Hello!

[Philomena]

Thank you, @Ljc . I appreciate it!
I think half the battle is finding an eating plan that works for you and is sustainable. And doing the research into what’s caused the diabetes and how to eat so that insulin levels don’t spike.
In my part of the world the surgery dietary advice is so outdated it’s laughable. I’m pleased your practise nurse seems to be more clued-up. It can only get better!

 

[SB2015]

Hello! Just a little update....
Had my latest blood test results and am very pleased to say that my GP has told me I have reversed my diabetes 🙂.
Cholesterol is still a bit on the high side but liver function is now normal, blood pressure has come down a lot and the bloods, which had been as high as 55, are now 39.
I started the Keto eating plan on the 2nd January after I decided I wasn’t going to take the prescribed Metformin and have lost two stone so far. I keep my carbs round about the 20g a day level and I can honestly say I don’t miss bread, potatoes, pasta etc...I’ve completely overhauled my eating habits and love the Keto way of eating. I also now IF. I was a bit scared at first to be honest as I hate feeling hungry but found that I don’t feel hungry at all...and I feel so empowered by it. The longest I’ve gone so far is 20 hours and it was easy!
The first month or so I wrote down everything I ate and did blood glucose prick tests like a maniac. I soon saw readings in the 4s which spurred me on even more. Now I only test once in a while as I’ve got so used to what I can eat so I know the numbers will be low.
I’ve had days where I’ve fallen off the wagon and on those days I just give in and eat what I’m craving....toast, chocolate, whatever....enjoy it, then get back onto it the next day.
I’ve found a great eating plan that I know I can stick to which includes all the things I love...cream in my coffee, fatty cuts of meat, lots of veg, eggs etc (I even love spinach and avocados now!😉) and I never feel hungry.
Still have a way to go but I’m getting there!

Well done Philomena
Great to hear that your plan is working.

 

[Philomena]

Thank you, @SB2015 . Appreciate your reply.
I can’t believe, that after five years, in just four months I can make such a huge change to my health by cutting down on carbs/eating more fats and losing weight. (And not taking the Metformin) 🙂

 

[SB2015]

Thank you, @SB2015 . Appreciate your reply.
I can’t believe, that after five years, in just four months I can make such a huge change to my health by cutting down on carbs/eating more fats and losing weight. (And not taking the Metformin) 🙂

You are a good example for others, to show that things can be changed.

 

[Philomena]

Thank you, @SB2015 🙂
I’d been in denial about the T2 for so long and think I basically just hoped it would go away!
When my GP told me I had to start on Metformin I sort of then admitted defeat. But I could then see myself on the rocky road of taking meds for the rest of my life which I really REALLY didn’t want to. A bit of research revealed that Metformin causes the lowering of blood sugars but doesn’t address the root cause of diabetes - the hormone insulin and resistance - so I didn’t see the point of taking it.
I found Dr Jason Fung on YouTube and he really was a revelation! What he said about everything to do with diabetes made absolute sense and I realised I was the only person who could do something about MY diabetes. And that I could do it without the aid of any medication. I realised there was another way. I took control. Hello Keto and IF! Goodbye carbs!

 

[Maz2]

Thank you, Eddy, Drummer and Carolg, for your replies and welcome to the forum. Eddy, I’ve had a read...reassuring. My GP’s leaving some info about statins in the surgery for me to pick up....no doubt it’ll be biased but I’ll read it, anyway. I think I’ve decided that I need to take them. Just hate the thought of being a slave to tablet-taking but on the other hand feel grateful for the expertise and medicines that help us lead decent lives.
Drummer, I must try harder to cut out carbs. When I do, I really notice that my bg readings are lower and very stable. Well done on your excellent healthy eating. I’m a terrible emotional eater, something I’ve had counselling for, but need to summon some willpower from somewhere.
Carolg, thank you for your words of encouragement. This will be my ‘go to’ website!

I had a colleague who is on statins. GP experimented until he found one to suit her. Others I know had no probs at all. I think if you need them for your health take them. I would not take meds for the sake of it but woumd do do for my health. Some people blame flu jabs for all and sundry. I have had them for 30 yrs with no probs. Had them att Occupational Health as worked in a hospital.

 

[Maz2]

Hi Philomena - Hi & welcome! Best of luck getting things under control.

As I'm sure you're aware, lifestyle stuff is usually the most important thing but don't feel bad about taking meds to help things along. IMO, both Metformin and statins are *triffic* drugs for what they're supposed to do, with minimal side effects unless you're a bit unlucky (Metformin) or very unlucky (statins).

Statins do sometimes get a bad rap but I think that's overblown & it's most useful to read up on what the expert bodies have to say rather than eg Dr Google's opinion. This from the American Heart Association is a thorough & detailed recent review of benefits and risks: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/ATV.0000000000000073

Will have a look. Thanks for that.

 

[Maz2]

Thank you, Karnak. Definitely need to concentrate on diet issues. I’ve read up on lots of eating plans....Keto appeals to me as I love butter, cream, fatty meat etc! But the more I read the more confused I get...so much conflicting, and changing advice, every day just about!
What makes me mad is the lack of dietary help at the doctor’s surgery.
If you’re a smoker, drug user, alcoholic, there’s so much help out there...rehab, patches, counselling etc but if your addiction is food there is very little help. My experience is that the GP is primarily concerned with handing out meds and when I’ve asked to see the dietician, who only appears once in a blue moon at my rural practice, her advice is so outdated (eat lots of carbs, cut out fats etc) it’s virtually useless. The NHS really needs to wake up to the lack of proper nutrition advice at surgeries....I would really like a regular weigh-in session to try and keep me focussed, and also the fact that blood glucose monitors and test strips should be available to everyone who’d like them. I’m sure this would help a lot of diabetics.

Telling diabetics or anyone to eat loads of carbs is crazy. When I was loaded up with bread, pasta, potatoes, breakfast cereal I was always hungry
Now do not feel hungry much at all
Try Michael Moseley's books and website and Dr David Cavan Reverse your Diabetes. He is not saying everyone can reverse just talking about better control
NHS nutrition advice is disgraceful..

 

[Maz2]

Mr Nerd here once again! A study from early this year attempting to compare different dietary approaches for Type 2 diabetes: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5871653/

To me it seems like a fairly heroic effort to squeeze conclusions out of messy and probably too-incomplete data, but FWIW:

- For short-term HbA1c reduction, low-carb beats Mediterranean and paleo by a bit. Longer term, Mediterranean wins.
- For fasting BG reduction, Mediterranean wins and low-carb's ranking is way down.

Also, vegetarian and Low GI/GL approaches don't rank very highly.

Think Med diet seems fairly consistent. Lobg term is more important. I try to do Med diet. Went from 42 to 43 tgen 42 now 40. GP satisfied with this but am starting self testing again as would like to go lower.

 

[Maz2]

Thank you, Eddy, Drummer and Carolg, for your replies and welcome to the forum. Eddy, I’ve had a read...reassuring. My GP’s leaving some info about statins in the surgery for me to pick up....no doubt it’ll be biased but I’ll read it, anyway. I think I’ve decided that I need to take them. Just hate the thought of being a slave to tablet-taking but on the other hand feel grateful for the expertise and medicines that help us lead decent lives.
Drummer, I must try harder to cut out carbs. When I do, I really notice that my bg readings are lower and very stable. Well done on your excellent healthy eating. I’m a terrible emotional eater, something I’ve had counselling for, but need to summon some willpower from somewhere.
Carolg, thank you for your words of encouragement. This will be my ‘go to’ website!

Very wise. Great advice and helpful people here.

 

[Maz2]

Thank you, Karnak. Definitely need to concentrate on diet issues. I’ve read up on lots of eating plans....Keto appeals to me as I love butter, cream, fatty meat etc! But the more I read the more confused I get...so much conflicting, and changing advice, every day just about!
What makes me mad is the lack of dietary help at the doctor’s surgery.
If you’re a smoker, drug user, alcoholic, there’s so much help out there...rehab, patches, counselling etc but if your addiction is food there is very little help. My experience is that the GP is primarily concerned with handing out meds and when I’ve asked to see the dietician, who only appears once in a blue moon at my rural practice, her advice is so outdated (eat lots of carbs, cut out fats etc) it’s virtually useless. The NHS really needs to wake up to the lack of proper nutrition advice at surgeries....I would really like a regular weigh-in session to try and keep me focussed, and also the fact that blood glucose monitors and test strips should be available to everyone who’d like them. I’m sure this would help a lot of diabetics.

Loads of carbs and cut out fats. Rubbish
This started all the increase in diabetes in the first place. Well contributed I should say
Sorry, just feel irritated that they still say this.