[stinger35]

I was diagnosed about 8 months ago, with what appears to be type 2 diabetes. However, it doesn't make much sense because I am active (run 10-15 miles per week), young (23), skinny (5'11", 145lbs). But whatever the case, I am on metformin twice a day. 2 Hours after lunch lately my blood sugar has been extremely high (usually 160-180 but sometimes 200). 4 Hours after eating, it has been getting extremely low (70 or below). At night, it stays normal, (under 130 no matter what).

Just wondering what the hell is going on or if anyone can help. Can't understand why it would go so high just to go so low. I don't think diet has much to do with either because I always keep my carbs down and even when I cheat, my levels usually stay surpisingly low. HELP, ahhaha.

 

[Shanny]

Welcome, stinger . . . to the club you wish you hadn't joined, and to the forum we hope will be of some assistance to you.

Did your doctor do any antibody tests or c-peptide to fully rule out type 1? It does seem an odd diagnosis with your age & size.

Stick around and let's see what others have to say about this . . . my experience is not much wider than your own - I'm not even a year into this yet either.

 

[diabetes86]

Welcome to diabetes

Despite what the Medea would have you believe, fat people are NOT the only ones to get diabetes.

Food has carbohydrates (I'm sure you've herd of them) crabs raise Blood sugar levels (BGL). how much and how long BGL raises depends on
1 YOU (every person is different)
2 the food you eat
3 other stuff not as important as 1 and 2

you will notice I did not say sugar. sugar is a carbohydrate, a potato is worse for a diabetic that sugar

The skinny (exuse the pun)




your tools to controle BGL

Pills and or insulin
exercise
Food


Food

All foods with carbohydrates (carbs) Raises BGL
especially bad carbs are
almost anything white. White bread, potato, rice, sugar (eating a potato is worse than eating sugar as far as BGL goes.)
​

Protein, fiber and fat

slows down the rise of BGL.
​

meds (pills and insulin)

lower BSL
​

exercise

lowers BSL
​

Read the labels on food packages
get to know the Glycemic index of foods.
http://www.mendosa.com/gilists.htm


Basically those are the tools you have, use them well and you will have a long Happy life.

O ya… To learn HOW THIS ALL AFFECTS YOU… Test, test, test… before you eat, test 1 hour after you eat , test 2 hours after you eat test before exercise test after exercise.

 

[stinger35]

Welcome, stinger . . . to the club you wish you hadn't joined, and to the forum we hope will be of some assistance to you.

Did your doctor do any antibody tests or c-peptide to fully rule out type 1? It does seem an odd diagnosis with your age & size.

Stick around and let's see what others have to say about this . . . my experience is not much wider than your own - I'm not even a year into this yet either.

Thanks for the welcome, and nice description of the club, hahaha. I do not think that she did those tests, but she obviously did take my blood. While it seems very possible that I have type 1, I would assume my levels would go much much higher if I were not producing any insulin at all, and certainly not going low (as they sometimes do). Who knows though?

 

[stinger35]

Yes, I am quite aware of all of this and carb count just about everything eat. As I said, I exercise quite a bit and obviously take my medicine everyday. I am simply wondering if there is some reason why it goes high after lunch but not after dinner when the meals are extremely similar and why it goes so low only an hour or two after it is high. Doesn't seem to make sense

 

[Shanny]

Even type 1s can have a honeymoon phase when a few surviving beta cells are still producing insulin, although not enough. Other possibilities are LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults), sometimes referred to as type 1.5. There is an even more rare variation called MODY (Mature Onset Diabetes of the Young).

Again, the C-peptide and antibodies tests can shed more light on diagnosis of LADA as well as type 1. Some studies conclude there could be as much as 20% of type 2 diagnosed patients who are actually LADA.

Without knowing what you're actually eating, it's difficult to form an opinion about the cause of highs after lunch but not after dinner. Many people are more carb-sensitive earlier in the day - do you notice any difference after your morning meal? What can happen when you've spiked pretty high is that a reactive low can ensue. It isn't something I have a lot of experience with because I keep a pretty tight rein on my numbers, but even with me, it manifests once in awhile to a small degree.

 

[Richard157]

Stinger, I suggest you try this experiment. Look at the Glycemic Index in the following link. Pick foods with very low index numbers. (Th lower, the better.) They are the ones that are least likely to produce high blood sugar two hours after you eat. They are more likely to affect you later than that.

http://www.diabetesforum.com/diabetes-diet-nutrition/1909-glycemic-index.html

I am not suggesting that you eat this way all the time. It is just an experiment. Don't eat an enormous number of carbs. Include some meat and/or fat with each meal. I eat only 130 carbs per day and I eat small portions of foods that have high glycemic numbers. I realize I am Type 1, but diabetics of all types can have problems soon after eating if they are eating foods that cause blood sugar to rise very quickly.

Richard

 

[onaughmae]

Thanks for the welcome, and nice description of the club, hahaha. I do not think that she did those tests, but she obviously did take my blood. While it seems very possible that I have type 1, I would assume my levels would go much much higher if I were not producing any insulin at all, and certainly not going low (as they sometimes do). Who knows though?

If you had type 1 you wouldnt be able to manage on metformin alone. You would have to take insulin to replace what your body was not making. It is possible to be young and not obese and still be type 2. I was only 16 when I was first diagnosed. It isnt the most common for type 2's...but it does happen.

 

[stinger35]

If you had type 1 you wouldnt be able to manage on metformin alone. You would have to take insulin to replace what your body was not making. It is possible to be young and not obese and still be type 2. I was only 16 when I was first diagnosed. It isnt the most common for type 2's...but it does happen.

Yes - what I am worried about most is that I am type 1.5 (aka having Latent autoimmune diabetes) and I am just slowly becoming type 1. While having to change my diet and take metformin and worry about checking my sugar has been pretty miserable, I honestly don't think I could handle being type 1 at this point in my life.

I am a law student and still young to go out and have fun. I am not sure if I honestly could handle giving myself 4-10 injections a day, checking my sugar all the damn time, etc. I really dont think I could. And even though I have friends that have type 1 and wear pumps, I don't think I could handle doing that either. Not really sure what to do right now.

 

[onaughmae]

You would be surprised what you can handle when you have to Diabetes is not a death sentence. Insulin is not either. It really isnt. You get very used it. I was taking 5-6 injections a day. I managed it with a busy life and a very busy job. You could do it I am sure its just all overwhelming right now and thats understandable. We have all been there. Its true that the life you knew is changing....it takes time to get used to it and adjust. I just went on the pump and I can already tell I am going to like it. Just try to relax and concentrate on getting your numbers under control for now...worry about will come later when it does. Remember stress will make it even harder to get your blood sugar under control. Please let us know how you are doing. There is always someone to give advice as to what is working for them and this is a good place to just vent when you have to!

 

[stripes]

Yes - what I am worried about most is that I am type 1.5 (aka having Latent autoimmune diabetes) and I am just slowly becoming type 1. While having to change my diet and take metformin and worry about checking my sugar has been pretty miserable, I honestly don't think I could handle being type 1 at this point in my life.

I am a law student and still young to go out and have fun. I am not sure if I honestly could handle giving myself 4-10 injections a day, checking my sugar all the damn time, etc. I really dont think I could. And even though I have friends that have type 1 and wear pumps, I don't think I could handle doing that either. Not really sure what to do right now.

Hey stinger35, welcome to the forum.

I'm your age too and I know it's difficult to have diabetes when it seems basically noone else our age does. I'm type one, have been for 10 years now, and I got diagnosed 2 weeks into high school, in a new school and new people. I understand COMPLETELY what you're going through, but as Meg said, you will be surprised with what you can cope with. I believe that life doesn't give you more than you can handle, and I know it's difficult now, but when you understand the disease a bit better and get to know what options are available to you, it will become easier and you WILL be able to handle it. Have faith in yourself . I had the same problem when I got diagnosed - I am normally a very quiet and shy person, and when I had to have my first injection, I screamed the house down and fought the doctor. I still don't like needles (who does?) but it's what keeps me alive . Small price to pay for life, don'tcha think?

My best friend has another form of diabetes I think (not sure what it's called) where her pancreas does produce insulin, but not gradually. Instead, it dumps it all at once and she goes from high to incredibly low. She's got it under control now and I forget she has it - she is that good.

So don't worry, there is hope, and we are all a support system here for you. If you have any fears, anxieties, worries, or just want to complain about the disease we've all been 'blessed' with, that's why we're here.

Good luck!

stripes

 

[Shanny]

Take heart, Stinger . . . you won't be morphing from one type to another either. So even if you were to be reclassified as type 1.5, you won't then slide into type 1. You may become insulin-dependent, but that won't mean you're type 1, it will only mean you're insulin-dependent type 1.5 or type 2. The tests I mentioned earlier are what determines type. If no antibodies are found, then you would not be type 1.

There is another young man who posted to this forum a few times quite awhile ago, and he's living the fun life as a type 1 - employed by the State Department and jetting all over the world at a moment's notice. He uses a pump and most people don't even know he's diabetic.

 

[breezeonby]

Yes - what I am worried about most is that I am type 1.5 (aka having Latent autoimmune diabetes) and I am just slowly becoming type 1. While having to change my diet and take metformin and worry about checking my sugar has been pretty miserable, I honestly don't think I could handle being type 1 at this point in my life.

I am a law student and still young to go out and have fun. I am not sure if I honestly could handle giving myself 4-10 injections a day, checking my sugar all the damn time, etc. I really dont think I could. And even though I have friends that have type 1 and wear pumps, I don't think I could handle doing that either. Not really sure what to do right now.

This can all be very overwhelming. I often feel that having diabetes is a burden. Unfortunately, not taking care of it will not help. I have been down the path of not testing or treating due to finances and not knowing what help is available. I just ended up having some minor complications that bother me on a daily basis. Thank goodness that you have found out that you have diabetes when you are young and you are probably fairly healthy. Find out what your options are and go from there. Testing and taking multiple daily injections (MDI) does take time and effort, you can get used to the routine, it may just take some time. Take care and good luck!