Just back from the docs

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Catbanj

Catbanj

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I'd seen my HbA1c from my on-line records so knew 2 weeks ago I've now got Type 2. HbA1c is 51, so no-where near as bad as some people have. Its gone up from 41 a year ago so I am concerned and taking it seriously.

2 weeks ago I got a blood sugar monitor and started monitoring my sugar. Again, nothing horrific but it is usually 7 or 8 at lowest, compared to the 4-7 recommended. I have been on a diet, trying to lose weight for 40+ years, classed as very obese now as BMI is 48 so the dieting hasn't worked. Have previously been to GPs to ask for help and wasn't offered anything other than weighing every few months, if I wanted it.

My Dad had type 2 for 30+ years and he died when his heart just stopped when in hospital - a side effect caused by the docs trying to reintroduce his diabetic meds ironically as he was well enough to come home.

When I went in today the only focus was on my weight again but no help was offered at all. I asked where to get information about the foods to eat as a diabetic and was told to look on-line, not even referred to a reliable website to start with. The GP says there is no help for newly diagnosed diabetics available now. The "treatment plan" is to monitor my HbA1c every 4 weeks, presumably until it gets bad enough for me to get some help.

I don't understand how I can be told I have the start of such a serious illness, and be given no help.
 
The NHS website has information on losing weight, and the Diabetes UK website has information on diabetes if you read the main website
 
Welcome to the forum. Sadly many people are finding there is little help given by their GP but there is an awful lot you can do to help yourself. Hard as it may seem losing weight is going to help reduce your blood glucose and improve your mobility and general health.
Many find a low carbohydrate approach both helps with weight loss and reducing blood glucose. This link has good explanation of that principal and some do's and don'ts as well as some menu plans. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk
Your HbA1C of 51mmol/mol is not desperately high and with some dietary changes you should be able to bring it down.
The suggested about of total carbs per day is no more than 130g per day. It does not mean NO carbs.
Keeping a food diary of everything you eat and drink with an estimate of the total carbs will give you an idea of how close you are to that and where you can make savings by reducing you intake of the high carb foods.
I'm not sure why they suggested having repeat tests monthly as the HbA1C is an average of the previous 3 months so it is usual to leave it for that length of time between tests so that the effect of your dietary changes are reflected.

Other people find a low calorie or shakes-based regime works for them but whatever you choose needs to be enjoyable otherwise it will not be sustainable and as you probably appreciate it has to be sustainable for long term management of blood glucose levels and to help you will weight loss.
 
Basically you have to look at the amount and type of carbohydrate you are eating, carbs need to reduced and if you can exercise then exercise will help as well. Even a gentle walk each day will help..
 
I am just completely overwhelmed. I have a limited diet anyhow due to food intolerances and eat less that 130g carbs a day and about1400cal. I have been doing that for the last 3 years so its not working.

I guess I just hoped that I would be offered some support rather than being told its my own fault and you now have a life sentence.
 
Catbanj said:
I am just completely overwhelmed. I have a limited diet anyhow due to food intolerances and eat less that 130g carbs a day and about1400cal. I have been doing that for the last 3 years so its not working.

I guess I just hoped that I would be offered some support rather than being told its my own fault and you now have a life sentence.
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If you have been sticking to that for years and not losing weight then you may have a hormonal problem. Is you doctor aware of the diet you have been following.
Perhaps you would like to post the sort of meals you are having and people may be able to spot foods which may be a problem.
It may be worth getting a home testing blood glucose monitor so you could check that your body is able to tolerate the amount of carbs you are having. Testing before and 2 hours after eating will tell you if your meal is OK if the increase is less than 3mmol/l or no more than 8.5mmol/l. There may be some carbs that you are less tolerant of and that is what is pushing up your blood glucose.
 
I had a similar experience when I was diagnosed two months ago. Little help or advice from GP or practice nurse. I did ring the local NHS dietician team and there is a 6 session course offered. I am now on the waiting list, approx ten weeks.
However, I have had tremendous help and support on this forum. With their help, I have learned such a lot. I bought a monitor and am checking which foods keep the levels under control. I am staying under 120 carbs and 1300 calories.
After initially feeling overwhelmed and confused, I am feeling more confident that I can reduce the numbers without meds. This forum is invaluable. People are so willing to help and advise.
Hang on in there. You will learn every day and it does get easier.
 
Catbanj said:
I am just completely overwhelmed. I have a limited diet anyhow due to food intolerances and eat less that 130g carbs a day and about1400cal. I have been doing that for the last 3 years so its not working.

I guess I just hoped that I would be offered some support rather than being told its my own fault and you now have a life sentence.
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It might be that you are not eating enough, so your metabolism is slowing down to conserve energy, something I realised was happening when I was pressured to go on yet another diet by my GPs.
It might also be that you are eating more carbs than you can cope with. I stick to under 40 gm per day as that seems to keep me within normal ranges. Eating more than that and I would most likely start to put on weight and get ever higher blood glucose levels.
 
Catbanj said:
I am just completely overwhelmed. I have a limited diet anyhow due to food intolerances and eat less that 130g carbs a day and about1400cal. I have been doing that for the last 3 years so its not working.

I guess I just hoped that I would be offered some support rather than being told its my own fault and you now have a life sentence.
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Ah, but no one here has told you it's your fault have they?
Everyone's body/metabolism is different so it's a case of finding out how many carbs you can tolerate and again what type.

What food intolerances do you have? If you feel like telling the forum I suspect you are not alone and there will be loads of suggestions made too help you out.

As already suggested if you can not loose weight there could be other factors at work so worth a talk with your GP so you can explore this area a bit more.

PS diabetes is not a life sentence, it's just a case of making changes to keep you healthy.
 
Hello @Catbanj and welcome to the Forum!

Sorry you're having difficulty losing weight and the increase in your HbA1c ....... I'm not an expert, but here a couple of comments that might help

Have you considered a Diet Scheme such as Exante, Kee Diet, Optifast or others?
A few of us on here have had success with that sort of thing, they are usually based on Meal Replacement drinks/shakes, diet bars and a simple meal or pre packaged meal

There is a book associated with this - The Fast 800 by Dr Michael Mosley, and this is also good - Life Without Diabetes by Professor Roy Taylor
They both have YouTube videos on that sort of thing ...... in fact they have several books & videos on diabetes & weight loss, so it can be a bit confusing & overwhelming, just do your best to understand
You can buy these books, Used, at reduced prices in Amazon

Try to get some exercise ...... you don't have to go to the gym or do any serious hiking
Spring is almost here (honest!) ...... there is a blurring between sports/outdoor/fashion clothing now, just wear something comfortable
Start with a walk to the shops, then build up longer distances on minor roads, side streets, back lanes & footpaths
Even in towns you can find quiet routes
And Search YouTube for 'indoor exercises', there are loads of videos

How's your blood pressure?
If you haven't had it checked recently, most pharmacies will do a quick check by just dropping in
If there are any problems the pharmacist will advise you; and home BP monitors are fairly cheap

Have a read through previous Posts in this forum, especially Newbies, Food & Carbs, and Weight Loss ..... Learning Zone, the red tab at the top of this page....... Living with Diabetes on the Home Page of Diabetes UK
Yes, that's a lot of reading but you should find something to help you, and some encouragement
 
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I can completely Relate to your frustration , my Hbac1 seems to jump about , everytime I think I've got this then my bloods will go up. I've noticed even the breaded fish effects me differently some I'm fine some my blood glucose goes up. I can eat wheatabix and Cheerios in the morning but not cornflakes or oats.
I can also have a plate of vege only, in the evening but if it's to big amount my sugar goes up again. We just have to keep trying and experimenting with what our bodies can deal with. Keep going you've done it before you can do it again.
 
Karen999 said:
I can completely Relate to your frustration , my Hbac1 seems to jump about , everytime I think I've got this then my bloods will go up. I've noticed even the breaded fish effects me differently some I'm fine some my blood glucose goes up. I can eat wheatabix and Cheerios in the morning but not cornflakes or oats.
I can also have a plate of vege only, in the evening but if it's to big amount my sugar goes up again. We just have to keep trying and experimenting with what our bodies can deal with. Keep going you've done it before you can do it again.
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If you look for the 'lightly dusted' fish fillets they are less carby than breaded fish. Some places have them in the chilled foods, some in the frozen foods.
 
I have found that sometimes it is not what you eat it is the protion you eat that makes a difference. I also don't always have the same reaction to the same food.
I once had some protein granola, that I could only tolerate half the recommended serving.
 
Thank you everyone. There is so much to do and consider.
Rather than leap into action I am going to take my time and come up with a measured plan, rather than rushing into things that could make things worse.

Knowing that I have my next HbA1c in less than 4 weeks and the doc wants to see an improvement, I was just panicking , feeling i have to do something radical now. That is too much to think about at this point- as you all say, I need to research and do what is right for me. Thank you
 
Catbanj said:
Thank you everyone. There is so much to do and consider.
Rather than leap into action I am going to take my time and come up with a measured plan, rather than rushing into things that could make things worse.

Knowing that I have my next HbA1c in less than 4 weeks and the doc wants to see an improvement, I was just panicking , feeling i have to do something radical now. That is too much to think about at this point- as you all say, I need to research and do what is right for me. Thank you
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That sounds like a very sensible approach @Catbanj

Do mention to your Dr that you have already been on a reduced calorie and low carbohydrate eating plan for some time, but are not seeing the results you might expect. And that your BG levels are rising rather than stabilising.

Some people on the forum find that a much lower carb approach suits them better - perhaps down to only 50-60g of carbs per day, but with healthy fats and increased protein to help feeling fuller and making the menu more sustainable for them.

Perhaps it would be helpful to ask your GP for a cPeptide check? This can help determine the amount of insulin you are able to produce, and can help determine appropriate treatments. In classic T2 you might expect higher than average insulin output initially because of insulin resistance, but there are other 'niche' types of diabetes that can develop in later life which are characterised by rising BG levels because of loss of beta cells, rather than resistance to insulin.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on 🙂
 
Almost 3 months on and .....
  • I've kind of got my head around this T2 thing after the initial panic. I'm still cross/angry/frustrated/sad by the lack of support from NHS having seen the support Dad got and the massive difference it made to him.
  • 4 weeks of eating <130g card and 1400cal a day got by HbA1c down slightly in the first 4 weeks, which was encouraging. So that's the plan for now ... more of the same. I've not gone back for more HbA1c - I want to leave the full 3 months to see if there is a marked change.
  • From the reading I've done, I've made changes to my routine. I work in schools and haven't had a lunch break for 25 years. I have a healthy packed lunch but eat part of it at every lesson changeover.... so I was always running high. Now I eat lunch in one go to give my body chance to have lower levels inbetween meals.... I won't eat anything unless it's as part of a main meal.
  • I do a lot of testing .... a lot! And use the diabetes connect app to track everything. As well as being a good way to see what's going on, it will generate a report I can show to my GP if he starts to say I'm not doing what I should.
  • Testing showed some weird things .... my levels don't drop all day if I have my traditional toast for breakfast. I switched to porridge - 24.9g carb- but levels plummet after 2 hours, usually to below fasting/waking. I never eat any bread at all now- I just can't process it.
  • I've just had a free-trial Libre for 2 weeks to start to understand patterns between tests. It says I spike to about 9-10 about 8am for about 10 min - the biggest spike of the day and the only one close to out of range. 99% time I'm in range, which I think is ok. I'm not going to self fund as I think I'd become obsessive plus I can't really afford it. I was disappointed to see that it predicted HbA1c to only be slightly down to 44- and other forum users say it predicts 10 beow reality... meaning 54 is more likely but I'm not stressing about it for now. The 6.2 matches the range I see finger testing.
  • I am missing a lot of things .... and we don't go out for meals now, which is sad.
For me the thing that has taken the time to process is that there is no end date to this.
The changes I have made have to be forever or the HbA1c will climb again.
The plus side is ... the changes I have made to be forever so the 2 stone (more than 10% of body weight) I have lost hopefully will stay off rather than coming back because I finished "the diet", which has been the picture before.

Any if you have got to the end of reading this, you deserve a medal. I just thought writing it down could help others who feel just as lost as I did.

Cat
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
That sounds like a very sensible approach @Catbanj

Do mention to your Dr that you have already been on a reduced calorie and low carbohydrate eating plan for some time, but are not seeing the results you might expect. And that your BG levels are rising rather than stabilising.

Some people on the forum find that a much lower carb approach suits them better - perhaps down to only 50-60g of carbs per day, but with healthy fats and increased protein to help feeling fuller and making the menu more sustainable for them.

Perhaps it would be helpful to ask your GP for a cPeptide check? This can help determine the amount of insulin you are able to produce, and can help determine appropriate treatments. In classic T2 you might expect higher than average insulin output initially because of insulin resistance, but there are other 'niche' types of diabetes that can develop in later life which are characterised by rising BG levels because of loss of beta cells, rather than resistance to insulin.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on 🙂
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Thank you. I will certainly ask about all of that.
 
Well done on getting a grip on making some changes. It is a shame you feel you can't go out for meals as usually most restaurants will have something suitable, you may just have to ask for NO CHIPS and have a extra portion of salad, coleslaw or veg and give the pudding a miss.
 
Hi! I'm new too.

I've just bought the carbs and calories books. There are some really lovely looking recipes in the salads book and the very low calorie book. (Chris Cheyette and Yello Balolia)
 
Hi I’m also new and finding my way around the whole food issue. It’s definitely trial and error! I had been googling like mad and getting conflicting messages so now I’m trying to stick to the Freshwell plan which I was sent from here and also the fast800 (Michael Moseley) plan which my diabetic nurse suggested as I need to lose weight so this seems the best way. It certainly opens your eyes to what I had been eating before that prob caused my issues! Good luck on your journey, I’m sure you will get all the support you need from here
 
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