Calling all type 2's

[Jill]

I'm type 2 diet and exercise and have good control at the moment but I was wondering how long I could expect to maintain good control without medication.

I know it's not the same for everyone but I would be very interested to learn how long other type 2's have lasted on diet and exercise alone which might give me a rough idea.

Thanks. Jill.

 

[Steff]

Hi Jill,
Theres some type 2s on here who have been D/E for years,personally i lasted 3 month I would of liked to have stayed D/E for alot longer but I had shocking care at the start of my diabetes and was left alone with no help or nothing and had no clue what i was eating....so i was put on Metformin within 3 months.Theres no reason why you should not remain D/E if your diet is good and you look after your BS levels.

how long have you been d/e?

 

[Donald]

Hi Jill can not add any more then them what steffi said I lasted about 4 month then put on metformin

 

[pippin]

Hi Jill my dad is diet/exercise diagnosed January 2011 so far he hasn't been prescribed medication for his diabetes.

 

[mcdonagh47]

I'm type 2 diet and exercise and have good control at the moment but I was wondering how long I could expect to maintain good control without medication.

ll.

hi Jill,

How are you defining "good control" ?
What are you 2 hour numbers and HbA1c ?

 

[Andy HB]

Well I'm about 18 months and counting on diet and exercise only. Last HbA1c was 5.9% and will be getting another in December.

My last few, 2hr after eating spot readings were :-

5.0, 6.7, 4.3, 5.3, 6.2 and 5.5.

So I think that I'm still on the straight and narrow for now.

Andy 🙂

 

[Newtothis]

Well I'm about 18 months and counting on diet and exercise only. Last HbA1c was 5.9% and will be getting another in December.

My last few, 2hr after eating spot readings were :-

5.0, 6.7, 4.3, 5.3, 6.2 and 5.5.

So I think that I'm still on the straight and narrow for now.

Andy 🙂

Hi Andy, how have you managed this? Be interested to know what your eating plan is like? Amanda 🙂

 

[Katieb]

Well I'm about 18 months and counting on diet and exercise only. Last HbA1c was 5.9% and will be getting another in December.

My last few, 2hr after eating spot readings were :-

5.0, 6.7, 4.3, 5.3, 6.2 and 5.5.

So I think that I'm still on the straight and narrow for now.

Andy 🙂

Andy

Were they higher than that when you were first diagnosed? If not how long til you got them at that level and what else did you do (e.g. weight loss, exercise, diet)? I'm new to this and working hard to keep my BG under control following diagnosis of Prediabetes.

Katie

 

[Newtothis]

Andy

Were they higher than that when you were first diagnosed? If not how long til you got them at that level and what else did you do (e.g. weight loss, exercise, diet)? I'm new to this and working hard to keep my BG under control following diagnosis of Prediabetes.

Katie

Hi Katie,
I've only just been diagnosed; haven't been advised to test by nurse but am working hard to eat healty and lose weight (lost 21 pounds since 1st July); really hoping I can control this with diet/exercise but don't know what my
hbA1c test is. Are you testing? if so, was this advised by you're GP? Kind regards, Amanda 🙂

 

[Katieb]

Hi Katie,
I've only just been diagnosed; haven't been advised to test by nurse but am working hard to eat healty and lose weight (lost 21 pounds since 1st July); really hoping I can control this with diet/exercise but don't know what my
hbA1c test is. Are you testing? if so, was this advised by you're GP? Kind regards, Amanda 🙂

Hi Amanda

Have been told that my numbers not yet high enough to put me into the diagnosis category, so was sent away and told to eat a low GI/low fat diet, lose weight and increase exercise and come back in a year! (I had an OGTT and HBa1CT) That was it! I have a friend who is a diabetic nurse who advised me to test to see what spikes my BG and what to avoid (Chinese food, white wine, refined white flour products etc). I have therefore been testing since diagnosed in May and this has helped to give me an indication of what I can/cannot tolerate so easily. Looking at the numbers of some of the Type 2s on this site, some are better than mine! My waking BG is usually mid 6s, 1 hour after eating a heavily carbed meal can take me to mid 7, but if I eat low carb meals my BG doesn't rise much above my average of 5.8. Also I have found that a brisk walk after meals helps my numbers. I didn't ask my HBa1C result (silly me!) wish I had! This site, testing and reading others' experiences has given me a great insight into how I can best control my prediabetes for as long as poss. Good to talk to you.🙂

Katiexx PS. Have lost a stone and a half since May - congrats on your weight loss so far!

 

[Newtothis]

Hi Amanda

Have been told that my numbers not yet high enough to put me into the diagnosis category, so was sent away and told to eat a low GI/low fat diet, lose weight and increase exercise and come back in a year! (I had an OGTT and HBa1CT) That was it! I have a friend who is a diabetic nurse who advised me to test to see what spikes my BG and what to avoid (Chinese food, white wine, refined white flour products etc). I have therefore been testing since diagnosed in May and this has helped to give me an indication of what I can/cannot tolerate so easily. Looking at the numbers of some of the Type 2s on this site, some are better than mine! My waking BG is usually mid 6s, 1 hour after eating a heavily carbed meal can take me to mid 7, but if I eat low carb meals my BG doesn't rise much above my average of 5.8. Also I have found that a brisk walk after meals helps my numbers. I didn't ask my HBa1C result (silly me!) wish I had! This site, testing and reading others' experiences has given me a great insight into how I can best control my prediabetes for as long as poss. Good to talk to you. What's your history?🙂

Katiexx PS. Have lost a stone and a half since May!

Hi Katie,
I recently had a scan because I have IBS. Found fat in my liver (fatty liver) and told me to cut down on saturated fats. I don't have any diabetic symptoms although my brother has had type 2 for the past 5 years. I wanted to know how I got fat in my liver and read the internet - it mentoned diabetis and I asked my GP to check for me. My fasting came back as 7.4 and my random 11.7 (both outside the guidelines for diagnosis). I've received little information from my GP except given a handout and sent away. Its been pretty traumatic especially when you don't know what you should be doing. I had a blood test on Thursday and nurse advised against testing. I've ordered a free on-line tester but have to wait 28 days - don't know whether to just go out and buy one. I'm just going day by day - I've cut out all saturated fats; sugars and am losing weight, around 1-2lb per week. I also walk 10,000 steps a day and don't drink - but don't know if what I am eating is sufficient because I don't eat bread (eat wholemeal pitta); don't eat potatoes but eat plenty of fresh veg; salad; fish etc.... Its all confusing isn't it; I don't know if the knowing is better than not knowing...my poor husband (I'm driivng him mad - turning into a hypocondriac. 🙂

 

[Katieb]

Hi Katie,
I recently had a scan because I have IBS. Found fat in my liver (fatty liver) and told me to cut down on saturated fats. I don't have any diabetic symptoms although my brother has had type 2 for the past 5 years. I wanted to know how I got fat in my liver and read the internet - it mentoned diabetis and I asked my GP to check for me. My fasting came back as 7.4 and my random 11.7 (both outside the guidelines for diagnosis). I've received little information from my GP except given a handout and sent away. Its been pretty traumatic especially when you don't know what you should be doing. I had a blood test on Thursday and nurse advised against testing. I've ordered a free on-line tester but have to wait 28 days - don't know whether to just go out and buy one. I'm just going day by day - I've cut out all saturated fats; sugars and am losing weight, around 1-2lb per week. I also walk 10,000 steps a day and don't drink - but don't know if what I am eating is sufficient because I don't eat bread (eat wholemeal pitta); don't eat potatoes but eat plenty of fresh veg; salad; fish etc.... Its all confusing isn't it; I don't know if the knowing is better than not knowing...my poor husband (I'm driivng him mad - turning into a hypocondriac. 🙂

Hi Amanda

I know just how you feel!!! I'm similar! My husband also demented with me because he says I'm making too much fuss because I don't (yet) have diabetes! My dad and grandma both had it, so I am told that I more than likely will get it in the end no matter what I do, but the healthy lifestyle will help to delay it. I do eat potatoes incidentally - not ofen and only new ones (low GI) and a very small portion (3 small ones at most). I also have an occasional slice of wholegrain bread and a small portion of wholewheat pasta prob once a week. None of these spike my BG. Buying a meter and testing has helped me to discover this. I am trying not to obsess about D but I think that knowledge is power, so the more I know, the better controlled my BG will be. I am trying, though, to resist the tempation to test too frequently. I think once or twice a week now would be ok, especially as the test strips are so expensive! What you are eating is sufficient if you feel it is and are not still hungry and only by testing will you really know what effect it has on your BG. Good luck and I'd love you to keep in touch.

Katiexxx

 

[Newtothis]

Hi Amanda

I know just how you feel!!! I'm similar! My husband also demented with me because he says I'm making too much fuss because I don't (yet) have diabetes! My dad and grandma both had it, so I am told that I more than likely will get it in the end no matter what I do, but the healthy lifestyle will help to delay it. I do eat potatoes incidentally - not ofen and only new ones (low GI) and a very small portion (3 small ones at most). I also have an occasional slice of wholegrain bread and a small portion of wholewheat pasta prob once a week. None of these spike my BG. Buying a meter and testing has helped me to discover this. I am trying not to obsess about D but I think that knowledge is power, so the more I know, the better controlled my BG will be. I am trying, though, to resist the tempation to test too frequently. I think once or twice a week now would be ok, especially as the test strips are so expensive! What you are eating is sufficient if you feel it is and are not still hungry and only by testing will you really know what effect it has on your BG. Good luck and I'd love you to keep in touch.

Katiexxx

Hi Katie, I'm looking at buying a Accu-chek tester so that I can start testing - but like you I don't want to obsess about it. The last couple of weeks have been awful - tears; tears; tears - I'm reading too much internet and scaring myself silly. My grandfather had it; my brother had it; so its genetic but I'm working hard on getting fit - giving myself a chance. The one thing I have learnt is I have to start being nice to myself because life is to short to worry about the unknown and spend so much time obsessing about it and neglecting my husband and son. Next thing on my to do list - learn to swim and have brought a cossie!!!

 

[Katieb]

Hi Katie, I'm looking at buying a Accu-chek tester so that I can start testing - but like you I don't want to obsess about it. The last couple of weeks have been awful - tears; tears; tears - I'm reading too much internet and scaring myself silly. My grandfather had it; my brother had it; so its genetic but I'm working hard on getting fit - giving myself a chance. The one thing I have learnt is I have to start being nice to myself because life is to short to worry about the unknown and spend so much time obsessing about it and neglecting my husband and son. Next thing on my to do list - learn to swim and have brought a cossie!!!

Hey good for you!! Me, I've taken up running (well kind of!)!! I run a bit, walk a lot, run a bit, walk a lot... I'm rubbish at it, but I'm not giving up!! I too was really tearful to begin with, but that passes then you just get determined to take it on and live your life! You are so right about neglecting loved ones. My husband and 2 girls are so precious and I am grateful for a wonderful family. I am also so grateful for this site where I can spill my fears without judgement! Happy swimming!🙂 Katiexx

 

[Northerner]

Katie and Amanda, there is nothing wrong with educating yourselves about diabetes and how it can be managed. The things you will learn about how your body works will be of great value to you throughout your lives - I have learned so much in the past three years it has astonished me how simplistic my assumptions used to be. Don't let people put you down for seeking knowledge to keep you healthy 🙂

 

[Katieb]

Katie and Amanda, there is nothing wrong with educating yourselves about diabetes and how it can be managed. The things you will learn about how your body works will be of great value to you throughout your lives - I have learned so much in the past three years it has astonished me how simplistic my assumptions used to be. Don't let people put you down for seeking knowledge to keep you healthy 🙂

Thankyou🙂 Katiex

 

[Dizzydi]

I was diagnosed over 3 years ago age of 35. Bs was 23 at diagnosis I was quite ill but put it down to tiredness over work etc.

I saw a specialist privately and was on metformin in 4 weeks. I lost 3 stone in 7 month.2 stone of it in the first 3 month. I was put on insulin within 10 months.

I did everything to get myself well, low fat no sugar eating and also took up running. I'm 10 & 1/2 stone want to lose more but the weight is stuck. I did get down to 10 stone 2 , maybe it is more muscle making me heavier 😛

I can't manage without meds. Tried it my numbers rocket sky high. Even with the healthy eating and exercise.

Everyone's body works differently, while do I need lots of meds when others don't? Who knows.

So long as you do everything possible to help yourself, it is better in the long run, with or without medication. If it is without, the better. I wish I could have none but for whatever reason I need it.

 

[grufflybear]

With medication or not I would urge you to keep learning about fine tuning your diet, it is not as simple as just chosing generally known healthy options, some of them, like wholemeal bread, are not so good if you are diabetic and careful selection of the right carbohydrates and quantities is vital to success at controlling BG levels. I think others too worry about becoming obsessive about using a meter but knowledge of how your own body reacts is very important. So I took the plunge and tested against advice from GP and i am very obsessive by nature but I have now reached a testing regime which is very moderate having experimented more intensively at first. Sounds a bit odd but in the earliest days when I was very scared of what would happen the meter made me feel in control at least in the sense that I didn't have to guess what was happening and fear the worst.

Long term some seem to be able to control using diet and exercise alone but I am sure they do it armed with information from self testing. Even if you do find you need meds too then at least you will be doing everything you can yourself , eating well and keeping fit.

 

[Newtothis]

With medication or not I would urge you to keep learning about fine tuning your diet, it is not as simple as just chosing generally known healthy options, some of them, like wholemeal bread, are not so good if you are diabetic and careful selection of the right carbohydrates and quantities is vital to success at controlling BG levels. I think others too worry about becoming obsessive about using a meter but knowledge of how your own body reacts is very important. So I took the plunge and tested against advice from GP and i am very obsessive by nature but I have now reached a testing regime which is very moderate having experimented more intensively at first. Sounds a bit odd but in the earliest days when I was very scared of what would happen the meter made me feel in control at least in the sense that I didn't have to guess what was happening and fear the worst.

Long term some seem to be able to control using diet and exercise alone but I am sure they do it armed with information from self testing. Even if you do find you need meds too then at least you will be doing everything you can yourself , eating well and keeping fit.

Thanks for that - I am going to buy a tester today. Can I ask what treatment you are receiving? Amanda 🙂

 

[grufflybear]

Yes of course you may ask, I should put it in my profile 🙂 At present I am just controlling BG using diet and exercise, I had a bit of weight to lose but I am now near ideal BMI for my age and height. I did research links on here to find out about Glycemic Index of carbs which is most important and I have been very strict about my food regime, I prefer that word to diet, I still have some slightly high readings but now that my weight is well down I seem to be pretty successful. Read up on testing times, before meals, 2 hours after, waking up etc., you may not like the results at first but better to face up to them now and see just how much you can achieve yourself. I still have to work on bedtime routines to overcome the wake up higher reading (Dawn phenomenon ) and that is where I still test most often to see if I am reducing the effect. Incidentally I found that by concentrating on the diebetic effect of foods and counting calories until I had a good natural instinct for quantites I actually lost weight without focusing on that aspect too much.
The extent to which you can control yourself depends on the level of damage that has already taken place in your natural insulin/glucose/pancreas/ liver system but my GP said that he was ok to give me at least 6 months to work it with diet and exercise before he would consider the meds requirement. Make the comittment, it is worth it from every aspect.