another newbe trying to work out what to do!

[Notnamedfred]

Hi all, im a complicated case so I will cut somethings out to keep it shorter. I already have 3 chronic conditions, Microvascular Dysfunction, Artery Spasms and Vasodepressor type Neurocardiogenic reflex Syncope, as such i'm regularly screened for a verity of other illnesses including diabetes. We down sized Dec 6, 24 and had to have a new GP. for a verity of reasons me and she didn't get a new patient review until 2 weeks ago, well things moved very quickly and after they found out that my toes hurt on the end and ware numb, a patch on my heal was numb and my fingers and thumb were numb everything moved faster again. Two blood tests (already booked in for another 'vitamin test') three wee tests and a couple of finger pricks later on Wednesday the diabetic nurse at our new health centre said I have Diabetes type 2 although the lab report says type 1? i may get this mixed up but my results are 70mmol off the bloods and 15.5 off the finger blood. I'm now on Metaformin 500 morning and night and to up it to 2 morning and night if I'm ok in 7 days and Gabapentin 300 morning and in a couple of days morning and night and then if im ok to three times per day. as you can imagine we haven't had time to catch our breaths. what I find astonishing is that doing my own testing was never mentioned, i have a telephone review next week and a face to face a couple of weeks after that.

 

[Alan44]

Hi @Notnamedfred and welcome to the forum.

Being diagnosed with diabetes can come as a bit of a shock and a bit overwhelming at first, so don't panic as I'm sure we can guide you through and offer some help and advice on how to manage it.

An HBA1c of 70 is not off the scale, some members have been diagnosed with 100 plus.

At this point, I think it's important for you to ask as many questions as you wish and we can take one at a time, Also have a look at the learning Zone (top of the page in Red) which will tell you what diabetes is and answer some of the questions you may have.

Three things to think about are

1) Diet
2) Weight
3) Exercise

Alan 😉

 

[Dragonheart]

Two blood tests (already booked in for another 'vitamin test') three wee tests and a couple of finger pricks later on Wednesday the diabetic nurse at our new health centre said I have Diabetes type 2 although the lab report says type 1?

It’s kind of important they, and you, know which type you are as the approaches and choices are (or should be) quite different - don’t believe anyone that says otherwise. Type 2 usually has dietary and lifestyle options and choices to be made that ‘may’ avoid medication and complications or at least limit and slow any down somewhat. Type 1 isn’t dietary but will, ultimately, need insulin matching to your chosen diet

So please ask which tests have been done to confirm type and why there is a difference in what the nurse is saying and what the tests results show. If you already have that information someone here maybe be able to explain more about what the tests and results show.

 

[helli]

Type 1 isn’t dietary but will, ultimately, need insulin matching to your chosen diet

Whilst I agree Type 1 is not treated by direct, I wish insulin dosing was just to match my "chosen diet".
There is much more in my life that affects my BG and, hence, the insulin I need.
For example exercise and stress and illness.

I think it is better to just say that "Type 1 is treated with insulin" as the diet is only part of it.

 

[mashedupmatt]

Hi @Notnamedfred and welcome to the forum - any diabetes diagnosis will be very overwhelming and there is s much to learn - Diabetes itself is relatively easy to diagnose, but the type is notoriously difficult to determine - many people are mis-diagnosed type to begin with - they may have put you on Metformin for a couple of weeks to see if it makes any difference whilst awaiting further blood test results - it's definitely worth going back to them and asking what tests they have done and what the results were plus if they are waiting for any other results to come back - one specific test they may have done is an auto-antibody test which will see if you have any auto-antibodies associated with type 1 diabetes - unfortunately this test takes up to a month to come back from the lab - hang in there but definitely ask your healthcare team for more clarification

 

[Martin.A]

Welcome @Notnamedfred and sorry to hear that you now have a T2 diagnosis on top of everything else. I'm one of those diagnosed with an HbA1c over 100 that @Alan44 referred to but by embracing the diet/weight/exercise regime he mentioned I've managed to turn things around and no longer have to take diabetes medication.

Self-testing is usually dismissed by HCPs as being unnecessary for those who are only taking Metformin, which is why it wasn't mentioned, but you'll find few on here who would agree. For my part it enabled me to track the gradual reduction in my BG levels back into normal range as well as enabling me to sort out my diet. I still test to check that things aren't starting to go the other way.

For the record I was also told that I might be T1 but my DN wasn't convinced and decided to go the T2/Metformin route first. So far, six years on, she appears to have made the right call.

 

[JITR]

@Notnamedfred, to keep things simple I'd start with diet. Simple changes can achieve more than medication. Have a look at Freshwell's simple meal planner and red, amber, green food lists.

 

[Notnamedfred]

thanx everyone. she as taken over my diet and i'm not sure what i fear most she's diet or diabetes unfortunately i'm exercise intolerant and i'm 6'1'' 19 and a bit stones. weight loss i'm not worried about because i'm guessing my diet will sort that out.

 

[Lucyr]

thanx everyone. she as taken over my diet and i'm not sure what i fear most she's diet or diabetes unfortunately i'm exercise intolerant and i'm 6'1'' 19 and a bit stones. weight loss i'm not worried about because i'm guessing my diet will sort that out.

Who is “she”. Seems an inappropriate way to refer to someone that seems to be taking a keen interest in supporting you.

At the end of the day though it’s your diabetes and any dietary changes are down to you to research and implement, not down to anyone else.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Who is “she”. Seems an inappropriate way to refer to someone that seems to be taking a keen interest in supporting you.

I think it was intended as a lighthearted and affectionate reference @Lucyr - or perhaps the OP is a fan of Charles Aznavour / Elvis Costello 😉

Welcome to the forum @Notnamedfred

Sounds like you have quite a bit on your plate health-wise. Hope you can find ways to accommodate the needs of your diabetes alongside your other conditions. Hope you are getting on well with the Metformin. As others have said, changes to your menu (both for weight loss, but also to help with glucose management) can be a crucial part of your treatment plan. Finding a balance between meds and menu seems to be the secret in successful management of T2.

 

[JITR]

She as taken over my diet and i'm not sure what i fear most she's diet or diabetes unfortunately i'm exercise intolerant and i'm 6'1'' 19 and a bit stones. weight loss i'm not worried about because i'm guessing my diet will sort that out.

@Notnamedfred

In case 'she' does not already know, please tell 'her':

1. You will need to lose at least 15kg to 20kg or more (target: say 4 stone). This will to restore your liver and pancreas to as near normal as possible and, hopefully, put your T2D into full remission (HbA1c) < 40mmol/mol. These targets come from Professor Roy Taylor's landmark research over the past 20 years, part funded by Diabetes UK. (Watch his Claude Bernard Lecture 2024 for a really good explanation).
2. Dr David Unwin's diet sheet offers helpful guidance. Many of his patients have have lost a lot of weight and achieved full remission.
3. Dr Kim Andrew's simple meal planner and red amber green food lists are a good starting point.

Some adjustments for your other conditions may be necessary.

I lost 22kg following the 3 points above. My HbA1c came down from 104 mmol/mol to 35 and I was able to get back into trousers I last wore some decades ago. My general health is much improved.

 

[CliffH]

I think it was intended as a lighthearted and affectionate reference @Lucyr - or perhaps the OP is a fan of Charles Aznavour / Elvis Costello 😉

Welcome to the forum @Notnamedfred

Sounds like you have quite a bit on your plate health-wise. Hope you can find ways to accommodate the needs of your diabetes alongside your other conditions. Hope you are getting on well with the Metformin. As others have said, changes to your menu (both for weight loss, but also to help with glucose management) can be a crucial part of your treatment plan. Finding a balance between meds and menu seems to be the secret in successful management of T2.

... or 'Manuel' singing it in the 'Basil the Rat' episode of 'Fawlty Towers'?

 

[Leadinglights]

I am often referred to as 'She who must be obeyed' from Rumpole of the Bailey.

 

[Dragonheart]

Whilst I agree Type 1 is not treated by direct, I wish insulin dosing was just to match my "chosen diet".
There is much more in my life that affects my BG and, hence, the insulin I need.
For example exercise and stress and illness.

I think it is better to just say that "Type 1 is treated with insulin" as the diet is only part of it.

Of course. There is much more to it. My comment was intended to reflect that as far as diet is concerned the aim to match insulin to food, rather than limit the factors that effect levels in a wider sense. I was trying to highlight the difference between types not list every factor that effects blood glucose

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I am often referred to as 'She who must be obeyed' from Rumpole of the Bailey.

Hehe! My Dad used to love those books and the TV series with Leo McKern, my Mum picked up the phrase too.

 

[Notnamedfred]

I am often referred to as 'She who must be obeyed' from Rumpole of the Bailey.

I usually say 'She who shall remain nameless' and yes it is a term of endearment not a slight (had to say that under threat of punishment......full brown bread

 

[Martin.A]

I am often referred to as 'She who must be obeyed' from Rumpole of the Bailey.

It goes back even further as the phrase actually comes from the novel She by H Rider Haggard, published in 1887 and made into a movie in 1965 with Ursula Andress in the title role - a fearsome white queen who is worshipped by a remote African tribe as Hiya or "She-who-must-be-obeyed".