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I'm doing a lot of reading up and research - there's a lot to learn. I am finding that what I thought were straightforward questions aren't necessarily so, and neither are the answers. I shall soldier on.
Sounds like you are off to a flying start! And yes you are absolutely right… there is a lot to get your head around, and the more you learn, the more it will seem there is to learn - particularly when it comes to your own unique experience of diabetes, and the way your specific diabetes behaves - which might be quite different from the ‘textbook’ version!
If you’ve not come across the recommendation yet, you might find Gretchen Becker’s book: Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year very informative. It’s slightly americanised, but many forum members have found it very helpful. 🙂
6 weeks in and what an interesting learning journey it is so far:
I've managed to lose over 5 kg in weight and bring my blood sugar down to sensible levels already (my GP isn't happy that I bought a testing kit and says I shouldn't need to do that, but I have found checking once a week invaluable for confirming my progress).
I have made mistakes along the way e.g. massively under-eating for a day's hiking, and suffering for a few days afterwards (I'm going to post in the relevant forums later)
I found Dr Alan Rubin's Diabetes for Dummies quite helpful, but I will look at Gretchen Becker's book too.
Hi Jerry and welcome
Strange that so many GP's don't like Type 2's testing!! How are you supposed to know what food affects you if you don't test?!! As for testing, it should be immediately before each meal, then 2 hours after 1st bite, to identify foods that cause you to spike. I did it for 2 weeks, but now only test for new foods.
Well done on the weight loss. I hope you are taking it slow and steady, but 5 kg in 6 weeks sounds about right. When I was ill I lost 11kg over 3 weeks and felt dreadful - all wobbly and shaky, so never again.
You didn't mention medication - are you on any? Also do you know what your HbA1c was at diagnosis? If you were only just in the diabetic range, healthy eating and exercise might be all you need. We are all different so have to find our own way through trial and error. It's probably why the advice is so generalised and woolly. Best wishes
I'm on metformin 2 x 500 mg twice a day, so 2000 mg per day. My HbA1C was 110 at diagnosis. My cholesterol was 3.4 (historically I always tended to have quite low cholesterol).
I've been a lacto-vegetarian since 1985, and pescatarian since 2012, which may or may not help!
I really hope that I can put this into remission and control by diet and exercise in the future, but my research so far tells me that I should be realistic in my expectations- this may depend in part on the underlying causes, and is not guaranteed.
I'm on metformin 2 x 500 mg twice a day, so 2000 mg per day. My HbA1C was 110 at diagnosis. My cholesterol was 3.4 (historically I always tended to have quite low cholesterol).
I've been a lacto-vegetarian since 1985, and pescatarian since 2012, which may or may not help!
I really hope that I can put this into remission and control by diet and exercise in the future, but my research so far tells me that I should be realistic in my expectations- this may depend in part on the underlying causes, and is not guaranteed.
Hi Jerry
Yes, your HbA1c was high, and you are on the maximum dose of Metformin. I could only take 500mg of the stuff before the dreadful side effects kicked in. I tried since February, but now I'm staying on 500gm plus 100mg Canagliflozin from tomorrow. But people on this forum with similar levels to you have managed to put their diabetes in remission.
Great cholesterol. Mine has always been high, and when I lost 4.5 stone, it actually went up! But I can't take statins either. From your testing results I would hope your next HbA1c will show a great improvement.
I expect you have picked up about reducing carbs - not just the obvious but bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, processed food, and increasing protein. You do eat fish, and I tuck into more salmon, tuna, cod, haddock and mackerel than I used to. I also have more eggs. I expect you have non dairy substitutes for milk, cheese etc. I have unsweetened almond milk. I enjoy experimenting and trying out new dishes. I also monitor my cals and carbs daily with an app, which is helpful to look at in conjunction with your glucose readings.
For example, tonight I have a tray of Mediterranean roasting vegetables, to which I've added mushrooms. I'll bake them for 20 minutes, then top them with seasoned skinless boneless chicken thighs and bake for another 20. But it would work just as well with some seasoned fish. It works out at 390 cals and 5.1gm carbs per portion. I make my own soups without thickeners, then puree or part puree to thicken. Fortunately I love salads as well, and my breakfast most days is poached egg with grilled mushrooms and tomatoes, plus the occasional small slice of toast.
I hadn't been in a swimming pool for 50 years, but now go 3 times a week for Aquafit when possible. It all helps. But today it's gardening, then relaxing. Best wishes
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