Facing my diagnosis - finally!

[Gregorymichael25]

Hey everyone, I hope you are all well. I really don't know where to begin, but here goes. I was told I was prediabetic from 2018 until 2022, where my HBA1C was 49 and I was officially diagnosed. I have health anxiety so went into total meltdown and into denial. I was tested again in March 2024, for different reasons, and my HBA1C was 53. I told my doctor that I would go away and change my diet (I am very overweight) and come back in 6 months. Like an idiot, I did nothing and never went back. This week, after feeling run down, I decided to face up to this and get my bloods run. Everything came back normal, apart from my HBA1C which is currently 76. I am devastated and so fearful. I have been reading some threads on here and you all seem like really nice, non judgemental people, so I decided to post. I have a call with the diabetes nurse at the surgery tomorrow but I am looking for some positive stories on here of people diagnosed with a HBA1C as high as mine, if not higher, who have either reversed their condition or lowered it dramatically. Thank you all so much for listening.

 

[Leadinglights]

Hey everyone, I hope you are all well. I really don't know where to begin, but here goes. I was told I was prediabetic from 2018 until 2022, where my HBA1C was 49 and I was officially diagnosed. I have health anxiety so went into total meltdown and into denial. I was tested again in March 2024, for different reasons, and my HBA1C was 53. I told my doctor that I would go away and change my diet (I am very overweight) and come back in 6 months. Like an idiot, I did nothing and never went back. This week, after feeling run down, I decided to face up to this and get my bloods run. Everything came back normal, apart from my HBA1C which is currently 76. I am devastated and so fearful. I have been reading some threads on here and you all seem like really nice, non judgemental people, so I decided to post. I have a call with the diabetes nurse at the surgery tomorrow but I am looking for some positive stories on here of people diagnosed with a HBA1C as high as mine, if not higher, who have either reversed their condition or lowered it dramatically. Thank you all so much for listening.

Welcome to the forum.
You cannot change the past so what you need to do now is look forward and make a plan to get your HbA1C down. Many have managed to do just that with changes to their diet and getting more exercise if they are able and from a result much higher than you but it does need commitment to make changes.
You GP will likely be obliged under the NICE guidelines to offer you some medication usually metformin as the first one but it still need dietary changes to be most effective.
Many find a low carbohydrate approach is successful and is a very doable regime, this link is such an approach based on no more than 130g carbohydrates per day. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
There are other ways that people have tried very low calorie or a shakes and soups regime for a period of time to give a kick start with then a transition to more normal lower carb sustainable way of eating.
The link has lots of good information and some menu plans which will give you some ideas and you will see there is still plenty you can eat and still have success.
People also find the book or app Carbs and Cals useful in giving carb values of different portion sizes of a whole range of foods which helps make better choices. Portion size is just as important as what you eat.
Make sure you look at the carbohydrate amount not just sugar in the nutritional information which you will find on products. It is the carbs than count as all carb convert to glucose.

 

[Ieva DUK]

Hi @Gregorymichael25 - welcome to the forum, and thank you for sharing so honestly. You’ve taken a really important first step by facing things and reaching out, and I promise you, you’re not alone in how you’re feeling right now. So many people here have been where you are - scared, overwhelmed, and full of regret about the past - but also ready to make a change. That turning point can be incredibly powerful.
It’s completely understandable that health anxiety and fear played a role in how things unfolded. Be kind to yourself - the important thing is you’re here now and ready to take action. And the good news is that many people on this forum have started with HbA1c numbers even much higher than 76 and managed to bring them down significantly - sometimes through lifestyle changes alone, sometimes with a bit of help from medication. It’s definitely possible. What's important is finding out what works for you.
You’ll find this place is full of supportive, non-judgemental people who really understand it. There’s so much practical advice around food, carb-reduction, movement, medication options - and just as importantly, encouragement for the emotional side of managing diabetes too.
Great to hear you’ve got a call booked with the diabetes nurse - hopefully they’ll support you to start gently but firmly taking back some control. And we're here to cheer you on every step of the way.
Looking forward to hearing more from you - you've got this!!!

 

[Felinia]

Hello and welcome. Well done for deciding to tackle your diabetes. There are many people on here who started with much higher HbA1c readings who have successfully reduced their level and/or gone into remission.
Due to your current HbA1c, I expect your nurse will want to prescribe Metformin. It can upset your tummy, but you can request the slow release version which is kinder, if the symptoms don't clear up. They will want to discuss your eating habits with you as Metformin works in conjunction with a suitable plan. Most Type 2 diabetics look to follow a lower carb plan - that is less than 130gm a day. It is not NO carbs which is virtually impossible. Carbs include bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, cereals, pies, pastries, processed food, some fruits, as well as the obvious sweets, cakes, biscuits.
What you eat needs to be sustainable, as this will be for life. There is no hard and fast rule, as each person's body is different, and reacts differently to various foods. I suggest you keep a food diary of everything - food, drink, snacks including portion sizes - to see your starting point. I use NutraCheck. Take it slowly, as too drastic a reduction too quickly can affect your eyes. It is said on this Forum "it's a marathon, not a sprint". Some people substitute for all the foods I've mentioned above. Others like me reduce portion sizes - eating in moderation - as well as substituting. I will use beansprouts instead of rice, black bean pasta instead of wheat pasta, but will have a small slice of wholemeal bread, or a couple of small boiled potatoes.
I suggest you look at the Learning Zone today, for the food section, and make a list of questions to ask the nurse. You can look at the rest of the Learning Zone later, for exercise and mental wellbeing. The Forum has suggestions for food/carb queries, and recipes. The Freshwell website is well regarding and I expect someone will post the link. If you have a partner, you might wish to involve them in your food choices. The good thing about low carb is it will probably help you lose weight as a matter of course.
Please feel free to ask anything - we have all been where you are, and probably asked the same questions. Best wishes.

 

[Martin.A]

I am looking for some positive stories on here of people diagnosed with a HBA1C as high as mine, if not higher, who have either reversed their condition or lowered it dramatically.

Many of us have have managed to come down from much higher levels than yours, often from being in 3 figures, and in many cases have got back to an HbA1c in normal range and been able to stop taking diabetes medication. As @Leadinglights has said, it takes commitment, and I would add willpower - lots of it - to that.

Welcome to the Forum.

 

[saffron15]

Given your current reading you will be encouraged to take medication. My first test ( my request) was 69 then second test where I had altered my diet was 64. After four weeks of metformin it was 58. I then had metformin halved and was put on an SGLT2. My reading three months later was 44. Be realistic. Medication will help lower your BG. People who are motivated have done it without medication but given your history maybe start with medication. Before I went on medication I was surprised that my jeans fell down. Cutting carbs meant I lost weight, a stone before I went on medication. I have lost a further 2 stone. I eat about 130 gms of carbs. Some people choose to eat fewer than that.
I now eat Greek style yoghurt with berries and nuts or seeds for breakfast. Sometimes I have eggs for breakfast.
I don't know if you have other medical problems. I have high blood pressure and the SGLT2 helps cardiovascular health.
Do try and move more eg short walks. Keep a food diary to begin with.

Good luck

 

[JITR]

Welcome. As one who got down from three figures back to normal by lifestyle changes, I agree with all of the above.

The main thing is diet. A good do it yourself starting point from today is the original Freshwell Meal Planner with its green, amber and red food lists. How does what you eat compare?

Download the Freshwell app for weekly and monthly menus and recipes.

Good advice from a nutritionist is every meal should be about 1/3 plate each of protein, veg and carbs - and you can always substitute more veg for the carbs, that's what I did and still do.

Best of luck

 

[harbottle]

Hey everyone, I hope you are all well. I really don't know where to begin, but here goes. I was told I was prediabetic from 2018 until 2022, where my HBA1C was 49 and I was officially diagnosed. I have health anxiety so went into total meltdown and into denial. I was tested again in March 2024, for different reasons, and my HBA1C was 53. I told my doctor that I would go away and change my diet (I am very overweight) and come back in 6 months. Like an idiot, I did nothing and never went back. This week, after feeling run down, I decided to face up to this and get my bloods run. Everything came back normal, apart from my HBA1C which is currently 76. I am devastated and so fearful. I have been reading some threads on here and you all seem like really nice, non judgemental people, so I decided to post. I have a call with the diabetes nurse at the surgery tomorrow but I am looking for some positive stories on here of people diagnosed with a HBA1C as high as mine, if not higher, who have either reversed their condition or lowered it dramatically. Thank you all so much for listening.

Yes, I lowered mine from 83 to 36 in three months by cutting bulk carbs. I used recipe books by a chef called Giancarlo Caldesi - fish/meat and veg plus nuts & fruits, mainly berries and apples. Caldesi did an excellent book of very quick and tasty recipes.

 

[Drummer]

The local GP clinic is thinking about removing my status as a diabetic - I went from Hba1c 91 down to almost normal numbers in 2017.
I used a glucose meter to check my blood glucose levels after meals at first, then stuck to the foods which kept my levels under 8mmol/l. The numbers kept on reducing.

 

[Gregorymichael25]

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to say thank you so much for the supportive messages yesterday. I cannot tell you how much better they made me feel! I have just had the call with the nurse and they are putting me on Metformin. He mentioned one a day for a week, followed by 2 a day for a second week and then 3 a day for the third week before reducing back to 2 a day for maintenance. He said we will then review my bloods in 3 months time. For those of you who are on Metformin, are the side effects common? He mentioned stomach issues. Thanks again for all of the support - I really appreciate it 🙂

 

[trophywench]

Metformin commonly has what they term as 'Gastric' upsets as a side effect. So, I have to say, a lot of us call the drug Met Fart in. However ...... frequently people's innards don't just produce wind - they 'follow through' - and sometimes, unpredictable and uncontrollably. Maybe too much info, but you did ask and I have spoken the truth and not dressed it up! But, as said by someone else previously - there is a 'Modified release' version of the tablets available if the side effects are violent. They don't prescribe it to everyone immediately because it's slightly more expensive than the ordinary ones and until a person has tried taking them in the first place, nobody on earth knows whether they personally will even have side effects - same as any drug they've ever invented - some are allergic to penicillin, others to morphine, both of which are a bugger when you get something else wrong with you. Plus - you always have to remember to tell doctors and nurses treating whatever you have, that you are allergic to whatever. Frequently have to tell the very same people more than once, too.

 

[rebrascora]

I had loose stools and wind and very occasional colicky/trapped wind pains but nothing that was not manageable or left me in an embarrassing situation although I do remember one occasion when I was horse riding and got really bad trapped wind pain and couldn't be sure that I wouldn't "follow through" but thankfully I didn't. Generally I visited the toilet when I needed to break wind just in case it wasn't just wind. That was on 4 a day.

I don't understand your GPs thoughts on taking you up to 4 a day and then dropping it down to 2 a day before you have had a follow up blood test and seen some improvement. Are you sure you understood them correctly? Maybe they were suggesting to drop it down to 2 a day if your body couldn't manage 4 a day. ie side effects didn't settle down and it was affecting your quality of life.
As mentioned, the slow release version can be prescribed if you find your body doesn't tolerate the regular Metformin, but I found I was reasonably OK on the regular. It is also important to note that some people take Metformin and don't experience any side effects. Taking them with food is very important and I found mid meal was best, so I ate half the food on my plate, took the tablet(s) and then ate the other half. Reducing your carb intake can also help prevent significant side effects and is also helpful for managing your diabetes.

 

[saffron15]

I started on one a day, then 2, then 3 and finally 4th week four. First two weeks I was bunged up then it got looser. I had a blood test the month after I started which was 2 and half months after second blood test. I'd gone from 64 to 58. I knew the hcp wanted to try an SGLT2 ( dapaglifozin) I'd only been on 4 metformin for four days when I saw him but he dropped the metformin to 2 and added the SGLT2. I've not had any side effects at 2. I take towards the end of my meal. My bg 3 months later was 44 and I'm now on one metformin.
Keep a diary of your food and motions. I used to pooh 3 to 4 x a week.Thanks to diary on 2 metformin I remember getting to 8 days with no pooh. I went to the chemist who provided something to make me go but that evening I poohed easily with a nice stool without taking another one. I know the hcp believed in prescribing one med seeing if side effects then adding another.
I don't know if he planned to reduce metformin as soon as next drug added. Maybe you are going to have another drug added. My metformin was SR [ slow release] check if that is whatyouve got.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to say thank you so much for the supportive messages yesterday. I cannot tell you how much better they made me feel! I have just had the call with the nurse and they are putting me on Metformin. He mentioned one a day for a week, followed by 2 a day for a second week and then 3 a day for the third week before reducing back to 2 a day for maintenance. He said we will then review my bloods in 3 months time. For those of you who are on Metformin, are the side effects common? He mentioned stomach issues. Thanks again for all of the support - I really appreciate it 🙂

Glad you’ve found the forum replies helpful @Gregorymichael25 - and a big Well Done for deciding to tackle your diabetes diagnosis and get to grips with it. That’s a massive step, and you should feel really good about it.

Lots of people take Metformin without any trouble at all. Some have a brief period of upset, which then settles down after a week or two. But yes we do have some member of the forum who did have a much more severe and unpleasant reaction. Hopefully you’ll get on fine with it, and not have any problems.

 

[Drummer]

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to say thank you so much for the supportive messages yesterday. I cannot tell you how much better they made me feel! I have just had the call with the nurse and they are putting me on Metformin. He mentioned one a day for a week, followed by 2 a day for a second week and then 3 a day for the third week before reducing back to 2 a day for maintenance. He said we will then review my bloods in 3 months time. For those of you who are on Metformin, are the side effects common? He mentioned stomach issues. Thanks again for all of the support - I really appreciate it 🙂

When starting or increasing Metformn, do make sure you are at home - just in case.
I had a violent reaction to just one tablet - I started statins at the same time and being unable to move about quickly combined with explosive faecal incontinence was no joke.
Some people have no problems at all - in a month I was suicidal - it is just the luck of the draw I suppose.
I threw the tablets in the bin when it was just before Christmas and I was finding myself considering how to get down to the beach at 3 am. At the 3 month test I was no longer in the diabetic range, at 6 months just at the top of normal, so I decided I never really needed the tablets. The experience really gave me an incentive to stick to low carb though.

 

[Lisa65]

I'm fortunate enough to tolerate met very well, been taking it for 15 years and apart from a bit of "looseness" in the first few weeks I don't get any side effects with it. It doesn't have a profound effect on blood glucose but it helps calm your liver down to stop it making so much glucose. It can also have mild appetite suppression qualities which can be helpful if you have weight to lose.

 

[harbottle]

I don't think I had any issues with it, but I was only ever on a low dose.