Newly Diagnosed Type 2 – Questions
Question:
I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes 3 days ago. Looking back on the symptoms, I was probably suffering undiagnosed for 10-15 years! When I was diagnosed my blood sugar was 286. The doctor has me on Glucophage 500mg twice-a-day and Glucotrol XL 10mg once-a-day. This evening my blood sugar tested at 138. I feel better already and am surprised at how much my appetite and thirst have decreased. Is it unusual to have my blood sugar level drop this far so soon? Should I be encouraged by this or is there something I should watch out for? Is there anything I should be aware of with these meds? – Thomas
Response:
> I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes 3 days ago. Looking back on the > symptoms, I was probably suffering undiagnosed for 10-15 years! When I was > diagnosed my blood sugar was 286. The doctor has me on Glucophage 500mg > twice-a-day and Glucotrol XL 10mg once-a-day. This evening my blood sugar > tested at 138. I feel better already and am surprised at how much my > appetite and thirst have decreased. > Is it unusual to have my blood sugar level drop this far so soon? > Should I be encouraged by this or is there something I should watch out for? > Is there anything I should be aware of with these meds?
The biggest side effect of glucophage is diarrhea. It is more likely at the beginning of the therapy, and most people get over it (altho I have to tell you, I still get it every morning). Your kidneys can suffer damage so tests should be done once a year (according to the PI – package insert). I can’t speak to the Glucotrol. Be aware of the various side effects from undiagnosed diabetes — changes in your eyesight, neuropathy (numbness in your hands and feet, loss of sexual feelings), and take care of your heart and circulatory system. You should have started a lifelong meal plan and a regular regimen of exercise. Neither of these has to be drastic, but both are extremely important. More carbohydrates require more insulin; if you don’t have the insulin, you will have to take more medications. It is in your best interest to reduce the amount of medicine because it can cause other problems. Diet (lifelong eating plan) and exercise are known to reduce the need for medicine. Many diabetics are healthier after their diagnosis than they were at any other time in their life. It’s up to you. You can do it, just ask in this newsgroup! You will be surprised at how many persons have changed their lives to live healthy! Good luck to you. Jude — Crouch Enterprises – Telecom, Internet & Unix Consulting Oak Park, IL 708-848-0134 URL: http://www.pobox.com/~jcrouch
Response:
It sounds like you are on your way to controlling your diabetes. Your progress is similar to my own and you should see other good results if you are careful about your carbohydrate intake. Glucotrol is a very effective drug and I had almost no side effects from taking it other that a little diareha (spelling) in the beginning. As the other response noted controlling your diabetes through diet, exercise and medication is the key. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes 3 days ago. Looking back on the >symptoms, I was probably suffering undiagnosed for 10-15 years! When I was >diagnosed my blood sugar was 286. The doctor has me on Glucophage 500mg >twice-a-day and Glucotrol XL 10mg once-a-day. This evening my blood sugar >tested at 138. I feel better already and am surprised at how much my >appetite and thirst have decreased. >Is it unusual to have my blood sugar level drop this far so soon? >Should I be encouraged by this or is there something I should watch out for? >Is there anything I should be aware of with these meds? >- Thomas
Response:
70 to 90 is normal. Sounds to me like your doing great. As you lose weight you will have to watch for lows. Always keep something sweet at hand espicialy when excersing . Try not to go to far past meal time. I am 39 have had diabeties since I was 34. I am on the exact same medication and dosage. Good luck . teresa
Response:
> I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes 3 days ago. Looking back on the > symptoms, I was probably suffering undiagnosed for 10-15 years! When I was > diagnosed my blood sugar was 286. The doctor has me on Glucophage 500mg > twice-a-day and Glucotrol XL 10mg once-a-day. This evening my blood sugar > tested at 138. I feel better already and am surprised at how much my > appetite and thirst have decreased. > Is it unusual to have my blood sugar level drop this far so soon? > Should I be encouraged by this or is there something I should watch out for? > Is there anything I should be aware of with these meds? > – Thomas
Dear Thomas Wooded, I believe you should be encouraged by this. Glucophage and Glucotrol have an onset of action of 1.5 hours and 1.0 hours respectively. An acceptable level of fasting blood glucose is 140 mg/dL, and normal is 115 mg/dL. For postprandial plasma glucose (after meals) acceptable levels are 175 mg/dL, and normal levels are 140 mg/dL. You should be aware that Glucophage can cause nausea and vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, and heartburn. Glucotrol can cause headache, as well as those side effects listed for Glucophage. You should avoid drinking excessive alcohol. In addition, be sure to check your blood glucose often, eat regularly, get your eyes checked at least twice a year, and keep your feet clean and dry. For futher information, check out the American Diabetes Association website at www.diabetes.org/. I hope the information I suggested will be helpful to you, but I cannot make any guarantees as to its accuracy, completeness, usefulness, or relevance to your particular situation. There is no substitute for having an ongoing, two-way dialogue with a licensed health professional who you know and trust. Good luck. sanjay Before you buy.
