Getting myself in a mess

[SomethingElse]

38 y/o male. Diagnosed last week Type 2. 6ft, 18.7st. HbA1c was 96.

When I got the news I was gutted, but I hadn’t realised how much this will change my life forever.

I was starting to feel ok, but still sad, about not eating stuff I used to enjoy, and I’m ready to lose weight.

Then I started seeing these studies about Type 2 in people younger than 40, and the conclusions that they are much, much, much more likely to die younger, have a fatal stroke or heart attack (think it was 14-fold vs type 1, who were 4-fold vs a general population control group) and develop complications much sooner since the diabetes is present longer. I couldn’t read all the study because it was medical speak, but I read the associated articles.

Im starting to think that even if I get healthy and bring my levels down, I’m not going to make it even to my 60s without serious complications or cardiovascular issues.

I have two young kids and I’m terrified about what’s coming down the line. I’m also worried of the mental toll thinking about these things will create and worried that I’m going to spiral.

I feel on my own with my age of diagnosis.

 

[rebrascora]

This is a wake up call for you as it was for me. I am now fitter and slimmer and healthier than I was at diagnosis and I get regular check ups because I am diabetic to help keep me that way. I fully expect that I will live longer and with a better quality of life as a result of the changes I have made to my lifestyle.... which I would not have done if I had not had the kick up the pants of a diabetes diagnosis to make changes. I have already seen a dramatic improvement in other health issues as a result of changing my diet so there have been lots of positives to come from it. There are many people who don't manage their diabetes well or make any lifestyle changes and I am sure these are the majority of people who experience problems and complications. Diabetes is a condition, not an illness. If you manage it well then I see no reason why it should be life limiting. My experience so far (4 years) is very much the opposite. I also enjoy my food and no longer crave or even tempted by the foods I used to enjoy because I have found others that I enjoy as much if not more that are better for me. It has taken experimentation and some effort, but I was a sugar addict, comfort eater and potato and bread fiend pre diagnosis and whilst I still comfort eat occasionally, I have found low carb comfort foods which don't impact my diabetes and I make sure I have plenty of those in stock but the rest, I just don't miss.
If I can do it, I am pretty sure anyone can.

 

[Robin]

38 y/o male. Diagnosed last week Type 2. 6ft, 18.7st. HbA1c was 96.

When I got the news I was gutted, but I hadn’t realised how much this will change my life forever.

I was starting to feel ok, but still sad, about not eating stuff I used to enjoy, and I’m ready to lose weight.

Then I started seeing these studies about Type 2 in people younger than 40, and the conclusions that they are much, much, much more likely to die younger, have a fatal stroke or heart attack (think it was 6 times more) and develop complications much sooner since the diabetes is present longer. I couldn’t read all the study because it was medical speak, but I read the associated articles.

Im starting to think that even if I get healthy and bring my levels down, I’m not going to make it even to my 60s without serious complications or cardiovascular issues.

I have two young kids and I’m terrified about what’s coming down the line. I’m also worried of the mental toll thinking about these things will create and worried that I’m going to spiral.

I feel on my own with my age of diagnosis.

Try Googling some other statistics instead. If you look at the numbers of people with diabetes who manage to achieve and keep a healthy HbA1c, it’s very small. If you Google graphs for how prevalent complications are, they are much more common in people with HbA1cs at the higher end. If you are one of the people who manages to keep their HbA1c within range, you automatically reduce your chances of getting complications or a shortened lifespan by quite a lot.

 

[AndBreathe]

38 y/o male. Diagnosed last week Type 2. 6ft, 18.7st. HbA1c was 96.

When I got the news I was gutted, but I hadn’t realised how much this will change my life forever.

I was starting to feel ok, but still sad, about not eating stuff I used to enjoy, and I’m ready to lose weight.

Then I started seeing these studies about Type 2 in people younger than 40, and the conclusions that they are much, much, much more likely to die younger, have a fatal stroke or heart attack (think it was 14-fold vs type 1, who were 4-fold vs a general population control group) and develop complications much sooner since the diabetes is present longer. I couldn’t read all the study because it was medical speak, but I read the associated articles.

Im starting to think that even if I get healthy and bring my levels down, I’m not going to make it even to my 60s without serious complications or cardiovascular issues.

I have two young kids and I’m terrified about what’s coming down the line. I’m also worried of the mental toll thinking about these things will create and worried that I’m going to spiral.

I feel on my own with my age of diagnosis.

This whole thing is very complicated.

Some diagnosed you don't have symptoms, so can't get motivated to make improvements, Some don't understand the changes that would be helpful to them. Some feel impervious to the impacts of their condition, because the "feel fine, right now!.

Type 2s are cared for in primary care (usually at our GP practise), and monitored by practise nurses who have no in depth training in diabetes, but have the job of running diabetes clinics.

Type 1s are more often than not cared for in secondary care, mainly by professionals with specialist care.

Type 2s are not routinely offered a means of assessing their own progress or measuring their blood glucose. Type 1s have this from the get-go, and often have continuous monitoring available.

Bottom line is, as a T2 it is critical that we own our condition and educate ourselves in self care for it. For me, that meant, I invested in blood glucose monitoring kit and tracked my blood sugars to see exactly what was affecting me too much. I read a lot, then overlayed my blood glucose reading findings and worked out my way forward. At that time, I was overseas on a very long trip, so had no NHS support to either fall back or rely on.

I was diagnosed in October 2013, and was in remission by February 2014. I was a fair bit older than you when diagnosed, but I intend to stay in rude health for as long as possible. Currently, my diabetes does not impeed me in any way.

Almost 2 years ago, I took part in a research programme, looking at heart health for those living with T2. Unusually, there was a small cohort within the programme who were in remission. From that research, I learned my heart was 9and hopefully still is!) in good shape.

More recently, I am a research subject in a programme looking at peripheral artery disease in those living with diabetes (of any sort). I have had one of two appointments in that study.

The initial findings from the first appointment are that I show no signs of per peripheral artery disease. The second appointment involves an MRA scan, which is a specialised type of MRI. That will show additional detail and context. That appointment is on 22nd May.

Bottom line is, not ignoring some folks get very unlucky with their health, it is clear the better we look after ourselves, the better our outcomes will be.

Somebody said to me, close to my diagnosis,......".... Whatever you do, don't ignore your diabetes, because it will never, ever be ignoring you." I haven't forgotten that.

Diabetes isn't at the forefront of my mind all the time these days, possibly because some of the changes I made at the outset have just become part of who I am, and what I do.

Good luck with it all. Don't be glum about it, but as that person said to me,...... "Don't ignore your diabetes, because it won't ignore you". Truly.

 

[SomethingElse]

Thanks all. I just feel scared for the future in a way I never have.

Maybe when I start monitoring and exercising and losing weight I’ll feel better. Seeing the number go down too. I’ve heard even exercising can raise BG though. It seems like every time I have a plan there’s something else that’s a problem.

I didn’t think I had symptoms when I was diagnosed beyond being thirsty and urinating a lot( but reading up on stuff I‘be had a numb patch on my leg for years and some cramping and tingling in my feet. I’ve also had rough skin patches on my feet that are slightly darker but I thought they were stubborn athletes foot. Maybe there’s damage from neuropathy already. Maybe they’re unrelated too, we’ll see.

 

[pawprint91]

I understand it’s scary when you see the statistics, and google isn’t really your friend here. As others have sort of said - it’s the people who don’t or can’t manage their diabetes that push those statistics up compared to those that do. You sound like you’re in a dark place now, but that you are willing and are starting to make the right changes for the right reasons. As mentioned, it might have actually extended your life rather than shortened it because of these changes.

Take one day at a time - there are many, many other things that could affect your future (both good and bad) aside from your diabetes, and sometimes it’s just not worth thinking that far ahead, but just getting through the day that’s in front of us and enjoy the time we have with our families and loved ones. Hope you start to feel better soon, sending you lots of good wishes.

 

[lizzieK]

This whole thing is very complicated.

Some diagnosed you don't have symptoms, so can't get motivated to make improvements, Some don't understand the changes that would be helpful to them. Some feel impervious to the impacts of their condition, because the "feel fine, right now!.

Type 2s are cared for in primary care (usually at our GP practise), and monitored by practise nurses who have no in depth training in diabetes, but have the job of running diabetes clinics.

Type 1s are more often than not cared for in secondary care, mainly by professionals with specialist care.

Type 2s are not routinely offered a means of assessing their own progress or measuring their blood glucose. Type 1s have this from the get-go, and often have continuous monitoring available.

Bottom line is, as a T2 it is critical that we own our condition and educate ourselves in self care for it. For me, that meant, I invested in blood glucose monitoring kit and tracked my blood sugars to see exactly what was affecting me too much. I read a lot, then overlayed my blood glucose reading findings and worked out my way forward. At that time, I was overseas on a very long trip, so had no NHS support to either fall back or rely on.

I was diagnosed in October 2013, and was in remission by February 2014. I was a fair bit older than you when diagnosed, but I intend to stay in rude health for as long as possible. Currently, my diabetes does not impeed me in any way.

Almost 2 years ago, I took part in a research programme, looking at heart health for those living with T2. Unusually, there was a small cohort within the programme who were in remission. From that research, I learned my heart was 9and hopefully still is!) in good shape.

More recently, I am a research subject in a programme looking at peripheral artery disease in those living with diabetes (of any sort). I have had one of two appointments in that study.

The initial findings from the first appointment are that I show no signs of per peripheral artery disease. The second appointment involves an MRA scan, which is a specialised type of MRI. That will show additional detail and context. That appointment is on 22nd May.

Bottom line is, not ignoring some folks get very unlucky with their health, it is clear the better we look after ourselves, the better our outcomes will be.

Somebody said to me, close to my diagnosis,......".... Whatever you do, don't ignore your diabetes, because it will never, ever be ignoring you." I haven't forgotten that.

Diabetes isn't at the forefront of my mind all the time these days, possibly because some of the changes I made at the outset have just become part of who I am, and what I do.

Good luck with it all. Don't be glum about it, but as that person said to me,...... "Don't ignore your diabetes, because it won't ignore you". Truly.

@AndBreathe….a very positive post…thank you….

 

[Dragonheart]

Seeing the number go down too. I’ve heard even exercising can raise BG though.

It’s common for gentle exercise to lower levels immediately (eg walking). It is also not uncommon for more vigorous exercise to - temporarily - raise levels. All humans will have a dump of glucose into the blood for energy in fight (including stress) or flight (including exercise) situations. We use it to fuel us there and then. BUT if you continue to monitor afterwards there is usually a drop later and for some number of hours, more than compensating for the brief high. Also the more lean muscle we have the more we burn glucose 24/7 so it’s an overall net gain and definitely not a reason to avoid exercise. I’ve plenty of other excuses lol but not this one.

 

[Spathiphyllum]

Thanks all. I just feel scared for the future in a way I never have.

Maybe when I start monitoring and exercising and losing weight I’ll feel better. Seeing the number go down too. I’ve heard even exercising can raise BG though. It seems like every time I have a plan there’s something else that’s a problem.

I didn’t think I had symptoms when I was diagnosed beyond being thirsty and urinating a lot( but reading up on stuff I‘be had a numb patch on my leg for years and some cramping and tingling in my feet. I’ve also had rough skin patches on my feet that are slightly darker but I thought they were stubborn athletes foot. Maybe there’s damage from neuropathy already. Maybe they’re unrelated too, we’ll see.

You can reverse your diabetes. And if you do that soon, and keep it reversed, there will be minimal effect on your life expectancy; in fact you can make yourself healthier than you have ever been.

Get yourself onto the NHS Low Calorie Diet Programme: https://www.england.nhs.uk/diabetes/treatment-care/diabetes-remission/ . It is now being rolled out to the whole of England: https://www.england.nhs.uk/2023/04/nhs-to-expand-soups-and-shakes-for-people-with-type-2-diabetes/ .

The eligibility requirements are:
"be aged 18 – 65 years"-- tick;
"have a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes within the last 6 years"-- tick; and
"have a BMI over 27 kg/m2 (where individuals are from White ethnic groups) or over 25 kg/m2 (where individuals are from Black, Asian and other ethnic groups)"-- tick. Your BMI is over 35, which means you are officially obese; even if you hadn't developed Type 2, your health is being undermined and your life expectancy shortened by your obesity.

Just do it. Ask your GP about the NHS Low Calorie Diet Programme. Demand to be referred to it.

There are a number of Type 2s on this forum who have successfully reversed their diabetes. You can too.

You may wonder: Why do I, as a Type 1, care about this? ... Because there is no cure for Type 1. It is not possible to reverse Type 1. I wish I were in your position-- because then I could do something about it. You are actually lucky; take advantage of your good luck. All best wishes, and do let us know how you get on!

 

[bulkbiker]

There are a number of Type 2s on this forum who have successfully reversed their diabetes.

There are indeed and many have not used the low calorie program but a low carb program .. there is more than one way of achieving remission.

 

[Drummer]

I found it very simple to sort out my intolerance of carbs, I reduced the amounts of sugars and starch I ate and used a glucose meter to check that I was eating the right amount so as not to cause spikes after meals.
That's it.
My numbers for daily blood glucose normalised, my Hba1c dropped, my weight decreased. Job done.

 

[Admiral Benbow]

If it's any consolation, generally whole foods taste a whole lot better than processed foods once your body switches over from craving sugars in cookies, breads, and processed foods. Think of all the peanuts, cashews, and almonds you can eat compared to potato chips. A big bowl of blueberries, strawberries, or mulberry's tastes much better than any store bought pie, and you won't have to worry about bloating, or the sugary after taste. You can still eat a whole lot of meats and not have to worry. Think of all the sirloins you can enjoy with buttered broccoli, all the tuna or salmon sashimi, all the chickens you can still eat at Nandos with a nutritious salad. Boiled eggs will fill you up much better than a cereal. You can even learn how to make Almond bread. Drinking water will leave your skin clean and your arteries unclogged. You will no longer have sugar low's or sugar cravings. You've had a wake up to live better, eat better, your not losing anything here, your headed in the right direction as before you were being misled by a non human diet, eating and drinking refined carbs, and having way too much sugar. There's a lot of good folks here who can help you head in the right direction now to live well. You've come to the right place.

 

[nonethewiser]

You can reverse your diabetes. And if you do that soon, and keep it reversed, there will be minimal effect on your life expectancy; in fact you can make yourself healthier than you have ever been.

Get yourself onto the NHS Low Calorie Diet Programme: https://www.england.nhs.uk/diabetes/treatment-care/diabetes-remission/ . It is now being rolled out to the whole of England: https://www.england.nhs.uk/2023/04/nhs-to-expand-soups-and-shakes-for-people-with-type-2-diabetes/ .

The eligibility requirements are:
"be aged 18 – 65 years"-- tick;
"have a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes within the last 6 years"-- tick; and
"have a BMI over 27 kg/m2 (where individuals are from White ethnic groups) or over 25 kg/m2 (where individuals are from Black, Asian and other ethnic groups)"-- tick. Your BMI is over 35, which means you are officially obese; even if you hadn't developed Type 2, your health is being undermined and your life expectancy shortened by your obesity.

Just do it. Ask your GP about the NHS Low Calorie Diet Programme. Demand to be referred to it.

There are a number of Type 2s on this forum who have successfully reversed their diabetes. You can too.

You may wonder: Why do I, as a Type 1, care about this? ... Because there is no cure for Type 1. It is not possible to reverse Type 1. I wish I were in your position-- because then I could do something about it. You are actually lucky; take advantage of your good luck. All best wishes, and do let us know how you get on!

Would suggest same & certainly would give diet a go if I were newly diagnosed type 2, after all you have nothing to lose but everything to gain.

On a side note @SomethingElse my wife was diagnosed prediabetic back in 2017, quite possible that by time she took action months later she may have tipped over into type 2, but she took decision to go down low calorie diet route through Slimming World so didnt use Newcastle soup & shakes approach, it took longer to lose weight but in total she lost 5 stone & reversed her diagnosis & all bloods since have been normal, so weight lose was key as well as removing visceral fat around organs which Newcastle Diet is designed to do.

Tbh, feeling anxious & fearing for future when newly diagnosed is very common, I was diagnosed in late teens thought I'd never see 30 or 40 at stretch but still here now & starring down on my 60th, so do best you can & keep thinking positive.

 

[Admiral Benbow]

Tbh, feeling anxious & fearing for future when newly diagnosed is very common, I was diagnosed in late teens thought I'd never see 30 or 40 at stretch but still here now & starring down on my 60th, so do best you can & keep thinking positive.

This makes me question whether Type 2 diabetes is really a disease at all rather than a metabolic imbalance. Type 1 for sure is a medical disease because the Beta cells don't work, but Type 2? It seems that because it has become more and more common and has exploded in recent years in terms of numbers, and seems most people can reverse it (cure??) with significant carbohydrate restriction, and weight loss, I'm not sure it should be classified as a disease. Either way, with both Type 1, and Type 2, advances in medical technology especially the monitoring, and knowledge, both types seem to be more and more able to be taken under control.

 

[Admiral Benbow]

One thing I am doing for myself which you might want to consider is monitoring. Invest in a blood pressure monitor, a weight scale, a tape measure for measuring your waist, and maybe a glucose monitor. I don't have a glucose monitor yet. Find a day maybe 1-2 a month and just measure things and record them on an excel spread sheet. If BP is normal <120/80, BMI is around 22, waist circumference is <89cm, and your fasting glucose when you wake up is less than 100, your doing fine and in general good health. Just aim for this, eat low carb, intermittent fast, exercise a little, and the fears will start to dissipate. The very fact that your worried about things, tells us your on the right track to good health.

 

[childofthesea43]

I am a bit doubtful as to whether this NHS programme will get a reasonable success rate, not because of an assumption that support and follow-up will be deficient but more because the initial 3-month phase is so demanding. In my own case I just reduced cals by a third and carbs by three quarters, and after a few months had reversed the condition unproblematically. And since then have sustained it with a comfortable pattern of eating. In principle the great majority of newly diagnosed T2s should be able to do that likewise without any clinical support or intervention. My own GP explained how demoralising it is having most T2 newbies in his surgery plugging their ears to any suggestion of altering lifestyles and just wanting magic pills to make it all go away. As others have intimated, one has to own one’s condition and take responsibility for it, or else face the stony road to the eventual outcomes currently clogging up a quarter of hospital beds. I don’t know how one can raise people’s readiness to change lifestyles. Doctors have tried painting scary scenarios and that doesn’t work very much. Still, to the original poster I would say, as has another respondent, “just do it”. Summon up the resolve, be ruthless about it. Just do it.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

When I got the news I was gutted, but I hadn’t realised how much this will change my life forever.

I was starting to feel ok, but still sad, about not eating stuff I used to enjoy, and I’m ready to lose weight.

Welcome to the forum @SomethingElse

Feeling overwhelmed and knocked sideways by your diagnosis is very common. As is a lurking anxiety over the future, and how to best live with your diabetes along for the ride.

Some people liken it to a form of grieving, with the often overwhelming feelings of anger, denial, depression, bargaining and acceptance (sometimes all on the same day!)

Try not to get too worried with horror stories (even research ones). those outcomes don’t necessarily need to apply to you. You are clearly motivated to tackle your diabetes head-on and you have the best motivation to keep going with whichever diabetes management approach you choose.

 

[Docb]

@SomethingElse - You started this thread and i would be interested to know if the back and forth of the last couple of pages has been any value to you in terms of you getting a perspective on your diagnosis and devising a way forward which might suit you?

 

[pinkjude]

38 y/o male. Diagnosed last week Type 2. 6ft, 18.7st. HbA1c was 96.

When I got the news I was gutted, but I hadn’t realised how much this will change my life forever.

I was starting to feel ok, but still sad, about not eating stuff I used to enjoy, and I’m ready to lose weight.

Then I started seeing these studies about Type 2 in people younger than 40, and the conclusions that they are much, much, much more likely to die younger, have a fatal stroke or heart attack (think it was 14-fold vs type 1, who were 4-fold vs a general population control group) and develop complications much sooner since the diabetes is present longer. I couldn’t read all the study because it was medical speak, but I read the associated articles.

Im starting to think that even if I get healthy and bring my levels down, I’m not going to make it even to my 60s without serious complications or cardiovascular issues.

I have two young kids and I’m terrified about what’s coming down the line. I’m also worried of the mental toll thinking about these things will create and worried that I’m going to spiral.

I feel on my own with my age of diagnosis.

I was diagnosed 5 years ago at 55. I have seen friends older than me who chose not to make life style choices have diabetic related strokes so I decided to knuckle down. I got my HBA1c down from 84 to 47 in 3 months without medication. My GP was amazed. I cut out all white carbs and all sugar. Think egg based breakfasts like an omelette/ poached eggs with avocado or mushrooms/ English breakfast occasionally/ Yoghurt with berries, nuts, seeds, cinnamon. Choose veg that grows above the ground rather than below, berries are the best fruits but eat after a meal rather than as a snack. Lean meats/ fish/ poultry all good choices. Lots of free sites such as diet doctor and there are videos from people like Michael Mosley/ Jason Fung on you tube and if you read one book I recommend The Glucose Goddess by Jessie Inchauspe. Its very easy to read, studies have a scientific basis and her hacks and tips to curb spikes are easy to do. I would say start by changing maybe one meal a day to a more diabetic friendly meal, add in some exercise after eating even if its only walking on the spot for 10 minutes and drink more water. Do some research and then slowly start to make more changes. One thing I do is top my shepherds pie with mashed cauliflower but do another one with potato for my husband. I am a member of the low carb programme which is all online. Lots of help/ support/ recipes etc and twice a week you can attend drop in sessions for newbies. I mute my mic and dont show my picture but I listen and take it all in. I think reminding yourself of the potential consequences of not trying to get it under control spur me on. Your GP or DN should have referred you to a course for type 2 which can be either half a day or a day in person or I think there is one online. I found that very helpful. There may be a support group in your area. There is a list of groups on this site. You should consider buying a meter so you can test your blood glucose at home. Some GPs give them free so ask. That way you can test before you eat and 2 hours afterwards to see which foods you can eat and which affect you. We are all different so some foods that are fine for me aren't suitable for others

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Moderator note: A side conversation comparing low calorie (soup & shake / newcastle) paths to potential remission vs long-term low carbohydrate glucose management was split from this thread to prevent this thread becoming overwhelmed.

https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/paths-to-remission-or-control-newcastle-and-low-carb.106354/