Help! I can't get my BG down.

texastigerlily · 10-03-2009, 05:52 AM

Last Sat. (9/26) my BG shot up to 465. Before this the highest I'd ever gotten to was 225 (after high carbs). I monitored it constantly, but when I felt so awful on Monday (9/28), I made an appt. for the doctor on Tuesday (9/30). My dr. put me on Metaformin. I started it Tuesday night. Since then the lowest my BG has gotten is 198. This morning it is 295. I've dealt with terrible eyesight all week, nausea, dizziness, a constant headache, severe dry mouth (despite drinking a ton of water), and feeling totally run down. Over the last day and a half I've started to feel better (except I can't see to read which is driving absolutely nuts), but my BG is still high. I've taken my medicine, AND I've avoided carbs like the plague. The ONLY carbs I've had have come from small portions of low GI vegetables and berries (green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, strawberries, blueberries...). I've had less than 20 carbs a day for a week now. I confess I haven't exercised (I do have to move around at work - I teach school), but that's due to the constant headache. I'm planning on going to the gym today (now that my headache has FINALLY gone away). I'm taking my multivitamin and minerals, and supplementing with cinnamon. What else can I do? How long will it take to get this under control. My dr. said about two weeks to stabalize, but I'm starting to wonder... Also, what can I do for my eyesight? I have poor sight as it is, but not being able to read a book (I teach reading - major problem for me) is enough to drive me insane. Any ideas?

CookinsForMe · 10-03-2009, 06:06 AM

What had you eaten the day the BG went up to 465? It can take awhile to get the BG under control, especially if you're still eating carbs. Once the BG stabilizes your vision should stay put if its related to that BG. How much of those low GI veggies and fruit did you have? Low GI doesn't always equate to not affecting the BG. And remember, every body is different. Exercise will help but that might take awhile, too. Metformin can take several weeks to really start working so be patient and try eliminating the fruit for a few days to see if that helps.

texastigerlily · 10-03-2009, 06:52 AM

My vegy & fruit portions have been small. The day my BG went up I had fried shrimp (a rare indulgence - never had my BG go up like that before). My total carbs have been less than 20 a day. I've had small portions of strawberries and blueberries (not even a full serving), but not everyday.

Leo41 · 10-03-2009, 08:29 AM

You might want to Google Dr. Richard Bernstein and take a look at his website on diabetes.

A diabetic himself, Dr. Bernstein provides a sound diet plan for lowering blood sugar, and most of the information from his book is available on his website.

Alas, you'll find that you need to give up fruit--certainly until you get your BG under control.

BABSY · 10-03-2009, 09:07 AM

how much of metformin are you taking?

texastigerlily · 10-03-2009, 03:40 PM

1000 mg

BillB · 10-03-2009, 08:07 PM

It took about 6 weeks for Metformin to really make a difference for me. It sounds like you are doing a lot of things right. Just be careful. Are you tracking your food on Fitday?

--bill

NurseMonkee · 10-04-2009, 05:12 AM

What did you eat with the fried shrimp? And how much of it did you have? Did you eat other foods or sauces w/it? You mentioned that you've never been over 225, so to suddenly have a reading in the 400's is a pretty big jump.

Are you testing regularly after meals? How does the fruit affect your numbers? Are you measuring? Sometimes its easy to underestimate.

It takes a few weeks to see the full effect of metformin, but if you're sticking to 20g of carbs and you're taking your meds, you should be seeing lower numbers by now. Give it some time, but do test regularly and keep an accurate log of everything right now. If you still don't see any progress, make an appointment w/your doc again. You might need insulin.

The blurry vision is linked to high glucose levels.

Are you taking 1,000mg once a day, or twice a day?

Do you mind posting some sample menus?

Butternut · 10-04-2009, 05:21 AM

You could also have an infection that is causing your blood sugar to be higher.

sistertzu · 10-04-2009, 03:41 PM

Please talk with your doctor.

Sis

texastigerlily · 10-04-2009, 06:00 PM

I went to the doctor on Tuesday. I'm new to Metaformin. I've been considered prediabetic until now. My BG got to 124 at one point today. My last check was 164. At least I'm getting closer now.

sfmama123 · 10-04-2009, 10:07 PM

Hi! Lurker popping in

I hardly ever post, but I understand your concern. I follow lc, but if I cheat for a day, my bs will soar to 300's easy. It stinks!

Looks like your bs numbers are coming down to normal again, but what works for me, and what I wanted to share with you, is that exercise, even a 20-30 minute moderate walk, does wonders for my numbers. I know about time being at a premium (I'm a mom to a 4 year-old, graduate student, etc. etc), but try to find the time to fit that exercise in. Even if you break it up to 10 minutes 2 to 3 times a day, you will see a remarkable improvement. That, and I agree with the other posters to cut out the fruit. Diabetics do not handle fructose well (nor does anyone really for that matter.) When the metformin kicks in completely, you should be able to bring the berries back. Until then, if you really want to knock those numbers down, go with meat, eggs, veggies-and exercise. That is the best recipe I know of to get stubborn blood sugars back in control asap. Take care and good luck! PS-BloodSugar101 on this site has absolutely the best advice and information for diabetics. We process foods differently, and have unique needs. Her info is spot on!!!

amphigory · 10-05-2009, 10:53 AM

I second the person who mentioned a possible infection: Dr. Bernstein said somewhere that if you see a huge, unexplained jump in blood sugars and have eliminated diet, medication, and exercise changes, the next place to look is at your teeth. Possible you have an abscess or something that hasn't started hurting yet.

Good luck!

10-03-2009, 05:52 AM	#1
texastigerlily Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 560 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: texastigerlily Stats: 221/193/120 WOE: 20 below carbs a day	Help! I can't get my BG down. Last Sat. (9/26) my BG shot up to 465. Before this the highest I'd ever gotten to was 225 (after high carbs). I monitored it constantly, but when I felt so awful on Monday (9/28), I made an appt. for the doctor on Tuesday (9/30). My dr. put me on Metaformin. I started it Tuesday night. Since then the lowest my BG has gotten is 198. This morning it is 295. I've dealt with terrible eyesight all week, nausea, dizziness, a constant headache, severe dry mouth (despite drinking a ton of water), and feeling totally run down. Over the last day and a half I've started to feel better (except I can't see to read which is driving absolutely nuts), but my BG is still high. I've taken my medicine, AND I've avoided carbs like the plague. The ONLY carbs I've had have come from small portions of low GI vegetables and berries (green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, strawberries, blueberries...). I've had less than 20 carbs a day for a week now. I confess I haven't exercised (I do have to move around at work - I teach school), but that's due to the constant headache. I'm planning on going to the gym today (now that my headache has FINALLY gone away). I'm taking my multivitamin and minerals, and supplementing with cinnamon. What else can I do? How long will it take to get this under control. My dr. said about two weeks to stabalize, but I'm starting to wonder... Also, what can I do for my eyesight? I have poor sight as it is, but not being able to read a book (I teach reading - major problem for me) is enough to drive me insane. Any ideas?

10-03-2009, 06:06 AM	#2
CookinsForMe Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Northeast Texas Posts: 819 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: CookinsForMe Stats: 188.8/171.2/140 WOE: Lower carb, moderate fat, & workouts 6 days a week Start Date: 6/24/09 for the umpteenth time.	What had you eaten the day the BG went up to 465? It can take awhile to get the BG under control, especially if you're still eating carbs. Once the BG stabilizes your vision should stay put if its related to that BG. How much of those low GI veggies and fruit did you have? Low GI doesn't always equate to not affecting the BG. And remember, every body is different. Exercise will help but that might take awhile, too. Metformin can take several weeks to really start working so be patient and try eliminating the fruit for a few days to see if that helps. __________________ I have a coffee pot and I'm not afraid to use it. - Denise

10-04-2009, 05:12 AM	#8
NurseMonkee MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 2,441 Gallery: NurseMonkee WOE: Low-Carb Start Date: Summer 08	What did you eat with the fried shrimp? And how much of it did you have? Did you eat other foods or sauces w/it? You mentioned that you've never been over 225, so to suddenly have a reading in the 400's is a pretty big jump. Are you testing regularly after meals? How does the fruit affect your numbers? Are you measuring? Sometimes its easy to underestimate. It takes a few weeks to see the full effect of metformin, but if you're sticking to 20g of carbs and you're taking your meds, you should be seeing lower numbers by now. Give it some time, but do test regularly and keep an accurate log of everything right now. If you still don't see any progress, make an appointment w/your doc again. You might need insulin. The blurry vision is linked to high glucose levels. Are you taking 1,000mg once a day, or twice a day? Do you mind posting some sample menus? __________________ ELI "We are here to change. We are here to grow, develop and unfold. We are progressive beings that have infinite capacity." - *Michael Beckwith* "Keep it real, keep it whole, keep it clean!" - *Fawn*

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10-03-2009, 06:52 AM	#3
texastigerlily Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 560 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: texastigerlily Stats: 221/193/120 WOE: 20 below carbs a day	My vegy & fruit portions have been small. The day my BG went up I had fried shrimp (a rare indulgence - never had my BG go up like that before). My total carbs have been less than 20 a day. I've had small portions of strawberries and blueberries (not even a full serving), but not everyday.

10-03-2009, 08:29 AM	#4
Leo41 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,445 Gallery: Leo41	You might want to Google Dr. Richard Bernstein and take a look at his website on diabetes. A diabetic himself, Dr. Bernstein provides a sound diet plan for lowering blood sugar, and most of the information from his book is available on his website. Alas, you'll find that you need to give up fruit--certainly until you get your BG under control.

10-03-2009, 09:07 AM	#5
BABSY Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: MCKINNEY,TX Posts: 4,189 Gallery: BABSY	how much of metformin are you taking?

10-03-2009, 03:40 PM	#6
texastigerlily Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 560 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: texastigerlily Stats: 221/193/120 WOE: 20 below carbs a day	1000 mg

10-03-2009, 08:07 PM	#7
BillB Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NC Posts: 598 Gallery: BillB Stats: 450+/348/200 WOE: Atkins/VLC/Alternate Day--1g Metformin twice a day Start Date: Last restart, June 2009 at 450+	It took about 6 weeks for Metformin to really make a difference for me. It sounds like you are doing a lot of things right. Just be careful. Are you tracking your food on Fitday? --bill

10-04-2009, 05:21 AM	#9
Butternut Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,907 Gallery: Butternut Stats: 3x/2x/Med. WOE: Low Carb Start Date: December 2001	You could also have an infection that is causing your blood sugar to be higher.

10-04-2009, 03:41 PM	#10
sistertzu Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: California Posts: 795 Gallery: sistertzu Stats: 244/177.9/165 WOE: atkins/whole food/grain free Start Date: owl 10/01/09	Please talk with your doctor. Sis

10-04-2009, 06:00 PM	#11
texastigerlily Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 560 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: texastigerlily Stats: 221/193/120 WOE: 20 below carbs a day	I went to the doctor on Tuesday. I'm new to Metaformin. I've been considered prediabetic until now. My BG got to 124 at one point today. My last check was 164. At least I'm getting closer now.

10-04-2009, 10:07 PM	#12
sfmama123 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 161 Gallery: sfmama123 Stats: 356/226/175 WOE: Atkins '72 Start Date: This time: Jan 7, 2008	Hi! Lurker popping in I hardly ever post, but I understand your concern. I follow lc, but if I cheat for a day, my bs will soar to 300's easy. It stinks! Looks like your bs numbers are coming down to normal again, but what works for me, and what I wanted to share with you, is that exercise, even a 20-30 minute moderate walk, does wonders for my numbers. I know about time being at a premium (I'm a mom to a 4 year-old, graduate student, etc. etc), but try to find the time to fit that exercise in. Even if you break it up to 10 minutes 2 to 3 times a day, you will see a remarkable improvement. That, and I agree with the other posters to cut out the fruit. Diabetics do not handle fructose well (nor does anyone really for that matter.) When the metformin kicks in completely, you should be able to bring the berries back. Until then, if you really want to knock those numbers down, go with meat, eggs, veggies-and exercise. That is the best recipe I know of to get stubborn blood sugars back in control asap. Take care and good luck! PS-BloodSugar101 on this site has absolutely the best advice and information for diabetics. We process foods differently, and have unique needs. Her info is spot on!!!

10-05-2009, 10:53 AM	#13
amphigory Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Louisa, VA Posts: 169 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: amphigory Stats: 410/351/285 WOE: Atkins Induction Start Date: June 2009	I second the person who mentioned a possible infection: Dr. Bernstein said somewhere that if you see a huge, unexplained jump in blood sugars and have eliminated diet, medication, and exercise changes, the next place to look is at your teeth. Possible you have an abscess or something that hasn't started hurting yet. Good luck!