Shubberdog
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- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I was diagnosed about 33 years ago and its been a long battle to get information from my Doctor
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Diabetic for a long time
- Thread starter Shubberdog
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rebrascora
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Hi and welcome.
Sorry to hear you are not finding your GP forthcoming with info. As a patient I believe you have a right to the information held by your doctor. What in particular are you wanting to know. Are you just wanting advice about diabetes or are you wanting access to your results and medical records?
Would you like to tell us a bit about your diabetes....
Things like:-
How you came to be diagnosed? ie. Were you symptomatic and if so which symptoms (I appreciate it was a long time ago now, but sometimes these things stick in the mind)... or was it detected via a routine blood test?
Are you on any medication for your diabetes and if so which ones?
How are you managing with it? We all know it can be overwhelming at first and wearing over the long term.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging or confusing that we can perhaps help you with?
Sorry to hear you are not finding your GP forthcoming with info. As a patient I believe you have a right to the information held by your doctor. What in particular are you wanting to know. Are you just wanting advice about diabetes or are you wanting access to your results and medical records?
Would you like to tell us a bit about your diabetes....
Things like:-
How you came to be diagnosed? ie. Were you symptomatic and if so which symptoms (I appreciate it was a long time ago now, but sometimes these things stick in the mind)... or was it detected via a routine blood test?
Are you on any medication for your diabetes and if so which ones?
How are you managing with it? We all know it can be overwhelming at first and wearing over the long term.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging or confusing that we can perhaps help you with?
Shubberdog
New Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi, well I had not been to the Doctors for years as I had nothing wrong with me, when I received a card from my Doctor inviting me to a well man clinic, so I went along and discovered I was diabetic, over weight, and had high blood pressure. Sitting in my car afterwards I was wishing I had not gone in. as before that I was perfectly well. When I went to see the doctor I asked what was the problem with being diabetic, and was just told that I would have "all the problems associated with diabetes", so I asked again and was told, "all the normal problems". I assumed that either he did not Know or could not be bothered to explain it to me.
At first I was told to control it with diet, so I avoided all obvious sugar (no one had explained about carbs and the internet did not exist.)
Well that did not work so I was put on metformin higher and higher doses as time and my weight went on, so I was sent to see a specialist at the hospital, who put me on a tablet that meant if I did not have a snack mid morning I got the shakes by midday, after a month of this I refused to take them. when I changed to a different specialist I was offered the chance to have a gastric band or go onto Byetta, I chose Byetta and at first it worked well, I them moved on to another clinic at the hospital run by a GP. (not my GP.), Who explained about carbs, at last.
it is a bit late now but I am now on a low carb diet, my blood sugar is coming down but still on the high side (between 7 and 9 in the mornings) but I am losing weight.
The Diabetes nurse at our GP's wants me to go on insulin. I don't want to do this, dose anyone have any advice on this?
At first I was told to control it with diet, so I avoided all obvious sugar (no one had explained about carbs and the internet did not exist.)
Well that did not work so I was put on metformin higher and higher doses as time and my weight went on, so I was sent to see a specialist at the hospital, who put me on a tablet that meant if I did not have a snack mid morning I got the shakes by midday, after a month of this I refused to take them. when I changed to a different specialist I was offered the chance to have a gastric band or go onto Byetta, I chose Byetta and at first it worked well, I them moved on to another clinic at the hospital run by a GP. (not my GP.), Who explained about carbs, at last.
it is a bit late now but I am now on a low carb diet, my blood sugar is coming down but still on the high side (between 7 and 9 in the mornings) but I am losing weight.
The Diabetes nurse at our GP's wants me to go on insulin. I don't want to do this, dose anyone have any advice on this?
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Many people do find a low carb diet is successful but others will still need help from medication or insulin even as Type 2 something I had never realised until reading on the forum.
Thirty years ago things were very different, no appreciation that carbs were the problem and no easy way of home testing.
As you are going down a low carb route then you may find this link helpful with some ideas for meals. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
I found following the principals successful and it is now my new normal way of eating.
Thirty years ago things were very different, no appreciation that carbs were the problem and no easy way of home testing.
As you are going down a low carb route then you may find this link helpful with some ideas for meals. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
I found following the principals successful and it is now my new normal way of eating.
Hi @Shubberdog
Perhaps this can help you, it's a blog post which set me on my path to Type 2 Diabetes remission, I have been in remission for over 3yrs. It explains Carbs and also BG testing.
josekalsbeek.blogspot.com
The other thing is that for those who need it, insulin saves lives - so it should not be feared. You don't give much detail of how high your BG numbers are before and after meals, nor what your meals consist of (so we can gauge how Low Carb you are - Low Carb starts at about 130 gms of carbs per day and goes all the way down to less than 20gms, which is Keto). But 7mmol to 9 mmol as a fasting Blood Glucose doesn't seem too bad if you have a strong Dawn Phenomenon as I do, so my fasting BG is still rarely below 6.5 mmol.
Perhaps this can help you, it's a blog post which set me on my path to Type 2 Diabetes remission, I have been in remission for over 3yrs. It explains Carbs and also BG testing.
The Nutritional Thingy
There’s a few things you should know. 1. Practically all carbs turn to glucose once ingested , so not just straight sugars, but starches...
josekalsbeek.blogspot.com
The other thing is that for those who need it, insulin saves lives - so it should not be feared. You don't give much detail of how high your BG numbers are before and after meals, nor what your meals consist of (so we can gauge how Low Carb you are - Low Carb starts at about 130 gms of carbs per day and goes all the way down to less than 20gms, which is Keto). But 7mmol to 9 mmol as a fasting Blood Glucose doesn't seem too bad if you have a strong Dawn Phenomenon as I do, so my fasting BG is still rarely below 6.5 mmol.
rebrascora
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Good to hear that you have eventually found out about low carb. Sadly it really wasn't understood within the NHS 30 years ago and even today, many GPs and consultants are not advising people to go low carb. The NHS advice I believe is still to follow the "Eatwell" plate which is more wholemeal/wholegrain rather than low carb but unfortunately grains are high in carbs whether they are wholegrain or white.
When do you test in the mornings? Is it as soon as you wake up, whilst still in bed, or after getting up and getting washed and dressed? This can make a significant difference to your actual waking reading, because the liver releases glucose as soon as we get out of bed, so levels start rising. Mine can rise by as much as 6mmols in the space of an hour from getting up if I don't inject insulin to deal with it as soon as I wake up. (I am insulin dependent) You will still have some insulin production but after 33 years your pancreas is probably struggling to produce enough to balance your levels. Do you do any testing before and 2 hours after meals, so see how your body is coping with the low carb meals you are eating?
How long have you been following a low carb way of eating? If you have only recently changed your diet then it may be worth persevering longer. Is there any further room for reduction in carbs in your diet?
What sort of things are you currently having for breakfast lunch and evening meal?
Do you know what your most recent HbA1c result was and when was it done. Knowing the actual numbers is important, so that you can make informed decisions.
If your diet is pretty tight with regard to low carb and you have been low carb for several months or years and your HbA1c is high, then insulin may well be the answer. It is not a decision to take lightly but if you need it you need it.
The complications associated with high BG levels/poorly managed diabetes are not to be ignored. In case you still have not been informed of them, they are ......risk of damage to the fine blood vessels in your eyes (hopefully you have been getting yearly retinal screening checks?) and similar damage to the blood vessels in your feet and kidneys leading to potential damage or loss of sight and risk of ulcers and infection in your legs/feet which can ultimately lead to amputation or neuropathy which is nerve pain caused by the poor blood circulation to your feet and legs and of course kidney damage possibly requiring dialysis or ultimately transplant..... plus potential damage to your cardiovascular system, so putting you at risk of heart attack and stroke.
Insulin is not so bad by comparison, but if you can manage your levels well without it then obviously you should do so, but you need to know the numbers as regards HbA1c to make that decision.
When do you test in the mornings? Is it as soon as you wake up, whilst still in bed, or after getting up and getting washed and dressed? This can make a significant difference to your actual waking reading, because the liver releases glucose as soon as we get out of bed, so levels start rising. Mine can rise by as much as 6mmols in the space of an hour from getting up if I don't inject insulin to deal with it as soon as I wake up. (I am insulin dependent) You will still have some insulin production but after 33 years your pancreas is probably struggling to produce enough to balance your levels. Do you do any testing before and 2 hours after meals, so see how your body is coping with the low carb meals you are eating?
How long have you been following a low carb way of eating? If you have only recently changed your diet then it may be worth persevering longer. Is there any further room for reduction in carbs in your diet?
What sort of things are you currently having for breakfast lunch and evening meal?
Do you know what your most recent HbA1c result was and when was it done. Knowing the actual numbers is important, so that you can make informed decisions.
If your diet is pretty tight with regard to low carb and you have been low carb for several months or years and your HbA1c is high, then insulin may well be the answer. It is not a decision to take lightly but if you need it you need it.
The complications associated with high BG levels/poorly managed diabetes are not to be ignored. In case you still have not been informed of them, they are ......risk of damage to the fine blood vessels in your eyes (hopefully you have been getting yearly retinal screening checks?) and similar damage to the blood vessels in your feet and kidneys leading to potential damage or loss of sight and risk of ulcers and infection in your legs/feet which can ultimately lead to amputation or neuropathy which is nerve pain caused by the poor blood circulation to your feet and legs and of course kidney damage possibly requiring dialysis or ultimately transplant..... plus potential damage to your cardiovascular system, so putting you at risk of heart attack and stroke.
Insulin is not so bad by comparison, but if you can manage your levels well without it then obviously you should do so, but you need to know the numbers as regards HbA1c to make that decision.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Welcome to the forum @Shubberdog
Sorry to hear you’ve not had good information to help you manage your diabetes in a timely way, but glad you have found your own approach that seems to be working.
How long have you been eating lower carb? It sounds like that’s helping with your glucose management, and actually it can be gentler on the body if glucose levels drift down more gradually over a reasonable period, rather than lurching from one range to a other. So perhaps stick with it, and see how things go, while you consider what additional menu tweaks or medications might help you.
It’s quite natural to be a little wary of starting on insulin (particularly because of the way some HCPs treat is as a ‘threat’ to frighten people with
), but actually it’s nothing to be worried about, and in many cases can be exactly what is needed and allows for better, easier and more flexible glucose management. In a sense it’s easier for us T1s, because it is just needed from the outset, and isn’t something we can do without.
Sorry to hear you’ve not had good information to help you manage your diabetes in a timely way, but glad you have found your own approach that seems to be working.
How long have you been eating lower carb? It sounds like that’s helping with your glucose management, and actually it can be gentler on the body if glucose levels drift down more gradually over a reasonable period, rather than lurching from one range to a other. So perhaps stick with it, and see how things go, while you consider what additional menu tweaks or medications might help you.
It’s quite natural to be a little wary of starting on insulin (particularly because of the way some HCPs treat is as a ‘threat’ to frighten people with
), but actually it’s nothing to be worried about, and in many cases can be exactly what is needed and allows for better, easier and more flexible glucose management. In a sense it’s easier for us T1s, because it is just needed from the outset, and isn’t something we can do without.
harbottle
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
There’s no excuse for stories like this from the original poster.
Low carb diets were used to treat diabetes in the 1700s, using fat and protein for energy. This work was pretty much forgotten when insulin was discovered.
Ancient civilisations had also deduced a link between excess weight and a form of diabetes that wasn’t fatal. The difference between T1 and T2 had been know for a long time.
The stuff Dr Unwin has been doing is resurrecting work that was already done.
snowball12
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I just read the article you recommended. If I could eat what was recommended I would be in remission too. I am so pleased for you.What concerned me was Glicazide which I take as well as Metformin. Diabetic nurse has never mentioned low carb!!! and never see GP!!! Should I be on the best low carb diet that I can manage? Last Hba1c was 62 in August, which is not good I know.Hi @Shubberdog
Perhaps this can help you, it's a blog post which set me on my path to Type 2 Diabetes remission, I have been in remission for over 3yrs. It explains Carbs and also BG testing.
The Nutritional Thingy
There’s a few things you should know. 1. Practically all carbs turn to glucose once ingested , so not just straight sugars, but starches...
The other thing is that for those who need it, insulin saves lives - so it should not be feared. You don't give much detail of how high your BG numbers are before and after meals, nor what your meals consist of (so we can gauge how Low Carb you are - Low Carb starts at about 130 gms of carbs per day and goes all the way down to less than 20gms, which is Keto). But 7mmol to 9 mmol as a fasting Blood Glucose doesn't seem too bad if you have a strong Dawn Phenomenon as I do, so my fasting BG is still rarely below 6.5 mmol.
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
There are different strengths of Glicazide tablets so dosage of it can be changed up or down! Glic encourages your own pancreas to produce a bit more insulin than it would otherwise, so that's why it's usually taken at mealtimes.
You are right though - lowering carb content does make the chance of too low blood glucose slightly more likely - but not like you're about to cross Niagara Falls on a tightrope any time soon, presumably! 🙂 Which is exactly why I said first that you can reduce the amount of Glic that you take, if/when you need to.
You are right though - lowering carb content does make the chance of too low blood glucose slightly more likely - but not like you're about to cross Niagara Falls on a tightrope any time soon, presumably! 🙂 Which is exactly why I said first that you can reduce the amount of Glic that you take, if/when you need to.
trophywench
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- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Er, are you sure about that?
silentsquirrel
Well-Known Member
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- Type 2
Certainly slow release gliclazide exists - try googling it. Or are you saying everyone can achieve remission?
grovesy
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Yes I was on it for a number of years.
snowball12
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- Type 2
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- She/Her
I don't think everyone can achieve remission. Not everyone can cope with low carb or exercise. Lots of Diabetics with other medical problems too!
silentsquirrel
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Totally agree - my question was to @trophywench , who appeared to be querying one of @grovesy 's two statements. 🙂
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Whoa! I was querying the slow release Glic - simply never heard of it before, only when being used at main mealtimes to boost insulin rather like us T1s use bolus insulin, cos it's supposed to have the same effect. Like I always say - I'm no expert and I'm still learning.
harbottle
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
The MR (Modified release) glic is released steadily over a day, and apparently has a lower risk of hypos. Maybe it's acting more like a basal insulin this case? It's apparently quite effective at bringing hba1c down.
grovesy
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I personally found I still got hypos on it.
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