Newbie

[Leadinglights]

Hello thank you so much for this information after a most miserable day it feels like I might have a flicker of hope after all I can’t even describe how deflated and shocked I was and I think I need now to ask for a second opinion and see a different doctor and see if I can get that chance to wait 3 months because the nurse had already told me at that level I wouldn’t need medication…not sure how they will take it though normally I just would do what they say but it felt all wrong you have done so well haven’t you and really got it down I would be so pleased if I could get anywhere close to your results I have will power and feel with the right information and advice I could do it …how often do you get tested it’s once a year at my doctors…I feel much better now thanks very much and I will go to the low carb link again

Don't forget it is always your choice whether you take the medication or not and you do seem pretty determined to make the dietary changes which will be needed. It is usual to have an HbA1C 3 months after diagnosis to see if the measures you are taking are working and then if they are after another 6 months and then yearly after that.
You can always self fund a home testing blood glucose monitor so you can check on progress yourself. Inexpensive ones can be bought on line, GlucoNavii, TEE2 and Contour Blue are ones with the cheaper test strips. Many find that is a vital tool in managing their condition.

 

[Winifreds child]

Don't forget it is always your choice whether you take the medication or not and you do seem pretty determined to make the dietary changes which will be needed. It is usual to have an HbA1C 3 months after diagnosis to see if the measures you are taking are working and then if they are after another 6 months and then yearly after that.
You can always self fund a home testing blood glucose monitor so you can check on progress yourself. Inexpensive ones can be bought on line, GlucoNavii, TEE2 and Contour Blue are ones with the cheaper test strips. Many find that is a vital tool in managing their condition.

Thanks I think I will do that do you know what reading I would be looking for on one of those I’ll have a look for one thanks so much

 

[Winifreds child]

I stopped taking the tablets, Metformin and Atorvastatin as 8 years ago this month I was suicidal I had a very bad reaction to them. I took the tablets for 5 weeks, then it was Christmas, and then at the 80 day mark I had a second test which showed that I had dropped from 91 to 47, so was no longer officially diabetic, and by eating the same meals I dropped even lower.
I still take Thyroxine for my thyroid stopped working some time ago, but it seems better than it was.
At the moment I am struggling a bit as I went on the shakes diet to try to improve things, fasting 22 hours a day, low calorie, but it wasn't much of a success as although I lost some weight, after 2 months of that my HbA1c was higher this year than at any time since diagnosis 'only' 48 but that is back in the type 2 range.

Thank you very much for taking the time to share that with me it helps to know about the journey of someone’s experience and I am finding it inspiring to say the least it has lifted my spirits I do have will power but have let myself down in the prediabetic years by only considering cutting out sugar and never had any advice but I really should have gone looking …I hope you will get back to the level you want to be in the near future I really do .

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks I think I will do that do you know what reading I would be looking for on one of those I’ll have a look for one thanks so much

The testing you do should be for a purpose i.e. to keep a track of progress day to day, week to week etc where people do a morning /fasting reading where you would expect to be aiming at 4-7 mmol/l.
People often find it useful to test the effect of their meals to see if they cope with the amount of carbohydrates and to do that testing before eating and after 2 hours will indicate the meal is OK if the increase is no more than 2-3mmol/l or no more than 8-8.5 mmol/l after 2 hours, if it is then that indicates the meal is too carb heavy so reducing portion size of any high carb foods should enable you to tweak your meal.

 

[silver minion]

If you can manage to reduce your carb intake and continue with exercise it will make a difference. Your doctor should be encouraging you to do as much regular exercise as you can reasonably manage. Have you considered a quality classes or swimming. The water helps support your body and reduces stress on your joints.
I have been getting quarterly checks but as my blood glucose has come down a lot I am hoping to go onto annual checks in Feb 2025 if my next HbA1c is down to 50 mmol/ mol
As your hbA1c levels are not too far into the diabetes zone an annual check may be OK for you. There's a lot of support on thus forum so keep posting and ask as many questions as you like. We will walk the walk with you. As fellow Diabetics we get it. Hope all goes well with the foot check.

 

[Winifreds child]

The testing you do should be for a purpose i.e. to keep a track of progress day to day, week to week etc where people do a morning /fasting reading where you would expect to be aiming at 4-7 mmol/l.
People often find it useful to test the effect of their meals to see if they cope with the amount of carbohydrates and to do that testing before eating and after 2 hours will indicate the meal is OK if the increase is no more than 2-3mmol/l or no more than 8-8.5 mmol/l after 2 hours, if it is then that indicates the meal is too carb heavy so reducing portion size of any high carb foods should enable you to tweak your meal.

Thank you I have just ordered one and sure it will help at the moment I feel a bit frightened to eat ….I’m looking on suggested links for carb and calorie information I feel a lot better than I did this morning and thanks for taking the time for me i appreciate that I let you know how I get on

 

[Winifreds child]

If you can manage to reduce your carb intake and continue with exercise it will make a difference. Your doctor should be encouraging you to do as much regular exercise as you can reasonably manage. Have you considered a quality classes or swimming. The water helps support your body and reduces stress on your joints.
I have been getting quarterly checks but as my blood glucose has come down a lot I am hoping to go onto annual checks in Feb 2025 if my next HbA1c is down to 50 mmol/ mol
As your hbA1c levels are not too far into the diabetes zone an annual check may be OK for you. There's a lot of support on thus forum so keep posting and ask as many questions as you like. We will walk the walk with you. As fellow Diabetics we get it. Hope all goes well with the foot

If you can manage to reduce your carb intake and continue with exercise it will make a difference. Your doctor should be encouraging you to do as much regular exercise as you can reasonably manage. Have you considered a quality classes or swimming. The water helps support your body and reduces stress on your joints.
I have been getting quarterly checks but as my blood glucose has come down a lot I am hoping to go onto annual checks in Feb 2025 if my next HbA1c is down to 50 mmol/ mol
As your hbA1c levels are not too far into the diabetes zone an annual check may be OK for you. There's a lot of support on thus forum so keep posting and ask as many questions as you like. We will walk the walk with you. As fellow Diabetics we get it. Hope all goes well with the foot check.

Hi I just noticed your weight loss was it medication that caused that I just think I begin to understand diabetes then realise there is a lot to learn and I have been contemplating swimming …it’s been a long time since I went ….it very generous of you to spare the time to give me advice and made my day end on a better note thanks…I will let you know how I get on

 

[silver minion]

Hi I just noticed your weight loss was it medication that caused that I just think I begin to understand diabetes then realise there is a lot to learn and I have been contemplating swimming …it’s been a long time since I went ….it very generous of you to spare the time to give me advice and made my day end on a better note thanks…I will let you know how I get on

No it was undiagnosed diabetes. My blood sugar levels were ridiculously high but I didn't pick up on the symptoms at the time as life was quite stressful for several months. I was eating about 4000 calories a day just to try and maintain my weight. Every time it plateaued I thought I was OK. Husband finally nagged me to see the doctor....and the rest is on my signature history.
Looking back now, I was an idiot to ignore it for so long. But we all have 20/20 hindsight and I have no history of diabetes in the family or experience of anyone with diabetes I already knew who had the same symptoms as me. Now trying to stop any further damage to my body.
Swimming or aqua aerobics is good if you enjoy and burns a lot of calories. I also do Tai Chi which is gentle and can be done seated. It strengthen your core muscles and improves balance, flexibility and concentration.

 

[Winifreds child]

It sounds like you’ve made good progress and I think all exercises are good especially anything strengthening….do you get any side affects from the Metformin…it must all have been a shock to you thanks for telling me I feel I can’t learn too much even if it different to me it just shows how complex it all is

 

[silver minion]

It sounds like you’ve made good progress and I think all exercises are good especially anything strengthening….do you get any side affects from the Metformin…it must all have been a shock to you thanks for telling me I feel I can’t learn too much even if it different to me it just shows how complex it all is

I have been quite fortunate with medication. I am on slow release metformin and it was increased gradually over several weeks so the side effects were fairly mild and short duration. Mostly alternating between loose bowels and more frequency or constipation for a few days, then it would settle down until the next dose increase. I have been fine for several months now.
Other people have had much more severe side effects with their digestive system and couldn't tolerate it at all. There are alternatives if you don't get on with it. Everyone reacts differently so do approach your doctor or nurse if the metformin is making you unwell.

 

[Winifreds child]

I have been quite fortunate with medication. I am on slow release metformin and it was increased gradually over several weeks so the side effects were fairly mild and short duration. Mostly alternating between loose bowels and more frequency or constipation for a few days, then it would settle down until the next dose increase. I have been fine for several months now.
Other people have had much more severe side effects with their digestive system and couldn't tolerate it at all. There are alternatives if you don't get on with it. Everyone reacts differently so do approach your doctor or nurse if the metformin is making you unwell.

I hope you have a supportive team of health professionals that makes such a difference

 

[silver minion]

I hope you have a supportive team of health professionals that makes such a difference

I have only been with this medical practice 2 years but so far they have been good. Very timely with appointments and proactive in getting my husband's reviews and tests for his heart condition up to date. At our previous surgery there was a large backlog after covid and he hadn't been seen for 2 years.