Recently Diagnosed Type2

[Doobiedoo]

Good evening all... I was diagnosed type 2 6 weeks ago and have been diligently reading the many useful posts on here and wanted to say hi! And ask a question...

I’m taking metformin 500mg twice per day, cutting carbs and gone back to the gym. My BG was hovering around 18 at diagnosis. The best reading I have had was 6.0 this afternoon, but is usually around 8-11. Obviously it does indicate that there is a big drop, which I am very pleased about. How long will it take for things to be more under control?

 

[Eddy Edson]

Hi Doobiedoo - As you probably realise, really not possible to give a general answer. everything's so individual and it depends on some combination of the state of yr pancreas, yr weight, what you're eating, how much exercise you're getting, yr genes, what's going on with yr gut microbiome, how long you've had the condition ... etc etc etc.

But ignoring all that, maybe set yourself the goal of 6 months from diagnosis. Reasons for saying that: that's about how long it took me to get down to "normal" levels; I've seen people around here do it faster; there's apparently a bit of a risk of (temporary?) worsening of retinopathy if yr BG levels fall too quickly, if that's an issue for you; and from what you say about yr numbers, it seems to me that you're probably on track.

 

[CathyB]

Hi and welcome @Doobiedoo, I completely agree with @Eddy Edson, my starting point was 22 and I remember at round 6 weeks being so frustrated that I had done everything I’d read yet those numbers were just not eating my expectations 😱 it was probably about 4 months before I started to get close and by 6 months I was (and am still) rocking a steady 5.5 Stick with it, be patient and it will happen 😉

 

[Madeline]

I was diagnosed around the same time, and my figures are still all over the place too, if that’s any comfort. It’s SO frustrating, I don’t like not being in control.

 

[Doobiedoo]

Thank you for the replies, very helpful advice and encouragement I think that I am expecting too much in a short space of time. It’s reassuring to understand that others have experienced the same. I like to be in control too!! It’s hard to feel like it when you are still learning the rules!

 

[pav]

Welcome to the forum, as already stated diabetes is so individual what works for one does not work for another. It will take time to get to grips with it and find out what suits you the best, you have already made big steps in getting your levels down, a case of keep up the good work that you have already put into the illness

 

[Eddy Edson]

Thank you for the replies, very helpful advice and encouragement I think that I am expecting too much in a short space of time. It’s reassuring to understand that others have experienced the same. I like to be in control too!! It’s hard to feel like it when you are still learning the rules!

Might be helpful to graph yr BG levels day to day and look at the trend.

This was me up until a couple of weeks ago when I stopped testing so frequently:



I didn't really start self-testing until ~6 weeks after DX. At that time the day-to-day swings were pretty high, which was frustrating, but the general trend was downwards. After a while things started to settle down a bit, and then further declined into "normal" territory.

Just me, obviously.

 

[pav]

Might be helpful to graph yr BG levels day to day and look at the trend.

This was me up until a couple of weeks ago when I stopped testing so frequently:

View attachment 10584

I didn't really start self-testing until ~6 weeks after DX. At that time the day-to-day swings were pretty high, which was frustrating, but the general trend was downwards. After a while things started to settle down a bit, and then further declined into "normal" territory.

Just me, obviously.

I would love to have a graph like that, mine is not pretty.

 

[Madeline]

Mines not the prettiest either.

Come the Apocalypse, @pav you and I could run an illicit pharmacy with all our meds

 

[Doobiedoo]

Thanks for the tip, I have kept a good old fashioned pen and note pad log but agree it would be interesting to see it on a chart. I will let you know how I get on!

Thanks guys, you have been most helpful x

 

[pav]

View attachment 10586 Mines not the prettiest either.

Come the Apocalypse, @pav you and I could run an illicit pharmacy with all our meds

Most definitely could, mentioned it to the doctor this morning about the amount of meds I am on as it would be nice to reduce the quantity I am taking, his replay was part of being diabetic and with another 4 added in the past few weeks the list keeps getting bigger. You know when your on a lot of meds when the doc has to look up what they are about to give you to see if it clashes with ones already on.

 

[Drummer]

It is all about the carbs - avoid putting them in and you should soon see your numbers begin to go lower.
I found that I did not need medication, but only after it made me feel really ill.