New T2, a bit overwhelmed and things are complicated.

[Colin_P]

Hello All,

Thanks for letting me join.

Things are complicated as I have a few other things going on, please bear with me...

I'm 48, 121kg's and have heart electrical issues. I say electrical as opposed to heart plumbing issues as they are different. I have some scarring in my heart muscle as a result of a serious viral infection (adult chickenpox!) from many years ago. As a result sometimes the electrical pathways in my heart go hay-wire and I find myself in VT (Ventricular Tachycardia) or VF (Ventricular Fibrillation), both of these arrhythmias are life threatening unless immediate medical intervention is given. These are what constitute a Cardiac Arrest (electrical) rather than a Heart Attack (plumbing).

Thankfully and somehow I survived my first cardiac arrest and was subsequently fitted with an Implanted Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD). An ICD is best described as having the ability to shock you "back" from VT or VF. An ICD can also act as a pacemaker but for me it doesn't need to perform that function.

Since 2013 when the ICD was implanted, it has saved my life six times now, the last time only last week!

I also take a high dose of beta blockers and another very toxic anti-arrythmic drug called Amiodarone. So toxic is the Amiodarone that if you take it you need to have regular blood tests to see if it is destroying your... thyroid, lungs, eyes, skin etc etc. Not a nice drug.

The week prior to the last "shock event" I was diagnosed as T2 with absolutely no information or advice, particularly in relation on how to manage it with my heart and heart medication. I did my own research and thought that a Keto diet would be a good idea. I don't think it was as I'm convinced the shock of that diet to my body indirectly caused the "shock event". (I say shock event but I mean dropping dead and being shocked back to life by the ICD!).

So here I am discharged, for now, from hospital sat at home awaiting some minor heart surgery on the 9th of Sept, with Type 2 diabetes and totally overwhelmed as what to do.

Rather than try and put everything into written prose, I hope you don't mind if I put my thoughts, questions and things that have happened in a numbered list (it might make it easier for anyone kind enough to comment on them)...

1. My HbA1c number is 53. Is it good, bad, off the charts?
2. During my stay in hospital I got conflicting advice, most said diet and exercise then a diabetic nurse came along who could only spare literally two minutes, who said you need to take metformin? I was discharged with a box of 500mg tablets of the stuff.
3. Having read up on Metformin it scares me a bit as I already sometimes have 'bad guts'. Should I take it? I have NOT so far.
4. Having read up on here should I be finger pricking and measuring my blood? If so what (cheap) kit should I buy?
5. Diet wise, bread, pasta, potatoes and sweets are now a thing of the past for me. I managed to work that out myself! But what the hell do I eat, not being a big meat eater?
6. Exercise wise, as part of the heart issues, I've set aside an hour every day so think I have (had) that covered. I mainly cycle, slowly, due to the large dose of beta blockers. I have been doing this and making it part of my daily routine since 2013.
7. Exercise wise (as above), my daily hourly exercise routine has become increasingly difficult this last six months or so, I would assume as a result of the diabetes?

Other than that, I know I have many more questions which I'll no doubt think of and ask later but for now I'm all typed out!

Any thoughts, comments, advice are most welcomed.

Many thanks Colin.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

My HbA1c number is 53. Is it good, bad, off the charts?

Just to pick the first question, 53 is probably a little higher than your doctors would prefer but in terms of diabetes complications it's really not too bad. Better to be lower, but from the sounds of it I'd guess that reducing it probably isn't in your top 5 of health issues, so no need to panic.

Under 42 is normal, 48 and above is diabetic (so 42-48 is "pre-diabetic"). A little while ago the general target for people with Type 1 was 58 or below (as being a good balance between complications of high blood glucose and the short term risks of too low blood glucose) though it's now 48 (because we have better insulin and understanding of how to manage blood glucose, I think, so lower levels can be achieved more safely). So 53 is in the "diabetic" range, but really not very high.

 

[Ralph-YK]

Welcome to the forum Colin from a fellow T2.

have heart electrical issues. As a result sometimes the electrical pathways in my heart go hay-wire and I find myself in VT (Ventricular Tachycardia) or VF (Ventricular Fibrillation),

was subsequently fitted with an Implanted Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD).

Since 2013 when the ICD was implanted, it has saved my life six times now, the last time only last week!

I've the same issue, though it's particularly VT for me. And also have an ICD, fitted Sept 2015; though mine has only gone off the once so far. Though I've discovered I can have a VT, and it not set the ICD off (as it was not fast enough).
I've now got a base unit that sits at the foot of my bed. It has a sim card and transmits info from my ICD to the hospital.

I have some scarring in my heart muscle

Mine is from a silent heart attack. I've also a genetic heart condition.

I got the diagnoses December 2014 - Feb 2015.

anti-arrythmic drug called Amiodarone.

I was put on that last November. Though, as usual, I was told nothing about it.

 

[Ralph-YK]

awaiting some minor heart surgery on the 9th of Sept,

What the op?

1 My HbA1c number is 53. Is it good, bad, off the charts?

30(?) to 41 is "normal"
41 to 47 is called pre diabetic
48 and above gets you a diagnoses of diabetes (though if you go below this you're still counted as diabetic).
People on here have been diagnosed with levels ranging from around 50 up to 100 and above. Beyond that I don't know how "bad" 53 is quantified. I believe 48 is better. Though medical people round here aren't bothered by 53.

Having read up on here should I be finger pricking and measuring my blood? If so what (cheap) kit should I buy?

I suggest testing, so you can see what affect food (& pos exercise etc) has on your blood glucose (BG) levels; and any changes you make. Keep a food diary along with a record of your levels. This should allow you to see any patterns.
The suggestion on here for cheap meter and strips used to be the SD Code Free (meter £13, strips £8 for 50, no postage for either). I gather there's a new model, with a different name that I don't remember.

 

[Vonny]

Hi @Colin_P and welcome from another fairly new Type 2. I agree with @Bruce Stephens - 53 isn't off the scale by a long shot. I was 76 and was told I was doing really well it went down to 54 in June. If you've already come off the bread/pasta/rice/potatoes, the chances are that it will reduce further.

You asked what you could eat instead, not being a big meat eater. I'm lucky, I'm a complete meat hound, but I also eat loads of eggs, cheese, nuts, salads and leafy vegetables. I find a 2 egg omelette in the morning along with some cheese, mushrooms and/or tomatoes keeps me going until lunchtime. There are loads of suggestions in the Food/Carb section.

I think the new model of monitor @Ralph-YK mentioned is the one I have: SD Gluco Navii, and it's been the best investment I could have made this year. If you do get one, make sure you order some additional strips and lancets as it only comes with a few of each.

Re Metformin, I've had no issues with it apart from a slightly dicky tummy for the first 2 weeks, but given your condition and other meds, it may not be for you.

Best wishes to you, and hope you find the information you need here x

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum Colin!

Rather than try and put everything into written prose, I hope you don't mind if I put my thoughts, questions and things that have happened in a numbered list

My HbA1c number is 53. Is it good, bad, off the charts?
Certainly in the diabetes zone, but we’ve had several members join in three figures, so 53 gives you hope of dropping back into near-normal BG levels with a few dietary modifications

During my stay in hospital I got conflicting advice, most said diet and exercise then a diabetic nurse came along who could only spare literally two minutes, who said you need to take metformin? I was discharged with a box of 500mg tablets of the stuff.

Having read up on Metformin it scares me a bit as I already sometimes have 'bad guts'. Should I take it? I have NOT so far.

Met is often given out early on to lend a helping hand, but with the dietary changes you are making you may not need it. Gastric upheaval isn’t inevitable, though it is quite common - though for most it only lasts a short while and Met is well tolerated after that. Slow release versions and taking with a reasonable (but not very carby) meal seem to be good strategies of you decide to give them a go and have any trouble.

Having read up on here should I be finger pricking and measuring my blood? If so what (cheap) kit should I buy?
SD Gluco Navii and Spirit Tee 2 both have strips at approx £8 for 50. And it is the strips that will form the bulk of the cost.

Diet wise, bread, pasta, potatoes and sweets are now a thing of the past for me. I managed to work that out myself! But what the hell do I eat, not being a big meat eater?
That’s where your meter comes in! Start with what you eat already (except cut out obvious sweet things) and check how your body copes. No need to ditch anything if your body is fine with it, just because it spikes someone else’s BG 🙂 Diabetes is often infuriatingly fickle and individual. It plays by its own rules, then gleefully breaks them! Test... review... adjust... and find your own ideal, nourishing, low-BG-spike menu 🙂

Exercise wise, as part of the heart issues, I've set aside an hour every day so think I have (had) that covered. I mainly cycle, slowly, due to the large dose of beta blockers. I have been doing this and making it part of my daily routine since 2013.

Exercise wise (as above), my daily hourly exercise routine has become increasingly difficult this last six months or so, I would assume as a result of the diabetes?

Keeping active will help with insulin sensitivity, but you need to e sure you don’t push yourself too hard. It might be worth asking your HCPs for their advice on the most suitable activity/exercise options for you?

 

[ianf0ster]

Hi @Colin_P, I think you have been told pretty much all of the basics. Type 2 Diabetes is very individual despite what most people think.

My 2 extra comments are:- 1. Don't fear fatty foods. since A). they don't make you fat (on their own) - it is carbohydrates that tend to do that from nearly all of us. B). They increase your Blood Glucose at all! Carbs increase it most, then protein.

2. Weight bearing/resistance exercise (weights, squats, push-ups etc). are good for Type2 diabetics since the more muscle you build the more storage you have to help get the glucose safely out of your bloodstream. It is best if you also get some mild Cardio type exercise, but don't think that cardio exercise will reduce you blood glucose much. You can't ot-run a poor diet!

 

[SB2015]

Hi @Colin_P

I think all your current questions have been answered, so I will just say welcome to the forum, and just keep firing away with questions as they arise. No one will mind at all, and no questions are considered silly.