Hello

3315 Views 17 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Diana, Jul 1, 2010

tolarius

Discussion Starter · Jun 24, 2010

Hello Everyone,

My name is James and I was recently diagonised with Diabetes Type 2. It was an experience I never thought would happen. I started drinking out of nessecity and using the bathroom alot, then one day I had a meal, and felt weaker after I ate, went to the ER and had a BG of 586. After 3 saline bags and 10 cc of insulin, I got down around 300 and was discharged.

The next day I went to my PCP and she went over some information, gave me testing supplies, and put me on Metiform. I have a history of diabetes in the family, but never thought I would get it so soon at the age of 25. I guess part of the coping process is you get angry which I did with myself. The way I ate and how I didn't exercise. But no more. My fiancee and I are going to kick this in the butt.

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

Shanny

· #2 · Jun 24, 2010

Hello, James, and welcome!

It occurs to me that at your age you should prob'ly be tested for type 1 as well. Do your numbers seem to be stabilizing with just metformin? Did your doctor do any antibodies tests?

I really like your attitude! And you've found a good resource here for managing . . . there are SO many knowledgeable experienced people on this board who've been through it all before us. It's great to have good guides like these on our journey.

Take care & thank you for joining us . . . do visit often!

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breezeonby

· #3 · Jun 25, 2010

Hello James and welcome to the forum! I hope you have time to visit often.

RobertIA

· #4 · Jun 26, 2010

I Agree with Shanny. You should be tested for type 1 as well and for possibly one of the MODY types and LADA. I do not remember all the tests, but a good endocrinologist will know. It is possible to develop type 2, but at your age, they should cover all bases. C-peptide is one of the tests.

ThoseBackPages

· #5 · Jun 27, 2010

James,

Welcome to the forum! PLENTY of helpful people around here, please ask any and all questions that you may have. We're all here to help.

Definately see an endocrinologist. ask your PCP to make a recommendation of one. Endo's know TONS more about diabetes and will know what to test for and/or do next for you.

tolarius

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 28, 2010

After about 2 or 3 blood tests and quite a few urine tests they confirmed it was type 2. They didn't see any antibodies and my C-peptide was norm.

I will have to admit as I have been seeing from other folks, this Metformin medication really gets you reaquainted with the toliet. I do have a few questions:

1)Do the symptoms go away after a week or two with the medication?

2)When testing for your fasting glucose for the day, do you normally do it right after you get up, or wait about an hour (before eating) to take it?

3)The nurse told me when testing its a good idea that after you prick, you should wipe off the initial blood and squeeze for a second "dose" to make the test more accurate, has anyone heard of that before?

ThoseBackPages

· #7 · Jun 28, 2010

tolarius said:
After about 2 or 3 blood tests and quite a few urine tests they confirmed it was type 2. They didn't see any antibodies and my C-peptide was norm.

I will have to admit as I have been seeing from other folks, this Metformin medication really gets you reaquainted with the toliet. I do have a few questions:

1)Do the symptoms go away after a week or two with the medication?

2)When testing for your fasting glucose for the day, do you normally do it right after you get up, or wait about an hour (before eating) to take it?

3)The nurse told me when testing its a good idea that after you prick, you should wipe off the initial blood and squeeze for a second "dose" to make the test more accurate, has anyone heard of that before?

1) Metformin is fantastic. Keep in mind that everyone reacts differently to all meds, no matter what they are. i take my Met once a day, after having my first meal of the day. ive been taking it for 5 months now and cant even remember what "issues" i had from taking it when i started taking it. i have no "issues" now though.

2) i test my fasting BG when i wake up in the morning.

3) Never heard of that and have never heard anyone else talk about doing that.

I'd also recommend again that you try to get to see an Endocrinologist

Shanny

· #8 · Jun 28, 2010

Hello again, James. Good to hear that you have a firm diagnosis.

Yes, metformin caused me a few days of close contact with the commode, but that wore off pretty soon. If it lasts too long, let your doc know & maybe he'll back off your dosage a little temporarily.

I test my fasting as soon as I get up in the morning before it gets a chance to rise any higher. Sometimes our levels continue to rise, even though we don't eat anything, so it's good to get a test soon after you wake up, until you know how your own levels do.

For testing, I wash hands with warm water, dry thoroughly on a clean towel, and then test without bothering to wipe away the first drop. I've heard of that, but figure I'm clean enough if I've washed with soap & warm water, dried on a fresh clean towel.

breezeonby

· #9 · Jun 28, 2010

tolarius said:
After about 2 or 3 blood tests and quite a few urine tests they confirmed it was type 2. They didn't see any antibodies and my C-peptide was norm.

I will have to admit as I have been seeing from other folks, this Metformin medication really gets you reaquainted with the toliet. I do have a few questions:

1)Do the symptoms go away after a week or two with the medication?

2)When testing for your fasting glucose for the day, do you normally do it right after you get up, or wait about an hour (before eating) to take it?

3)The nurse told me when testing its a good idea that after you prick, you should wipe off the initial blood and squeeze for a second "dose" to make the test more accurate, has anyone heard of that before?

Only took Metformin for a short time after DX and wasn't able to tolerate the side effects. I know that we have many member here who take Metformin and they say that the side effects do get better with time. Some people have no side effects at all. I test my blood sugar when I get out of bed. After you prick your finger, the first drop of blood is just as good as the second drop. I know that some medical professionals do wipe away the first drop of blood, but there is not much evidence that a second drop is more accurate. It is important to make sure that your hands are clean before pricking.

tolarius

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jun 28, 2010

Thanks for all the words....

So I tested myself this morning and it was higher than when I went to bed. I've been reading up on the "Dawn Phenomenon" which says happens when your body's glucose level reaches too low while you sleep...is that true?

I've been testing for about a week now, and its the first time it has happened...

tolarius

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 28, 2010

I have an appointment with my dietician next week, so unfortunately I don't have much to go on except "low carb". To get my BG down to normal I think the goal I set for myself for the time being is 40g for the entire day. Now as a result of that:

Wednesday: 586 avg (first diagnosed)
Thursday: 244 avg (started taking Metformin)
Friday: 234 avg
Saturday: 214 avg
Sunday: 150 avg

For the past couple of days it has not gone near 200. Should I consider it dangerous that my BG is dropping that much, or it is just a good sign? I've been starting to walking routing everyday, right now just working in a mile and half before I work up to 2 this week.

breezeonby

· #12 · Jun 28, 2010

tolarius said:
I have an appointment with my dietician next week, so unfortunately I don't have much to go on except "low carb". To get my BG down to normal I think the goal I set for myself for the time being is 40g for the entire day. Now as a result of that:

Wednesday: 586 avg (first diagnosed)
Thursday: 244 avg (started taking Metformin)
Friday: 234 avg
Saturday: 214 avg
Sunday: 150 avg

For the past couple of days it has not gone near 200. Should I consider it dangerous that my BG is dropping that much, or it is just a good sign? I've been starting to walking routing everyday, right now just working in a mile and half before I work up to 2 this week.

Your readings have certainly come down. It might be a good idea to check your blood sugar before you start walking and after a few times to see what impact exercise has on your blood sugar. You shouldn't be too concerned about your blood sugar dropping that much, Metformin does not typically cause low blood sugar. Keep an eye on your blood sugar to make sure you are within a good range.

larryp7639

· #13 · Jun 30, 2010

Hello !
I am also a new member. Would a newcomer be warmly welcome here? Good day you guy !

breezeonby

· #14 · Jun 30, 2010

larryp7639 said:
Hello !
I am also a new member. Would a newcomer be warmly welcome here? Good day you guy !

Welcome larryp! We are glad to have you on board! Tell us about your diabetes and how you are taking care of it. Ask all of the questions that you want, we will answer to the best of our knowledge. Take care and visit often!

Shanny

· #15 · Jun 30, 2010

larryp7639 said:
Hello !
I am also a new member. Would a newcomer be warmly welcome here? Good day you guy !

Welcome aboard, Larry! I hope you'll visit often and tell us more about your diagnosis and how you manage your diabetes.

onaughmae

· #16 · Jun 30, 2010

larryp7639 said:
Hello !
I am also a new member. Would a newcomer be warmly welcome here? Good day you guy !

Welcome Larry. Tell us a little bit about yourself

ThoseBackPages

· #17 · Jul 1, 2010

welcome aboard Larry!!!

Diana

· #18 · Jul 1, 2010

tolarius said:
I have an appointment with my dietician next week, so unfortunately I don't have much to go on except "low carb". To get my BG down to normal I think the goal I set for myself for the time being is 40g for the entire day. Now as a result of that:

Wednesday: 586 avg (first diagnosed)
Thursday: 244 avg (started taking Metformin)
Friday: 234 avg
Saturday: 214 avg
Sunday: 150 avg

For the past couple of days it has not gone near 200. Should I consider it dangerous that my BG is dropping that much, or it is just a good sign? I've been starting to walking routing everyday, right now just working in a mile and half before I work up to 2 this week.

Sounds like you have tackled the problem like I did, James!!

I started taking Metformin, walking a mile every morning and I chose to cut out all the "bad" carbs. Actually only eat veggies, no fruit. I was really frustrated the first few weeks because everything that I had come to know as "healthy" was not healthy for me.

One example was oatmeal....gave me the highest spike I've had (since being diagnosed anyway).

I had a few days of feeling a little nauseous after starting Metformin and only a few times of having to run to the bathroom, but after a week or so things calmed down. Now I seem to be more constipated so don't know if that's from the Met or not getting enough fiber.

This forum is the BEST place for info, support and encouragement! I've also found some great info by doing searches for diabetes recipes or diets, or just diabetes. WebMD - Better information. Better health. has a great section on diabetes and this site is good too: What Is the Glycemic Load? Glycemic Load Defined - Glycemic Load of Some Foods

I think it's super that you are seeing such good results!!

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