General Medical issues thread

[Seat0B]

I really don't think you should ever be less than certain when entering a country.

Hard agree which is why I followed some quite convoluted requirements in the countries I mentioned. China, however, did not come up with anything specific when I googled requirements following the posting by @mrsterryn. And Smart Traveller just has standard advice- dr letter, copy of script and original packaging. So not really sure how you’d verify requirements for China.

 

[Denali]

Because Im trying to stay off Dr Google, looking for some diabetes and blood sugar advise

In April Mr Denali's test was 17.4 and he was told he's diabetic. We tried oral meds plus insulin for about two weeks but it made him absolutely miserable so we stopped. Complete overhaul of everything he ate and drank.

Tonights blood test was 4.9. Is this too low, should I be concerned? Do I stay up all night and watch him sleep for just in case? Next Dr appointment is the 18th, do I need to get him in sooner? No symptoms from googling but he's not been that low before. Thank you

 

[prozac]

Because Im trying to stay off Dr Google, looking for some diabetes and blood sugar advise

In April Mr Denali's test was 17.4 and he was told he's diabetic. We tried oral meds plus insulin for about two weeks but it made him absolutely miserable so we stopped. Complete overhaul of everything he ate and drank.

Tonights blood test was 4.9. Is this too low, should I be concerned? Do I stay up all night and watch him sleep for just in case? Next Dr appointment is the 18th, do I need to get him in sooner? No symptoms from googling but he's not been that low before. Thank you

My diabetes experience is only during my chemo treatment - chemo/pred -induced diabetes. Apart from insulin I maintained a consistent BSL with diet. I started the day with porridge (no sugar) which sets you up for a mid-range reading (8-9). You can throw some raisins in whilst it is cooking. Now the weather is warming up porridge might not seem attractive. Instead throw oats and milk in a jar and leave in the fridge overnight. Eat cold in the morning for added benefit of fermentation overnight which is great for gut health. Baked beans are also great, add chilli / chorizo for more interest. Basically you need low GI foods and carbs so that BSL does not fluctuate wildly and no / little sugar. I guess that means no slushies @Denali .

 

[drron]

4.9 is not too low at all. It looks like diet alone will be fine even if he does have diabetes. One elevated sugar reading is not enough to make the diagnosis.

 

[markis10]

Not quite sure where to ask, husband is on codeine just wondering if it would be a drama to go to China with it (doctor's letter and the medication will still be in packaging )
Hopefully for some direction where to look/check

Doctors letter won’t hurt, however just a copy of the prescription will suffice. You can double check with the relevant email address here

https://www.incb.org/documents/Travellers/files/CPR_ENG_2024.pdf

You may want to run it through google translate and send the request in simplified Chinese.

 

[Denali]

4.9 is not too low at all. It looks like diet alone will be fine even if he does have diabetes. One elevated sugar reading is not enough to make the diagnosis.

Thank you. I was on hubby watch most of the night and he seemed fine so I eventually got some sleep. I told him to eat a bit extra today as his carbs and protein was low yesterday and this morning it was 6.4 so whew. He started back at swimming last week after having a lurgy so maybe the extra exercise made it low.

Mr Denali does not like the endocrinologist, if it was up to her he would be on 20units insulin per night to get below 8 in the first month. We said we just needed time to work on his diet and now I'm worried it's too low.

 

[Pushka]

Because Im trying to stay off Dr Google, looking for some diabetes and blood sugar advise

In April Mr Denali's test was 17.4 and he was told he's diabetic. We tried oral meds plus insulin for about two weeks but it made him absolutely miserable so we stopped. Complete overhaul of everything he ate and drank.

Tonights blood test was 4.9. Is this too low, should I be concerned? Do I stay up all night and watch him sleep for just in case? Next Dr appointment is the 18th, do I need to get him in sooner? No symptoms from googling but he's not been that low before. Thank you

Seems good to me. I bounce between 4.5 to 5.5. I don't watch my diet.

My results for last few months, when I was on steroi_s (which raises glucose) and I don't fast for the test if that matters.
Glucose 5.4 [3.2-5.5] mmol/L
Glucose 4.5 [3.2-5.5] mmol/L
Glucose 5.0 [3.2-5.5] mmol/L
Glucose 5.1 [3.2-5.5] mmol/L
*Glucose 6.0 H [3.2-5.5] mmol/L
Glucose 5.0 [3.2-5.5] mmol/L
Glucose 4.8 [3.2-5.5] mmol/L

I've never had any comment about my glucose levels. I eat sweets and chocolates. Not deserts. Not soft drink except that tonic for the gin. And Ginger Ale every few months.

Having said that, if I've only eaten breads for the morning and no protein, and do something like a long walk, I do find I feel a bit woozy amd sweaty, so likely hypo and seem to know I need something sweet to eat. And then I dive into the cheese. But I usually don't eat breakfast.

 

[RooFlyer]

Tonights blood test was 4.9. Is this too low, should I be concerned? Do I stay up all night and watch him sleep for just in case?

I'd ask @drron to correct me, but if the blood sugar is low, then just have him suck on a lolly - quick source of sugar.

Finding it hard to understand what insulin was prescribed, but its a complicated condition. Diet and exercise and something like Janumet (Januvia+Metformin), or just metformin perhaps.

 

[mrsterryn]

My blood sugars are relatively under control however I do take , currently, four medications. Hoping that the newest one will work very effectively and I can lose one of the others. I still have gone up to 6.2 which triggered the new medication. I do monitor sugar etc intake
Husband on the other hand (yes he has numerous health problems but diabetes isn't one ) loves his lollies and jubes and crisps etc, some full sugar soft drinks. Yep no elevated sugar for him. He treads very carefully around the house on the days we have our blood works done

 

[tgh]

Diabetes is a progressive disease, so the gold standard , at diagnosis, is diet and exercise.
After 30 years of diet only management, still well within the hba1c diet only parameters, I chose to start Metformin
It allows me a more relaxed diet and kills the postprandial peaks that had given me a touch of diabetic neuropathy.
My personal opinion is that GP management based on hba1c is not an optimal process if seeking to avoid diabetes driven mortalities

 

[Denali]

I'd ask @drron to correct me, but if the blood sugar is low, then just have him suck on a lolly - quick source of sugar.

Finding it hard to understand what insulin was prescribed, but its a complicated condition. Diet and exercise and something like Janumet (Januvia+Metformin), or just metformin perhaps.

He tried metformin but it had him on the toilet for long bouts so it wasnt worth it. He started the gym today to focus on building muscle as hes lost weight with us being super strict on his diet.