Think I'm a diabetic fraud!

[S-L& trumpet]

Hi all and thanks for letting me join.

My doctor diagnosed me as diabetic (type 2) just over a year ago when he was doing blood tests for other things (high blood pressure, water retention, restless leg syndrome). The score he gave me bears no relationship with results given by other people. He said 48 was the cut off point of being pre-diabetic and diabetic and I was 49 so only just classed as diabetic and no medication was needed. My annual check month ago was 50 so still no medication necessary.

Initially my cholesterol was just over 7 but after a year of stations it's now 4.6 and my blood pressure and water retention are well under control with medication.

I know my main problems are being overweight (17.5 stone, 5'6" female) and lack of exercise (just changed station as my back has been in excruciating pain on the old ones, hence not wanting to move much) - hopefully, this will now improve.

I feel a bit of a diabetic fraud because I don't feel ill, don't take medication and am generally healthy, apart from the weight and can't get motivated to change anything. I think if I was having to test blood sugar levels and take tablets it would be more real but I'm burying my head at the moment.

Will watch the forum with interest to see how everyone else with mild symptoms deals with it.

 

[grovesy]

Not every one has symptoms, I have been at this for nearly 20 years and I don't have symptoms. My last HBA1C was 53 and I am on 2 differnt medications.

 

[Leadinglights]

You would be surprised that many people report not having symptoms even though their HbA1C is over 100mmol/mol so at the level you are, symptoms may not be apparent but maybe in hindsight when you have got your level down, the penny might drop and some things you have dismissed may actually be a symptom.
Lowering your carbohydrate intake will both help with weight loss and getting your blood glucose down without medication as you are only just over the threshold but it still needs to be taken seriously.
Check this link for ideas for modifying your diet. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/

 

[Gwynn]

Interesting. I was definitely diabetic at diagnosis with an HbA1c of 150 and every diabetic symptom possible.

Now, a year and a half later, no meds, huge weight loss, lots of exercise, great low carb diet....no symptoms, BG rock solid in range, blood pressure rock solid in range, so, am I a fraud too? I think not.

A diabetic diagnosis is for life, not just for Christmas (?)

At diagnosis I couldn't exercise at all being overweight and underfit. Now I exercise, walking, at least an hour a day...and its fun, easy, relaxing (oddly). Interesting recent NHS advice sent out recently that people with arthritis should exercise more not less. I wonder if that is a general finding for not being able to exercise...

However, well done you on getting everything back in control.

 

[Leadinglights]

Interesting. I was definitely diabetic at diagnosis with an HbA1c of 150 and every diabetic symptom possible.

Now, a year and a half later, no meds, huge weight loss, lots of exercise, great low carb diet....no symptoms, BG rock solid in range, blood pressure rock solid in range, so, am I a fraud too? I think not.

A diabetic diagnosis is for life, not just for Christmas (?)

At diagnosis I couldn't exercise at all being overweight and underfit. Now I exercise, walking, at least an hour a day...and its fun, easy, relaxing (oddly). Interesting recent NHS advice sent out recently that people with arthritis should exercise more not less. I wonder if that is a general finding for not being able to exercise...

However, well done you on getting everything back in control.

I had access to a sports therapy clinic after my knee surgery and they were saying than even for quite severe injuries the treatment is now exercise and more exercise whereas years ago it would be resting up for months.
The advice from them was to push yourself to the limit but not beyond and every time the limit will be that bit further.
I know these elite athletes have access to all sorts of therapies that most people don't.

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

Hi S-L& trumpet, welcome to the forum. 🙂

It's great that you have no symptoms as managing your health can be challenging enough! Some doctors choose not to medicate when the numbers are relatively low as consistent lifestyle changes should be enough to get your numbers back in the non-diabetic range.

I know what you mean re it feeling more real if you have things to do but you're in a great position whereby you've got a warning before things get as bad as they could (some people experience side effects with medication) so it's worth taking advantage of that.

Something like exercising in water can really help. Reducing carbs and sugar is also helpful, doesn't need to be radical but just consistent. We've got a really good thread about what people eat in a day so it's worth having a look https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/what-did-you-eat-yesterday.30349/.

Feel free to ask as many questions as you have an let us know if we can help in any way.