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One Year In

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Martin.A

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
In remission from Type 2
So here we are. On this day last year I got a call from my GP to say that the results of my blood tests for unexplained weight loss were in and everything was normal except my HbA1c (114) so her diagnosis was Diabetes. In a way it was a relief because I was also waiting on the results of my bowel cancer screening, which fortunately also came through as normal a day or two later.

The following week I had my Diabetes Nurse appointment. She told me I was presenting as Type 1 but because of my age (70), weight and body shape she thought it was more likely Type 2, so I left with a prescription for 1 x 500mg Metformin to be taken with breakfast, given some basic advice about low carb, and was told to pick up a testing kit from Reception to see if I could get my BG into single figures. Managed it after 10 days, so continued with the Metformin.

Was also sent for a CT scan to check my pancreas (does that always happen?) and that looked normal. As an added bonus a lot of my other internal organs appeared on the scan and they all looked normal too. Just the Diabetes, then. Foot check and eye screening were also OK, although BP just over the border into the zone known as High Normal (it still is mostly).

Six weeks later, after having several bouts of severe abdominal pain, I went back to my DN. I took my BG diary along and when she saw my numbers she said I could stop taken the Metformin to see how I got on, but to come back if my BG went back above 8. It climbed slowly for a few days then started going down again. Abdominal pain disappeared, too. So, on diet & exercise alone for 10 months now.

After reading about the possibility of remission I was determined to give it a go by recording the carb, calories, fat, protein & fibre content of everything I ate and keeping a food diary alongside my post-prandial readings. In February I achieved my goal and I can't thank forum members enough for all the good advice I picked up from reading all your posts. That really helped, even more than books and websites did. Thank you all.

The wicked DF decided to give me a fright yesterday with a fasting 7.6, just to make sure I didn't get complacent, but it's back to where I normally am this morning.

Thanks again.

Martin
 
You`ve done well Martin all your own hard work you should be proud of yourself. Yes DF & DP catches us out at any opportunity as does illness of any sorts, keep doing as you are but most of all keep posting, congratulations on your first anniversary and your superb result.
 
It is not normal to have a Pancreas Scan. I suspect it was because of your presentation.
 
Yeah grovesey - wonder if the damage you'd expect to see in a T1 pancreas would be visible on a CT scan?
 
It was a check for pancreatic cancer. Fortunately there were no signs.

Martin
That is why you had it.
I have recently had had an ultrasound but it was part a general abdominal scan, for abdominal pain.
 
Martin, you are an absolute inspiration! So pleased for you. Thanks for documenting your story which I am sure will give other people hope and motivation..... and Happy Diaversary!.... it certainly is in your case.... Well done!
 
That's good news, All your diligence and attention to detail really has paid dividends. Congratulations, and keep up the good work - Its lovely to hear a heartwarming tale. 🙂
 
Thanks for posting your 12 month round-up Martin. Yours is a really inspiring story for members new and old!
 
Phew Martin - a few cells somewhere popping their clogs, or misbehaving, pales into insignificance in comparison to any sort of cancer - what a sword hanging over your head until you got your All Clear!

You've been dedicated to your cause ever since, very well done.
 
So here we are. On this day last year I got a call from my GP to say that the results of my blood tests for unexplained weight loss were in and everything was normal except my HbA1c (114) so her diagnosis was Diabetes. In a way it was a relief because I was also waiting on the results of my bowel cancer screening, which fortunately also came through as normal a day or two later.

The following week I had my Diabetes Nurse appointment. She told me I was presenting as Type 1 but because of my age (70), weight and body shape she thought it was more likely Type 2, so I left with a prescription for 1 x 500mg Metformin to be taken with breakfast, given some basic advice about low carb, and was told to pick up a testing kit from Reception to see if I could get my BG into single figures. Managed it after 10 days, so continued with the Metformin.

Was also sent for a CT scan to check my pancreas (does that always happen?) and that looked normal. As an added bonus a lot of my other internal organs appeared on the scan and they all looked normal too. Just the Diabetes, then. Foot check and eye screening were also OK, although BP just over the border into the zone known as High Normal (it still is mostly).

Six weeks later, after having several bouts of severe abdominal pain, I went back to my DN. I took my BG diary along and when she saw my numbers she said I could stop taken the Metformin to see how I got on, but to come back if my BG went back above 8. It climbed slowly for a few days then started going down again. Abdominal pain disappeared, too. So, on diet & exercise alone for 10 months now.

After reading about the possibility of remission I was determined to give it a go by recording the carb, calories, fat, protein & fibre content of everything I ate and keeping a food diary alongside my post-prandial readings. In February I achieved my goal and I can't thank forum members enough for all the good advice I picked up from reading all your posts. That really helped, even more than books and websites did. Thank you all.

The wicked DF decided to give me a fright yesterday with a fasting 7.6, just to make sure I didn't get complacent, but it's back to where I normally am this morning.

Thanks again.

Martin
Hello Martin I have just been diagnosed with type 2 - could you possibly tell me what your carb level was for each meal. - I was diagnosed on 28th feb and blood levels gone down from highest 15.9 to around 8 at moment. I’m on metformin. Thanks
 
Hi,
I try and keep breakfast and lunch between 20g and 30g, and my evening meal in single figures (smoked haddock & salad this evening, for example). The exception is if our evening meal involves pasta, as a half portion of wholegrain spelt pasta is 24g.

The above gives me room for a snack between meals, eg a nut bar or slice of low carb toast. I also add in the carbs in cups of tea (milk) and coffee (oat milk) and generally end up between 100-120g by the end of the day.

This works for me and I can always cut some out if I end up needing to, but I know that many members go much lower than this.

Hope this helps.

Martin
Thankyou so much. I think I’m eating to low carbs - will have to find my level
 
Thankyou so much. I think I’m eating to low carbs - will have to find my level
Martin can I ask you. We’re you given any rules on what are goods sugar levels and when - should I be taking before food and 2 hours after. Or in morning on waking ‍♀️ Just haven’t been told anything - also is it ok for levels to go up when eaten as long as they go down
thanks Linda
 
Martin can I ask you. We’re you given any rules on what are goods sugar levels and when - should I be taking before food and 2 hours after. Or in morning on waking ‍♀ Just haven’t been told anything - also is it ok for levels to go up when eaten as long as they go down
thanks Linda

The general guidance I have seen for T2s checking before and after meals is to aim for 4-7 before meals and no higher than 8.5 or 9 by 2 hours after your first bite of the meal. However the absolutenumbers matter less in the early phase than the meal rises you are seeing.

Ideally a meal would raise your BG by no more than 2 or 3

People often also check on waking as a form of maintenance monitoring, but before and after meals gives more immediately actionable information.
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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