the steroids due to this as well as the other horrible problems it causes. I have big hamster cheeks and have gained a lot of weight. My gp says I will be on steroids for 3 to 5 years!
    • gill70346
      gill70346 grandmaDylan

      Posted

      Deborah, thank so much. At last someone like me who is on steroids and as a result has diabetes. With people like us, high blood sugars are not because of a poor diet and eating too much sugar but so many people tell me this. As for weight gain, when I first went permanently on steroids in 2008 (because of an eye condition called uveitis) in the first 39 weeks I put on 35lbs which I have never been able to lose. Many people have suggested I stop taking steroids on a daily basis but only when I have a flare up but in fact that would mean overall more steroids because when I have a flare up I have to start with 60g and the gradually over 6 weeks reduce back down to 5 g. Again Deborah, thank you so much for making me feel I am not on my own
  • grandmaDylan
    grandmaDylan gill70346

    Posted

    Forgot to mention that my diabetes specialist nurse says my high blood sugars are due purely to the steroids and nothing to do with what I'm eating.
  • Whizzieliz
    Whizzieliz gill70346

    Posted

    How horrible for you, Gill.  Is there really no alternative to steroids?  It almost seems like they're doing more harm than good!
    • gill70346
      gill70346 Whizzieliz

      Posted

      Unfortunately whizzieliz there is no alternative. I have an eye condition called uveitis which is in both eyes. If I continue having flare ups i will probably lose my sight. If I even reduce them from 5g to 4g within 3 weeks I will get a flare up. Like Debbie I have been told by the diabetes team my diabetes is due to the steroids, and when it goes out of control it is not because of what I eat. Because of the damage caused by not having them  I have to say I disagree with you, they do me more good than harm
  • Whizzieliz
    Whizzieliz gill70346

    Posted

    So sorry to hear of your troubles, Gill.  I have no experience of these things luckily but instead of advice I send you healing thoughts and prayers and hope that even if physically it may not help perhaps it will make you more able to cope.
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