Concerns about Low Carbs

[HedzT2]

Hi I have been T2 diabetic for over 10 years and at first I was on one tablet a day to control it and then after several years I decided to take myself off the tablets, with much reluctance in agreement of my DSN. My annual readings remained 'normal' even better as they would on the tablets so I was happy until a month ago when I had my annual review blood test and a week ago the results and my DSN advised I need to go back onto 2 tablets a day and a Low Carb diet. Tablets are Metformin Slow Release one in morning one at night.

Ok I am dissapointed but I am also concerned because firstly I was scoffing a lot more carbs than usual over October and November (I know this as there were loads of naughty treats around for Halloween and Fireworks events).

Secondly I also have Illeitis which is part of the Crohns condition so a lot of foods classed as Low Carb I struggle to digest. Yes this is contradictory but it was proved after my IBD diagnosis when I followed a Low FODMAP elimination plan.

I have concerns about going back to 2 tablets a day, can I ask for a retest before I start the tablets? I'm worried what taking then will do to me if I don't need as much now and in the long term? I was told to start them and see the DSN at my 6 month review that's a long time to wait I think and find out they were wrong. I am convinced my readings were high because I binged on cakes and sweet treats and over indulged on carbs for a few weeks. Not my normal way but I did go off the rails a bit I agree.

I am so concerned about this Low Carb plan not agreeing with me and my temperamental stomach and finding it a bit overwhelming and confusing. It's stopped me enjoying Christmas and my birthday this last week and I am feeling so down in the dumps and miserable.

Sorry to moan. Thanks for any advice.

 

[grovesy]

Why not go back and discuss with your nurse.

 

[MikeyBikey]

One of the factors in Type 2 is age. So even if people make major lifestyle changes so they are off medication as the years pass they may have to lower carbs and/increase medication. Remember a third of 80 y.o. are Type II. Unlike weight ageing cannot be reversed. Treat your Crohn's first and if this means you need to take Metformin so be it. Don't beat yourself up over it!

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome.
Sorry to hear that your latest HbA1c is up and they are wanting you to restart medication. Do you know what the reading was? That might give us an indication of how necessary the medication might be. If it is not hugely high then you might discuss the situation with the nurse and explain that you have been a bit naughty over the past few months and can you try being more careful with your diet and see how things are in another 3 months.
If it is dangerously high and eating low carb is going to cause other problems, then medication may be the most sensible option.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I’m not very familiar with low fodmap, but it doesn’t look to have a major overlap with the sorts of low carb choices that I see people relying on here.

Are there particular low carb options that you think would cause your crohns to flare up? Perhaps some of our T2s could offer alternative thoughts?

 

[Toucan]

Hello and first of all congratulations on controlling your type 2 for 10 years, that's a major achievement! Most of us hit a few ups and downs at some stage, and the important thing is to not let yourself be blown too far off course. The plan you usually follow is generally working well for you, and it is very likely that your higher reading was related to the temporary indulgences near to having the blood test. Although the HB1ac tests measure over a long period, I have been told that what you eat in the few weeks prior to the test has a disproportional impact. A similar situation has happened to me recently, and I have asked for a re-test before changing medications. Are you able to do your own figure prick tests? I test first thing each morning, and find that this relates closely to my eating pattern and reflects 'indulgences' although sometimes with a time-lag. This would enable you to see what's going on. As Grovsey suggests it might be worth talking to the nurse again, and maybe requesting a re-test much sooner if you are now back on your usual eating pattern.

 

[HedzT2]

Hi everyone thank you for taking the time to reply it is much appreciated!

I am going to make an appointment to see my GP and discuss it with her as she knows all my ailments well. I will ask for a retest too. The DSN dis actually mention she was actually a locum and had been assigned to the practice to monitor those with Diabetes and other chronic long term health conditions, it wasn't my usual nurse thankfully. She really did put me on a low over Christmas (and my birthday last week too) as I was going out the door she looked at me sternly and pointed to her mouth and said just watch what goes in there but enjoy Christmas first. Well clearly that caused a mental effect on me and I went into a bit of a meltdown on what I could eat. The less I ate the more miserable I became naturally!

Anyway she showed me the results on the screen and they were in a red zone think it was 40 something? I know it seemed quite a shock to me!

I haven't restarted the tablets yet as I am going to see my GP first and I would like to ask to be referred to a hospital dietitian so I can come up with a solution to eating well.

Since the beginning of December I have actually lost 10lb in weight so am pleased with that but hoping I wont struggle this time to keep it off either.

Going to look for some Low Carb slow cooker recipes too as I am more of a bung it all in and eat it later kind of cook, makes life easier and eating tastier too especially when you can also batch cook and freeze for fresh conveinience meals another day!

Happy New Year and cheers to good health to you all!

 

[Drummer]

Good grief - she actually spoke to you like that? I'm surprised she didn't ask you if Father Christmas was going to bring you a dolly to play with -

 

[HedzT2]

Sadly Drummer she did act that way and say those words - shocking isn't it!



I am still struggling to eat properly as I am anxious about what I put in my mouth now! I am going to go back to my GP, I will ring them next week when everyone gets back to normal service and ask for a retest and explain why and will also mention how the DSN attitude has affected me this past month!!

I have been looking into the Low Carb diet but it does seem quite contradictory to me at times especially with the further restrictions on me personally with my Illeitis. I have been very good these past 4 weeks or more and cut down on the treats and so far wiped them out entirely and cut out carbs too!! So maybe with a retest this will now have time to reflect in the results and I can also be referred to a hospital dietitian AND not need to take 2 pills or who knows maybe not even 1 if I can stay focussed and eat well.

 

[Drummer]

I do feel that we have to stand up to the attitude of the NHS in general that they are dealing with undeserving idiots.
Perhaps if you make a list of all the things which would help a diabetic type two, starting off with meat and seafood, and try out various options to see how you can cope using those ingredients it would give you at least something to work with. I wonder if what you struggle with are the recommended low GI foods, which are thought good, but can be full of whole seeds and grains. Low carb can be a lot smoother in texture than that.
However - if it was the case that your Hba1c was in the 40s - what on earth was she thinking worrying you to such an extent? Whilst above the normal range, Hba1c in the 40s is only just over, so by assessing your intake of carbs and reducing the higher options, making reductions or swaps, you should soon see lower levels, and by keeping in mind those options of starchy and/or sugary foods to avoid you should be able to manage this slight hiccup.