[Penney]

Hi! Back in November I was diagnosed with T2. The doctor put me on Glucotrol. I changed my diet - got rid of 99% of my carbs - the one's that I do use are whole wheat or multi-grain. I was doing very well - went back for 3 month check - my A1C was looking better.

Well - over the past week my GL's have been going haywire - swinging from 284 then in a few hours down to below 60, just bouncing up and down all over the place. I have almost passed out twice, the one time, I actually had slid down in my chair, the phone had dropped - a co-worker saw me and was able to help me out.

I keep my carbs to a minimum, I snack every couple of hours - unless my levels are high - then I wait.

Can anyone give me any tips?

Thanks!

[meowee]

Hi PENNEY . . .

First of all, I hope you mean you got rid of most of your 'starches' since you only talk about whole grains and multi-grains . . . hope you don't mean that you are not eating 'any' veggies, fruits, dairy (all of which contain good carbs).

Secondly, don't forget that 'multi-grain' does not necessarily mean 'whole-grain' . . . might still be refined flour in there . . . check those labels carefully.

Thirdly . . . the only thing I can think of to cause the sudden BGL problems is that you've made such good overall changes in your diet, your weight, your lifestyle (increased exercise, for example) that you may not need the same dose of mediction any longer. I'm not familiar with the med you are on so I can't say for sure that it could be connected. BTW . . . the reason you bounce very high after a low is probably that your liver has taken it upon itself to kick in some extra glucose to quickly raise your BGL - good old liver - problem is, it usually overcompensates and you jump too high.

Definitely suggest you contact the doctor or your Diabetes Education Centre to discuss the situation as soon as you can. In the meantime, you should be sure to carry glucose tablets with you at all times as they are definitely the fastest (and most controlled) way to treat a hypoglycemic event.

Hope you have a great day, chickie . . .

[Penney]

Hi!

Thanks for writing me back!

I had an appointment with my doctor today. You were right in that it was my meds. Apparently - the medication that I was taking I actually built up a resistance to and was having a reaction to it.

I should have said starches - because I am still eating lots of fresh veggies and some fruit (some fresh cooked veggies but next to no canned).

I definitely keep glucose tablets at work and at home - I now am going to keep some in my purse - the meds might have changed - but I am not taking any chances.

I never thought about someone putting refined flour in a multi-grain bread - just does not seem fair - we are trying to eat better and they are sneaking stuff in.....

So - I got my Metformin today - hopefully I will have better readings tomorrow!

[meowee]

Hi again, Penney . . .

Hope you do better with the Metformim . . . It's one the things I take (along with Glyburide, Actos, and inhected insulin). Metformin is one of the very few things that does NOT bring about a danger of hypoclycemia and it does not cause weight gain either - as a matter of fact a lot of people find it can help them to lose some weight.

It is not totally without possible side-effects -- it can cause intestinal gas and/or a little 'runny-tummy' for some people, but the problem is usually not severe and tends to go away as your system becomes accustumed to the med.

Hope you'll come over and play with us on our regular monthly chat thread called "Dieting with Diabetes". We'll be looking forward to see you, there . . .