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Hello

Ian Robinson

Ian Robinson

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
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Just signed up to the Forum.

A small bit about me, just turned 60 and have been type 2 diet controlled for the last 15 years but yesterday I was put on medication (Dapagliflozin) for the first time. I'm never going to remember that name.

I figured I should start taking this more seriously now and thought using a forum I could find a lot of answers and hopefully support from others in the same position
 
Hello @Ian Robinson

Do you have your most recent blood result (HbA1c) and how does it compare with previous ones over the years? Could you do to lose some weight? In any case, diet is the key followed by whatever exercise you can manage. Your aim would be to see if you get your HbA1c down to less than 48-53 mmol/mol in say 6 months

In case it helps, I think good starting points are Dr David Unwin's successful diet sheet and Dr Kim Andrews' simple meal planner and red, amber, green food lists from Freshwell.

I followed the Newcastle Diet (real food < 800 cal) after my diagnosis. Designed for clinical trials and studies, that was a bit extreme. The good news from the study is that all participants who lost weight and reduced glucose levels also reduced their risk of serious complications. This applied both those with T2D for 10-25 years as wells the newly diagnosed.
 
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Last test was 52, it's been around 45 to 47 for year previously, been like it for 15 years, yes I'm over weight, I had a stroke 20 years ago and was medically retired at 39, I've got dystonia in my foot so find it very hard to walk around, that's why I was retired. Two years ago I joined a gym to get more active but it's not helping to lose weight, just started a diet as not helping myself where eating is concerned
 
Well, diet comes first. Make sure you eat plenty of nutritious protein and vegetables two or three times a day as Dr Unwin and Dr Andrews suggest and your weight and HbA1c will start to come down. I found the section on weight loss in this article very helpful.

Stretching and floor exercises help, anything to get your heart and lungs working.
 
Well I started the diet today and I think I'm eating more but it is all the good stuff I didn't used to eat, I've already had two bits of fruit

As for walking I find it difficult to walk normal outdoor walking but can walk better on the treadmill in the gym. Can't work that one out

Last August I had a total hip replacement, had arthritis in it for years, it's in the other one to but not so bad so really just getting really mobile again, everything was so hard for years even getting in and out of the bath and car
 
Welcome to the forum Ian. I picked up your treat query on the general message board.
Hope you find the revised diet helps and you find it sustainable. Sorry to hear about your mobility issues. Are you able to go swimming or do a seated exercise class? Anything extra you do will make a difference.
You may find you pee more often with dapagliflozin so keep well hydrated.

I found the people on the forum very helpful and supportive when I joined last year. As a newly diagnosed diabetic I didn't know much beyond the basics. Still learning and adjusting to carb counting and finger pricking.
 
I've noticed today I've been going a lot, the nurse did warn me though so I've been drinking some water

Tried swimming but where I've got right sided weakness, I can't swim in a straight line, it's quiet funny really 🙂

I live right by a leisure centre but have to drive there, After an hour in there I can hardly walk back but it's not stopping me, met others over there with disabilities so it's nice to catch up too

My wife is, would you believe it, a stroke rehab associate practitioner, so I've got my very own therapist at home

Not been told to finger prick but when I was in hospital having my hip done they kept doing it as it was in my notes I was diet controlled
 
An HbA1C of 52 mmol/mol is not desperately high and there may have been some review of your diet that may have been sufficient to have brought it down without the medication. It may be worth looking at this link to see if you get some ideas for that which will help. It is based on the suggested no more than 130g carbs not just sugar per day. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/*
 
It's not too high but as they explained I've been diet controlled for a long time and they think it will get harder and harder for me to do it alone so have stepped in to help. She also explained that some of the meds I'm on they have to monitor my kidneys and diabetes doesn't do kidneys any favours so another reason to step in.
 
Ian Robinson said:
It's not too high but as they explained I've been diet controlled for a long time and they think it will get harder and harder for me to do it alone so have stepped in to help. She also explained that some of the meds I'm on they have to monitor my kidneys and diabetes doesn't do kidneys any favours so another reason to step in.
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Your misunderstanding about the importance of looking at the carbs rather than just sugar may have contributed to it being harder to manage your condition.
 
Hope the Dapagliflozin works well for you @Ian Robinson

And good to hear you are keeping active too.
 
Ian Robinson said:
Well I started the diet today and I think I'm eating more but it is all the good stuff I didn't used to eat, I've already had two bits of fruit

As for walking I find it difficult to walk normal outdoor walking but can walk better on the treadmill in the gym. Can't work that one out

Last August I had a total hip replacement, had arthritis in it for years, it's in the other one to but not so bad so really just getting really mobile again, everything was so hard for years even getting in and out of the bath and car
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Hi Ian,
Hope you are doing OK.
Know what you mean as I dislocated a hip playing rugby in late 30s and that led to me having OA in the hip at 45 and the Consultant said just too young for a THR.I struggled for a few years and then decided to go ahead with a hip resurfacing just days before my 50th.
The technology was quite new so was a bit of a risk but must admit it was one of the best things I ever did and had no problems since.
Had a THR on the other side ( due to overcompensation) at 57 but again has proved very successful and apart from not running a lot I can do anything.
But non weight bearing physical exercise like cycling or swimming is always better.
The other big learning for me was the OA pain was bad but the most important effect it had on me was preventing me from living the life I wanted to by stopping me from doing things andvthst is what persuaded me to get the surgery done and it has proved great.
Good luck
 
Yeah I'm really glad I had mine done, I was 59

Yes I thought it was all about sugar but thanks to joining the site yesterday I realise the mistake

I've got an app on my phone and I've been counting calories to no avail, I set it yesterday to count carbs and eating 2000 cals a day I was missing that I've been eating around 300g of carbs a day, double what I should be having

First day on the meds and I peed out a pound and a half
 
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