What are you experiences of type 2 diabetes treatment?

[FacingUp]

My DF was diagnosed in October, he’s on metformin and has cut most sugary foods from his diet.
A recent eye test has detected bleeding behind his eye and he’s suffering sharp shooting pains all over his body.
I’m very concerned that his blood sugars are still high and causing neuropathy and the eye bleeds, I spoke to his GP on Friday and she revealed he hasn’t had his blood sugars checked since October! (Is that normal?) she says he’s not entitled to a blood glucose monitor on the NHS but finally relented when I pointed out how concerned I was about his health, he’s pale and lethargic and just seems unwell.
He’s coming over today so I can help him get the monitor set up as the GP just left it at reception for collection so no one has actually shown him how to use it.
He’s also recovering from a recent stroke so I am doubly concerned for him at the moment, feel absolutely sick with worry any advice please?

Dh was diagnosed at 41, two cousins are now diagnosed too, he dieted and exercised and no longer has diabetes.

He has a yearly blood test to check it hasn’t come back.

I’m glad he’s managed to reverse it, how did he manage his blood sugars when he had it and was he able to monitor them at home?

He had a monitor at home, the nurse said most patients went onto insulin in 12 months and that spurred him on. He started off on diet only.

I have had a patient who was on the highest dose of insulin and metformin who dieted and reversed his too.

The monitors only measure though, if the patient doesn’t make life style changes there’s not much point measuring hence the reluctance to give out the monitors & the reliance on hba1c blood test results instead. You can manipulate a fasting blood sugar test but not the hba1c.

I was diagnosed at 35 and am now 55. Been on Metformin for 20 years. Dose has increased every, maybe, 5 years or so. I, too, have annual blood test for the HBA1C. The best way to keep it under control is diet and exercise - things that he has to do for himself outside the control of the GP.

I found the DIY blood sugar test kits to be pretty pointless - I know myself when it's going to be high because it will be because I've eaten stuff I shouldn't and I know when it's going to be low because I've eaten healthy stuff. I don't need a finger prick test to tell me I've stuffed myself with unhealthy crap over Christmas.

My HBA1C barely changes from year to year. There's a very gradual upward trend, hence the occasional dosage increases of the metformin. But it's all very slow and gradual. Not having a blood test for 3 months doesn't sound to be an issue at all - unless he's massively increased his exercise and made massive changes to his diet, his long term blood sugar levels won't have changed much.

I have type 2 and when I was diagnosed the diabetes nurse got VERY pissy with me for suggesting that I might get myself a monitor, I wasn't asking for a prescription for it. She said it was counter-productive and studies had shown that it just made patients over-anxious. Yes, because all diabetes patients have the exact same personality.

Anyway, the NHS recommended diet isn't all that great for many people. Have a look at www.diabetes.co.uk they have a very good carb reducing program that takes you through it step by step. I was diagnosed about 10 years ago and about 18 months ago my hba1c went through the roof and we thought I would have to start insulin. While I was waiting for the consultant's appointment I went low carb and my hba1c went right back down to where it should be (although not low enough to come off Metformin, but I'm ok with that).

A monitor is extremely useful for gauging which meals keep you level. You take a fasting blood reading before the meal, then one two hours after and four hours after. For instance, a lot of dieticians recommend porridge for breakfast as it's slow release, but for me it always shot my bloods up really high, so I don't eat it anymore. But I know from testing that three scrambled eggs on one piece of granary toast barely moves my bloods at all so I quite often have egg based meals. I also know from testing that if I go out to dinner and eat steak that I can have up to a third of a portion of chips without pushing my bloods up too high (I would normally avoid chips altogether).

I wouldn't get a monitor and the just test randomly, that doesn't really give you any useful information.

Most pharmacies will have free monitors with maybe 10 strips to start you off. The strips are where the companies make their money so the monitors are usually very cheap or free. I buy strips from Amazon. You'll go through a lot at first as you test every meal but people tend to eat similar things repeatedly so once you've tested a particular meal a couple of times and know it's ok there's no need to keep testing before and after.

Generally type 2 don't need to have blood sugars monitored daily. My df was diagnosed about 18 yrs ago. He had metformin and another drug to start with. I want to say he has his hb1c blood test every six months. He as also reversed the effects by diet. He hasn't upped his exercise. Retiring from work has really helped as it lowered his stress levels. Stress can have a massive impact on diabetes.

My DH was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, no blood sugar monitoring bar occasional tests at the GP's. He has made an effort with diet and exercise and his blood sugars have dropped below the level considered diabetic now. He is not on any meds.

As well as avoiding sugar, we have really been trying to lower our carbs as well so I would recommend that. Exercise may be more difficult for your father if he is still recovering from the stroke but it would be worth checking with the GP/consultant (if he has one) what he could do.

I also think the monitor isn't going to help at this stage - sorry, OP. Main things - lower carbs and sugar in diet and exercise. Is your DF overweight? Do you have any health anxiety yourself, OP?

I used to have a monitor but actually the advice is now not to bother for type 2. The HBAC1 test shows average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months so it’s more useful. Once every 3 months the test is done if there are concerns. Every 6 months if they want to more closely monitor and every year otherwise.

But OP those symptoms sound worrying so I’d be asking for more help too.

Carbs are the massive enemy for diabetics. The Michael Moseley diet is meant to be fabulous. Generally cutting sugar and carbs right down and upping exercise is the way forward.

Buy a blood sugar monitor if you want to keep track.

No health anxiety SassitudeandSparkle my MIL is a retired nurse and is type 2. She was pretty shocked to say the least when I described his symptoms and his current level of care from the GP. She has been type 2 for 10 years and has always been provided with monitors and strips, she was the one who urged me to contact his GP to request the latter. I’m anxious because his symptoms point to uncontrolled diabetes, when he was in hospital after his stroke they struggled to control his blood sugars and it would be high despite not having eaten, Im concerened that’s happening now he’s back home and he’s unaware and can’t take measures to adjust it because he has no way of checking.

Just buy a monitor and check?

he’s unaware and can’t take measures to adjust it because he has no way of checking

He should be taking the same measures whether he can check or not, i.e. exercise, cut out sugar, low carbs, etc. No harm even if his sugar levels are low/average. If he's doing that, not sure what else he could do if his sugars are high - fasting isn't a sensible option. Seeing high levels would just add to stress/anxiety, especially if he's already doing all he can.

Seeing high levels would just add to stress/anxiety, especially if he's already doing all he can.
If he’s seeing persistently high levels despite keeping to his diet then that’s evidence he can take back to the GP so they can do something about it. If he’s having high levels and it goes untreated because he doesn’t know about it then surely that’s a risk to his health? I’m just trying to make sure he’s getting the right care especially as his current symptoms are indicating that his diabetes is not as controlled as it should be.

Quite normal to not have a glucose monitor if only on metformin, I think - for type 2 they usually only give them if using a medication that can cause hypos e.g. gliclazide.

My dad has had type 2 for ~15 years and has terrible control, because he refused to test his sugars for years despite being on potentially hypo-inducing medication. Wouldn't alter his diet much either. He's recently started on insulin so HAS to test, and we've all been shocked at just how bad things were before.

For the 3rd time

BUY A MONITOR.

I've been T2 Diabetic for 10 years and check my BG every morning. I don't strictly need to, but it reminds me that I am T2 and need to keep a firm grip on my diet. For the past 6 months I've also been checking what makes my BG spike and fall. Since losing weight over the past 6 months (WW), I now need to check for hypos.

I also thought I was heading for Insulin, with BG continually going up each year, but since losing some weight it has come right back down to normal. I'm even reducing my medication!

Get a monitor so he can check what raises and lowers his BG. Everyone is different, and you can then work out an eating plan that takes this into account.

They have a monitor, potato!

It's not current practice for a type 2 to have a monitor issues IME (and in the experience of the majority of posters here either).

Agree with the PP that the measures he takes at home shouldn't really be influenced by the monitor. The diagnosis is a big thing for him to get his head around, especially with the recent stroke as well. To go on metformin straight away I'm guessing that his levels must have been fairly high to start off with? Is he overweight, has he lost any weight on the metformin?

I can understand your concern but it's not clear if he wanted the monitor at all or if it was prompted by you speaking to the GP.

Jesus I miss that. Apologies.

Not sure what the problem is then? You wanted a monitor. You have a monitor?

It's normal to have 3 monthly blood tests, it will give an average blood sugar level over that period of time.

DH was on 6 monthly tests initially.

potatoscone
Don’t be a dick.
He’s got one now but you’d know that if you’d read my OP properly, I’m chatting to other users about the pros and cons of having one, if you got nothing helpful to say then dont bother posting fuck off

facingup

I wasn't being a dick. I genuinely missed it in the OP and wondered why you had responded twice but not acknowledged my post.

I have since apologised for being a fucking idiot.

potatoscone
Are you actually reading the thread?! How can you not know what the problem is considering my subsequent posts? You’re being really unhelpful and quite unpleasant to be honest.

Can you just get off the thread please? I’m trying to help my Dad and you’re just winding me up at a really worrying time.

You’re being really unhelpful and quite unpleasant to be honest.

Erm ok.

I missed a detail. I apologies for missing it.

You called me a dick and told me to fuck off.

And I'm the one being unpleasant?

I'm sorry for misreading it ffs.

Sorry cross posted. Yes I'm away...

No not just a detail you’re telling me you don’t know what the problem is if he’s already got the monitor when it’s clear if you read my subsequent posts.
You expect me to be pleasant to you when you’re being an utter twat to someone who is stressed and worried about their unwell
Dad? Yeah good luck with that!