Success So Far

[Lewis Christian]

Some great stories on this forum. I was not feeling particularly well in Aug 2018. I was tired, listless and 72 - so I thought it was just old age. Then a letter arrived offering me a private health screening. Love Welsh NHS and felt like a traitor to Nye Bevan's dream, but paid, went and waited for result. Thought I might have a small cancer that had not been detected in my annual NHS health check in May 2018.

Remarkably healthy for 72 was judgment, but 25.7 on glucose test was my red traffic light - and what a red traffic light!!

Had 2 more tests before Christmas - one with private company, one with NHS practice, and was 99 and 96 respectively on a HBa1c test for long term blood sugar level. BMI was 34.3.

On 7th June 2019, HBa1C was 50 and BMI was 29.7.

On 18th Sept 2019, HBa1C was 41 and BMI was 27.9.

Never knew anything about Type 2 diabetes this time last year, except it was very serious and life-changing, and never believed I could lower my finger prick score from 25.7 to about 6.0 in less than 12 months. And it seems to have not just been luck. Tom Watson, a leading politician who has fought and won his battle against diabetes, was my inspiration. And plenty of stories here that confirm a lot of fight and discipline.

 

[Lewis Christian]

Hi Martin
Incredible to get it down from 114 to 41 in 6 months. Brilliant, in fact. It took me 11 months, and thought I held world record until I looked at this site.

Yes, I was put on metmorphin when I had dropped from 100+ last October to 67 in May this year. Large tablet twice a day. I eat a lot of things I like but have always thought were a bit extravagant - like smoked salmon, king prawns, cerello ham, olives, vine tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries, mussels, Morrisons salads (half a small tray per meal). And I would say moderate exercise - 3 or 4 times a week walking about 4 or 5 miles fairly briskly.

Would be interested in what your strict diet and exercise regime is. It seems to be something that we need to do for rest of our lives; bit monotonous, but that is life.

Did you find it easy 1. to find foods you should be eating? 2. to find those foods in shops? Cheers Lewis.

 

[Felinia]

Congratulations on such a turn round. Like you I had felt listless and tired all year, so when my HbA1c came back high this August I was not surprised. I'm just 7 weeks into my journey and will take inspiration from your success.

 

[Lewis Christian]

Thanks Felinia. Was so worried last year as a friend in church (exactly same age as me - born 1946) had diabetes Type 2 in 2013 and never seemed to take it very seriously. Sugar in her hot drinks, always took a biscuit or a piece of cake when offered, no exercise etc. Then she had to go into hospital and have one of her toes amputated, then other bits and pieces, eventually both her legs and she died in a nursing home in June this year. I also remember the famous Merseyside comedian Arthur Askey going the same way latterly.

When I found out I probably had diabetes last October, I was therefore very worried indeed. And extremely determined to find out as much as I could about it and try to get rid of it. I was paying £28 a month for some life insurance, decided to tell life insurance company that I was being treated for diabetes. Diabetes increased my premium from £28 to £73 a month!!!! No idea what all those "osins" and "azides" are, Felinia. But you look quite young and 57 is something you should be able to get down quite quickly with gradual weight loss. Easier said than done, I know, and you need to keep your calorie intake quite high. I set a target of 2kg a month for first 3 months, then 1kg a month for this year and 0.5kg a month for 2020. That should take me from 35 BMI to 25BMI by Dec 2020 ie from verging on very obese to the top of the "normal" range which is 20-25. I am aiming for 23-25, and am now 27.6. I ignore daily weight increases, because every time scales are 1kg more than I expected, they are also 2kg less when I never expected it the following week. Just a lot of perseverance and patience, I think. Clothes are costing me a fortune. Neck was 17 and a half. Shirts were looking silly with a tie, and am now wearing 16" collars. And have had to throw out 8 luxury shirts costing about £50 each and hardly worn. Ah well.

 

[Ditto]

Poor Arthur Askey! I didn't know that. And your friend too.

 

[Felinia]

Thanks Felinia. Was so worried last year as a friend in church (exactly same age as me - born 1946) had diabetes Type 2 in 2013 and never seemed to take it very seriously. Sugar in her hot drinks, always took a biscuit or a piece of cake when offered, no exercise etc. Then she had to go into hospital and have one of her toes amputated, then other bits and pieces, eventually both her legs and she died in a nursing home in June this year. I also remember the famous Merseyside comedian Arthur Askey going the same way latterly.

When I found out I probably had diabetes last October, I was therefore very worried indeed. And extremely determined to find out as much as I could about it and try to get rid of it. I was paying £28 a month for some life insurance, decided to tell life insurance company that I was being treated for diabetes. Diabetes increased my premium from £28 to £73 a month!!!! No idea what all those "osins" and "azides" are, Felinia. But you look quite young and 57 is something you should be able to get down quite quickly with gradual weight loss. Easier said than done, I know, and you need to keep your calorie intake quite high. I set a target of 2kg a month for first 3 months, then 1kg a month for this year and 0.5kg a month for 2020. That should take me from 35 BMI to 25BMI by Dec 2020 ie from verging on very obese to the top of the "normal" range which is 20-25. I am aiming for 23-25, and am now 27.6. I ignore daily weight increases, because every time scales are 1kg more than I expected, they are also 2kg less when I never expected it the following week. Just a lot of perseverance and patience, I think. Clothes are costing me a fortune. Neck was 17 and a half. Shirts were looking silly with a tie, and am now wearing 16" collars. And have had to throw out 8 luxury shirts costing about £50 each and hardly worn. Ah well.

I'm flattered and 69!!! I'm taking it very seriously, as I lost a friend to heart complications just 3 years after her diagnosis, and she followed all the rules. Also my neighbour has had 2 diabetes related heart attacks at 48 and 49. He doesn't look after himself. I have familial high blood pressure, plus Diverticular Disease and a hiatus hernia, hence lots of medication. I too was very obese and aiming to get to normal, but think it will take a couple of years, as I lose weight very slowly, despite sticking to plan. I'm doing Aquafit 2 - 3 times a week, plus have a mini exercise bike. So far though my pre and post meal monitoring is still showing high sugar levels, so I expect I will be put on Metformin at my next review in November. If famous actors like Tom Hanks and Damon Wayans can manage diabetes, so can I!!! Best wishes

 

[Lewis Christian]

These stories are great.
Wish I had known about this site last year. I am sure it is a big help. My inspiration last year was a public figure - Tom Watson, MP. He was 51 at time, weighed about 23 stone and took little exercise. He reversed very high diabetes in a year and also lost 7stone. I followed a lot of his advice - first thing was throw out everything in kitchen with anything other than low sugar content. He was running a lot - probably at night at first as best to do exercise privately when still technically "obese" ie over 30 BMI. I want to get off many of my tablets - main ones Atorvastatin, Ramipril and now Metmorphin. Now I am 41 on HBA1c, BP always about 125/80 now and cholesterol was 3.3 three months ago - hoping nurse will suggest a reduction in all 3. If she doesn't, I think I will start to reduce them myself. And eliminate them in 6-12 months if progress is still good. Good as NHS is here in Wales (just my opinion, of course) I do think doctors love to prescribe drugs.