Hello everyone!

[Sussexmax]

Hello everyone! I’ve recently been diagnosed with type 2 and am still struggling to accept it and come to terms with it all. Feeling embarrassed and annoyed with myself for letting it happen, but hopefully that will get better as I get used to the many new ‘rules’ and restrictions that seem to control my life at the moment!!

 

[Leadinglights]

Hello everyone! I’ve recently been diagnosed with type 2 and am still struggling to accept it and come to terms with it all. Feeling embarrassed and annoyed with myself for letting it happen, but hopefully that will get better as I get used to the many new ‘rules’ and restrictions that seem to control my life at the moment!!

Welcome to the forum. Perhaps you could say a bit more about your diagnosis, what your HbA1C is, do you have weight to lose and if you have been prescribed any medication as that will determine how much work you need to do to bring your glucose level down and help people make suggestions.
Many find a low carbohydrate approach is successful at both reducing blood glucose and losing weight if you need to. This link may help you with some ideas for modifying your diet, it is a low carb regime based on REAL food so no sack cloth and ashes. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/ Low carb is suggested as being less than 130g per day total carbs not just 'sugar'. But it does it mean NO carbs.
Other people find a low calorie or shakes - based approach works to give them a kick start but whatever way you choose has to be enjoyable otherwise it will not be sustainable long term, It has to be a new way of eating not A DIET.
Increasing exercise if you can also helps.
The book or app Carbs and Cals is a really useful resource as it gives carb values of a whole range of foods and meals with portion sizes which allows you to make better choices. There are some surprises and foods which are thought to be healthy are not so if Type 2 diabetic.
Foods that are 'restricted' can be replaced with more tasty alternatives.

 

[Sussexmax]

Welcome to the forum. Perhaps you could say a bit more about your diagnosis, what your HbA1C is, do you have weight to lose and if you have been prescribed any medication as that will determine how much work you need to do to bring your glucose level down and help people make suggestions.
Many find a low carbohydrate approach is successful at both reducing blood glucose and losing weight if you need to. This link may help you with some ideas for modifying your diet, it is a low carb regime based on REAL food so no sack cloth and ashes. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/ Low carb is suggested as being less than 130g per day total carbs not just 'sugar'. But it does it mean NO carbs.
Other people find a low calorie or shakes - based approach works to give them a kick start but whatever way you choose has to be enjoyable otherwise it will not be sustainable long term, It has to be a new way of eating not A DIET.
Increasing exercise if you can also helps.
The book or app Carbs and Cals is a really useful resource as it gives carb values of a whole range of foods and meals with portion sizes which allows you to make better choices. There are some surprises and foods which are thought to be healthy are not so if Type 2 diabetic.
Foods that are 'restricted' can be replaced with more tasty alternatives.

Thank you for your kind reply and advice. My HbA1C was 60, and I’ve been told that I need to lose 4 stone. Started on Dapagliflozin, but talk that it will be supplemented with Metformin (which I’m worried about because of what I’ve read about it). Seems so much to take in but hopefully I’ll get into a routine. I’d love to reduce the levels to the point that I was no longer diabetic, but realistically my score is probably too high to make that likely.

 

[Leadinglights]

Thank you for your kind reply and advice. My HbA1C was 60, and I’ve been told that I need to lose 4 stone. Started on Dapagliflozin, but talk that it will be supplemented with Metformin (which I’m worried about because of what I’ve read about it). Seems so much to take in but hopefully I’ll get into a routine. I’d love to reduce the levels to the point that I was no longer diabetic, but realistically my score is probably too high to make that likely.

There are many people who have started with a much higher HbA1C than 60 and have managed to get their diabetes in remission, however you will always be diabetic and will have to watch intake of carbohydrates.
Usually Metformin is the first port of call as that helps the body use the insulin it produces more effectively alongside dietary changes. The medication you have been given helps the kidneys excrete the excess glucose in urine so it is important to drink plenty, 3 litres a day I think is recommended but again dietary changes are also needed. It seems the opposite way round from what is usual but may depend on other conditions like IBS where people may react badly to metformin.
60 is not desperately high and often people will be given opportunity to try by diet alone for 3 months before any meds.
Please feel free to ask any questions once you have had opportunity to have a look at the link and the Learning Zone here is also good for information and links.

 

[Sussexmax]

There are many people who have started with a much higher HbA1C than 60 and have managed to get their diabetes in remission, however you will always be diabetic and will have to watch intake of carbohydrates.
Usually Metformin is the first port of call as that helps the body use the insulin it produces more effectively alongside dietary changes. The medication you have been given helps the kidneys excrete the excess glucose in urine so it is important to drink plenty, 3 litres a day I think is recommended but again dietary changes are also needed. It seems the opposite way round from what is usual but may depend on other conditions like IBS where people may react badly to metformin.
60 is not desperately high and often people will be given opportunity to try by diet alone for 3 months before any meds.
Please feel free to ask any questions once you have had opportunity to have a look at the link and the Learning Zone here is also good for information and links.

Thanks again for the information, it’s such a steep learning curve! Actually I meant ‘remission’ rather than ‘cure’, but as a newly diagnosed diabetic it seems depressing to think that I will always be considered diabetic. Upset stomach etc is why I’m dreading the metformin, though I’m committed to doing what’s necessary.

 

[EmmaL76]

Thanks again for the information, it’s such a steep learning curve! Actually I meant ‘remission’ rather than ‘cure’, but as a newly diagnosed diabetic it seems depressing to think that I will always be considered diabetic. Upset stomach etc is why I’m dreading the metformin, though I’m committed to doing what’s necessary.

I know it feels a bit hopeless when you are told you will always be treated as a diabetic even if your hba1c is normalised. The benefit of this however are your yearly checks, eye tests etc. making sure your BG, BP cholesterol and all that stay in check so you can stay healthy. Maybe once your numbers are good, you can say your a monitored reversed diabetic… sounds not too bad eh? Good luck xx

 

[Drummer]

Thank you for your kind reply and advice. My HbA1C was 60, and I’ve been told that I need to lose 4 stone. Started on Dapagliflozin, but talk that it will be supplemented with Metformin (which I’m worried about because of what I’ve read about it). Seems so much to take in but hopefully I’ll get into a routine. I’d love to reduce the levels to the point that I was no longer diabetic, but realistically my score is probably too high to make that likely.

I started off with a Hba1c of 91 and it was very easy to get down to normal levels of blood glucose just by not eating the carbohydrates as recommended - I was told how healthy they were for decades, but they just made me feel ill and put on weight so it was almost a relief to get the diagnosis.
The only rule I need is watch the carbs, and that sorts it.
I eat protein and fat, so meat, fish, seafood, eggs, cheese and full fat dairy are the basis of meals, and I do stirfry, mushrooms or low carb veges or salad to go with it.
For dessert I make a no sugar jelly with berries and cream.
I have lost quite a bit of weight - I was just about spherical eating the healthy carbs, so I feel a lot better these days.

 

[Sussexmax]

I started off with a Hba1c of 91 and it was very easy to get down to normal levels of blood glucose just by not eating the carbohydrates as recommended - I was told how healthy they were for decades, but they just made me feel ill and put on weight so it was almost a relief to get the diagnosis.
The only rule I need is watch the carbs, and that sorts it.
I eat protein and fat, so meat, fish, seafood, eggs, cheese and full fat dairy are the basis of meals, and I do stirfry, mushrooms or low carb veges or salad to go with it.
For dessert I make a no sugar jelly with berries and cream.
I have lost quite a bit of weight - I was just about spherical eating the healthy carbs, so I feel a lot better these days.

Thanks for the message, that’s really encouraging., and it sounds like you’ve done incredibly well! I’m going to try and use the diagnosis to my advantage health wise!

 

[Sussexmax]

I know it feels a bit hopeless when you are told you will always be treated as a diabetic even if your hba1c is normalised. The benefit of this however are your yearly checks, eye tests etc. making sure your BG, BP cholesterol and all that stay in check so you can stay healthy. Maybe once your numbers are good, you can say your a monitored reversed diabetic… sounds not too bad eh? Good luck xx

Haha thank you @EmmaL76 for your suggestion, I’ll try saying something like that when the time comes!! In the meantime I’ll try and make the massive effort that I should have done before being diagnosed. As you say, just makes me feel really hopeless to know that I’ll always ‘officially’ be diabetic!! Have you got yours all under control? Thanks again x

 

[EmmaL76]

Haha thank you @EmmaL76 for your suggestion, I’ll try saying something like that when the time comes!! In the meantime I’ll try and make the massive effort that I should have done before being diagnosed. As you say, just makes me feel really hopeless to know that I’ll always ‘officially’ be diabetic!! Have you got yours all under control? Thanks again x

But at least then you will always be officially one of us !! Mine is under control for the most part. I don’t have a straight forward diagnosis which can make things a little tricky. The biggest challenge for me is keeping the weight on !! X

 

[Sussexmax]

But at least then you will always be officially one of us !! Mine is under control for the most part. I don’t have a straight forward diagnosis which can make things a little tricky. The biggest challenge for me is keeping the weight on !! X

Haha thanks for your message, and I suppose I should tell myself it’s good that I’ve got life membership of this exclusive club!! Thankfully my GP has been very encouraging and supportive. Pleased to hear that your situation is generally under control, you’ve got an interesting challenge to keep the weight on! X

 

[Portugal1000]

I got my diagnosis in August of 53 mmol and tests came back last week as 45 mmol so reduced a little mainly due to diet and reducing the carbs and losing 25 pounds. A long way to go for me but it’s really helped going back to weight watchers. I completely understand the being embarrassed and angry. I am still pretty furious with myself and I haven’t told a soul, not even my husband and son. I just don’t want to worry them. They are already supporting me on the weight loss and I know this would scare my son so why put him through that. I will tell them when I reach my goal. This forum has so much support and good advice. I try to catch up a few times a week.

 

[Sussexmax]

I got my diagnosis in August of 53 mmol and tests came back last week as 45 mmol so reduced a little mainly due to diet and reducing the carbs and losing 25 pounds. A long way to go for me but it’s really helped going back to weight watchers. I completely understand the being embarrassed and angry. I am still pretty furious with myself and I haven’t told a soul, not even my husband and son. I just don’t want to worry them. They are already supporting me on the weight loss and I know this would scare my son so why put him through that. I will tell them when I reach my goal. This forum has so much support and good advice. I try to catch up a few times a week.

That sounds a brilliant improvement @Portugal1000, hope I can do something similar although I’m starting with a higher score. Totally agree with you about not telling anyone as I’m so embarrassed. Good luck with what you’re doing, and thanks for the encouragement.

 

[trophywench]

Why on earth be embarrassed? If your bodies hadn't already had some sort of tendency towards a glucose intolerance, would you have been diagnosed T2? May as well be embarrassed about having brown hair or hazel eyes or having a mole on your cheek!

 

[Sussexmax]

Why on earth be embarrassed? If your bodies hadn't already had some sort of tendency towards a glucose intolerance, would you have been diagnosed T2? May as well be embarrassed about having brown hair or hazel eyes or having a mole on your cheek!

Embarrassed and annoyed with myself for letting myself become overweight and unfit when I should have done something about it. However, determined to take more care now and become more health conscious.

 

[trophywench]

Okay but how were you to know that your body would react the way it did? You weren't, presumably. There are plenty of overweight and/or unfit people in the world who don't have diabetes. You might have just as easily been one of them - so I maintain you have no need to be embarrassed - as long as you've learned something now and act.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Embarrassed and annoyed with myself for letting myself become overweight and unfit when I should have done something about it. However, determined to take more care now and become more health conscious.

Welcome to the forum @Sussexmax

Try not to get swept up in the sense of blame and diabetes-shaming that is so widespread in the press and media (and sometimes, sadly, even among healthcare professionals )

You can’t change what went before, but you seem determined to tackle your diagnosis head-on, and that’s something to be proud of 🙂

 

[Portugal1000]

I am embarrassed that I let myself become so overweight as I know full well about the risks. I think I have been fortunate up until now not to suffer any side effects. This is the wake up call I needed but I wish it hadn’t come to this. I’m pretty sure my over eating has caused the diabetes. I have been looking back at some holiday photos from March today, photos I wouldn’t look at at the time. I was horrified to be honest. I don’t think I realised things had got that bad.

 

[Deleted member 21371]

I found it just crept up on me.
But I wasn't embarrassed, I did it, so I could undo it.

I had no issue with Metformin, I happily took the drugs that were on offer until I could get my BG down myself.

 

[bulkbiker]

Thank you for your kind reply and advice. My HbA1C was 60, and I’ve been told that I need to lose 4 stone. Started on Dapagliflozin, but talk that it will be supplemented with Metformin (which I’m worried about because of what I’ve read about it). Seems so much to take in but hopefully I’ll get into a routine. I’d love to reduce the levels to the point that I was no longer diabetic, but realistically my score is probably too high to make that likely.

I was diagnosed with an HbA1c of 87 .
Metformin made me very ill so I cut down drastically on carbohydrates threw the pills in the bin and was in remission within 3 months following a ketogenic diet.
It can be done I've lost and maintained a loss of almost 40 kilos. HbA1c's now usually sub 30.