Hi, not new to Diabetes but new to actually accepting how serious this is

[TinaMB]

Hi everyone, I have had Type 2 since 1996, first to admit I have been in denial, not able to really get a grip but now find myself with blurry eyes and aching joints and an HBA1c of 86 and now scared of the damage I have probably already done

 

[Drummer]

I discovered rather recently that I had elevated glucose levels ten years before I was diagnosed, and I seem to have recovered - though my worst years were due to taking Metformin and Atorvastatin, when I was a physical and mental wreck.
It might only take a few months of eating fewer carbs to get back into normal numbers and finding your metabolism improving.

 

[TinaMB]

I discovered rather recently that I had elevated glucose levels ten years before I was diagnosed, and I seem to have recovered - though my worst years were due to taking Metformin and Atorvastatin, when I was a physical and mental wreck.
It might only take a few months of eating fewer carbs to get back into normal numbers and finding your metabolism improving.

I definitely think weight loss is the key to me feeling better and having better control, its just very hard

 

[Drummer]

I definitely think weight loss is the key to me feeling better and having better control, its just very hard

I found weight loss impossible too, I was putting on weight all the time on the GPs diet sheet regime of low fat everything and all those 'healthy' carbs.
When I reduced down to 50 gm of carbs a day maximum, which is what I found was right for me when doing Atkiins, I lost weight without any effort, and without restricting the amount I was eating other than avoiding high carb foods.
Over the years the only problem is that when the weather changes I find all my clothes need to be gone through and sorted or adjusted due to my smaller waist measurement.

 

[Leadinglights]

@Drummer does tend to go rather lower than many find they will need to do with the amount of carbs per day she allows herself.
However a low carb approach is one many find successful at both reducing blood glucose and losing weight, low carb being suggested as being no more than 130g per day but everybody will find their own tolerated level by testing before they eat and after 2 hours as an increase of more than 2-3mmol/l will indicate the meal is not so good. Have a look at this link for some ideas for moving forward with your diet. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
With an HbA1C of 86mmol/mol now is the time to take this seriously.

 

[Drummer]

@Drummer does tend to go rather lower than many find they will need to do with the amount of carbs per day she allows herself.
However a low carb approach is one many find successful at both reducing blood glucose and losing weight, low carb being suggested as being no more than 130g per day but everybody will find their own tolerated level by testing before they eat and after 2 hours as an increase of more than 2-3mmol/l will indicate the meal is not so good. Have a look at this link for some ideas for moving forward with your diet. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
With an HbA1C of 86mmol/mol now is the time to take this seriously.

I have always, all my life, been unable to tolerate carbs.
Even on a very low intake, these days I am staying under 40gm of carbs a day my HbA1c has just been confirmed as 43.

 

[Leadinglights]

I have always, all my life, been unable to tolerate carbs.
Even on a very low intake, these days I am staying under 40gm of carbs a day my HbA1c has just been confirmed as 43.

That HbA1C seems pretty consistent for you, so you must be pleased.

 

[Drummer]

That HbA1C seems pretty consistent for you, so you must be pleased.

In one way, yes, as it shows that I can manage my blood glucose levels year on year - I just wonder if the ten years I 'lost' not being told that I had high blood glucose would have made a difference now.
I certainly was not able to do as much as I wanted to in those ten years and it was a constant battle with my weight and not feeling right when badgered to eat low fat, high carb.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I definitely think weight loss is the key to me feeling better and having better control, its just very hard

Welcome to the forum @TinaMB

Weight loss can certainly help improve insulin sensitivity, and some people find that particularly reducing weight around the abdomen (which can indicate a build up of visceral fat) can help organs like the pancreas and liver function more efficiently.

Sounds like you have found it challenging to lose weight in the past? Some members here have had success with those sorts of organised programmes (eg weight watchers, or slimming world), while others have taken a more dramatic step with the short-term 800 calorie soup-and-shake Newcastle diet.

Still others have avoided a ‘weight loss diet’, and simply adjusted their way of eating to be more sustainable long-term, with a reduced total carbohydrate intake to help improve blood glucose levels - and have found that weight loss happened as a sort of by-product.

Good luck with whichever strategy you choose.

You can compare weight loss stories with other here if it helps

The Weight Loss Group

This forum is for people seeking support and encouragement, tips and stories about ways to shed the pounds and help manage their diabetes

forum.diabetes.org.uk