New to T2

Status
Not open for further replies.
A

AllThings

Active Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi everyone,
I have been lurking in the forum for a while, and decided to join in properly. I have found it to be a really supportive space and I have learned so much from reading posts. I was pre-diabetic for several years but found out in July I’d moved into the diabetic range (routine test due to pre-diabetic status). In late August I had a meeting with a diabetic nurse who told me my repeat blood tests showed Hba1c levels of 50 then 52. The nurse was keen to prescribe Metformin but I wanted to try diet and exercise first. It has been an anxious time and a steep learning curve!

Thanks to the forum, I found the Freshwell site and have been following its advice on a low carb diet. I have changed my breakfast to Greek yoghurt and berries and am eating more of the right veg and fruit. I’m finding ways to fill the space left by potatoes, pasta, bread, rice (and cakes!). It seems to be working and I’ve lost over a stone and gone from a BMI of 29.5 to 25.5.

I haven’t yet tried the BG meter and finger prick test method. Maybe I could also apply for a Libre 2 trial and try that?

My blood test also showed high cholesterol so I’ve been prescribed Atorvastatin. I was concerned that one of the side-effects is raised BG, but I guess my GP was trying to balance risks. I’m trying to get my head around eating to improve both diabetes and cholesterol.

I just wanted to say thank you to the forum members for their posts, which have been really helpful to someone new to the whole T2 journey.
 
AllThings said:
Hi everyone,
I have been lurking in the forum for a while, and decided to join in properly. I have found it to be a really supportive space and I have learned so much from reading posts. I was pre-diabetic for several years but found out in July I’d moved into the diabetic range (routine test due to pre-diabetic status). In late August I had a meeting with a diabetic nurse who told me my repeat blood tests showed Hba1c levels of 50 then 52. The nurse was keen to prescribe Metformin but I wanted to try diet and exercise first. It has been an anxious time and a steep learning curve!

Thanks to the forum, I found the Freshwell site and have been following its advice on a low carb diet. I have changed my breakfast to Greek yoghurt and berries and am eating more of the right veg and fruit. I’m finding ways to fill the space left by potatoes, pasta, bread, rice (and cakes!). It seems to be working and I’ve lost over a stone and gone from a BMI of 29.5 to 25.5.

I haven’t yet tried the BG meter and finger prick test method. Maybe I could also apply for a Libre 2 trial and try that?

My blood test also showed high cholesterol so I’ve been prescribed Atorvastatin. I was concerned that one of the side-effects is raised BG, but I guess my GP was trying to balance risks. I’m trying to get my head around eating to improve both diabetes and cholesterol.

I just wanted to say thank you to the forum members for their posts, which have been really helpful to someone new to the whole T2 journey.
Click to expand...
Brilliant that you have now decided to join in with the forum, I'm sure you will benefit from asking questions.
I followed the Freshwell principals and reduced my HbA1C from 50mmol/mol to 42 in 3 months and to 38 in another 6.
I have been on a low dose atorvastatin and although I really have a normal to high fat diet cholesterol is low and I don't think it has any impact on blood glucose.
People find the Libre useful but it is expensive and unless you are reliant on minute to minute info then strategic finger prick testing may be just as useful.
Well done on your weight loss, I hope your next HbA1C will show a good reduction.
 
@AllThings Be aware that Atorvastatin can cause problems with mental ability - I was on it and Metformin for just 5 weeks but I became very forgetful and lost so many memories, just before Christmas 2016 I was wandering around the Tesco supermarket unable to find the car, so I used the key fob - then when I opened the back there was all the shopping I had done two days earlier.
It took a lot of time and effort to relearn all the songs I used to sing, and I read through my diaries numerous times I was all aches and pains for a long time, it was 18 moths before my last twinging muscle settled down.
My cholesterol has gone down a little, but there are quite a few problems with the claim that high cholesterol is going to kill you - it doesn't seem to be when age at death is analysed.
 
Last edited:
Hi @Leadinglights. Thanks so much for your reply! It’s really encouraging to hear how you reduced your BG levels in 3, then 6 months. Hoping I can do the same! Thanks too for your perspective on statins. I realise that losing weight and exercising more should help lower cholesterol. At the moment my excess weight is around my middle and that is really unhealthy.

Having a T2 diagnosis has given me a wake-up call. After a series of stressful life events, my diet had definitely deteriorated. I’m finding that I’m more aware of what I’m eating.

I will look into getting a BG monitor and doing fingerprick tests.

Thank you for your good wishes about my next HbA1c test. It’s due in late November, so fingers crossed.

I’m sure that I’ll have some proper questions in time.
 
Drummer said:
@AllThings Be aware that Atorvastatin can cause problems with mental ability - I was on it and Metformin for just 5 weeks but I became very forgetful and lost so many memories, just before Christmas 2018 I was wandering around the Tesco supermarket unable to find the car, so I used the key fob - then when I opened the back there was all the shopping I had done two days earlier.
It took a lot of time and effort to relearn all the songs I used to sing, and I read through my diaries numerous times I was all aches and pains for a long time, it was 18 moths before my last twinging muscle settled down.
My cholesterol has gone down a little, but there are quite a few problems with the claim that high cholesterol is going to kill you - it doesn't seem to be when age at death is analysed.
Click to expand...
Hi @Drummer. Thanks for your reply. Sorry to hear about your experience with statins and Metformin. Thanks to the forum, I feel I will be better informed when I have my next diabetes review and I will have better questions to ask. At the last one, everything seemed so overwhelming.
 
This forum is an amazing and welcoming space where you will find out all sorts of useful information for managing your diabetes. You will also learn a massive amount about the other types of diabetes along the way, which doesn’t hurt and can help to educate other people.

My GP and diabetes nurse have been very supportive since my diagnosis back in January but this forum has been a constant source of support and information, which is fantastic!

Finger prick testing was really useful for me. I was encouraged to do it by my diabetes nurse but it was this forum that told me the best times to test and the results to aim for. I rarely test now, unless I introduce a new food to my diet but it’s still handy to have. For example, I’ve had Covid this week and it’s been interesting to discover it’s had absolutely no impact whatsoever on my BG.

Keep logging in, keep motivated, you can crack this. Yes, it does take some effort and commitment but you will feel so much better for it.
 
Deb_l said:
This forum is an amazing and welcoming space where you will find out all sorts of useful information for managing your diabetes. You will also learn a massive amount about the other types of diabetes along the way, which doesn’t hurt and can help to educate other people.

My GP and diabetes nurse have been very supportive since my diagnosis back in January but this forum has been a constant source of support and information, which is fantastic!

Finger prick testing was really useful for me. I was encouraged to do it by my diabetes nurse but it was this forum that told me the best times to test and the results to aim for. I rarely test now, unless I introduce a new food to my diet but it’s still handy to have. For example, I’ve had Covid this week and it’s been interesting to discover it’s had absolutely no impact whatsoever on my BG.

Keep logging in, keep motivated, you can crack this. Yes, it does take some effort and commitment but you will feel so much better for it.
Click to expand...
Hi @Deb_l. Thanks so much for your reply and encouragement! Having joined the forum, I realised how little I knew about diabetes in all its forms. Thanks too for your advice on finger prick testing.
Really sorry that you have had Covid and hope that you will soon be on the mend.
 
AllThings said:
Hi @Leadinglights. Thanks so much for your reply! It’s really encouraging to hear how you reduced your BG levels in 3, then 6 months. Hoping I can do the same! Thanks too for your perspective on statins. I realise that losing weight and exercising more should help lower cholesterol. At the moment my excess weight is around my middle and that is really unhealthy.

Having a T2 diagnosis has given me a wake-up call. After a series of stressful life events, my diet had definitely deteriorated. I’m finding that I’m more aware of what I’m eating.

I will look into getting a BG monitor and doing fingerprick tests.

Thank you for your good wishes about my next HbA1c test. It’s due in late November, so fingers crossed.

I’m sure that I’ll have some proper questions in time.
Click to expand...
Blood glucose monitors that people find good with some of the cheaper strips are the GlucoNavii or TEE2 which can be bought on line. They tend to be cheaper than at the pharmacy.
I think testing is key to being able to make better food choices.
 
Leadinglights said:
Blood glucose monitors that people find good with some of the cheaper strips are the GlucoNavii or TEE2 which can be bought on line. They tend to be cheaper than at the pharmacy.
I think testing is key to being able to make better food choices.
Click to expand...
Thanks @Leadinglights. I’ll check them out!
 
Welcome to the forum @AllThings

And glad you have delurked 🙂

One of the lovely things about the forum is that you get a wide range of experiences from different people, which can help you feel less alone and isolated with your diabetes.

Great to hear that you’ve found the low carb way of eating from the NHS Freshwell project helpful.

Hope you have a good appointment when you next see your Dr. Different people have different reactions to diets, and also to medications - and as you can see from @drummer’s experience, some people have a difficult time. But it is also important to remember that the vast majority of people take medications with no or very few side effects. I take Atorvastatin with no negative effects whatever. So go into discussions about medications with your eyes open, but also try to keep an open mind until you’ve tried them for yourself.
 
Thanks so much for your encouragement and advice, @everydayupsanddowns. Thanks too for the reminder about the different impacts of diet and medications. Your perspective on statins is very helpful. I’ve only been taking them for a short time, so I should have a better idea of their impact after I’ve had follow up blood tests.
 
Hi everyone,
The positive news is that my diet is definitely improving, thanks to advice found here and on the Freshwell app. However, I’m still hoping to lose another 4-5 lbs and my weight has hit a plateau. I realise that I need to up the exercise part of the diet/exercise approach to managing T2. I enjoy walking and will try to fit in more of that. Next I’ll look into exercise classes. There’s a local sports centre that lets you sign up for individual classes, so you can try things out without having to take up membership. I’ll have a look at the exercise and sport forum on here too.
 
AllThings said:
Hi everyone,
The positive news is that my diet is definitely improving, thanks to advice found here and on the Freshwell app. However, I’m still hoping to lose another 4-5 lbs and my weight has hit a plateau. I realise that I need to up the exercise part of the diet/exercise approach to managing T2. I enjoy walking and will try to fit in more of that. Next I’ll look into exercise classes. There’s a local sports centre that lets you sign up for individual classes, so you can try things out without having to take up membership. I’ll have a look at the exercise and sport forum on here too.
Click to expand...
Don't be too concerned about the numbers, as your body composition is probably changing for the better.
I have become stronger in the years since diagnosis and muscle is denser than fat.
 
Drummer said:
Don't be too concerned about the numbers, as your body composition is probably changing for the better.
I have become stronger in the years since diagnosis and muscle is denser than fat.
Click to expand...
Thanks @Drummer!
 
Hi everyone,
Tomorrow I have my HbA1c test to see whether my 3 month diet and exercise plan has worked. Previous tests had levels of 50 and 52. Fingers crossed for encouraging news when the results come through.

Looking back, I have lost weight - going from a BMI of over 29 to 25. My (low carb) diet has definitely improved thanks to helpful advice from this forum/web-site and the Freshwell app. Amongst other things, I’ve discovered the delights of cauliflower rice, butternut squash ribbons and spring greens! I realise that I had got into a rut with my diet, relying too much on ready meals and pastries. My diabetes diagnosis was the kick-start I needed to make changes.

I’ll post my results when they arrive. Thanks again for all your support.
 
Good luck and will be keeping fingers crossed for you but sounds like you have done the hard work and can reasonably expect a good result. Well done for taking it seriously and making the necessary changes.
 
rebrascora said:
Good luck and will be keeping fingers crossed for you but sounds like you have done the hard work and can reasonably expect a good result. Well done for taking it seriously and making the necessary changes.
Click to expand...
Thanks so much, @rebrascora!
 
My blood tests from last week were cancelled so I had mine today. Surprisingly, the nurse wasn’t expecting to do an hba1c test, even though that was the main one I thought I’d be having! She agreed to do the hba1c and three others. So I should know the results in a week or so.
 
Hi everyone,
Good news! I got my hba1c results and my level has gone down to 45 (from 50 & 52) through a low-carb diet and exercise. I know that the result is still in the pre-diabetic range, but I’m happy with progress so far. Thank you so much to everyone for their advice and encouragement. The forum has made a real difference to the management of my diabetes, from the first shock of diagnosis to finding a sustainable way of living with the disease. I’m hoping that I can get BG levels down even further by sticking to the diet and exercise plan.All the best.
 
Delighted for you! Well done!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top