Fed up

[veganlass]

Since the last HBA1c in October Ive put on 6 lbs of weight. rarely do a BG (whats the point!!?). When I do it can drop to 4.2 or rise to 14.

Over the last 3 months Ive been out to meals 3 times with friends, ate everything I shouldnt have over xmas ie, mince pies, xmas cake and crisps.

Now I await the result of the HBA1c when I see the DSN on thurs. Winter doesnt help me as thats when I feel lathargic and less energy.

Due to my disability getting slowly worse I now have a volunteer dog walker so I dont walk much and this time of year I cannot even get to do any gardening.

I really do not want to start medication, ie Insulin as I feel it would be a failure of my part. I still want to lose weight again, but havent the motivation to start again. I have started Tescodiet as I lost one stone with them a couple of years ago. But its too much hard work. I am rebelling and even went into a chip shop and had veggie nuggets and chips the other day..
I am now 9 stone 11 lbs and previously went down to 9 stone 5lbs. I would dearly like to drop down to 9 stone.

 

[Northerner]

Hi veganlass, nice to hear from you again, but sorry to hear you are having problems. It can be especially difficult in the winter months to motivate yourself, so it's essential to just set small, achievable goals. It may take longer to get where you want to be, but it will be small steps in the right direction. How about starting a food diary and recording everything you are eating, including portion sizes? You could then either discuss it with us here, or ask your doctor if you can see a dietician, so you can look at areas that might be causing problems and find substitutes or solutions. Some times just having a plan gives you the motivation that you are choosing a path and doing something positive.

I would doubt that you would go onto insulin unless your HbA1c is very poor, it would be more likely that you would be given an oral medication, or possibly even something injectable once or twice a day, like Byetta or Victoza. Do not fear these medications - they will help you get more balanced and normalised blood sugar levels - remember that higher or fluctuating levels can affect your moods adversely, so it can be a big help. It doesn't necessarily mean that you would be on these medication for life. I'm sure Steff won't mind me mentioning that she was on medication, then went onto Byetta, Victoza, and now she is free of these and getting excellent levels. Don't feel it is a one-way path.

Keep posting and letting us know how you are, you are important to us and we want to help support you and see you happy 🙂

 

[veganlass]

Thanks. I have already seen a dietition last summer and she says I am on a well balanced vegan diet.

I have managed to get to 62 without taking any medication and I plan not start any, stubborn I know. 😉.


Apart from my vegan diet I dont go overboard. I think its a combination of winter blues, need for comfort food and I crave at the moment food all the time.

Also I think if I start medication I will think its ok to eat as much as before and gain the weight I lost or put on more.

I know, locally, two diabetic T2 and they are both on medication and both are obese still. Its as if they think that their diabetes is being treated and so it gives them carte blanche to gorge themselves silly.

My last HBA1c was 7.9 only .9 over top of normal range.

 

[ukjohn]

Hi Veganlass, nice to see you on the forum again. I just wanted to echo Northerners wise words, some good advice there, and we know you can be a positive person, we all sometimes need that little kick start to get us moving. I hope things start to get easier for you, and you start getting the results you wish for. Come back soon and let us know how things are

Take care
John

 

[Copepod]

Nice to see you back here, Veganlass.

You're right, there's no point checking blood glucose except to give you information you can use - as you probably know how most meals affect you now, it probably makes sense only for occasional monitoring of fasting levels and if you're feeling unwell.

You're also right that diet is an important part of dealing with diabetes, no matter what medication (or none) you are taking. I can't see you changing your view about food just because you start medication - if you need to, which as Northerner has already said might not be permanent. Personally, I enjoy the occasional low or no carb meal with no bolus insulin.

And three meals out with friends in three months seems a very reasonable way to socialise! No-one is doing much gardening just now - I only go out to sort our ducks at present, and had to break the ice on their pond and in their drinking water this morning - no hope of digging in frozen soil!

I can't see that HbA1c of 7.9% would prompt a doctor to prescribe insulin to someone with T2D, but I don't have access to all the criteria on which they would make the decision.

 

[Newtothis]

Since the last HBA1c in October Ive put on 6 lbs of weight. rarely do a BG (whats the point!!?). When I do it can drop to 4.2 or rise to 14.

Over the last 3 months Ive been out to meals 3 times with friends, ate everything I shouldnt have over xmas ie, mince pies, xmas cake and crisps.

Now I await the result of the HBA1c when I see the DSN on thurs. Winter doesnt help me as thats when I feel lathargic and less energy.

Due to my disability getting slowly worse I now have a volunteer dog walker so I dont walk much and this time of year I cannot even get to do any gardening.

I really do not want to start medication, ie Insulin as I feel it would be a failure of my part. I still want to lose weight again, but havent the motivation to start again. I have started Tescodiet as I lost one stone with them a couple of years ago. But its too much hard work. I am rebelling and even went into a chip shop and had veggie nuggets and chips the other day..
I am now 9 stone 11 lbs and previously went down to 9 stone 5lbs. I would dearly like to drop down to 9 stone.

Hi Veganless; can I ask how tall you are and how long you've had T2? Amanda x 🙂

 

[veganlass]

5' tall.

My DSN advises starting medication, even on 7.9 this one was taken in October.

I personally think the medical profession just goes with the flow of automatically advising medication without looking holistically (I know these things, being a retired nurse!) and at each individual. I guess covering ones back as she has to advise. But as a friend says, its my body.

I have no obvious symptoms of diabetes, apart from raised blood glucose. I am well apart from my disability.
Diabetes diagnosed last March.

 

[Northerner]

5' tall.

My DSN advises starting medication, even on 7.9 this one was taken in October.

I personally think the medical profession just goes with the flow of automatically advising medication without looking holistically (I know these things, being a retired nurse!) and at each individual. I guess covering ones back as she has to advise. But as a friend says, its my body.

I have no obvious symptoms of diabetes, apart from raised blood glucose. I am well apart from my disability.
Diabetes diagnosed last March.

I think you are right to some extent, as far as some HCPs are concerned. If, however, your blood sugar levels can't be well-controlled without medication then I think you shouldn't think of it as failure, no more than a person with hypothyroidism would regard a daily pill of Thyroxine a failure - if your body lacks something or needs the support of some medication ten it is better to accept it. Of course, I do hope that it is not thought necessary for you when you next see your doctor! What I am trying to say is don't be misled by all the media reports that diabetes (Type 2 particularly) is all about weight, it has a far broader spectrum than that. My neighbour who is 70 is the perfect weight for his height and build and follows a very healthy diet and walks everywhere. There isn't a thing he could do better or change about his diet and lifestyle to keep him from requiring medication to help maintain good blood sugar levels.

You may be 'on the cusp' where you can exercise choice (well, you always have a choice!) and keep reasonably good levels, but you certainly shouldn't feel that requiring medication is in any way a failure on your part, if it is beyond your control.

 

[Mark T]

...My last HBA1c was 7.9 only .9 over top of normal range.

Well, that's potentially 1.4% over. NICE recommends starting medication at above 6.5% But of course all targets are individual 😉

Have you tried any arm exercises? I've been told that putting weights on your wrists can be helpful too.

 

[veganlass]

I have weakened arms and hands. Muscle wasting.

 

[cherrypie]

If you find it hard to exercise then I would ask your GP to refer you to physio. They are very good at tailoring exercise to suit your capabilities.

 

[margie]

Hi Veganlass - it is good to see you postin again.

I would agree with Alan that taking medication does not mean you failed. Sometimes it is the only option open to you that will work. Obviously you want to explore all other options first and that is fine.

I am wondering whether being a vegan some of your objection to the meds may be how they were researched tested. If that is the case then bring it up with your GP and see if there is one that you would feel is OK ethically.

I seem to recall that you have a friend who is a DSN - have you spoken to them recently - they may be able to give you some additional help.