I was actually diagnosed last year but not prescribed meds as I was still fairly low. I’m so cross with myself for not taking it more seriously then, as my blood sugars have shot up and I’ve felt poorly & had problems with blurred vision. I’m taking Metformin now and following a much lower carb diet. The meds make me feel nauseous so I’m hoping that a combination of good diet, exercise & weight loss will help me to manage eventually without them. I’m really glad to be on here, there’s so much conflicting info on the internet!
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Type 2 & cross with myself!
- Thread starter JaneyCC
- Start date
- Status
Hi, I ignored a doctors warning of pre-diabetes and ended being diagnosed a couple of months ago with a HbA1c of 81, so I can empathise with you. I have been changing my diet and hoping that the results of my blood test today will reveal an encouraging improvement, as my finger prick readings have in the main. I found the metformin made me nauseous if I forgot to take it with my meal. I followed some advice on this forum and now take it mid meal which does help. Anyway, I think the only way to go is to start from today and move onwards as yesterday is now history and we cannot change what is done. There is a lot of good advice on here from people who have been in the same boat. I enjoy reading the positive success stories as well as support for those that are struggling.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Do have a look around the forum as there is lots of advise about different ways to reduce blood glucose and you may find that there is a regime that will suit you.
Your vision should improve once you get your blood glucose level down. The metformin will help but it will be dietary changes that have the greatest impact.
If you are looking for a low carb approach then you may find this link will give you some ideas for modifying your diet. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Lilsis
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Like @Lurcher67 I didn't head Dr's advice when I was pre-diabetic and ended up T2.
Low carb eating and getting back into exercise has helped me get back into pre-diabetic range.. It's doable and as @Leadinsaid, there's lots of information and ideas on the forum aswell as the main site. Good luck.
Low carb eating and getting back into exercise has helped me get back into pre-diabetic range.. It's doable and as @Leadinsaid, there's lots of information and ideas on the forum aswell as the main site. Good luck.
Thank you, I’ll have a look at the link
Thank you for the tip re the meds. I’ll definitely give that a try
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Welcome to the forum @JaneyCC
Try not to be too hard on yourself. You can’t change the past, and berating yourself can be pretty demotivating.
Much better to focus on the positive changes you are now making. Hope the nausea settles soon, and you are able to find a balance between meds and menu that works for you. And perhaps allows you to move towards reducing meds if that is possible for you. (though as a T1 ‘no meds! isn’t really an option or something to aim at for me!)
Hi there your link certainly rang true wiith me. T2 and my vision has suffered over time mainly because i have been unable or unwilling to control my blood sugar. Its way too high and i desperately need help controlling it. My GP has referred me to a local Diabetic clinic so i hope that pushes me in right direction.I am told my vision will improve if i do. I have been having injections to improve macular degeneration.Anyone else had experience of this?
Thanks for your reply and I hope the clinic helps you with your desire to get your sugars down. Changing eating habits (if that’s what you need to do) is such a tough thing to do. Food is my great pleasure and my crutch, sadly particularly carbs but I think this has given me the kick up the proverbial I needed. Good luck with your challenges.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Sorry to hear about your macular degeneration @Berksps
From reading the experiences of others, it seems it can be kinder on the eyes to improve elevated BG levels fairly gradually. It might be worth asking your Dr about their recommendations depending on your starting point. Some eye problems (including retinopathy) can be triggered or worsened in some people, if high BGs drop rapidly - even though those lower levels ultimately provide a lower risk of development / progress of complications over the longer term.
There are other forum threads which mention ’macular’ (degeneration or odema) are listed here
rebrascora
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
This post makes me feel rather uncomfortable and I have seen quite a few similar ones from DUK staff recently which almost seem to be luring people away from the forum and the very varied and practical advice it offers.... towards the DUK Helpline and main site and the DUK dietary guidance, which is, I believe, still too closely linked to the NHS Eatwell Plate and which many of us feel is not overly helpful to Type 2 diabetics.
The merits of the various approaches here on the forum are tried and tested by people living with diabetes and openly debated, whereas any advice given over the helpline is private and not able to be challenged by people who have knowledge and experience. I am not saying that the helpline staff are not knowledgeable but I do have concerns about the dietary advice people may be offered through this means, in the same way as I have serious misgivings about the NHS dietary advice.
Whilst I really appreciate DUK hosting this forum which to my mind, is probably a world leading resource, I am concerned that it is becoming a little too involved in promoting itself through the forum and potentially reducing the options of someone coming here for peer support which is of course what fora are all about. Feel free to offer DUK dietary advice through the forum where is can perhaps be rebutted by those of us who feel it may not be as helpful as it might be, but don't draw people away from the forum to give them private advice. That just seems wrong. None of us know what is right for any one individual. The benefit of the forum is that people can come here and read about a multitude of experiences and approaches and find one that resonates with them and if it doesn't work they can come back to the forum for ideas about how to make it work better or what else to try.
I may be speaking out of turn here but I really felt that I had to say something because the above response made me feel uncomfortable and seemed to me to overstep the mark and compromise the forum's independence.
silentsquirrel
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Well said, I agree with every word!
PattiEvans
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I totally agree with @rebrascora. The whole idea of forums is to offer support from people who themselves understand the daily difficulties. Too much overlooking by DUK staff does feel somewhat oppressive.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- At risk of diabetes
Hello everyone,
I want to highlight that we are all here (DUK staff, volunteers, and community members) to support everyone on their diabetes journey; either by phone/peer support/email/social media. Please be respectful to not only community members, but to staff as well.
I want to highlight that we are all here (DUK staff, volunteers, and community members) to support everyone on their diabetes journey; either by phone/peer support/email/social media. Please be respectful to not only community members, but to staff as well.
Lucyr
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
I agree with this but I did have a query on another thread (can’t remember where now) where a staff member said to a poster that they’d be happy to give any advice the poster needed.
Could you clarify if there’s a difference we should respect between staff and members in terms of giving advice? I.E are staff medically trained and able to give advice whilst members should be careful only to give their own experience and be clear that they are not giving advice.
I don’t say this to criticise just to understand any relevant difference in positions.
weeelephant
Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hello Jenny , I hear you. I’ve been feeling the shame too but there’s really no point. It’s what we do next that matters. Glad you’re here and looking forward to seeing you find your way.
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