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Type 2 Blues & worries...

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G

Graeme

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi. I have just been to the doctor this morning. I was diagnosed over a month ago, and have been on Metformin 2 x 500mg a day for T2. In that time, I have managed to lose 16lbs so far, I seem to have my diet under some sort of control, and from Bg meter readings, I'm about 4-5 in the morning and around 5 pre meal, and 5-6 2hrs after meals (the odd higher reading but still a learning process on what I can and can't handle and what affects me. Also stepping up the exercise 9mainly walking & and started swimming.

I also have high blood pressure. I have been prescribed an ACE inhibitor Perindoril Erbumine 4mg 1 a day to take as well now, with another blood test in a few weeks to see that this is ok.

I feel I have been doing OK and coping quite well, however last night i just seemed to be really down about diabetes. I'm trying hard to focus on the positives, but I've let my guard slip a bit, and just down just now.

I asked the doctor with regard to longer term, with continued weight loss, trying to get down to an ideal or thereabouts BMI (I am very over just now) if I would be able to come off Metformin or any of my medication. Don't know if that sounds strange as I know it isn't much I'm taking, and it can only be helping me, the last thing I wasn't are any complications. He said that these drugs were highly benificial to me, I would probably be on them for life, and my target should be, to try and work it so I don't have to take any more drugs on top of that, as these would be not as effective, and more severe side effects. He explained that with the recent change to diet, exercise and the metformin, that my pancreas is working more effectively, but this could be a short term thing or it may be 20 years before this happens.

I don't know, I think more to do with the way I'm feeling today, it kinda knocked me a bit. It just feels like it's one thing after another, Just when you think you understand this and you have it under control.

One positive is my cholesterol is fine! 😛

I also asked about strips, and he said he would prescribe some, however was unsure how to prescribe Bayer Contour strips. He did say I shouldn't do this for more than 6 months and only to help educate and manage. I have an appt with the practice nurse on Friday anyway and will get her to get me the strips. I'm sure I'll feel more positive tomorrow again

Anyway, I've rambled on enough, just needed to get this off my chest. I am off to get my eye test done at the hospital in a few hours. Sunglasses packed! 😎

Graeme
 
Graeme said:
Hi. I have just been to the doctor this morning. I was diagnosed over a month ago, and have been on Metformin 2 x 500mg a day for T2. In that time, I have managed to lose 16lbs so far, I seem to have my diet under some sort of control, and from Bg meter readings, I'm about 4-5 in the morning and around 5 pre meal, and 5-6 2hrs after meals (the odd higher reading but still a learning process on what I can and can't handle and what affects me. Also stepping up the exercise 9mainly walking & and started swimming.

I also have high blood pressure. I have been prescribed an ACE inhibitor Perindoril Erbumine 4mg 1 a day to take as well now, with another blood test in a few weeks to see that this is ok.

I feel I have been doing OK and coping quite well, however last night i just seemed to be really down about diabetes. I'm trying hard to focus on the positives, but I've let my guard slip a bit, and just down just now.

I asked the doctor with regard to longer term, with continued weight loss, trying to get down to an ideal or thereabouts BMI (I am very over just now) if I would be able to come off Metformin or any of my medication. Don't know if that sounds strange as I know it isn't much I'm taking, and it can only be helping me, the last thing I wasn't are any complications. He said that these drugs were highly benificial to me, I would probably be on them for life, and my target should be, to try and work it so I don't have to take any more drugs on top of that, as these would be not as effective, and more severe side effects. He explained that with the recent change to diet, exercise and the metformin, that my pancreas is working more effectively, but this could be a short term thing or it may be 20 years before this happens.

I don't know, I think more to do with the way I'm feeling today, it kinda knocked me a bit. It just feels like it's one thing after another, Just when you think you understand this and you have it under control.

One positive is my cholesterol is fine! 😛

I also asked about strips, and he said he would prescribe some, however was unsure how to prescribe Bayer Contour strips. He did say I shouldn't do this for more than 6 months and only to help educate and manage. I have an appt with the practice nurse on Friday anyway and will get her to get me the strips. I'm sure I'll feel more positive tomorrow again

Anyway, I've rambled on enough, just needed to get this off my chest. I am off to get my eye test done at the hospital in a few hours. Sunglasses packed! 😎

Graeme
Click to expand...



Hi Graeme, as someone diagnosed earlier this year with impaired glucose tolerance, I know exactly where you are coming from! It would appear that doctors sometimes come across all 'gloom and doom' and despite working really hard to get your condition under control, there is never enough acknowledgment of how hard you are trying or positivity. I think that sometimes our doctors don't prepare us for the emotional and psychological effects of diabetes. Although I am not on any medication as yet, nor have I been told I have full blown diabetes (though that's debatable - a poor functioning pancreas is just that and diabetes comes in degrees of severity!), I am told that whatever I do, diabetes is inevitable and nothing I do will stop it - just that I may be able to slow progress down.

...so...I decided that there are a lot worse things in life! If I end up on medication, it is for all the right reasons (goodness knows there are enough lovely people on here who have benefited greatly from their medication and they have been a tower of strength to me!) Also, we do have some control - diet and exercise are critical and I too have managed to change my lifestyle, drop 2 and a half stone and frankly I have never felt better! We all have our down days, just read some of the threads on here and you will see you are not alone. I think we're all entitled to feel a bit down from time to time and you have done so very briliiantly well!! Be kind to yourself and keep up that fantastic work. I am absolutely certain that, like me, you will see huge benefits from it! Well done, you're doing a grand job!🙂 Katiex
 
Hi Graeme,

I know very much how you feel - diagnosed a few weeks before you, similar issues, but I have bad cholesterol numbers too(!), and don't seem to have my BG controlled quite as well as you yet.

Yes, from here it's a lifelong battle, or maybe more a war of attrition. My Dad's been diagnosed a few years now and although his numbers are very good he's still on 4x met a day. It's perfectly understandable to feel very down at the realisation of how relentless it all is, and because it's a real reminder of our mortality.

For me, life was a bit out of control - unemployed, suffering from depression, marriage shaky - and it's quite likely that contributed to me eating too much and basically neglecting my body. I'm actually trying to view all this as a positive, something I both can and must do for myself. At least I understand what I need to do to make this better, unlike my depression.

Here's hoping your eyes are fine, and good luck with your efforts to stay well. Sounds like you're doing great so far, though.

Gary
 
Hi Graeme,

Those are fantastic readings! (better then mine in fact)
You are doing well so far.

I think the opinion that many doctors take is that Metformin has a number of overall beneficial to health benefits (not just diabetes) that it is better to stay on them.

Some people do come off the Metforim, but it's impossible to guess whether that will be the case of not.

Well done on that weight loss too!
 
Yep those readings of yours are looking good to me. I'm one of those bods who decided to come off the meds (my last HbA1c one year on was 5.8% so I'm quite content with my decision). Granted, metformin is supposed to be beneficial for the heart too, but I took the decision that I was happier not taking pills long term especially since their 'primary' function was redundant.

Andy 🙂
 
Thanks everyone.

Feeling a lot more positive now. Cheers!

G 🙂
 
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