I was just diagnosed. I’m sure there are many more tests in the works. But does that even make sense?!? My doc did a glucose test (not fasting) that came back 459. Hard to believe that after the results were in they didn’t tell me right away–just scheduled an appointment for the following week as if nothing was wrong. Anyway…the doc put me on Lantus 10 units. That’s it. That was this past Thursday. I did some quick research Thur. night, realized I needed a bolus too, and called the doc for it Fri. Didn’t eat all day. No return call. Called back near close and was told that yep, doc wants me only on Lantus. How does that handle spikes from meals??? Am I a whiny newbie or should I seriously look for a new doc?
Age 30
Take Synthroid 200mcg and just started high blood pressure med
Hi Diana -
New doctor! This is a serious life change you’re going through and for you to get that kind of service, or lack thereof, is inexcusable. I’m kind of new to tu diabetes, but wonder if there’s someone here who lives in your area and can recommend a better physician.
Kudos for doing your own research and trusting your instincts!
Best,
Kristen
Hi Diana,
sorry to hear you’re having so much trouble. I suggest you document exactly what and how much you’re eating (do you know how to count carbs?) and how your blood sugar reacts to it (test before every meal and 2h after). This way you can show your doc the cold, hard facts. Maybe that will change his mind.
If he doesn’t care it’s time to look for a new doc as fast as possible. Your documented numbers will be helpful to your new doc as well for figuring out what kind of dosage/medication you need. If I were you, I might look for new doc even if the old one does change his mind. He doesn’t sound like he takes your concerns seriously and that is never a good sign.
Get a referral to an Endocrinologist and do this right! YOu’ll be referred for training and education as well as put on the right meds you need. Stay in touch with Tudiabetes. You can learn alot here!
Yes, new doc, who will treat you correctly and also get you diabetes education sessions. I’m glad at least that you are here. You’ll find lots of help, ideas, and support here.
And…I can’t believe he made you wait a week! I was not even let out of the ER until I had gone down to 300 the day I was diagnosed. And…if you have type 2…you should find someone who will not just unthinkingly put you on insulin, there may be many of the other meds for insulin resistance that may help more, especially metformin, which fights insulin resistance, the basic problem of type 2. But…I bet your doc didn’t even indicate or bother to discover which type you have, right?
It will be a good idea to see a specialist as well. But remember it take about 2 weeks for one’s body to adjust to new regimens of insulin. Sometimes the pancreas is “overworked” - the betacells either stopped working or resting - as soon as one starts taking insulin they somehow start producing insulin again. The tests will show where your problem really is - if there is insulin resistance or if the liver is overproducing insulin or if the betacells is still producing any insulin.
Its only 5 days since your diagnosis, hang in there everything will become more clear. Keep Kat said - keep log of your bg’s upon waking up, 2 hours after eating (make a note of what you ate as well) and before going to bed. You will soon notice trends if any and will soon know if the lantus helps or not, and it is good for the doctor to see what your Bg’s do.
This is a very new thing for you and it is natural to feel uncertain and anxious. Good luck…
I agree with everyone else - if you can see a specialist, do it!
That said, don’t get overanxious for a fix right away. I know it’s scary to see high numbers, but it’s going to take some time for your doc & you to figure out just what is going on with you and figure out the correct treatment. Throwing drugs/insulin at the problem can do more harm than good if it’s not the right combination of drugs & insulin.
I suspect what your doc wants to do is see how you react to the basal insulin, and then prescribe something else if/when it’s needed. You may not need something to help with spikes once you get the morning numbers in line. Or maybe the basal will get you 80% of the way to good control, and an oral drug will help. Or maybe you do indeed need Insulin to help with the spikes, but until you know where you are pre-spike (which will be affected by the Lantus), how will you know how much Insulin to give to cover the spike?
You mention that you haven’t even had a fasting blood sugar test - I’d get that asap.
Don’t get scared… don’t panic… you’ll figure things out and get everything under control in time. I know it’s hard, I’m right with you (on Lantus, but spiking after meals) and I don’t see my specialist until March. Until then, I count my carbs and exercise and above all, don’t panic!
I called an endocrinologist this morning but they said I needed a referral from my doc to get in. When I called my doc’s office they said I had to have an appointment to get the referral and the earliest they could see me is in 2 days. I’m concerned that this might not be the best doc for me too and I just started going to her because my last one was terrible! Geesh.
Yeah, I’ve been monitoring carb intake like crazy. Anytime I ingest any my blood glucose goes to 300-400. I’m definitely going for a new doc to work with me on the diabetes! Thanks.
When I was in on Thursday she took more blood to run further tests. lol It’ll probably be a few more weeks before I get the results. I’m so not impressed with this medical office.
I’ve barely been eating. Basically super small quantities and extra low carbs. I’m terrified my BG will shoot up and I’ll die. I feel like such a baby. My fasting BG every morning has never been lower than 200. My doc didn’t make a follow up appointment or ask me to call with my numbers or anything. I feel like I’m adrift trying to figure out what to do.
I am scared. I feel like if I eat a normal meal I’ll die. I feel like all the free sugar running around in my blood is going to cause those bad complications and I’ll die next month. Everything I’ve read about Lantus and how especially for someone with my high numbers should be on at least a pill too tells me that my doc isn’t concerned about the damage caused by incorrect treatment. Thanks though, I’ll try to panic a little bit less.
The chances of something bad happening due to high blood glucose over a few weeks or a month are slim. On the other hand, going on the wrong combos of insulin/drugs can cause LOW blood sugars which are much more dangerous in the short term. So you don’t want to do that, either.
Change your diet… eat very few carbs… and take the basal. You might be surprised at how low your numbers will go. I was over 300 at diagnosis, and now I rarely see anything above 180 or so, and that’s pretty much totally diet/exercise/Lantus. (I was on Metformin alone for about 5 weeks, didn’t see ANY change with just that. Now I’m on Lantus and Metformin).
Now that I know better I realize I’ve had the symptoms of being diabetic for about 7 years (always thirsty, losing hair, always tired, etc…). I’m guessing my blood glucose has been on the rise all that time. I told my doc my symptoms and they never once in all that time tested my BG. I just switched to my current doc a month ago and wah-lah! Now I find out. Hah! 5 days of just Lantus, diet, and exercise and I haven’t been below 200 yet. I’m going to try harder to relax. I promise.
Good for you for researching & taking control. I’m sorry for the stress & anxiety. Easy to say, I know, but stress will send your BG up fast, so try to not get too upset. Try moderate exercise to help lower your BG.
Without knowing the results of the more recent tests (C peptide to determine how much insulin you’re producing & a GAD antibody test to see if your pancreas is under attack), your doctor doesn’t know what to prescribe. Insulin if you’re Type 1, or oral meds if you’re Type 2 (or a combo). But, with those numbers she could have prescribed small doses of insulin without harm.
It’s inexcusable that they’ve put you on hold. Time for a new, responsive doctor.
No reason, other than getting the fee for another office visit, for you to have to wait for a referral. Most endos are booked & it often takes a while to get an appt. If it were me, I’d call your doctor’s office to tell them if you don’t get an immediate referral, that you’re changing doctors. First endo I went to I had to wait months for appt. I called 3x a week asking them to check for a cancellation & got in much sooner. Not fair that we’ve got to make pains of ourselves to get needed health care.
A glucose tolerance test is a better indicator than a fasting test. Some people have good fasting numbers, but their post meal readings are extremely high. Too many people go undiagnosed because their fasting reading is in the normal range & no one realizes what’s happening after they eat.
My experience was the same as Ellie’s. They wouldn’t let me leave the hospital until my BG was under control. Before the results of my tests were in, I was put on basal & bolus insulin. They told me it was the only thing to bring me down.
When mine put me on Lantus, he said to start low, and add a couple units every few days until my fasting was under 110.
Average Lantus for a Type 2 is 50 units a night. That’s AVERAGE, what you take may vary a lot. I only take 15, and typically have a fasting number between 80-110. (Except for today, when it was 126, for no good reason that I can tell. Stupid pancreas)
Maybe you need to take a little more? I think you said earlier that you were only taking 10 units?
Until you can get some help (what about urgent care? ER? Your BG is high enough to warrant that, I’d say!), I’d do my best to do no or very low carb. You can get plenty to eat with protein and low-carb vegetables.
Two letters: ER. Seriously. Those numbers are not something to mess around with. And high BG will cloud your thinking, so that’s not surprising. Get to someone who can get you some real help, and fast.
