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Hi, everyone. I am a semi-new diabetic. It has been about 1-2 years and they are already trying to put me on insulin. I am trying to hold out. My blood sugars are not at their best right now, but I know that if I could control my eating, it would be so much better... and I know this because I have done so. Whenever I eat anything high in carbohydrates, it is like I have taken a sleeping pill. Nothing can keep me awake at this point. Is this normal? Has anyone had this experience? Also, any ideas on what could be causing my low blood pressures (yes, pressures...not sugar)? I have checked with my doctor, but I don't really think they care all that much. I got my 10 minutes and they really don't have time to think about my problems in that time frame. Any advice anyone...anyone with similar symptons after eating carbs? I also know that I should be watching my carbs, but it is almost as if I can't control myself sometimes. It is like that candy bar is calling me.
 

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Hello

Hello and welcome to our community! I assume you are Type 2 or you would have been started on insulin when diagnosed. If you are not eating properly and therefore having a lot of blood sugar highs then insulin is necessary to give you good control. If you can eat properly and run much lower blood sugar then you may be able to stop insulin and use medication instead. Some Type 2 diabetics get very good control and do so well that they can control their diabetes by diet and exercise alone. That would be ideal! You would need to reduce your daily carb intake and exercise every day to accomplish this. I limit myself to 130g of carbs each day and I do not eat any candy or other treats unless my blood sugar is low and I need to raise it to my target level (90).

Your picture shows a slender lady. Is that a recent picture? If it is I am thinking you may have been misdiagnosed. A misdiagnosis is quite common if a doctor does no know enough about diabetes. Seeing an endocrinologist (diabetes specialist) would result in a correct diagnosis. Then the appropriate treatment could be determined.

Sleepiness is a common characteristic of continual high blood sugar. If you continue running high for a long time then you are increasing your chances of having complications with your eyes, kidneys and nervous system. I hope you will take the necessary steps to improve your health soon. Good luck to you!

Richard
 

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Whenever I eat anything high in carbohydrates, it is like I have taken a sleeping pill. Nothing can keep me awake at this point. Is this normal? Has anyone had this experience? Also, any ideas on what could be causing my low blood pressures (yes, pressures...not sugar)? I have checked with my doctor, but I don't really think they care all that much. I got my 10 minutes and they really don't have time to think about my problems in that time frame. Any advice anyone...anyone with similar symptons after eating carbs? I also know that I should be watching my carbs, but it is almost as if I can't control myself sometimes. It is like that candy bar is calling me.
Its easy to sit here and say "get a new doctor" if you don't like the one you have, but that is not always an easy option, so maybe if you added some more details, an idea might surface here.

Can you tell us your latest A1c? Morning fasting numbers? Before and after meals? Blood pressure? Are you taking medications for the diabetes. Could there be other meds you take for something else, that is causing an interaction issue?

Have you ever checked your BG levels when you get this "sleeping pill" effect?

Carbs being a rather generic term for starch and or sugar, what kind of carbs do you have problems with?

Hate to admit it :) but Richard may be right as your doctor may just be up in the night, and you should consider a specialist if you can work that out. Family doctors don't seem interested, or informed on controlling diabetes.

Let us know some more, so we can have something to think on and maybe better suggestions could be forthcoming

John
 

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When I wasn't able to control my sugars, I was like you... any bit of carbs would knock me out. I slept at lunch for 20 minutes, and after supper almost every day.

Richard brings up several interesting points, particularly the dx of Type 2 possibly being off. When I was rediagnosed as Type 1 (adult onset) and began on insulin, my world completely changed in a wonderful way. Energy and strength came back immediately, and the continual drowsiness disappeared as my scores normalized.
 

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Correct diagnosis`

When I wasn't able to control my sugars, I was like you... any bit of carbs would knock me out. I slept at lunch for 20 minutes, and after supper almost every day.

Richard brings up several interesting points, particularly the dx of Type 2 possibly being off. When I was rediagnosed as Type 1 (adult onset) and began on insulin, my world completely changed in a wonderful way. Energy and strength came back immediately, and the continual drowsiness disappeared as my scores normalized.
You were without insulin for a long time and you really needed it. You are lucky you are doing well now and did not experience some damage while you were still diagnosed as T2. I hope things will go well for you in the years ahead.
 

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Hello, ms. ebony . . . I experience the same lethargy as you when I have consumed a high carb meal. In fact, I used to call it "carb coma", and I can attest that I've used prescription sleeping pills that were less effective in putting me to sleep! :D

Very often I find that once I've had a high carb meal, I'm craving more of the same. This effect is much less pronounced if I stay away from really high fast-acting carb foods.

If you just cannot resist those candy bars, see if you can find the Atkins Endulge products. There are several that are virtually indistinguishable from the "real" thing - such as their coconut bar (just like a Mounds), and their peanut butter cups (just like a Reese's). Not saying that you can make a habit of eating these lower carb sweets several times a day - they're still sweets, after all - but when you just can't help yourself, think about this substitution.
 
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