My Type 2 Story

[TrevorMorgan]

In in May last year I was admitted to hospital with an abscess on my chest and a pleural effusion. I also had severe ketoacidosis which made me so weak that I could hardly turn myself around in the hospital bed. My first Hba1c test revealed that my blood glucose level was 180 mmol. I felt so weak that I thought that I was a goner. The hospital quickly got the T2DM under control with insulin. The doctors were debating whether the chest abscess had also caused the diabetes or whether the diabetes had caused the abscess. My opinion was it was a little bit of both. After 3 weeks in hospital I was released to go home and start a course of Humulin with 22 units and 1 gram of metformin per day. The Metformin was later increased to 2grams per day whilst the Humulin was being reduced.

When I was in hospital I decided that diabetes was not going to defeat me. However, then psychology of recovery was more difficult for me than the physical aspects of controlling diet and exercising. I worked out the the best course of action for me was the following: 1) Acceptance of the condition,

 

[Leadinglights]

In in May last year I was admitted to hospital with an abscess on my chest and a pleural effusion. I also had severe ketoacidosis which made me so weak that I could hardly turn myself around in the hospital bed. My first Hba1c test revealed that my blood glucose level was 180 mmol. I felt so weak that I thought that I was a goner. The hospital quickly got the T2DM under control with insulin. The doctors were debating whether the chest abscess had also caused the diabetes or whether the diabetes had caused the abscess. My opinion was it was a little bit of both. After 3 weeks in hospital I was released to go home and start a course of Humulin with 22 units and 1 gram of metformin per day. The Metformin was later increased to 2grams per day whilst the Humulin was being reduced.

When I was in hospital I decided that diabetes was not going to defeat me. However, then psychology of recovery was more difficult for me than the physical aspects of controlling diet and exercising. I worked out the the best course of action for me was the following: 1) Acceptance of the condition,

Welcome to the forum, WOW that was a extremely high HbA1C it may even be a forum record, so no wonder there was concern. Infections can increase blood glucose so that likely didn't help but I'm surprised you hadn't felt unwell for some time before that.
If you are T2 then diet will be important but if you are still taking insulin then that will be the determining factor in finding the right dietary balance.
Where does your HbA1C sit now and how are you managing with your diet and insulin if you are still taking it.
It can be a very manageable condition with the right medication and support.

 

[Ieva DUK]

Thank you so much for sharing your story @TrevorMorgan . What an incredibly tough experience to go through... That combination of ketoacidosis, a serious infection, and such a high HbA1c sounds absolutely terrifying, and it's no wonder you felt like you were at your limit. It’s really powerful to hear how you made the decision, even in the midst of all that, not to let diabetes defeat you. You’re so right that the psychological side of recovery often gets overlooked - accepting the condition and finding the strength to keep going day to day can be harder than any medication or lifestyle change.
If you’re open to sharing more, I think folk would be really interested to hear the rest of your plan - it sounds like you've put a lot of thought into what’s worked for you. Your experience could really help others facing similar challenges. Wishing you continued strength and steadiness on your path!

 

[TrevorMorgan]

Hello Forum Members, I am new here and this is some of my story.

Last year, in May, I was admitted to hospital with a chest abscess and a pleural effusion with the complication of Type 2 diabetes. Both conditions appeared at the same time for me. I was very weak from severe diabetes and I could hardly turn myself around in the hospital bed. I felt that I was going to die The T2DM was quickly brought under control with insulin and I felt stronger. The chest abscess was eventually resolved with antibiotics. Initially my Hba1c reading was 128 mmol and I had ketoacidosis. I resolved to not be beaten by my health conditions. The abscess was resolved within 3 months by strong antibiotics and exercise. I started to take control of the diabetes by going on a low carbohydrate diet and exercise. The heavy lifting has been done by the diet. When I went into hospital I weighed about 76 kilos, my weight has now come down to around 61.5 kilos. My height is 1.78 metres and my BMI is around 19.5. My waist measurement is below half of my height. I manage to fit most of the criteria to go into remission and from May10th this year I have stopped all medication with the approval and support of my GP. My latest Hba1c was 43 mmol and I am hoping to reduce this further, with the support of diabetes UK Bromley, who have given me plenty of tips on how to improve the management of this never ending condition.

I have found that for me the psychological aspects of managing the condition are just as important as the physical ones. I have been lucky to have the support of my wife who helps me through the times when the diet and exercise regimes gets me down.

With some luck I might be able to achieve remission. I wish everyone on this forum good luck. I have published the psychological and physical aspects of my journey on this GOOGLE blog if you want to read about it further.

https://remainingalive.blogspot.com/

 

[Leadinglights]

Hello Forum Members, I am new here and this is some of my story.

Last year, in May, I was admitted to hospital with a chest abscess and a pleural effusion with the complication of Type 2 diabetes. Both conditions appeared at the same time for me. I was very weak from severe diabetes and I could hardly turn myself around in the hospital bed. I felt that I was going to die The T2DM was quickly brought under control with insulin and I felt stronger. The chest abscess was eventually resolved with antibiotics. Initially my Hba1c reading was 128 mmol and I had ketoacidosis. I resolved to not be beaten by my health conditions. The abscess was resolved within 3 months by strong antibiotics and exercise. I started to take control of the diabetes by going on a low carbohydrate diet and exercise. The heavy lifting has been done by the diet. When I went into hospital I weighed about 76 kilos, my weight has now come down to around 61.5 kilos. My height is 1.78 metres and my BMI is around 19.5. My waist measurement is below half of my height. I manage to fit most of the criteria to go into remission and from May10th this year I have stopped all medication with the approval and support of my GP. My latest Hba1c was 43 mmol and I am hoping to reduce this further, with the support of diabetes UK Bromley, who have given me plenty of tips on how to improve the management of this never ending condition.

I have found that for me the psychological aspects of managing the condition are just as important as the physical ones. I have been lucky to have the support of my wife who helps me through the times when the diet and exercise regimes gets me down.

With some luck I might be able to achieve remission. I wish everyone on this forum good luck. I have published the psychological and physical aspects of my journey on this GOOGLE blog if you want to read about it further.

https://remainingalive.blogspot.com/

If you are not on medication and your HbA1C is 43mmol/mol then you have achieved remission. At your age that is a safe level to be. Trying to go lower by making more stringent dietary measures seems more effort than it would be worth.
NICE guidelines suggest a more lenient and personalised approach is more appropriate for more mature people.

 

[Ieva DUK]

I've taken the liberty to merge both of your threads to avoid duplication of answers

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @TrevorMorgan

 

[Martin.A]

Well done on what you've managed to achieve in bringing things under control, especially considering where you started from. Many of us have been diagnosed with an HbA1c in 3 figures but nowhere near that high.

Remission is currently considered to be 3 months or more below 48 without taking any diabetes medication. How long ago was your HbA1c result of 43?

 

[JITR]

If you are not on medication and your HbA1C is 43mmol/mol then you have achieved remission. At your age [74] that is a safe level to be.Trying to go lower by making more stringent dietary measures seems more effort than it would be worth. NICE guidelines suggest a more lenient and personalised approach is more appropriate for more mature people.

If you are not on medication and your HbA1C is then you have achieved remission.
Nevertheless 43 mmol/mol is in the prediabetic zone. Some of us prefer to be in the normal zone below below 39 mmol/mol which, for good reason, is the prediabetic threshold in North America.

Trying to go lower by making more stringent dietary measures seems more effort than it would be worth.
That may be so in some cases. However my HbA1C had come down from 104 to 39 mmol/mol after three months on a VLCD and it was 32 mmol/mol after a further three months on a relaxed VLCD. It was still 32 mmol/mol a year later. Then it shot up to 39 mmol/mol in only three months for no apparent reason. I breathed a sigh of relief after another three months when the HbA1c at my annual review came out at 35 mmol/mol. Otherwise I would have got a CGM to see what was going on and what measures I could take. [In retrospect the aftereffects of gastroenteritis may have affected my blood glucose levels for about six months]

NICE guidelines suggest a more lenient and personalised approach is more appropriate for more mature people.
The NICE Patient Decision Aid infographic suggests that is appropriate for some people (those who fit the right hand criteria) but not others (those who fit the left hand criteria). At 82 years old I am a left-hander and maybe @TrevorMorgan is too.

 

[JITR]

... the management of this never ending condition.... I have been lucky to have the support of my wife who helps me through the times when the diet and exercise regimes gets me down.

Hello @TrevorMorgan. Congratulations on the way you have handled the awful position you were in.

I would like to encourage you to find ways to enjoy your diet and exercise as well as your new healthy condition for as long as you may, a new lease on life for years to come.

When a GP called to announce my double diagnosis, she said in short order that I would have to put up with diabetes for the rest of my life but she was much more concerned about the damage hemochromatosis might have done to my liver. It took only a day or two to discover there was not much I could about hemochromatosis, other than a healthy diet, but there was a lot I could do about T2D thanks to Roy Taylor and his team at Newcastle University.

You had an enforced loss of weight. So did I in that Roy Taylor's book convinced me to lose at least 15 kg; in fact my target became 22 kg to put T2D behind me and get back into my old trousers again. My wife immediately said she would join me on the diet as she was looking for a way to lose some weight herself. We both succeeded and now go walking together most evenings.

The big bonus is we both enjoy preparing and eating a healthy meal together every evening after doing our own thing during the day. I am gradually learning the basics of cooking from fresh ingredients and my only regret is we do not have the bountiful produce you find in Mediterranian markets. Ah, well!

HbA1c of 48 mmol/mol is only a number, a compromise determined by a committee. Our HbA1c was in the 20s or 30s years ago and so much the better if we can get back to that normal or as near to it as we can. You are doing that and feeling the benefits.

All we have to do is to maintain that condition by enjoying the food we eat, the exercise we take, and the life we lead.

Yes, I know, it's often challenging but things evolve and it gets easier over time.

 

[TrevorMorgan]

Thank you so much for sharing your story @TrevorMorgan . What an incredibly tough experience to go through... That combination of ketoacidosis, a serious infection, and such a high HbA1c sounds absolutely terrifying, and it's no wonder you felt like you were at your limit. It’s really powerful to hear how you made the decision, even in the midst of all that, not to let diabetes defeat you. You’re so right that the psychological side of recovery often gets overlooked - accepting the condition and finding the strength to keep going day to day can be harder than any medication or lifestyle change.
If you’re open to sharing more, I think folk would be really interested to hear the rest of your plan - it sounds like you've put a lot of thought into what’s worked for you. Your experience could really help others facing similar challenges. Wishing you continued strength and steadiness on your path!

Hi there, leva DUK,

Thanks for your kind words. I haven't thought too much about my plan going forward. I am continuing with my regime to regulate ,manage or control - whatever you want to call it- my Blood glucose levels as best I can. I have put myself on a low carbohydrate diet of around 90 grams per day. The dietician at the the clinic rubber stamped my decision without discussing the pros and cons with me.

I exercise in the morning by doing weights, squats, sit ups and push ups etc. I walk at least 10 k per day, 3days a week I jog 6k.

I do a lot of research from books and the internet. With the internet i must be very careful to double check or triple check, the scientific evidence. I am sceptical but not cynical about homespun claims too improve Blood Glucose regulation. Metformin was a god send for me and at least it was tested by peer reviewed studies.

Professor Roy Taylor's books about managing your diabetes are brilliant, and so are Michael Mosely' s books.
I find that diabetes UK is mine of useful information. The Xpert- health handbook is also very useful especially the section about maintaining your health parameters.

For me taking measurements is a key part of regulating my blood glucose and managing my weight and physique. Of course daily blood glucose monitoring is a bit hit and miss, but it gives you a good indication of how you are doing. The tape measure does not lie and it helps me to keep my waist measurement below 50% of my height. Measuring how much carbohydrate I eat helps, but now most of the time I can judge the amount rather that use a scales.

My exercise routines mean that my body has to "burn" fat and protein to keep me going so i make sure I eat eggs and cheese. I love cheese and eat much more than the NHS recommendation of 30 grams per day. My cholesterol levels are well within limits despite eating lots of cheese and eggs. There is no need for statins. As far as I am concerned the NHS has got its cholesterol advice wrong.

I try to spread the word to my friends about the dangers of diabetes without nagging or preaching. Looking like a bag of bones helps with this as I have to explain why I have lost so much weight to alleviate the effects of diabetes. We have lots of friends, but only two of them ,as far as I know, took one look at me and decided to have an Hba1c test. One of them found out he was pre-diabetic the other found out he was close to being pre-diabetic.

I am not too concerned about my 43 mmol Hba1c result even though it had gone up from 38 mmol when I was taking Sitagliptin and Metformin. I have to accept that I am a diabetic, not pre-diabetic, and always will be.

My GP is rushed off her feet but she has the time to keep up with the latest research about diabetes and cholesterol etc. I listen to her advice.

I believe that the NHS does not have the correct level of qualified resources to really help me much and I feel very much alone. This is why I have joined my local Diabetes UK group in Bromley; they are brilliant just like the folks on this forum.
From a psychological point of view I do not feel that I need professional help as my wife really supports me. She puts up with me when I rant about having to stay in control all the time.

Possibly, I could fail to maintain remission but I have learnt not to beat myself up when I have a setback. My body plays tricks on me sometimes, and the unexpected and unplanned-for happens. This condition is just about manageable if you have got the luxury of time to plan your diet and enjoy exercise like me. However, if things don't go your way don't beat yourself up: you are not to blame.

 

[Martin.A]

You've clearly got the measure of what managing your diabetes requires. These days my daily BG monitoring is less about the individual readings and more about the trend, and you're right about the tape measure not lying. In fact, "listen to your belt" is one of the best bits of advice I've ever read.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I could fail to maintain remission but I have learnt not to beat myself up when I have a setback. My body plays tricks on me sometimes, and the unexpected and unplanned-for happens. This condition is just about manageable if you have got the luxury of time to plan your diet and enjoy exercise like me. However, if things don't go your way don't beat yourself up: you are not to blame.

Let us know how you get on at your follow-up checks - hope you get results that reflect the effort you have been making 🙂

 

[mashedupmatt]

Wow what an inspirational story - thanks for sharing @TrevorMorgan