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Old to Diabetes, New to DUK

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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LargsMan

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi, I’m a newbie to DUK.

Ive been living with type 2 diabetes for about 20 years and have not had any real issues; lucky me 🙂. However, I believe my condition is deteriorating as my meds have been increased and its hard to get my HbA1c under 60.

I am obviously becoming concerned and looking to improve.

I have been doing some research into ‚‘alternative‘ treatments and would like to hear from members that may have tried some.

looking forward to being a member of the group.
 
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Hi @LargsMan. Welcome to the forum.

I see you are posting from the US. No problem, diabetes is diabetes no matter where you live. I am afraid you are unlikely to get much support or enthusiasm for "alternative treatments" or things that "are an answer to your prayers" on the forum. The world is full of magic concoctions that "may help" blood glucose control - the only thing in they have in common is a fancy website suggesting much but actually promising nothing. GlucoseMD looks just like another example of the genre. Don't waste your money on it.
 
Hi @LargsMan welcome to the forum!

If you would like to post what medication you are on and maybe a rough guide to your usual daily meals (sample menu) then we may be able to suggest some tweaks you could make that may help you to improve your figures. For type 2 often reducing carbohydrates can help massively (all carbohydrates not just sugar - though in the US you do of course need to remove fiber from total carbohydrates on the label in calculations, though you probably already know that) but if you are on medications that can cause hypos (e.g. glicazide, insulin) then you have to be careful about reducing carbohydrates too far/fast so I wouldn't like to make any specific suggestions without more info on your medication and what you usually eat.

It's also important to remember that what medication you need is just that - what medication you need and does not indicate "personal failure" - if your diabetes has progressed to the point that your pancreas isn't producing as much insulin on top of the insulin resistance which is a part of type 2 then needing more medication would not be surprising. So far the theoretical basis which the researchers into remission/reversal are working on includes the idea that after 10 years although control might be possible, reversal isn't, and therefore it's unlikely that you would be able to reduce current medications unless there is room in your dietary lifestyle to reduce carbohydrate intake (and that was a step that you wanted to take), and I'm not sure there are any guarantees that would reduce current medications although there's a also a chance it may delay progression to needing further medication.
 
Docb said:
Hi @LargsMan. Welcome to the forum.

I see you are posting from the US. No problem, diabetes is diabetes no matter where you live. I am afraid you are unlikely to get much support or enthusiasm for "alternative treatments" or things that "are an answer to your prayers" on the forum. The world is full of magic concoctions that "may help" blood glucose control - the only thing in they have in common is a fancy website suggesting much but actually promising nothing. GlucoseMD looks just like another example of the genre. Don't waste your money on it.
Click to expand...
Hi DocB, thank you for your response, much appreciated. I’m actually on holiday in Las Vegas just now but do reside in Largs, Scotland. I guess I’m not surprised at your response as I accept there are many so called remedies out there claiming all sorts of successes. This product just caught my eye and seemed to have a ‚‘sound background‘. (I also accept that words are cheap even when they’re on a fancy website). Hey ho, I’ll soldier-on and thanks again.
 
42istheanswer said:
Hi @LargsMan welcome to the forum!

If you would like to post what medication you are on and maybe a rough guide to your usual daily meals (sample menu) then we may be able to suggest some tweaks you could make that may help you to improve your figures. For type 2 often reducing carbohydrates can help massively (all carbohydrates not just sugar - though in the US you do of course need to remove fiber from total carbohydrates on the label in calculations, though you probably already know that) but if you are on medications that can cause hypos (e.g. glicazide, insulin) then you have to be careful about reducing carbohydrates too far/fast so I wouldn't like to make any specific suggestions without more info on your medication and what you usually eat.

It's also important to remember that what medication you need is just that - what medication you need and does not indicate "personal failure" - if your diabetes has progressed to the point that your pancreas isn't producing as much insulin on top of the insulin resistance which is a part of type 2 then needing more medication would not be surprising. So far the theoretical basis which the researchers into remission/reversal are working on includes the idea that after 10 years although control might be possible, reversal isn't, and therefore it's unlikely that you would be able to reduce current medications unless there is room in your dietary lifestyle to reduce carbohydrate intake (and that was a step that you wanted to take), and I'm not sure there are any guarantees that would reduce current medications although there's a also a chance it may delay progression to needing further medication.
Click to expand...
Hi 42istheanswer, Many thanks for your detailed reply, much appreciated. In my heart of hearts I think I know what’s ahead but cling-on to the hope that one day someone will discover a solution to the diabetes problem, (but probably not in my time, (I’m 73 now)).

I have to admit I’m not the best patient as, (touch wood), I currently don’t have any severe effects from the disease. I was initially on Metformin but after a couple of years started to get bad side effects. I’m now on Gliclazide. I do my best to keep away from carbs etc. and certainly avoid sugary stuff / drinks. Yes, I could do better and, as I accept the increase in medication, will have to try harder. My diet, such as it is, is a derivative of the Atkins style diet, which works for me. However, some days I just say sod it and go off track.

Many thanks again for you response.
 
LargsMan said:
Hi, I’m a newbie to DUK.

Ive been living with type 2 diabetes for about 20 years and have not had any real issues; lucky me 🙂. However, I believe my condition is deteriorating as my meds have been increased and its hard to get my HbA1c under 60.

I am obviously becoming concerned and looking to improve.

I have been doing some research into ‚‘alternative‘ treatments and would like to hear from members that may have tried some.

looking forward to being a member of the group.
Click to expand...
www.virtahealth.com

Sustainable Weight Loss and Diabetes Reversal | Virta Health

Virta Health is the leader in diabetes reversal and sustainable weight loss with a nutrition-first approach.
www.virtahealth.com www.virtahealth.com

A US based organisation who have pretty good results.
 
Hi @LargsMan - hope you are enjoying your holiday in Las Vegas and that Largs will still have something to offer on your return.

We see a lot of magical cures. At one extreme are the out and out scams promoting extracts from exotic plants grown only in remote places, posted from some far away location in rather dodgy English which will do absolutely no good at all. At the other extreme there are wonderous things aimed at the overweight which in general claim they will "help" with weight loss provided you eat less whilst taking whatever it is that is being promoted. These might work but it is the weight loss that is the important factor and you will get the same effect just by losing weight by any means, the supplements are generally not relevant. And of course you get all sorts of things in between these extremes.

Personally, I like the bit of everything approach. Bit of weight loss, bit of diet adjustment to consume less carbohydrates, bit more exercise and a bit of medication. Meant I could get into a routine which was not too dissimilar to what I was used to without violently changing anything in particular. Suited me at my time of life.

Read around the forum and you will find others have used different approaches. Think about them and work out what will suit you and try it out.
 
Docb said:
Hi @LargsMan - hope you are enjoying your holiday in Las Vegas and that Largs will still have something to offer on your return.

We see a lot of magical cures. At one extreme are the out and out scams promoting extracts from exotic plants grown only in remote places, posted from some far away location in rather dodgy English which will do absolutely no good at all. At the other extreme there are wonderous things aimed at the overweight which in general claim they will "help" with weight loss provided you eat less whilst taking whatever it is that is being promoted. These might work but it is the weight loss that is the important factor and you will get the same effect just by losing weight by any means, the supplements are generally not relevant. And of course you get all sorts of things in between these extremes.

Personally, I like the bit of everything approach. Bit of weight loss, bit of diet adjustment to consume less carbohydrates, bit more exercise and a bit of medication. Meant I could get into a routine which was not too dissimilar to what I was used to without violently changing anything in particular. Suited me at my time of life.

Read around the forum and you will find others have used different approaches. Think about them and work out what will suit you and try it out.
Click to expand...
Some of these so called 'cures' will part you from your money rather than your weight.
Approach with caution.
 
Hello @LargsMan
im new to the forum, and was just reading a few posts and thought I’d say hello, as I also live in Largs, North Ayrshire. Although I’m a long-time Type 1, I have some knowledge of type 2, and wanted to give you any encouragement I can. I think your Atkins type diet is a great way to go, and nobody would blame you for having an occasional blow-out day! keep it up.
Deb
 
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