why is my husband's blood suger level not dropping below 200?

Question

When my husband first was diagnosed with diabetes about a year ago- the doc put him on STARLIX- he was doing really well with his levels- and the last few weeks, diet has not changed- his levels are not below 200- and this morning it hit 300. He cannot exercise due to being disabled from injuries at work- however he was not exercising a year ago either.

thanks for all the answers so far- and especially sweetipye. we have been under some stress with family these last few weeks- he asked his doc to switch meds and she said he would have to take some blood tests first- would anyone recommend him seeing an endocronologist? not sure of spelling

Answer 1

Adore Him, YES YES YES. get a referal to an Endocrynologist. That is a Diabetic Specialist. They will see that he is in the best care he can get for his Diabetis. Has your husband changed spots for his injections> sometimes, if you inject the same places all the time, scar tissue builds up and the insulin does not absorb as well. Try to go to an injection site that does not have as much fatty tissue. The inner thigh or the back of the arm. I dont know what he is on now, but dont take advice for your husbands health from a site like this. Go to your doctor and get the referal. Do not play and wonder with Diabetis. Harsh reality is, it can kill him. If you have to, take him to emergency room and tell them that his levels have not dropped under the 200 mark and that you cant get it to go down. they will hook him up with and Endo. there. Do not wait, do not hesitate, do not take "what should I do?" advice on a play site like this. I know some people find good answers on here, but EVERY PERSON IS DIFFERENT. What works for them, could kill your husband. What works for your husband may not work for anyone else. God Bless. Get it taken care of now. I was on here a week ago and someone told you about an Endo Dr. why have you waited? Diabetis is NOT a disease to be played with or put off or just sit and wonder, well what should I do. Do it NOW. His (my hubby) blood sugar was 982 last time he was in hospital. they put him on an insulin drip for 7 days and was still 423 when I took him home.

Answer 2

Diabetes is such an individual condition. This why I visit my doctor every three months with complete blood work and sample my blood sugar twice daily before meals, near 12 hour intervals. I watch what I eat and how much as well how often. Generally, I do not eat anything after 2:00 pm until dinner (around 5:30 pm) and then I stop around 8:00 pm. I start the day around 5:00 am. As for exercise, I walk 3.5 miles a day getting to work by bus rather than drive. Basically, any aerobatic movement that burns sugar. Success with diabetes is complete life style change for the better. Better eating, exercise, self control, discipline, and positive outlook. I have only been at this a year. But, I started with a HbAIc of 12.1, then 6.3 and the last three visits are 5.5. Sugar levels of 105 in the morning and 85 in the afternoon. So I recommend have your husband visit the doctor and become aware of his condition in detail. Demand that your doctor monitor him more closely. The levels your are talking about are not good over time. Nerve damage is slow, but more likely at the levels you mention.

Answer 3

Starlix spurs your pancreas to release insulin at the start of a meal, when it is needed to keep sugars from spiking.
If he has not really changed anything in his diet and exercise I am guessing that either his pancreas is not releasing enough insulin (with Starlix), or his liver is releasing glucose, or the cells receptors are not opening to allow glucose into the nucleus, or a combination of all of the above.
The doctor may find that he needs to add some more diabetic medication (like Metformin or Avandia or Glipizide, etc).
I recently changed from insulin (injections) to Byetta (also an injection). Byetta is great! Curbs your appetite, makes you feel full qucker, and helps you lose weight (insulin makes it really hard to lose weight).
Also, stress can send your blood sugar levels soaring.
I think your husband needs to get into the doctor if his sugar levels don't straighten out in the next week or so.

Answer 4

diabetes runs in my family normal blood sugar ranges from 80 to 120 only one person in my family has been able to use oral meds alone the usual reqimen is insulin (there are several kinds and they work differently) with an oral med your husband needs to see a diabetes specialist, an endocrinologist or at least an internal med dr has he ever talked to a dietician? most people don't realize that sugar is in all foods and some you don't thinks about should be watched (potatoes and rice turn to sugar in your mouth) a dietician can be found at any hospital and the service is free It is important to get those levels down as he is damaging all his internal organs good luck also has he been sick with something else? that can cause your sugars to be out of whack

Answer 5

im not sure why they would be that high if his diet & the times he's eating haven't changed, but those levels are not safe. Please see the Dr. asap. He may need to take insulin for a while until he can get it back to normal levels at least. The more tightly you can regulate it, the better! I would recommend that he try to eat nearly perfectly w/ low glycemic index foods until he can see a Doctor or dietitian. It could be the onset of a cold or maybe stress...Good luck!

Answer 6

As type II diabetes progresses, the pancreas becomes increasingly resistant to medications like Starlix. He needs to see his doctor very soon. He probably will be put on insulin . Don't be afraid, it will make him feel better and the injection pens are really easy to use. It isn't a matter of failing, it just happens to those of us that have a bad pancreas. Have him call his doctor today.

Answer 7

have the doc put him on a stonger med for his blood sugar. Or give him insilin or something. I have no idea what lowers the sugar i would think water would help to. But ya the sugar should be about 150 or lower. But ya get in the dr as soon as u can with your husband.

Answer 8

He should absolutely see an endocrynologist. They can monitor his diet, sugar levels and meds. He may need to go on insulin to keep his blood sugar levels down and he should strictly adhere to his diet in the meanwhile. If his levels climb much higher in the meantime, you should take him to the hospital immediately.

Answer 9

An infection will cause blood sugars to be high. Take him or call your Dr Monday am. If it stays high I would seek medical attention over the weekend.

Answer 10

Yes, I would suggest you see an Endocrinologist if he is doing the proper things for his condition and yet is no longer responding to the medical regimen. An endocrinologist can check out all kinds of hormonal responses in his body and might have more answers for you. Something else in his body may have gotten out of "whack" and be affecting his blood sugar levels.

However, if your insurance won't cover this you may just want to go back to the regular doctor. I would suggest you do something as soon as the holiday is over this coming week.

I sure hope things settle down for him; I know diabetes is such a difficult problem to deal with. Maybe there are some different foods you can introduce into his diet that will help - more complex grains, etc. I'm no expert, but I wish you both well! =) I hope this becomes a great New Year for you both.