I am a recently diagnosed type 2 diabetic. My diagnosis was part of the bloodwork that was performed as part of an antibiotic follow up following three surgeries (in a week) for septic bursitis (my picture was taken the day the stitches in my elbow came out). As part of making sure the elbow infection was resolved I was put on a daily antibiotic infusion with a picc line and the doctor drew blood weekly to check on progress (four weeks total). Apparently he saw something he didn't like and thankfully had the blood sugar checked as part of the tests. That test came back high so he had me fast before the next day and my fasting blood sugar was 156 with an A1c of 9.8. That was 10/6/11 and I saw my family doctor later that day and was put on 2.5mg of glyburide and 500mg of metformin daily. The healthcare group has diabetes classes and I took the next available class on the 19th and have been tracking my blood sugar since then.
Yesterday I had a follow up appointment with my family doctor to review my progress and another A1c test was performed and my number came in at 7.2. My goal after reading this site and others is to eventually get in to the 5's. I am having success with my post meal levels by restricting carbs but I'm still struggling with my morning (fasting) numbers. My fasting numbers range from 109 to 150 with an average of 126. Based on what I've read I'd really like to get these lower (the 150 was actually this morning).
My doctor was happy with my fasting numbers, probably because it hasn't been very long yet and based on my A1c I am definitely moving in the right direction. Currently I am taking my metformin and glyburide in the morning right before breakfast. Would taking one or both of these with dinner lead to better fasting numbers and therefore help my average blood sugar over time? I do not think I'm going hypo over night (tested once at 3am and was at 96).
Obviously if my fasting numbers don't improve I'll be asking the doctor to revise my medications but was hoping for some advice in the meantime. Ideally I would like to get off of the glyburide completely but not until my numbers improve. Thank you.
I take both Metformin tablets in the evening after my dinner as per instructions from my doctor. My morning fasting numbers are anything from 4.x to 6.x. Maybe it depends on how restless I am at night Good luck with keeping tho numbers down.
Good for you for being proactive. Watching my carbs was all I needed to get rid of glipizide and make life a lot simpler. Hope everything works out for you, too.
This may help you understand the problem: I Ate Nothing! Why Are My BGs high? Dawn phenomenon is one of the more difficult problems to solve; I don't have any magic solutions because I still have problems with it myself. Some days my fasting is my worst number of the day.
I'm glad to see you are testing after meals. Are you testing at two hours or at your peak post-meal time?
Alan, I've typically tested at two hours after the start of the meal but ocassionally I test at 1 hour. Today I was at 155 before breakfast. I had two Atkins bars (22g carb each but advertised as 2 net grams, 10 of which are sugar alcohols so I'm counting them as 12g each). One hour afterwards I was at 146 and was at 124 at two hours. I had also taken my meds at breakfast (500mg metformin and 2.5mg glyburide) so that might be part of the reduction.
The class recommended a fasting level of under 120 and 2 hours after meals under 140. From what I've read here and at blood sugar 101 I'm trying to get under 120 2 hours after meals. I've tried snacks of string cheese at night and nuts but I haven't tried anything with much for carbs yet, maybe I'll give that a try. Thanks everyone for your suggestions so far.
Find your peak timing. That will be a much more accurate way of seeing what your foods are doing to you.
From this it looks like it is closer to one hour than two:
I had two Atkins bars (22g carb each but advertised as 2 net grams, 10 of which are sugar alcohols so I'm counting them as 12g each). One hour afterwards I was at 146 and was at 124 at two hours.
Why Atkins bars? Consider something from here, but don't go too low-carb because of that glyb: Breakfasts
Atkins bars because I hit the snooze button one time too many and needed to get to work. I'm not a morning person, before I was diagnosed I typically skipped breakfast. I've been looking for quick solutions and have been eating some Jimmy Dean breakfast bowls (20-22g) some days and Jimmy Dean omelets others (5g each but last time I had two). Thanks again for all the advice.
If you're in a hurry in the morning, there are few things quicker than an omelette. Or you can make scrambled eggs in the microwave while you're under the shower: Breakfast On The Run
