Have you got a type 2 remission story that will help others? (CLOSED)

[Josh DUK]

Have you got a type 2 remission story that will help others?

At Diabetes UK, we want to provide lots more information and support for people about type 2 diabetes remission. In January 2024, we’ll be launching a brand-new type 2 remission section on our website to answer the key questions people have about remission. We're also adding a new type 2 remission course to our Learning Zone educational platform to support people with trying to go into remission.

We want to include stories from people with lived experience. We know that real life stories really help and inspire others. If you’re in type 2 remission, have been in remission, or are trying to go into it, we'd love to hear from you.

To find out more contact the lovely Paula Williams, our Stories Officer by emailing paula.williams@diabetes.org.uk

Alternatively you can share your story in this thread.

Josh DUK

(THIS IS CLOSED)

 

[Sarahp]

Hi Josh I spoke at the conference about my remission through bariatric surgery, is this something that might be of use? Paula Will probably have access to my presentation if she attended.
Best wishes

 

[nicey1958]

Hi Josh I spoke at the conference about my remission through bariatric surgery, is this something that might be of use? Paula Will probably have access to my presentation if she attended.
Best wishes

Is type 2 not stigmatised as caused being 'fat' or 'unhealthy diet' more than anything else?. When I look around, there seems to be more people bigger than leaner in todays society. Why does it affect older people more. The Diabetic clinic with Diabetic problems.. all seem to be over the age of 50? Is this when problems seems to become evident? .. asking because you say remission.. what exactly is Remission when you are prescribed tablets from diagnosis and your sugar levels are fine?. What is the only way of telling? Stop taking them and see?

 

[Sarahp]

Is type 2 not stigmatised as caused being 'fat' or 'unhealthy diet' more than anything else?. When I look around, there seems to be more people bigger than leaner in todays society. Why does it affect older people more. The Diabetic clinic with Diabetic problems.. all seem to be over the age of 50? Is this when problems seems to become evident? .. asking because you say remission.. what exactly is Remission when you are prescribed tablets from diagnosis and your sugar levels are fine?. What is the only way of telling? Stop taking them and see?

There’s now research on young diabetes type 2 in the age 40 and younger group especially since the pandemic, if you haven’t seen the link from the media recently I will post in a moment, i was one of the volunteers interviewed for it, back in a minute.

 

[Sarahp]

Is type 2 not stigmatised as caused being 'fat' or 'unhealthy diet' more than anything else?. When I look around, there seems to be more people bigger than leaner in todays society. Why does it affect older people more. The Diabetic clinic with Diabetic problems.. all seem to be over the age of 50? Is this when problems seems to become evident? .. asking because you say remission.. what exactly is Remission when you are prescribed tablets from diagnosis and your sugar levels are fine?. What is the only way of telling? Stop taking them and see?

This is what I shared in the news section in September, have copied directly over for you:

Just wanted to share the NHS England press release on changes in support for young type 2 diabetics and BBC sounds clip … is about 50 minutes in before the interview starts - https://x.com/drwfdiabetes/status/1696463730614079621?s=42&t=0_nzAlX-KEPCBJEWhRuilw and link https://www.england.nhs.uk/2023/08/...mme-to-transform-diabetes-care-for-under-40s/

I do believe it will help general awareness especially those of us of working age regardless of our type of diabetes, really feel the issue of essential appointments and materials for employers is critical for all types so they can understand why we need the appointments and checks to help reduce the risk in complications

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Why does it affect older people more. The Diabetic clinic with Diabetic problems.. all seem to be over the age of 50? Is this when problems seems to become evident?

Type 2 diabetes was once called ‘maturity onset’ because it was generally observed later in life, though that was changed many years ago as it became clear that age alone was not the dominant factor. Some forms of T2 are associated with overweight/obesity - particularly where there is a build-up of visceral fat around the organs in the abdomen.

It is possible to experience complications from diabetes at any time, but these can develop over time, so one reason for more older people might simply be increased diabetes duration with older age?

asking because you say remission.. what exactly is Remission when you are prescribed tablets from diagnosis and your sugar levels are fine?. What is the only way of telling? Stop taking them and see?

Diabetes in the DIRECT trial is defined as 2 or more HbA1c results below 48mmol/mol without the need for any diabetes medication.

If you are wondering whether you still need the medication you have been prescribed, you might want to discuss possible strategies for reducing or stopping it with your diabetes nurse?

 

[geordie]

I was diagnosed at age 54.I took up walking and went into remission for more than 10 years requiring no medication. I am now on insulin but feel that I bought 10 years. Did 8 miles yesterday and my sugar levels dropped as they usually do after exercise. Don't think everyone has to do that sort of distance to benefit

 

[Adamski]

Hi there
Would you happen to know that if you start having injections that that is something that can stop and you can go back to tablets and then remission or are insulin injections forever?

 

[Roger1970]

Hi there - i was diagnosed the January of this year after zero symptoms and just getting a mens health check done. My HbA1c was 93. Its now November and my HbA1c is 37. Ive lost over 40lb in weight and my metformin has been reduced to 2x500mg per day. Im working a 12 month plan with my doctor to remove meds entirely provided i can maintain my weight and keep the HbA1c below 42.

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi there
Would you happen to know that if you start having injections that that is something that can stop and you can go back to tablets and then remission or are insulin injections forever?

I think it very much depends on the circumstances and the individual.
If you are making none or very little of your own insulin as would be the case in Type 1 or LADA then people would need injected insulin so in that case no unlikely to be able to just go back to oral medication.
Just to add that sometime people are given insulin as an emergency measure if blood glucose is dangerously high and they are at risk of DKA.

 

[Adamski]

What’s DKA?

 

[Adamski]

I think it very much depends on the circumstances and the individual.
If you are making none or very little of your own insulin as would be the case in Type 1 or LADA then people would need injected insulin so in that case no unlikely to be able to just go back to oral medication.
Just to add that sometime people are given insulin as an emergency measure if blood glucose is dangerously high and they are at risk of DKA.

I’m looking into getting on this belly fat reduction juice thing but in one of the ‘success stories’ they show you there’s one of a lady saying thanks so much for the help and that for her T2 she now no longer has to inject!? Just wondering if I should part with my money or that this is a lie and it’s a con?

 

[Catbanj]

I’m looking into getting on this belly fat reduction juice thing but in one of the ‘success stories’ they show you there’s one of a lady saying thanks so much for the help and that for her T2 she now no longer has to inject!? Just wondering if I should part with my money or that this is a lie and it’s a con?

Lots of people have improvements by making lifestyle changes without parting with large amounts of money. You just need to find something that works for you.

I've used testing to work out what carbohydrates cause my blood sugars to spike.. and then removed them from my diet. I limit to 130g carbs per day and about 1200 calories. That has reduced my HbA1C from 54 to near normal in 6 months plus I've lost 4 stone in weight.

I still have a long way to go until I consider myself in remission. If I go back to how I used to eat then my HbA1C will go right back up- this is something I will always have to be mindful of and manage.

 

[Adamski]

I think it very much depends on the circumstances and the individual.
If you are making none or very little of your own insulin as would be the case in Type 1 or LADA then people would need injected insulin so in that case no unlikely to be able to just go back to oral medication.
Just to add that sometime people are given insulin as an emergency measure if blood glucose is dangerously high and they are at risk of DKA.

So are the injections non reversible like my GP said ? He said it didn’t matter about individual circumstances, do you think he was trying to scare me? Is that even allowed! I’m soooo confused

 

[Leadinglights]

So are the injections non reversible like my GP said ? He said it didn’t matter about individual circumstances, do you think he was trying to scare me? Is that even allowed! I’m soooo confused

It is quite a complex question and everything to do with diabetes comes down to the individual and individual circumstances the 'correctness' of the diagnosis.
What specifically are you confused about, are you on oral medication at the moment and what dietary regime are you following.
I'm afraid some GPs and diabetic nurses use the thread of going on insulin to try to focus peoples minds at taking their diagnosis seriously.

 

[harbottle]

Losing weight (3 stone) in a few months + a low dose of Metformin got my levels to the 30s. (i was already doing daily exercise.)

It's been there ever since. I have kept the weight off for two years and still avoid (Mostly) food like pasta, rice and bread in huge quantities. Occasionally have some, usually when I'm on holiday and know I will be walking a lot.

Even if I do have something with a lot of carbs (70g is the highest so far) I seem to peak at around 8. Fasting levels are usually normal as well.

Still on 500mg of Metformin, although experiments with not taking it for a month seem to indicate it's not making a that much of a difference.

 

[Maj]

Have you got a type 2 remission story that will help others?

At Diabetes UK, we want to provide lots more information and support for people about type 2 diabetes remission. In January 2024, we’ll be launching a brand-new type 2 remission section on our website to answer the key questions people have about remission. We're also adding a new type 2 remission course to our Learning Zone educational platform to support people with trying to go into remission.

We want to include stories from people with lived experience. We know that real life stories really help and inspire others. If you’re in type 2 remission, have been in remission, or are trying to go into it, we'd love to hear from you.

To find out more contact the lovely Paula Williams, our Stories Officer by emailing paula.williams@diabetes.org.uk

Alternatively you can share your story in this thread.

Josh DUK

I was in remission and I believe this was because I was accepted on a trial and was set weekly goals that were monitored. I worked hard to begin with I focused on being slightly active, standing more then moving more, I had step target per day and a Fitbit to help, I ate healthier, lost two stone and became pre diabetes for a few months - then I was off the programme and slacked off re- gained all the weight I had lost and some more now my glucose higher than ever and I’m trying again to get back to pre diabetes (I am still too low for diabetes team to accept referral which is good but also bad as I believe I needed the weekly monitoring and targets -I don’t understand why focus is on over 75 reading when 48 or below is target range why not have more invested in helping nip things in bud rather than only help accessible to diabetics on two or more oral medications and glucose of 75 or more and once you go below 75 discharged from diabetic service - I think group monitoring at all stages works for people like me
And now an off topic rant
I also have the issue that many hospitals tell me I’m not diabetic today my GP receptionist told me I’m not diabetic according to diabetes service who rejected my referral from cancer clinic to monitor my levels due to medication that can cause increased glucose - the letter from diabetes service said I needed to monitor my levels myself three times a day and use rescue medication as necessary which GP can supervise
Despite both a cancer nurse specialist and a diabetic nurse specialist stating I need to have glucose monitored three times a day I have a receptionist telling me I’m not diabetic - she then relented and stated I need to speak to pharmacist in surgery and he will decided - just read the expert nurses letters and decide! How will speaking to me in decision to prescribe strips to monitor my glucose and provide rescue medicine as required? has anyone had this type of issue with monitoring and confusion? My levels are around 50 whilst taking 2000 Metformin a day! However two hospitals and community diabetic team say I’m not technically diabetic enough to be classed as needing intervention?

 

[Kreator]

Have you got a type 2 remission story that will help others?

At Diabetes UK, we want to provide lots more information and support for people about type 2 diabetes remission. In January 2024, we’ll be launching a brand-new type 2 remission section on our website to answer the key questions people have about remission. We're also adding a new type 2 remission course to our Learning Zone educational platform to support people with trying to go into remission.

We want to include stories from people with lived experience. We know that real life stories really help and inspire others. If you’re in type 2 remission, have been in remission, or are trying to go into it, we'd love to hear from you.

To find out more contact the lovely Paula Williams, our Stories Officer by emailing paula.williams@diabetes.org.uk

Alternatively you can share your story in this thread.

Josh DUK

Hi,

My signature tells the 'short' story, but happy to share more if required - I have so much to tell, it's been an amazing journey so far....

 

[Admiral Benbow]

I was diagnosed at age 54.I took up walking and went into remission for more than 10 years requiring no medication. I am now on insulin but feel that I bought 10 years. Did 8 miles yesterday and my sugar levels dropped as they usually do after exercise. Don't think everyone has to do that sort of distance to benefit

Were you overweight when diagnosed at 58? What were you eating and drinking at that time? Did you smoke?

 

[Swilko]

I shared my story with you over two months ago but now realise that I have not even got an acknowledgement and certainly no further info. as to whether my story is acceptable or rejected. Any ideas when we will hear?