[Ratter51]

Day started ok then around 2 pm started feeling kinda like a person who gets heat stroke gets, said in van to wife I don’t feel214 good and so on. I said I it may be low sugar get me some grapes when we got home and she did but before I at the grapes took readings which were never that low then ate the grapes fast and started to feel a little better. A few hours later or maybe more did a glucose and was 170 area.

this morning did fasting test was 191 then another 214

 

[itissteve]

Ratter51, do you remember how low the readings were before you ate the grapes?

One of the complications you may be facing now is that the glimepride is pushing your pancreas to produce the insulin it can, but because your body is becoming more resistant to the effects of insulin, the mechanism within the body that calls for insulin and cuts off the supply isn't working well. Think of it a little like a sticky throttle on an engine. And when you eat sugar to react to what feels like a hypo, the amount of sugar makes a difference, too.

The standard for responding to hypos is 15 grams of carbohydrates, wait 15 minutes, retest, and then see if you need more sugar. For green grapes, 15 grams of carbs is one half cup. Eat a cup of grapes (I like them well enough to do that) and that's 30 grams of carbs, which may be enough at one time for your body to call for more insulin and you kind of end up on this roller coaster of hypos and high readings.

But props for continuing to take the glimepride. It seems to be making a real difference for you. But managing your diabetes will be, for you as it was for all of us, a matter of adjustment in what you eat, how much you exercise, etc. We're all trying to figure this out.

 

[Ratter51]

OK, had McDonalds and the Glimepiride tablet. Was kinda tired and around 12pm started to get that “off” feeling. Said to my wife I bet if I do a meter test it will be low. Was not sure but I did two reading and both 120. Wife went and we split a roast beef sub I have less really. And started to feel better. I also had half an orange at 12pm. Feel better now. Seems the Glimepiride works somewhat. But at times readings high…..go figure

 

[Ratter51]

I know not suppose yo eat this but…..

 

[etherea]

I know not suppose yo eat this but…..

Congratulations on 36 years! 👰🤵

 

[Ratter51]

I am thinking of cutting my Dr off. Been taking anti diabetic drugs for I guess 5 years now and have doubts about the effectiveness of the meds. I know I’m not going to eat that ridiculous diabetic diet. So I’m wasting his time and mine. Just did a 1pm test and it’s 181 and second test immediately following first test was 190. The meds not gonna work if I can’t or don’t want to follow that rabbit food diet. No need to respond

 

[itissteve]

Of course, it's your choice.

Ratter51, are you measuring your carb intake at all? Do you know any other long-term diabetics besides us?

 

[Ratter51]

Just my brother who had type 1 and died at 50 years ago. That’s not the same.
this says it all. I’m not doing it for attention just disgusted.
I am thinking of cutting my Dr off. Been taking anti diabetic drugs for I guess 5 years now and have doubts about the effectiveness of the meds. I know I’m not going to eat that ridiculous diabetic diet. So I’m wasting his time and mine. Just did a 1pm test and it’s 181 and second test immediately following first test was 190. The meds not gonna work if I can’t or don’t want to follow that rabbit food diet. No need to respond. I’ll let him know soon. If it ever gets worse I can always start them up down the road. Good luck to everyone

 

[Ratter51]

I decided to take the Glimepiride every other day On my own. I’ll let the Dr know on next visit in June.

 

[mbuster]

.... I know I’m not going to eat that ridiculous diabetic diet. ....The meds not gonna work if I can’t or don’t want to follow that rabbit food diet. .... I’ll let him know soon. If it ever gets worse I can always start them up down the road. Good luck to everyone

I invite you to browse thru our Diet and Nutrition forum, I don't think you will find much rabbit food in there,

I decided to take the Glimepiride every other day On my own. I’ll let the Dr know on next visit in June.

Probably a good decision, it's NOT if it gets worse later, it will and there may not be any getting better.

 

[Ratter51]

This scared my a little. Started raking again. I only skipped a couple days.

 

[itissteve]

High blood sugar levels do indeed damage hearts and blood vessels and that goes on to result in cardiac events, poor muscle tone, balance problems, infections that go untracked.

That's why some of us do "the rabbit food" and others take metformin/glimepride/insulin as we need it. I know you had gastric problems with met; some people do. I'm glad your doctor prescribed something else that can address high blood sugar. This is a serious illness and it only gets lots worse if it's ignored. Good decision to take it more seriously.

 

[Ratter51]

Hi everyone, well got a change back to Metformin by my doctor. The Glimepiride was not doing anything. Just had the latest Bloodwork from Labcorp and the A1C was the highest it’s ever been. The doctor said I was doing better with Metformin so after not taking Metformin because it made me sick, perhaps the break from it allows me to resume taking it. This time it’s 750 pill once a day with breakfast. He wanted to do 50ml twice a day the decided 750 once a day. So now I guess have to wait 3 more months to see if Metformin lowers the A1C. A1C presently is 8.6 the highest it’s ever been. Yes I’m getting plenty of exercise. I quit eating bacon too. Use to have crispy bacon everyday but not anymore. That’s the latest.

 

[itissteve]

Thanks for the update, Ratter51. I hope you take better to the Met this time. It's discouraging when a medication that's supposed to make you healthier has a discomforting side effect.

Sad about the bacon, though. If it's not maple-glazed or such, there's practically no carbs in bacon. But I'm guessing your doctor wants to reduce your cholesterol, too.

 

[Ratter51]

Yes I take a cholesterol pill every other night. My PCP is also a cardiologist.

 

[Ratter51]

Hi, Dec 5, 2023 update. Was using the glucose meter now and then and thought my A1C was around 7 use a conversion chart. Had bloodwork a couple weeks ago and A1C is 8 down from 8.5 then 8.1
Latest med is still Metformin twice a day plus now taking Januvia once a day with Metformin. One Metformin and one Januvia at breakfast and one Metformin at dinner. I completely quit using the One touch meter because it’s not accurate. Have no side effects from Januvia and Metformin. Maybe tiredness but that’s about it.

 

[itissteve]

Thanks for the update, Ratter51. I'm glad to see you're still taking diabetes head-on and that the meds aren't treating you too badly.

As for the meter, most OneTouch meters have a reputation for being quite accurate (for consumer-grade meters). It's possible yours is defective or it's just old enough. If you want to keep closer tabs on your blood glucose, it would be worth getting a new one. Just sayin'.

I appreciate that you checked in with us.

 

[Ratter51]

I did get a new one direct and same. I’m just going by A1C results. Nothing else as my type 2 is mild still. If it gets worse then will have to do something else. But the heat gets to me big time. Last Summer was a scorcher in NJ. Record heat and no rain.

 

[itissteve]

I dislike the heat. That's why I live in Minnesota. 🫠

 

[mbuster]

Good to hear back from you Ratter51!!!

Is your new meter also a One Touch, same model, same strips? Did you get new strips too? One way to check your meter's accuracy is to carry it with you on your next A1c test.. Test your BG with your meter right before or right after they draw blood and write down your meter's results. The doctor's office may run the BG test in their office lab. You can compare your meter's results with the doctors's office results or the results of the lab they use. My doctor's office always says they'll call me when they get the lab results back within a week but it usually only takes a couple of days.