Newbie cd57

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cd57

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Type 2
I'm struggling - was diagnosed with type 2 diabeties about 3 years ago, am on metformin (2) and gliclazide (4) my last HbA1c was 8.9. and have been referred to a specialist for the 1st time. Have been careful with diet (cut out sugars, reduced carbs). Life's busy but try to walk as much as I can - work full time, two young children, - am about 1 stone overweight. Have recently lost all interest in food and cooking and feel exhausted most of the time. Suffer from gas and diarrohea alot.
This sounds like I'm depressed doesn't it - but only about my health and the diabeties. Can it get better or will it just go on getting worse? Are there other options for oral meds? -If you've been where I am and it's got better please let me know.
 
Hi cd57, welcome to the forum 🙂 Do you test you blood sugar with a meter? Has your HbA1c been going up or down, or staying about the same? It sounds as though you have grown weary of the demands of diabetes and this is undermining your motivation. Perhaps taking a fresh look at everything will help you to get things moving again? Try keeping a diary of your food, and marking down the carbohydrate you are eating, and also recording how you felt an hour or two after each meal. It may be that you need to adjust your diet or find a new strategy to reduce any post meal rise in blood sugar.

Don't lose hope - many people have found that things can get better, it's not inevitable for things to get worse!

Please ask any questions you may have - nothing is considered 'silly'! 🙂
 
Northerner -thanks for such a quick reply -yes I am weary! My HbA1c has been up and down like a yo-yo -the last one v. high, the previous one 7.5. My blood sugars (although I don't take it all the time) has been consistently high particularly in the mornings before I eat. I can't remember the last time it was under 10, averages 16 and can go over 20. I'll try and take your advice and look at diet and subsequent sugar levels more carefully.This would be useful to take to the consultant in October I guess.
 
This early morning rise happens to a lot of people and is known as 'Dawn Phenomenon'. Your liver thinks it's being helpful by giving you a boost of blood glucose in the morning to get you up and running for the day - but you don't really want that if you are diabetic as your body can't cope with it properly! If only our livers would politely ask the pancreas if it was OK before acting! There are some strategies to help combat this, this page explains in more detail: http://www.diabetes-support.org.uk/joomla/dawn-phenomenon

I'd suggest getting hold of a copy of Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker (amazon link). It might point you in the right direction on things you may have not known about or been told about and can give you a fresh start. Put the past behind you - I'm sure you can turn this around and get more energy to help you cope with your little ones! We're always here to help, or if you want to have a good old whinge 🙂
 
hi cd welcome to the forum...fellow T2 here DX nearly 2 years ...my initial thought is what was your HbA1c to start with ...it maybe high for you but what have you come down from ...also watch out for the hidden sugars ...that might help ...also maybe your meds need review ...some people on here just cant get on with the metformin ...just thoughts x🙂
 
Thanks

Thanks AM and Northener - The Dawn Phenomenon may well explain a lot. I'm v. glad I've found this group, with a rather unsympathetic husband and no friends or family with diabeties. I've felt rather isolated, so thanks. Sometimes just a few words of understanding can be the boost you need.
 
i found this forum nearly a year ago after a year of feeling soooo islolated its a good place to come to x🙂
 
cd57 said:
Thanks AM and Northener - The Dawn Phenomenon may well explain a lot. I'm v. glad I've found this group, with a rather unsympathetic husband and no friends or family with diabeties. I've felt rather isolated, so thanks. Sometimes just a few words of understanding can be the boost you need.
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It makes the world of difference being able to talk to people who 'get it'! 🙂 It's quite a busy place, quieter at weekends, but I'm sure you will make lots of friends here, so stick around! :D
 
Hi CD.

Welcome. Just to add that the good old favourite 'stress' in its various forms can raise blood sugar too, certainly in type 1s, so I guess also type 2s.

Hope you can find some answers that help you to cope.

Rob
 
cd57 said:
Life's busy but try to walk as much as I can - work full time, two young children, -
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Hi cd57
Welcome to the forum! You must be a busy and active person, and I admire that! I'm a T2, got diagnosed in Apr. I do feel isolated sometimes, but am trying to cope with it. Metformin causes bad tummy to me too....I heard on this forum that there is a med called Slow Release Metformin, which won't give you uncomfortable side effect. I'm going to ask my doctor for it.🙂

Kay🙂
 
cd57 said:
...........Can it get better or will it just go on getting worse? Are there other options for oral meds? -If you've been where I am and it's got better please let me know...........
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Hi cd57,

We are always told that Type 2 diabetes never be cured but it can certainly "get better". Mine has got better over the last two years (HbA1c down from 8.5% to 5.0%) by changing my diet to eat less starchy carbohydrate - i.e. cereals, bread, potatoes, pasta, pizza and rice etc.

Before that in the previous eight years my situation had got worse (HbA1c slowly increasing from 5.7% at diagnosis to 9.4%) by following the "do not test" and "eat plenty of starchy carbohydrate" advice that I had been given by all the healthcare professionals.

You can read details of what I eat these days elsewhere on this forum via this link:

http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=6435

If you have any questions then just ask.

Testing is a great idea too so that you can see the effect that different foods have on your blood glucose levels.

Good luck and best wishes - John
 
Hi, welcome to the forum.
 
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