Hi everyone! Have been lurking for an awhile, but finally plucked up the courage to post! I am 65 year old male, and was diagnosed with T2 and hbA1C of 87 last November after going to doctor with nasty leg infection. First a little of my history. Had a very stressful 1st marriage with three children in two years, and the youngest was full-blown autistic. My ex-wife also suffered with depression, and I ended up with most of the childcare burden. To cope, I over-ate and ended up at nearly 22 stone. Suffered three attacks of acute pancreatitis at this time, but all resolved with simple, supportive treatment. But no diabetes at this time. Put my life to rights, and lost 7 stone on low fat diet and exercise routine, and got to the stage of running marathons. Moved from S.England to Scotland, and remarried, and life seemed good for several years.
But started having to travel a lot for work, and life became pretty stressful again, and once again. Restarted over-eating for comfort, and over 10 years regained all the weight I had lost in the run up to last year’s diagnosis. So, facing a major wake-up call had to decide how proceed. As I am nearly retired, and working from home, I was fortunate to be in a position to redesign my lifestyle, but how to proceed? The many inspirational stories on this form were a big help, and I also discovered CGMs. I resolved to do at least an hour’s walking a day, which was very difficult at first, and I was suffering from plantar fasciitis for all December. I had, however, seen the direct effects walking could have on blood sugar, and was determined to keep going. Decided not to take the Metformin I had been prescribed, initially I just wanted not to put a further stressor on my body while I was on strong antibiotics, but then realised I almost certainly didn’t need it. Diet wise, I have completely cut out sugary things, and learned as so many others here have, that breakfast cereals are not for diabetics! Still have a sandwich for lunch, and a portion of rice, pasta or potatoes for dinner, so not that low carb overall. Plantar fasciitis resolved itself in early January after I started doing foot stretches, and walking routine has become much easier. My normal walk is 4.5 miles, and often go much further at weekends. Have lost just over 3 stone, with BMI down from 45 to 39, so no longer considered morbidly obese! BP also down to 115/70 from 160/95.
Freestyle Libre prediction of hbA1C is 37, while Libreview prediction is 42, so have hopes that I am well on the road to remission, but what will blood test say? A big thank you to all of those who have shared their stories and advice on this forum; you help in so many ways. Have also found You Tube a great source, much to my surprise. David Unwin, Jessie Inchauspe, Ben Bikman, Robert Lustig and many others have been invaluable to me.
But started having to travel a lot for work, and life became pretty stressful again, and once again. Restarted over-eating for comfort, and over 10 years regained all the weight I had lost in the run up to last year’s diagnosis. So, facing a major wake-up call had to decide how proceed. As I am nearly retired, and working from home, I was fortunate to be in a position to redesign my lifestyle, but how to proceed? The many inspirational stories on this form were a big help, and I also discovered CGMs. I resolved to do at least an hour’s walking a day, which was very difficult at first, and I was suffering from plantar fasciitis for all December. I had, however, seen the direct effects walking could have on blood sugar, and was determined to keep going. Decided not to take the Metformin I had been prescribed, initially I just wanted not to put a further stressor on my body while I was on strong antibiotics, but then realised I almost certainly didn’t need it. Diet wise, I have completely cut out sugary things, and learned as so many others here have, that breakfast cereals are not for diabetics! Still have a sandwich for lunch, and a portion of rice, pasta or potatoes for dinner, so not that low carb overall. Plantar fasciitis resolved itself in early January after I started doing foot stretches, and walking routine has become much easier. My normal walk is 4.5 miles, and often go much further at weekends. Have lost just over 3 stone, with BMI down from 45 to 39, so no longer considered morbidly obese! BP also down to 115/70 from 160/95.
Freestyle Libre prediction of hbA1C is 37, while Libreview prediction is 42, so have hopes that I am well on the road to remission, but what will blood test say? A big thank you to all of those who have shared their stories and advice on this forum; you help in so many ways. Have also found You Tube a great source, much to my surprise. David Unwin, Jessie Inchauspe, Ben Bikman, Robert Lustig and many others have been invaluable to me.
