Hello everyone. I'm a type 2 diabetic, and have been for the past six years or so. Lately, my levels have been a bit out of control, and I feel it's probably due to the fact that I haven't had proper health care within the past three years and still don't now.

Right now, I'm taking ACTOS samples, but I'm iffy with this. My blood sugar level seems to be staying in the 200s. I can understand this happening whenever eating carbs or starches, but not with veggies and protein. This morning, even though I didn't eat any carbs what-so-ever yesterday, and exercised by doing a 30 - 45 minute walk, it was 247. Getting right down to it, no matter what, my blood sugar level is always higher in the morning than it is in the evening. It might be under 200 in the evenings, but still higher than I'd like it to me. Last night, I fell asleep and didn't check it, so I'm not sure what it could be. What causes this and how can I fix it?

I'm also hypoglycemic, which I learned about a year or two ago. With this, I think I'm supposed to eat every couple of hours, which has always been difficult for me since I usually have no appetite during the day and have a difficulty eating when I'm not hungry. Could my not eating as much as someone who's hypoglycemic should be eating be affecting my blood sugar level and causing it to rise? Does eating help to bring it down some?

Oh, one other thing. I did go to a doctor in December (had to pay with a credit card, though, and she was the one to give me the samples), who I don't want to see again since, to me, it was all about, "Let me get you out of here" as opposed to, "Let's see what I can do for you." For that visit, my blood sugar level was higher than usual (about 300) when checking it (but I ate really badly the day before; I had a pasta dinner, which is a rarity to have here, and didn't exercise like I would normally to try and get it down).

Now, she gave me an insulin shot; I've never taken insulin before. I've always had oral medication. Now, when checking my blood sugar level later after I went home, since I wasn't feeling right, I saw that my level spiked to like 330 or something like that. That's not normal at all. How can insulin put up one's blood sugar level? Was my body just rejecting it? Can my body not handle insulin and this is just an allergic reaction? Did that doctor make a mistake giving me insulin even after I told her that I've always had oral medication? Can anyone here shed some light on this?

Hello everyone.

Right now, I'm taking ACTOS samples, but I'm iffy with this. My blood sugar level seems to be staying in the 200s. I can understand this happening whenever eating carbs or starches, but not with veggies and protein. This morning, even though I didn't eat any carbs what-so-ever yesterday, and exercised by doing a 30 - 45 minute walk, it was 247. Getting right down to it, no matter what, my blood sugar level is always higher in the morning than it is in the evening. It might be under 200 in the evenings, but still higher than I'd like it to me. Last night, I fell asleep and didn't check it, so I'm not sure what it could be. What causes this and how can I fix it?

I'm also hypoglycemic, which I learned about a year or two ago. With this, I think I'm supposed to eat every couple of hours, which has always been difficult for me since I usually have no appetite during the day and have a difficulty eating when I'm not hungry. Could my not eating as much as someone who's hypoglycemic should be eating be affecting my blood sugar level and causing it to rise? Does eating help to bring it down some?

Oh, one other thing. I did go to a doctor in December (had to pay with a credit card, though, and she was the one to give me the samples), who I don't want to see again since, to me, it was all about, "Let me get you out of here" as opposed to, "Let's see what I can do for you." For that visit, my blood sugar level was higher than usual (about 300) when checking it (but I ate really badly the day before; I had a pasta dinner, which is a rarity to have here, and didn't exercise like I would normally to try and get it down).

Now, she gave me an insulin shot; I've never taken insulin before. I've always had oral medication. Now, when checking my blood sugar level later after I went home, since I wasn't feeling right, I saw that my level spiked to like 330 or something like that. That's not normal at all. How can insulin put up one's blood sugar level? Was my body just rejecting it? Can my body not handle insulin and this is just an allergic reaction? Did that doctor make a mistake giving me insulin even after I told her that I've always had oral medication? Can anyone here shed some light on this?

Hi and welcome.

It seems like you have quite a number of things going on. First off, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is often a pre-cursor to type 2 diabetes. So if you were diagnosed hypoglycemic, it seems that the T2 has caught up with you.

Regarding your blood sugars, you need to remember that diabetes is a progressive disease. Even if you take the best care of yourself that you possibly can, it is always possible that you will need more and various medications, including insulin.

You really need to bit the bullet and see someone regularly and get your meds. You blood sugars are waaaaaay too high, and you are definitely at risk for complications. Losing your kidneys and having to stop work and go on dialysis is going to be a lot more expensive than seeing the doc now and getting proper meds and testing supplies. Sorry, I don't mean to scare you, but your blood sugars are dangerous and need to be dealt with. The fact that they are high even when you are not eating carbs seems to indicate that your diabetes has indeed progressed and that you need more and consistant medication.

Finally, the insulin did not raise your glucose. It is quite possible that the stress of being at the docs and the stress of having the injection raised your blood sugar, negating the effect of the insulin. It is also possible that your blood sugar dropped significantly with the insulin and you rebounded.

Either way, the one shot of insulin wouldn't really have made any difference in the long run.

Please see a doctor and get yourself in better shape. You will feel poorly for a while once your sugars are more consistantly normal because your body has become accustomed to the to high levels, but then you will get used to "normal" again.

Best of luck.

Cora

Well, I don't have a job and just recently started getting unemployment (long story with this one; previous employer didn't want to pay and lied and said I quit when I was "let go" back in July of '07) and I still don't have any proper health care or insurance and haven't had any since about 2004. Paying close to $400 for a doctor's visit is much too expensive for a person who doesn't work. My money is going towards my schooling, so I don't really have any extra. I'm still trying to pay for the last visit in December. I'm almost out of my samples anyway and have no choice but to go back.

That aside, thanks for the explanations. I was wondering why it spiked so high after she'd given me that insulin shot. I'd never seen it that high before. I guess it dropped so low that it shot back up as defense mechanism, I guess. Could this be the case why no matter what, my blood sugar is always higher in the morning than in the evening?

You are right about needing consistent medication and treatment since my numbers seem to stay in the 200s in the morning and like the 160s or 170s or so later on in the evenings. Before the visit last month to that clinic with the "hurry up and leave" doctor, I hadn't been on any type of medication (since I couldn't afford the doctor's visit) since about 2006. I really miss my old primary physician, but it's just way too expensive with out insurance.

The fact that your sugars are much higher in the morning is more likely due to the dawn phenomenon. During the early hours of the morning your liver releases glucose in order to prepare you for a day of activity. This happens ot everyone. If you have diabetes, your body cannot handle the influx of glucose, and so you have higher than normal levels of blood sugar in the morning. Some people have some success circumventing this by eating a small snack with some carb in combination with some protein or fat (eg, cracker or 2 with p-butter). You might want to give that a try.

Best of luck.

Cora

Okay, I'll try that. This morning, my blood sugar level was still a bit higher than I'd like it to be, but what it was this morning is usually the norm for me (220s). Last night, though, it was higher than usual. At night, it's usually in the 160s or 170s (still high, I know).

Oh, one question still wasn't answered, though. Does my being hypoglocemic and having to eat every so many hours help to lower blood sugar levels?

SS,

You really need to read Cora's messages again. Good stuff indeed.

As for you eating more frequently - the idea behind that is it helps your insulin to become more productive and hence yes, evens out your blood sugars for most.

You need to see a physician and get on meds, and the sooner the better. As Cora mentioned, you will feel a LOT better too.

But I don't feel sick or anything. The only time I felt sick is when that doctor gave me that insulin shot and it shot up into the 300s, a level it'd never been before. I just know that I have to do something about my levels since it's staying in the upper 100s, early 200s and that's much too high.

That aside, I still can't afford to see a doctor or even my old primary physician. I don't have health care, insurance, and I still haven't found a new job. I hate to keep putting stuff on my credit card if I can't pay it off fully. Also, the extra money I have is for school. Maybe if I'm lucky, and find a new job, this time the job will actually offer me health insurance benefits since going private is too expensive, especially if you have a "pre-existing condition".

But I don't feel sick or anything. The only time I felt sick is when that doctor gave me that insulin shot and it shot up into the 300s, a level it'd never been before. I just know that I have to do something about my levels since it's staying in the upper 100s, early 200s and that's much too high.

That aside, I still can't afford to see a doctor or even my old primary physician. I don't have health care, insurance, and I still haven't found a new job. I hate to keep putting stuff on my credit card if I can't pay it off fully. Also, the extra money I have is for school. Maybe if I'm lucky, and find a new job, this time the job will actually offer me health insurance benefits since going private is too expensive, especially if you have a "pre-existing condition".


<sigh> I really hate to add to your burden, since I know that life can be quite difficult financially, but I think you've got to find a way to get health insurance. Your numbers are running high enough that you are risking neuropathy (both autonomic and peripheral), heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, etc. Sure, you may feel okay now, but the damage is still being done and by the time you FEEL it, it'll be too late.

I don't know what you're going to school for but....would it be possible for you to find a full-time job with benefits and continue your schooling on a part-time basis? The other option is to see if you qualify for uncompensated care at one of your local (or preferrably city) hospitals. That way you might be able to get some consisent care. There are also various avenues of help for medications...some pharmaceutical companies have assistance programs where they make their drugs available to people who can't afford them. Also, I believe Montel Williams is connected with some type of organization that aids people who can't afford medications.

However you do it, you need to start taking care of this NOW...not a few years from now. By that time it may be too late.

Ruth

But I don't feel sick or anything.

Sorry, but you don't feel sick because your body has become accustomed to much too high glucose levels. While the body can sort of adapt, the damage is still being done. You are in serious danger for the long term. Have you tried contacting your local chapter of the diabetes association? Maybe they can refer you to some care.

Best of luck.

Cora

I don't know what you're going to school for but....would it be possible for you to find a full-time job with benefits and continue your schooling on a part-time basis?Actually, I'm looking for a job and have been since July, but even then, the last job I had was full-time and I didn't have any benefits what-so-ever. I tried to get insurance on my own, but was always turned down because of my being a diabetic (pre-existing condition) and the rate they wanted due to my being diabetic was much too high and wasn't affordable for me even with a full-time job.The other option is to see if you qualify for uncompensated care at one of your local (or preferrably city) hospitals. That way you might be able to get some consisent care.My mother mentioned the clinic at the hospital nearby, so I'm planning on looking into it. That's the main problem. Since I lost my insurance in 2004, my doctor visits and medication intake has been sporadic and inconsistent. Up until last month, I hadn't had any type of medication since 2006 since I couldn't afford the doctor's visit.

Edit: As for the medication, there was never too much of a problem with that since I always stuck to generic brand (like glucophage). The medication, even without the insurance, was always affordable. The fact I always had to go to the doctor to get the prescription when I ran out was what cost a lot. They couldn't just write me a new prescription until they saw me first so I had to always wait until I made enough money to go.

Update: The Community Hospital (the place I hated because of that doctor who seemed more anxious to get my money as opposed to treating me) informed me that I can make monthly payments on my bill if I come in. At least I have that option, but I still find the staff there inept. I haven't made an appointment yet, though, and still "shopping around" for something better.

Oh yeah, I have one more question here. I'm not sure if it's true or not. Isn't it said that one's numbers also run higher when sick from things such as colds or bad allergies or fevers?

Yes, most of us find that our blood sugars run higher when we are sick. Illness seems to increase insulin resistance in people with diabetes, leaving a net higher level of glucose during the infection. Sometimes I even know I am coming down with something simply because my blood sugar has gone up for no reason.

In the case of those of us on insulin, we typically need more when we have some sort of infection. Keep in mind though, that in non-diabetics, blood sugar does not rise with illness.

Cora

Just updating. I finally found a clinic to go to. The appointment is tomorrow. I hope that now I can go back to taking medication consistently as well as seeing a physician consistently and maybe my blood sugar levels will finally get back to what it used to be before I stopped taking medication altogether and was just taking it far and in between. I hope that this is a good place.

Just updating. I finally found a clinic to go to. The appointment is tomorrow. I hope that now I can go back to taking medication consistently as well as seeing a physician consistently and maybe my blood sugar levels will finally get back to what it used to be before I stopped taking medication altogether and was just taking it far and in between. I hope that this is a good place.

Excellent. Best of luck to you. Don't forget, that it is also your job to train the physician in how to treat you. Be polite, of course, but firm. Most of us here know (and I'm sure you know too) that we are the best doctors for our own cases and the docs we see who write the scripts can be trained to acknowledge that.

Keep us posted.

Cora

Okay, back from the doctor.

I really liked this physician and the atmosphere was nice as well. She's a very nice lady, and actually listened to what I had to say and didn't act as if she wanted to just get me out of there. I explained how the doctor at the community hospital put me on Actos and my history of course and all of the medications I'd taken: Metformin, Glucophage, Glipizide. I also explained the situation as to why I've taken scattered medications and why I haven't had any consistent medication or treatment for the past three years.

She decided to put me on Metformin/Glipizide (she's really trying to avoid my having to take insulin and see if this can get it down) and that she wants to see me in three weeks to do full blood work to see how the medication is working in my system and a way to regulate my levels.

Even though I'm still overweight for my height, when doing my weighing, I saw that I did lose some weight, so I'm obviously doing something right. lol

Too bad I probably won't be able to do any exercise today. I woke up too late this morning to do my hour walk, and this evening, I'll be busy attending an interview.

I really hope that I can finally get my blood sugar levels to what they were years ago and finally be able to get consistent, affordable care.

Good, good good. Glad to hear that you have someone who listens.

Cora

Excellent. Best of luck to you. Don't forget, that it is also your job to train the physician in how to treat you. Be polite, of course, but firm. Most of us here know (and I'm sure you know too) that we are the best doctors for our own cases and the docs we see who write the scripts can be trained to acknowledge that.

Keep us posted.

Cora

Um, er, cool! Well said.
~ Mark

i am 73 years old female, i just learned my insulin level is 72 in the blood, what does it mean, I am not a diabetes, but my a1c is 6.1 - 6.3.

i am 73 years old female, i just learned my insulin level is 72 in the blood, what does it mean, I am not a diabetes, but my a1c is 6.1 - 6.3.If I'm not mistaken, 72 is low. Also, your a1c number, if I'm not mistaken, isn't too bad.

If I'm not mistaken, 72 is low. Also, your a1c number, if I'm not mistaken, isn't too bad.

Insulin level in the blood of 72 is NOT the same as a blood sugar of 72! Big difference. 6.1-6.3 is definitely getting into the diabetic range, if not there, however, would be well controlled, but definitely impaired! What does your doc say???