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Hi! New T2 here

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charlo87

charlo87

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi everyone,

I've been recently diagnosed with T2 a few months ago with Hba1c of 70 and it was a surprise. I wasn't consciously aware of symptoms and have no family history. I started immediately on 1000mg metformin per day but after 3 months my Hba1c is higher at 73 and now on 1500mg metformin per day. I've never felt worse health-wise, constantly exhausted (starting to fall asleep post-meals), nausea, dehydrated and in fact an increased appetite and sugar cravings. I am exercising and focusing on weight loss but the above symptoms make this feel impossibly difficult and my caffeine cravings are higher than ever because of the tiredness.

If anyone has had a similar journey I'd love to hear from you and any tips? I bought a meter to try and see what my triggers are and take more control but the results are clearly inaccurate as they fluctuate widely. Does anyone have any recommendations of a good value one and reliable one to buy?
 
Hi @charlo87, welcome to the forum. What meter did you buy? They should all be accurate withing the margins. Many people here use the Codefree one from Amazon or direct from Home Health here: https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/ and if you check the 'diabetic' box they take off the VAT.

Are you testing immediately before meals and then 2 hours after starting to eat? This gives info on whether that meal is spiking your readings or if it is ok. Reducing starchy carby-food such as potatoes, pasta, rice, bread, should bring down your levels. Green leafy veg, fish, good quality meat, cheese, eggs, are all good (unless you're vegetarian!).
 
Hi @charlo87 and welcome to the forum. Your story is similar to mine. I was diagnosed in January totally out of the blue with a finger prick test of 20.3, subsequent HbA1c of 90, where did that come from? I wasn’t aware of any symptoms apart from going to the loo at night a lot, thought that was age related and no family history. Like you I started on 500mg Metformin going up weekly to 2000mg. Was very hungry all the time, nauseous and didn’t feel great though personally I couldn’t face coffee which I would normally drink by the bucket load. I slept a lot but had done for a couple of years after food but didn’t realise this was a symptom of diabetes.

Take heart though as things do settle down once your body is used to the medication and you get used to your new diet, also of course your body is beginning to work as it should but is actually not used to doing. To be honest I think it took about 2-3 months for things to settle but I do feel much better now than I have done in ages but didn’t know it. I have gone lowish carb, I did do very low carb to begin with but knew I wouldn’t be able to sustain it and was losing too much weight, you must find what is best for you as we all react differently. I can’t really advice on the type of meter as I got mine from work but others will definitely give you good advice on that. When you do test you need to do it before food and then again 2 hours after eating, a difference of approx 2-3, preferably 2 is fine and you will soon discover what works for you and adjust accordingly. This will take quite a time to discover, I am still testing foods when I have things at different times of the day.

We are all here to help, support and advise so keep asking questions, let us know how you are getting on and most of all don’t panic, you cannot change everything overnight. Have a good look through the threads and we will do all we can to help you on your new journey, we are all on the same one xx
PS sorry for the long reply
 
Hi and welcome from me too

Readings will vary enormously throughout the day, especially if you are eating carbohydrates. Diabetes is not just about sweet stuff, but all carbs including the starchy ones as mentioned by @Pine Marten, even the healthy wholemeal versions. My HbA1c was 112 when I was diagnosed, went up to 114 after 5 weeks of extremely strict dieting and didn't drop into the normal range until I stopped eating the wholemeal bread and pasta and potatoes and in particular the final thing to give up, my morning porridge, which I thought was good for me.

It takes a bit of getting your head around because all our lives we have been used to filling up our plates and tummies with mostly carbs, but it can be quite pleasant once you learn to eat other things instead. Try an omelette for breakfast (mushrooms, cheese, peppers, ham and onion as well as plain) can be a great low carb breakfast alternative or Creamy Greek natural yoghurt and a few raspberries if you prefer something lighter on a morning. There are low carb breads available for sandwiches etc although I now prefer to avoid bread altogether. Leafy veg are more appetising if they are cooked or served with a little dairy.... so cabbage, spinach or kale with butter or cream cheese, cauliflower or leeks with cheese etc.
Hope you are able to get to grips with what works for you and you start to see an improvement soon.
 
I'm afraid that exercise and weightloss are not all that effective for a problem with controlling blood glucose.
What are you eating?
The carbohydrate consumed in a meal is the source of the glucose in your blood two hours later - cut back on carbs, you should see lower blood glucose and fewer peaks and troughs. If not then you might not be a lucky type two, but many are and can solve their problems by eating a low carb diet.
 
Hola charlo

Same as you..
Hab1c bit higher 97 when diagnosed

Best advice for me was the guys on this forum

First thing I had to get to grips with was it takes time.. as long as it takes

Cut out ALL the rubbish.
Alcohol
Sweets
Pastries
Take a ways
ALL the BAD tasty stuff!

Replace with ALL GOOD TASTIER stuff
Protein
Veg
Fruit
Etc
Reduce ya carbs slowly

I’m getting more symptoms as my BG drops.. my body fixing itself I understand

5 months in..getting there..slowly

Oh.. still tired but improving

Regards

D
 
.....be careful with fruit as most are also high in natural sugar, especially the tropical ones! Testing before & 2 hours after your meals is key to working out what works for you, I would suggest keeping a food diary and tracking your readings until you are confident in the best foods for you. With veg the green (apart from peas) & white are best, avoid anything grown underground like carrot, parsnips etc. It takes a while to work it out but it’s worth it, I was convinced I’d starve to death at first but now I wouldn’t change my diet no matter what, I am strict and don’t stray off the path at all but my bloods have gone from 22 down to a steady 5.5 ish. I am now off the metformin and just diet controlled, also 4 stone lighter!
 
I react to the carbs from legumes - peas and beans - far more than might be expected - so I can only have a small amount - these days I tend to do just a few extra and toss them into my salads - they taste rather sweet.
 
Welcome Charlo87. Hopefully there will be some improvement in the treatment for T2 in coming years. Recent radio programs seem to suggest T2 could be eradicated in 10 years although I can't be certain.
 
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