Does anyone have any data about how long it takes to start having serious complications from prolonged high BG levels? I have been Type 2 for 5 years now and have never had good control. I was able to keep numbers between 175 and 200 most of the time while on Glucovance but the side effects were getting too bad to handle...had uncontrolled diahrea and severe muscle pain. Doc finally believed me that things were getting too bad and took me off the meds and started me on Lantus and Actos. Its been 3 weeks and I can't get numbers below 300 most of the time (even fasting for long periods and very active physically). I am 60 and wonder just how long it will take to kill me under these circumstances. When I tried Humalog in the beginning I would crash every time I had any physical activity that would bring me to a sweat.

Moosemom -

Diabetes won't kill you at first, it will toy with you. Some of the first signs you might see are cuts and bruises not healing as quickly and numbness in your hands and feet to the point it causes pain (neuropathy). Then of course, you could experience blindness and loss of limbs.

It sounds like you need to see another endocrinologist to get you the combination of oral meds to bring your BS under control or get you on insulin. I hope you find what you are looking for.

wb

ACTOS can take a long time to get into your system enough before it starts helping...

What were the side effects of Glucovance you encountered? I recently switched from Glucovance to Metformin and Prandin...It helped with some swelling issues I am having...

Diabetic neuropathy and other complications are certainly not something to look forward too...

i know i dont have type two but i have had type one for 14 years now... i recently was out of control or so we thought i was really resenting my insulin so a week ago i was put on glucophage xr as well as lantus and lispor... i probally wont be much help but if you dont mind taking shots talk to your endo about that combo it seems to be working great for me. just a sugestion gook luck best wishes Robin

I don,t think there is any data on how long for diabetic complications to set in, as we are all so different, what one gets the other may not and there is no time period. Please don,t fast, diabetics should eat small meals during the day. I take Humalog along with a long acting Humilin insulin, If I know I will be doing something strenuous, as gardening is for me, I would take a lower dose of Humalog, there is no reason to crash. Give your insulins a little while to kick in, but generaly insulin should work immediately. I think you should get on a good eating program and it almost sounds like you just aren,t taking enough insulin at this point. Please work with your doctor. Just as an extra thought, you are doing much more harm than good by fasting.