Newbie Type 2 !

[rebrascora]

With the weight loss, I remember looking down at my arms and legs one day and not recognising them as mine. My forearms were so skinny and my wrists like sparrows ankles. I have dieted before and lost a significant amount of weight but I have not lost it in those places to that extent. It was very noticeable over a period of a few weeks.

 

[MissDaisy]

Metformin can help with weight loss as an appetite suppressant and together with the diet and increased activity you have been following since Nov, it may just be that, but yes it is possible that you are Type 1... or LADA ...both amount to the same thing, but LADA has a more gentle onset.
As Mike says, if you take your carbs right down and still get high readings, that would make it significantly more likely and if you keep a food diary with your readings then your Health Care Professionals will be able to see that you have more than done your bit.... Unfortunately your doctor may not know that Type 1 can exhibit in adulthood and probably will not have heard of LADA, so it can sometimes be tricky treading a fine line without telling them their job. I had a rather dodgy phone conversation with my GP in which I ended up saying something like, the people here on the forum thought I should be on insulin and as you can imagine that went down like a lead balloon! Try to get referred to a specialist. Of course outpatient appointments are not happening at the moment but hopefully that will improve soon.
Your GP may start you on Gliclazide as well as the Metformin to see if that will work. That was the next stage for me before they eventually prescribed insulin.

Hi Barbara,

You could be right and that it’s the very small changes plus Metformin that’s behind the minimal weight loss. I must admit I do not own scales so only going by my baggy clothing!

I think you’re right I should keep all possibilities in mind though. I’ll ring about my HbA1c result tomorrow and see what they say.

I really appreciate all the great advice and support I’ve had since joining!

Have a lovely Sunday MissDaisy

 

[MissDaisy]

Toilet trips are associated with the additional thirst. Once your BG rises above the ‘renal threshold’ (approx 10mmol/L) your body tries to flush out the extra glucose by excreting it in urine. Which leads to increased urination... which leads to increased thirst...

In the middle ages diabetes was known as ‘the p*ssing evil’ 😱

Hi Mike,

Yes you’d have thought I’d have noticed more trips to the WC, if drinking more water but I honestly didn’t! I think I (sorry if TMI) just spent more that a penny each time (ie more than usual)

I definitely need to find out my HbA1c results as you guys say, unsure why they didn’t do it in hospital in Nov but hey ho!

Thanks again MissDaisy

 

[MissDaisy]

With the weight loss, I remember looking down at my arms and legs one day and not recognising them as mine. My forearms were so skinny and my wrists like sparrows ankles. I have dieted before and lost a significant amount of weight but I have not lost it in those places to that extent. It was very noticeable over a period of a few weeks.

Hi Barbara,

I feel it’s noticeable and also swelling of joints has decreased too - I’m sure I was starting to get some fluid retention.

Anyway on the right road now, just need to keep that food diary, taking BGs and find out my HbA1c. One question, how many months apart should they be taking another HbA1c or does it depend on the result? I think mine will be high .....so I’m assuming the 2nd will be sooner rather than later?

Many Thanks for your replies MissDaisy

 

[rebrascora]

Just to put you a bit more in the picture, your HbA1c result will just give you an idea of where on the diabetic scale you are and it is unfortunate that they didn't do one in Nov as that might have given you an idea of how much improvement, if any, you have made through your diet and exercise (and medication) and been another point to push for more testing if there had been little or no improvement. The tests that you would want done to confirm Type1 or LADA would be GAD antibody and C-peptide tests. One of them the blood sample has to be frozen soon after being drawn and sent off to a special lab so it is not often done at the doctors surgery and I had to go to the main hospital for mine. The testing is more expensive than standard HbA1c so GPs can be reluctant.... but mostly they are often just lacking in knowledge about diabetes in general and particularly Type 1 as they see so few patients.

 

[rebrascora]

Less than 3 months between HbA1c tests can be considered pointless but they took my second one 5 weeks after the first because I was so high and started me on insulin at 6 weeks.

 

[MissDaisy]

Thank you or this info RE testing and I think I’ve made a little progress as BGs were 17 when diagnosed and sent home on 1 Metformin. However, as you say I need to eat low carb and see what happens....... nearly 2 hours since porridge so will be interesting to see BG level is now.

MissDaisy

 

[MissDaisy]

Less than 3 months between HbA1c tests can be considered pointless but they took my second one 5 weeks after the first because I was so high and started me on insulin at 6 weeks.

Okie dokie ... understood so all depends on what it is! Guess we’ll know tomorrow

 

[MissDaisy]

Less than 3 months between HbA1c tests can be considered pointless but they took my second one 5 weeks after the first because I was so high and started me on insulin at 6 weeks.

BG after small bowl of plain porridge is 17.4 from 12.8 so guessing that’s not a breakfast option! Or might it be in the future if they get my meds right?

Was going to maybe make some soup for lunch with 1 slice of bread however I’m thinking that’s out the window !

It’s tricky isn’t it ?!

MissDaisy

 

[rebrascora]

Yes that is a higher rise than you want. How much porridge oats did you use and what type?

Digital kitchen scales are really important for weighing out carb rich foods like cereals. I would try half of whatever portion you used and bulk it out with some nuts and seeds and some creamy thick natural yoghurt next time. Jumbo oats can be better than normal porridge oats because they are less processed and can release slower, so that might be something to try if you really love porridge.
Breakfast time can be particularly difficult because something called Dawn Phenomenon often adds to your BG levels. This is where the liver chucks out some extra glucose into the blood stream to get you going.... believed to be a throw back to prehistoric days when we didn't have cupboards and fridges, so we needed energy to go out and forage or hunt down a woolly mammoth for breakfast. For some people it starts happening at dawn which is obviously pretty early at this time of year and for other lucky ones like me, it waits until I get out of bed on a morning, regardless of what time that is and I then inject some insulin to cover it. That may well be inflating your morning readings and can be one reason why a very low carb breakfast (like an omelette) is beneficial, so that you are not adding to it. The porridge may well keep your levels inflated for 7 or 8 hours if you are like me. It was only when I cut it from my menu that my levels dropped into single figures.

If you end up on insulin then of course you will be able to go back to eating whatever you want, within reason, but it comes with it's own set of issues as you probably know from your Dad's experience.

 

[MissDaisy]

Hi Barbara,

Good to know about the Dawn Phenomenon - Dad could eat porridge when diet controlled in fact it helped in all areas of his health due to it’s benefits.

I used only handful of normal loose porridge oats 1/2 water 1/2 milk (only have semi skimmed in ATM) and had ate only 1/2, as a family member ate the other.

I’ll try eating one slice of bread plus sardines or egg tomorrow. Starting the day at 12.8 isn’t helpful, maybe they will add gliclazide.

I think I’ll wait until tea now and try to do my 30mins exercise if I can. It’s quite easy to do however it’s the fatigue afterwards & the bath, skin dressings and cream application that is hard.

Ah well we struggle on !

MissDaisy

 

[rebrascora]

Don't over exert yourself when your readings are high. A gentle walk if you are able is all you should be doing with BG levels in the teens and did you get my tag in the other thread about asking your GP for some Ketostix when you speak to him/her tomorrow. You need to be able to test for ketones when your BG levels hit mid teens and definitely if they go higher. If they won't prescribe some, they can be purchased for about £5 I believe from a pharmacy, but they really should provide you with some. Like @Karen in the other thread, if you start to feel unwell, abdominal pain or respiratory distress or your breath smells funky and your BG levels go through the roof, get yourself to hospital.

 

[KARNAK]

Hello @MissDaisy welcome to the forum.🙂

I see you have built up a nice repour with Barbara (@rebrascora)? that's what we like to see members
interacting with each other.🙂 Stay safe.

 

[rebrascora]

@KARNAK Good to see you on board this morning.... err afternoon! How is the head? I had to drink your half of the rum last night because you didn't show up! Hope you don't have a birthday hangover!.... Not seen you post in the 7 day Fasting thread yet?? Was it too bad to publish your reading today?? We will be sympathetic... Hugs!

 

[MissDaisy]

Hello @MissDaisy welcome to the forum.🙂

I see you have built up a nice repour with Barbara (@rebrascora)? that's what we like to see members
interacting with each other.🙂 Stay safe.

Hi Karnak,

Thank You for your reply - everyone’s been great & I’ve installed the app Nutricheck someone mentioned. Such a great way to count carbs and record food diary.

@rebrascora Barbara is lovely! Friendly, supportive and understanding plus has advice to share.

All the best MissDaisy

 

[rebrascora]

"@rebrascora Barbara is lovely! Friendly, supportive and understanding plus has advice to share."

Thanks, but I am just paying forward the help and support and knowledge that I was kindly given my other members here a year ago, so it is the forum as a whole which should be credited.

Most of us remember that feeling of being overwhelmed by our diagnosis and confused because there is so much conflicting information and wanting someone to just tell us what is the right thing to do and why or just simply....Tell me what to eat!"
For me, the key is understanding the reason for that advice, so I can make an educated decision. I am not one to follow blindly but neither am I a rebel. If I am going to go against official advice, I really need to know all the arguments behind it, both ways ..... especially with something like eating low carb and higher fat. Explaining it to others, I learn a little more myself, so it is a bit of a win win.

 

[MissDaisy]

"@rebrascora Barbara is lovely! Friendly, supportive and understanding plus has advice to share."

Thanks, but I am just paying forward the help and support and knowledge that I was kindly given my other members here a year ago, so it is the forum as a whole which should be credited.

Most of us remember that feeling of being overwhelmed by our diagnosis and confused because there is so much conflicting information and wanting someone to just tell us what is the right thing to do and why or just simply....Tell me what to eat!"
For me, the key is understanding the reason for that advice, so I can make an educated decision. I am not one to follow blindly but neither am I a rebel. If I am going to go against official advice, I really need to know all the arguments behind it, both ways ..... especially with something like eating low carb and higher fat. Explaining it to others, I learn a little more myself, so it is a bit of a win win.

Of course, but you’ve been a gem to me and perhaps I can help others with advice one day (as you say - paying it forward)

I’m confused as my BG after 30min exercise has gone from 17.4 to 9.6, usually only drops 1 or 2 with exercise and so don’t know what’s going on! Any ideas?

I’m not complaining as probably lowest I’ve even been but it’s quite a drop!

Any help appreciated as always

MissDaisy

 

[MissDaisy]

🙂😉🙂 I’ve been using emojis all this time on phone keyboard & just realised they only work from here ...... doh!!! 😳🙄

 

[grovesy]

Of course, but you’ve been a gem to me and perhaps I can help others with advice one day (as you say - paying it forward)

I’m confused as my BG after 30min exercise has gone from 17.4 to 9.6, usually only drops 1 or 2 with exercise and so don’t know what’s going on! Any ideas?

I’m not complaining as probably lowest I’ve even been but it’s quite a drop!

Any help appreciated as always

MissDaisy

Sometimes with exercise the drop can vary with type of exercise and duration.

 

[MissDaisy]

Hi Grovesy,

Thank You for your reply 🙂

It’s my normal 30mins a time the same pace so I’m baffled as yesterday it went from high 15s to 14. Strange lol I will mention to the DR tomorrow.

Hope you’ve had a good day

MissDaisy 🙂