New member

[TinaP]

I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in March 2019 and I'm still struggling coming to terms with this disease. I have the complications in both eyes and nerve damage in both feet. I have already had 3 injections in my right eye and may have to have the left eye injected next month as well as my right eye. I am not on any diabetes medication but have lost 21/2 stones in four months and exercise everyday. I am on medication for the nerve damage in my feet as this damage keeps me awake every night and I'm slowly increasing this medication to see if the pain will go away. I'm scared I will go blind as ophthalmologist doesn't know yet what will happen. I have been told I've had diabetes for at least two years without knowing. I had a routine eye test because my eyesight was getting worse this is when this nightmare started. It would be great to hear from someone else in my situation or even better someone who has come out the other end and their sight is now stable. Thanks

 

[Ralph-YK]

Welcome to the forum Tina from a fellow T2.
There are some others on here who have eye problems and speak on that batter than me.

 

[CathyB]

Welcome Tina, must be very scary for you. I had problems on diagnosis but they resolved as my bloods came down, I do hope you have some good news soon and things improve for you x

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome.

I am sorry that you are suffering from such horrible damage from your diabetes. I hope they are able to resolve some of those issues for you. I am afraid I can't offer any personal experience on that front but wish you lots of luck.

Do you know what your blood glucose/HbA1c readings are? It seems strange to me that your eyes and feet are suffering damage from high BG levels and yet you are not on medication! Are you following a very low carb diet? It sounds like you have done really well to lose so much weight and increase your exercise but knowing your most recent HbA1c or average BG readings would give us a better picture of where you are at with your diabetes. Do you have a Blood Glucose Monitor to test your blood at home?

 

[KARNAK]

Hi Tina, first of all welcome to our wonderful forum.🙂What you describe as a disease is incorrect it is a condition, I am so sorry you have eye and feet complications, most of us do at some time in our life. The forum is very supportive, just let us know how you feel and just say it the way it is any time of 24 Hrs. Take care our friend we are here for you.

 

[Drummer]

If you are now experiencing lower blood glucose levels the pain could actually be a good thing - it means that your nerves are recovering.
Do you have a meter to check that your levels are in the normal or near normal range?
Weightloss and exercise might help - but it is the level of glucose which is the important factor.

 

[TinaP]

Many thanks to everybody who has replied to my first message. My first HbA1c was 117 GP prescribed Metformin but after 2 weeks the side affects were unbearable so stopped taking them. My second HbA1c was 62 with no other medication. My next HbA1c is on 16 September so I'm hoping my level will be even lower. I have been using Blood Glucose Monitor and I'm struggling with what carbs are the best. I've stopped eating white rice, pasta, potatoes and bread my diet mainly consist of no breakfast usually two eggs and salad or porridge with berries (blueberries, raspberries. blackberries). Then at teatime chicken, fish, pork chop with vegetables or stir fry. I also eat Greek yogurt with fruit or mixed nuts. I've started testing after meals to see which foods make my levels spike but finding this hard going. I don't have any other problems my blood pressure, cholesterol and kidneys are all good. I'm feeling very low at the moment which does change from day to day due to not seeing properly and being off sick from work due to the fact I'm unable to drive. Thanks again

 

[Ditsy daisy]

What about Green tea? I think it's good for losing weight and can help lower sugar levels aswell. Ask your nurse about it first as it could make your sugars too low if you're not careful. I'm type 1 diabetic I do less insulin when I drink green tea after a meal. Look up on the Internet about the green tea I'm sure it tells you some advice there. Good luck and best wishes ditsy daisy.

 

[rebrascora]

It sounds like you have done a brilliant job so far bringing your levels down without medication. Many congratulations on achieving such a significant improvement.

I have been using Blood Glucose Monitor and I'm struggling with what carbs are the best.

I've started testing after meals to see which foods make my levels spike but finding this hard going.

Your meter should give you an idea of which foods are causing you problems by testing before eating and then 2hrs after. Your diet sounds pretty good but be aware that some people spike with eggs for some reason and porridge was the last thing I gave up before my BG levels started to come down below 10, so it might be worth checking those if you haven't already. Also some people spike more with berries than apples, so check that the berries are not causing you a problem.... I have been eating a few blackberries from the hedgerows each day and starting to wonder if they are the cause of my consistently high readings recently.
I feel that breakfast is more important than lunch, so I usually have a cooked breakfast (mushroom omelette or fried bacon, mushrooms, tomato, courgettes, aubergine and egg) with a salad and then just a snack for lunch and an evening meal not dissimilar to what you describe although I usually eat a couple of small potatoes, but then I have insulin to deal with them.
What are you finding difficult about using your meter to check after meals?

 

[TinaP]

It sounds like you have done a brilliant job so far bringing your levels down without medication. Many congratulations on achieving such a significant improvement.



Your meter should give you an idea of which foods are causing you problems by testing before eating and then 2hrs after. Your diet sounds pretty good but be aware that some people spike with eggs for some reason and porridge was the last thing I gave up before my BG levels started to come down below 10, so it might be worth checking those if you haven't already. Also some people spike more with berries than apples, so check that the berries are not causing you a problem.... I have been eating a few blackberries from the hedgerows each day and starting to wonder if they are the cause of my consistently high readings recently.
I feel that breakfast is more important than lunch, so I usually have a cooked breakfast (mushroom omelette or fried bacon, mushrooms, tomato, courgettes, aubergine and egg) with a salad and then just a snack for lunch and an evening meal not dissimilar to what you describe although I usually eat a couple of small potatoes, but then I have insulin to deal with them.
What are you finding difficult about using your meter to check after meals?

I generally fast for 14-16 most day then eat a light lunch which is mostly 2 eggs with salad or tinned mackerel with salad, I have only just started testing myself more regular when I get up then 2 hours after lunch. my reading have been between 6.0 or as high as 8.8 after fasting for 14-16 hours. The highest reading once after eating was 10.2 but I did over eat, my highest otherwise was 8.3. I think I am doing OK what haven't mastered the carbs in all foods yet, I do drink green tea everyday and lots of water. Thanks for kind reply

 

[Ditsy daisy]

I generally fast for 14-16 most day then eat a light lunch which is mostly 2 eggs with salad or tinned mackerel with salad, I have only just started testing myself more regular when I get up then 2 hours after lunch. my reading have been between 6.0 or as high as 8.8 after fasting for 14-16 hours. The highest reading once after eating was 10.2 but I did over eat, my highest otherwise was 8.3. I think I am doing OK what haven't mastered the carbs in all foods yet, I do drink green tea everyday and lots of water. Thanks for kind reply

Hi be careful with the green tea I'm would advise DON'T drink it before bed it's been giving me horrible nightmares and dillusions and confusion in the night. Also don't over drink water it can be dangerous if you drink too much can cause you to be confused and stuff it happened to me mildly last night. Look online for safe amounts of water or ask your doctor. Also don't have too much caffeine as can have caffeine overdose which caused me panic attacks for years.

 

[rebrascora]

I think occasional fasting is good but I am not sure regular fasting like that is beneficial. It may be that your liver is releasing glycogen to cover
that fasting period and pushing up your fasting BG reading.