Low blood sugar

[carly1971]

Hi

I am looking for some advice.I am type 2 diabetic and normally my blood sugars are well controlled.I got a glucose monitor from my GP as I have retinopathy damage.

My problem at present is,I have a really bad flu,actually so weak,can’t walk or even hold my head up,I haven’t had flu in over 30 years,but this bout is very vicious.My blood sugars have been low for the last couple of days because I feel so sick I can’t eat.I am normally on 1000 mg Metformin a day,but haven’t taken any today,because of the low blood sugars.Anything I eat is coming back up.Am I doing the right thing not taking the Metformin until I can eat properly again ? Thanks in advance

[carly1971]

Sorry,think you misinterpreted me,I was asking if it was ok to not take my Metformin tablets,until I am eating again with this flu bug

[Activity2004 Administrator in reply to carly1971]

Have you talked to your doctor about taking your Metformin? Please check with your doctor before you change your medication/diet while you’re under the weather.

[carly1971 in reply to Activity2004]

I haven’t changed my diet,I can’t keep food down,as I have gastric flu.I also haven’t changed my medication either.I was just wanting to know,if it is ok to do without my Metformin for a day or two until I’m able to eat,as I’m struggling to keep my blood sugars up,they are quite low,just wondering if taking Metformin and no food would lower them even more

[Activity2004 Administrator in reply to carly1971]

I meant, ask your doctor and say exactly what you told us.😀👍 Sorry for the confusion.

[carly1971 in reply to Activity2004]

The reason I messaged here,is because by the time I would get an appointment/speaking to my doctor,the flu will most likely have gone away,which doesn’t really solve my problem for the next couple of days,keeping my sugars up until I can eat again.Thought someone here could have advised me .Thank you for your time

[Activity2004 Administrator in reply to carly1971]

You can call the doctor and tell them you have the flu. Ask them if you can take the full dose or less. Also, do more tests during the day/night.

[carly1971 in reply to Activity2004]

Thank you for your very useful advice.Im afraid I would have more chance of speaking directly to God himself than getting past our wonderful reception staff to get speaking to an actual doctor.I came on here for some short term advice until this settles down a bit.I think I have made it quite clear that speaking to my doctor anytime soon is not going to happen,I was just wanting some practical advice in the absence of being able to speak to the doctor.Sorry to have troubled you over something which I mistakenly thought was quite important

[carly1971]

Thanks a lot for the advice.Very useful indeed

[carly1971]

By the way I never said it was a pesky cold,bit more than that.I am not able to move or get out of bed,don’t think a pesky cold could leave you like that.

[carly1971]

Thank you,but the advice on keeping hydrated,I don’t need,that’s not rocket science.With all this to and fro conversation,nobody has actually answered the question that I asked ???

If you don’t feel that you can give me advice on the matter that I asked for advice on,please don’t start diverting onto something totally irrelevant to my query,just say you are unable to advise me.Its very frustrating when you ask for advice and you are given an answer on something totally different

[DRWF Partner in reply to carly1971]

Hi Carly I know it’s difficult to get to speak to a GP, however the advice would be to call NHS 111 who will give you some advice and get you to an emergency doctor if needed. Please have a look at drwf.org.uk/sites/default/f... it is the DRWF leaflet about managing your diabetes when you are ill.

Hope this helps.

[carly1971 in reply to DRWF]

Thank you so much ,this is very useful to read 😊

[DRWF Partner in reply to carly1971]

That's good to hear Carly, if you need any more help we do have other NHS Standard Accredited Information leaflets on the website looking at other aspects of how diabetes our health. I hope you start to feel better soon.

[carly1971 in reply to DRWF]

Thank you,I hope I feel better soon as well ! Not used to being this sick,my immune system is normally very good,so was quite surprised to go down with this,I think until I am eating and keeping food down,I will not take the Metformin,as my sugars are quite low and it says that on the site you referred me to.Thank you for dealing with my question so effectively,means a lot 😊

[DRWF Partner]

This is a bit late as well but do you usually get your free Flu jab?

[carly1971 in reply to DRWF]

I am supposed to be getting it the day after tomorrow,but I would say that’s a no go now 😩

[carly1971]

??? Don’t understand,don’t give in to what exactly? I don’t understand what you are trying to say to me .This query has now been resolved by DRWF,who very kindly gave me a website that gives advice on Diabetes and illness and I got my answer from there.Thank you

[DRWF Partner in reply to carly1971]

Hobieone is living with type1 and has been for many years 35+ so he often replies from a standpoint of remaining strong mentally and good self management which is exactly what you were asking about. Glad the information was useful and I’m editing some responses!

[carly1971 in reply to DRWF]

That’s fine ,I appreciate his expertise,but if you look at the first reply I received,it was not relevant to what I was asking.I was asking about not taking Metformin due to sickness and low sugar levels,the reply I got was to avoid cakes etc and it’s not rocket science? Which I found quite patronising,I wasn’t asking about what I should eat,so I don’t see why this was brought into it,all I wanted was some advice on using my medication whilst unwell,which you were able to point me towards,which I am grateful for.I am only recently diagnosed,so it is all new to me.But just to say,I do have a positive mental attitude,I do to most things.Was just looking for some practical advice in connection with my query,not advice on what foods to avoid,I have already sought advice on that.If you want to edit any of my comments,go ahead by all means,or if you would like me to leave this site ,I can do so either.If someone is avoiding answering what I have asked,I think I should be able to voice this to them

[DRWF Partner in reply to carly1971]

Not at all, I was editing the comments to you as I agree they weren’t helpful. You’re responses were totally understandable. Get well soon and please don’t leave the site.

[carly1971 in reply to DRWF]

Thank you,I’m not normally this touchy,but I did feel some of the comments were not helpful/relevant to what I was asking.As I say this is all new to me and since I was diagnosed in July I have kept my sugar levels very stable and have lost almost 3 stone.I have had no practical advice from my GP practice,when I was diagnosed,and asked for some advice/leaflets ,I was told to use google! I had been gaining 10 lbs every month for the last year and was tired,thirsty,every time I mentioned it,I was told to eat less,i kept trying to say I wasn’t eating much,but it was only after gaining 10 stone in a year and getting a locus Doctor,that my glucose levels were finally checked.I have found the advice on this site of tremendous value and would like to be able to continue,but I have found some of these replies off putting,maybe I’m just more sensitive because I feel like death at the minute 😩

[DRWF Partner]

Understand completely, have a look at our diabetes wellness events, we run 3 every year. One might be near to where you live?

[carly1971 in reply to DRWF]

Thank you