New here. Hello

[LisaMarie]

Hi everyone

I’m new to online forums but have had a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes since 2019.

I managed quite well at first with only a bit of medication.

Although I have lost weight & cut out full fat drinks etc, I have not been doing so well over the last year. My Hba1c has been steadily climbing and is sitting at 76. This is despite taking Empoglifozin & Glicazide. I have been put into Semeglutide tablets, however that are causing a lot of nausea and bloating despite been on metoclopromide for it. At my last hospital appt, I was told the next step would be insulin. I know I am not doing enough to help myself. I struggle with mental health issues including depression which causes self neglect. I am also in recovery from substance abuse & have had a lot of things going on in my personal life (I lost my mum to cancer last year- she was 60). My dad died at 47 in 2007.

I am worried about my health but I am a bit stuck at the moment.

I’m not sure why I’ve wrote all this down, I guess it helps to get off my chest. If you have read this far: many thanks.

Lisa

 

[Alan44]

Hi @LisaMarie and a very warm welcome to the forum.

You have for sure had a rough time of late, but you have done the right thing to get things of your chest, many people here will have empathy with you.
We have many knowledgeable members who have lived with diabetes for many years, so please ask as many questions as you wish, no question is silly.
I may be T2, but I'm not on any medication, so not in a position to answer questions on medication, but others here will be able to answer such questions.

By reaching out shows you want to improve your health and we will do the best we can to help.

Take care
Alan 😉

 

[Vonny]

Hi @LisaMarie and welcome from me too. You've been through a huge amount of "stuff" and it must be really hard to balance everything.
Firstly, can I please congratulate you on recovering from substance abuse. If you can do that, you can do pretty much anything and I sincerely hope you are properly proud of yourself. I also hope that you have services in place for your mental health; it's easier if you have support from your GP and any relevant services available in your area. There are several of us here who have various mental health issues so you'll receive nothing except support and empathy on this forum.
Do you test your blood sugars at all? It can be tedious, but it's a good way of getting control over your eating habits. Low carb is normally the way to go for us type 2s, but given the medication you're on, I'm not sure if that's wise, which is why testing may be a good way forward for you.
I'm sure others will be along soon who are on similar medication...I'm only on metformin so can't really comment on any other meds.
I hope you get the support you need in all areas of your life. It must be tough losing your parents at such young ages xx

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @LisaMarie

And thanks for sharing your story with us.

Although I have lost weight & cut out full fat drinks etc, I have not been doing so well over the last year. My Hba1c has been steadily climbing and is sitting at 76

Just checking for clarity… when you mention ‘full fat drinks’, are you using that in the common slang terminology to refer to full sugar drinks (which have no fat in them at all!). As I’m sure you know, the amount of fat in something has very little effect on likely impact on glucose levels. It is carbohydrate content which most directly impacts blood glucose levels. This includes sugars, but extends to starchy carbohydrates like rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, pastry, grains, cereals, and most fruits/juices too.

If your HbA1c has been rising recently it feels like the amount of carbohydrate in your diet isn’t being handled by your metabolism, even with the support of the meds you are taking.

You don’t want to slash your carb intake, because your meds need some carbs to “work with”, but a gradual portion reduction might help get your meds and menu in better balance?

Sometimes diabetes progresses over time, insulin production can fall, and insulin signalling can become impaired - so don’t be too worried if insulin becomes necessary for you. It doesn’t mean you have ‘failed’. There should be no blame or stigma attached - it can simply be what you need, and how some cases of diabetes change and evolve over time.

Reducing your weight can really help, especially if you lose weight around the abdomen, which mean you are clearing visceral fat around organs. In some cases this can ‘reboot’ the metabolism, and may even mean you can reduce some of the meds you are taking in time.

Keep going, and look after yourself!