Type 2 newbie looking for advice

[Carolyndee]

Hi there! It's been less than two weeks since I've been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and about the same timeframe since I started on medication. I've been pre-diabetic for over a year now, my HbA1c was 46 early last year and then 47 in February. I did another test around the middle of May and it was 53. I don't understand how that happened because I made a lot of lifestyle changes including diet and exercise. To be fair, I was already walking everyday and watching what I eat and making sure I get enough rest and try and relax (as I'm also on high blood pressure meds).

Is it normal for if you're making an effort to manage your sugar levels and exercise that your HbA1c and spike like that? I asked my GP if he can do another test just to be sure before putting me on an end-of-life medication and he just kept saying that I was diabetic. I asked him what could have caused that spike when I've been so careful and he didn't have an answer. I was very frustrated but he's the one with the medical licence so I picked up my prescription, picked a time of day when I'll be taking this pill for years to come, and started my journey with it. Sorry, don't mean to sound so depressing but that was how I was feeling.

So questions are... anyone else experienced this spike? If so, do you know what caused it?
And a follow up, if it spiked up, can it drop and maybe there is a possibility I can go back to pre-diabetic? And has anyone who might have gone back to prediabetic been taken off the medication? I'm on 500mg of Metformin, taking it once a day.

I appreciate anything that you can share. But I also wanted to say that I joined this forum today and for the first time, I'm not feeling so lonely in all of this. I hate that you all are going through this and I wish you weren't. But the people and words here have given me the comfort that I was not expecting.

Thank you,
Carolyn

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi there! It's been less than two weeks since I've been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and about the same timeframe since I started on medication. I've been pre-diabetic for over a year now, my HbA1c was 46 early last year and then 47 in February. I did another test around the middle of May and it was 53. I don't understand how that happened because I made a lot of lifestyle changes including diet and exercise. To be fair, I was already walking everyday and watching what I eat and making sure I get enough rest and try and relax (as I'm also on high blood pressure meds).

Is it normal for if you're making an effort to manage your sugar levels and exercise that your HbA1c and spike like that? I asked my GP if he can do another test just to be sure before putting me on an end-of-life medication and he just kept saying that I was diabetic. I asked him what could have caused that spike when I've been so careful and he didn't have an answer. I was very frustrated but he's the one with the medical licence so I picked up my prescription, picked a time of day when I'll be taking this pill for years to come, and started my journey with it. Sorry, don't mean to sound so depressing but that was how I was feeling.

So questions are... anyone else experienced this spike? If so, do you know what caused it?
And a follow up, if it spiked up, can it drop and maybe there is a possibility I can go back to pre-diabetic? And has anyone who might have gone back to prediabetic been taken off the medication? I'm on 500mg of Metformin, taking it once a day.

I appreciate anything that you can share. But I also wanted to say that I joined this forum today and for the first time, I'm not feeling so lonely in all of this. I hate that you all are going through this and I wish you weren't. But the people and words here have given me the comfort that I was not expecting.

Thank you,
Carolyn

Welcome to the forum.
It must be very disappointing to see an increase in HbA1C especially if you feel you have been doing all the right things.
A few things can cause increase in blood glucose but being unwell, having an infection, a slight change in lifestyle can have an impact but don't get too disheartened as the increase was not huge and will be very possible to get it back down again, you have the help of a low dose of metformin but it will be worth examining your diet. Many people feel they eat healthily but if your body struggles with carbohydrates then you may be having too much for you to cope with. Many do manage to reduce their HbA1C with no medication from where you are by adopting a low carbohydrate regime though some have had success with very low calorie or shakes based regime.
However adopting a way that is enjoyable and sustainable will mean it can become a new way of eating for life and it doesn't need to be austere as there are plenty of foods you can eat.
Have a look at this link as it might give you some ideas for modifying your diet, https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
See how it compares to what you are doing now.
Portion control can be as important as what you actually eat so having some scales to weigh your portions until you get familiar with what a portion looks like can help.
Keeping a food diary of everything you eat and drink with an estimate of the carbs will give you an idea of your starting point. It is suggested that a good starting point for reducing carbs is no more than 130g per day as 130g or less is considered low carb.
Sorry for the ramble but I hope it helps. Take one day at a time and make changes gradually.
Many find a blood glucose monitor helps to identify foods and meals they can tolerate well and those which are best avoided.

 

[Vonny]

Hi @Carolyndee and welcome from me also 🙂
Good advice from @Leadinglights there. What constitutes a healthy diet doesn't necessarily follow for diabetics. Besides giving up carbs I also gave up much of the fruit I used to eat, bananas in particular. For diabetics, berries are the best choice so I now have strawberries with chopped nuts and double cream. Not what I'd have classed as healthy prior to diabetes!
Yes, there are people on this forum who have come off metformin. I keep taking one a day because the nurse told me if offers some protection for the heart as well. My hba1c has been in the top 30s for around 3 years now, so it's definitely a choice thing and I could come off it if I wanted to.
Very best of luck to you x

 

[Drummer]

Metformin caused very violent upsets for me - some take it no trouble, but it was a dreadful few weeks and combined with Atorvastatin - I was losing the will to live so I threw them away.
I rely on low carb.
My HbA1c was 91 at diagnosis and 41 after 6 months. It is really effective. It was also a doddle, I lost loads of weight got back my energy and enthusiasm, my thyroid rose from the dead.

 

[Carolyndee]

Welcome to the forum.
It must be very disappointing to see an increase in HbA1C especially if you feel you have been doing all the right things.
A few things can cause increase in blood glucose but being unwell, having an infection, a slight change in lifestyle can have an impact but don't get too disheartened as the increase was not huge and will be very possible to get it back down again, you have the help of a low dose of metformin but it will be worth examining your diet. Many people feel they eat healthily but if your body struggles with carbohydrates then you may be having too much for you to cope with. Many do manage to reduce their HbA1C with no medication from where you are by adopting a low carbohydrate regime though some have had success with very low calorie or shakes based regime.
However adopting a way that is enjoyable and sustainable will mean it can become a new way of eating for life and it doesn't need to be austere as there are plenty of foods you can eat.
Have a look at this link as it might give you some ideas for modifying your diet, https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
See how it compares to what you are doing now.
Portion control can be as important as what you actually eat so having some scales to weigh your portions until you get familiar with what a portion looks like can help.
Keeping a food diary of everything you eat and drink with an estimate of the carbs will give you an idea of your starting point. It is suggested that a good starting point for reducing carbs is no more than 130g per day as 130g or less is considered low carb.
Sorry for the ramble but I hope it helps. Take one day at a time and make changes gradually.
Many find a blood glucose monitor helps to identify foods and meals they can tolerate well and those which are best avoided.

Thank you so much! This is super helpful. Yes, I did have the flu just before I went for the blood test, I was actually worried they they would send me away for having 'Covid symptoms' - guess I should have waited

Yes, I've heard that cutting down on carbs helps and I've done just that and added plenty of the right veggies to my diet since over a year ago when I had the 46 reading. Luckily for me, I don't like sweet things and my taste is pretty basic and aside from yogurt, I don't like anything dairy 🙂 . My kryptonite though is rice! So now I mix brown and white basmati rice but also have more protein rather than rice for my meals.

I was thinking about a glucose monitor but I suppose I need to have my last reading (the doctor did not share and said he only had the HbA1c reading) to have something to compare it to. I'm going to have to insist on them checking the next time I get a blood test - and sharing the result with me.

 

[Carolyndee]

Metformin caused very violent upsets for me - some take it no trouble, but it was a dreadful few weeks and combined with Atorvastatin - I was losing the will to live so I threw them away.
I rely on low carb.
My HbA1c was 91 at diagnosis and 41 after 6 months. It is really effective. It was also a doddle, I lost loads of weight got back my energy and enthusiasm, my thyroid rose from the dead.

Oh wow, that's amazing! Aside from feeling really tired and sleepy all the time and more than the usual toilet breaks, I'm not too bad. I saw that the Atorvastatin is in my prescriptions on my GP app but it's not actually been prescribed so I'm not on it. I did read up on it and it's mostly taken for high cholesterol and my levels are fine - so I was wondering about that. Sorry you had a bad time with the pills and well done on managing your condition so well and achieving great results - giving newbies like me lots of much needed hope. I'm going to cut down even more on my carbs now. Most of my carbs comes from rice and noodles - but I've always preferred more protein so bringing the ratio right down will hopefully work for me.

Thanks so much!! 🙂

 

[Deb_l]

Lots of very good information already shared but I wanted to add my thoughts. Like you, I LOVE rice and used to have it with nearly every meal (or pasta). It was only when I was diagnosed and I started to test my blood glucose before and after every meal that I realised rice was my nemesis and definitely not my friend. Pasta wasn't much better sadly.

I haven't eaten either since but the only way you can see how much your body can tolerate is to get yourself a finger prick monitor and test how much rice (and other foods) raise your BG levels. It's already been said - you may think you're eating a healthy diet but it may not be healthy for you.

 

[Leadinglights]

Thank you so much! This is super helpful. Yes, I did have the flu just before I went for the blood test, I was actually worried they they would send me away for having 'Covid symptoms' - guess I should have waited

Yes, I've heard that cutting down on carbs helps and I've done just that and added plenty of the right veggies to my diet since over a year ago when I had the 46 reading. Luckily for me, I don't like sweet things and my taste is pretty basic and aside from yogurt, I don't like anything dairy 🙂 . My kryptonite though is rice! So now I mix brown and white basmati rice but also have more protein rather than rice for my meals.

I was thinking about a glucose monitor but I suppose I need to have my last reading (the doctor did not share and said he only had the HbA1c reading) to have something to compare it to. I'm going to have to insist on them checking the next time I get a blood test - and sharing the result with me.

I don't really think it matters about having a finger prick reading from before as that is just a moment in time and will vary anyway throughout the day and night and depends on a number of factors but mostly what and how long ago you ate.
The value of a monitor is you can test your meals and both find what you are able to tolerate and what is best avoided or only had in small portions.
The GlucoNavii, TEE2 and Contour Blue are ones with the cheaper test strips and can be bought on line, generally cheaper than at the pharmacy.

 

[Carolyndee]

I don't really think it matters about having a finger prick reading from before as that is just a moment in time and will vary anyway throughout the day and night and depends on a number of factors but mostly what and how long ago you ate.
The value of a monitor is you can test your meals and both find what you are able to tolerate and what is best avoided or only had in small portions.
The GlucoNavii, TEE2 and Contour Blue are ones with the cheaper test strips and can be bought on line, generally cheaper than at the pharmacy.

Thanks so much! This is really helpful to know.

 

[Dave_Z1a]

Re examine what you are eating, rice or anything made with it in the form of rice flour, eg prawn crackers is a complete disaster for me and many others I assume, white or brown it makes no difference so substitute with cauliflower 'rice' instead?

 

[Drummer]

Oh wow, that's amazing! Aside from feeling really tired and sleepy all the time and more than the usual toilet breaks, I'm not too bad. I saw that the Atorvastatin is in my prescriptions on my GP app but it's not actually been prescribed so I'm not on it. I did read up on it and it's mostly taken for high cholesterol and my levels are fine - so I was wondering about that. Sorry you had a bad time with the pills and well done on managing your condition so well and achieving great results - giving newbies like me lots of much needed hope. I'm going to cut down even more on my carbs now. Most of my carbs comes from rice and noodles - but I've always preferred more protein so bringing the ratio right down will hopefully work for me.

Thanks so much!! 🙂

I used chopped cauliflower instead of rice - if it is particularly strong tasting once taken out of the water or steamer I boil the kettle and use the hot water to cook it for a few minutes longer as that seems to remove the taste, but mostly the smell.
Spiral cut courgette or egg and water 'pancakes' rolled up and cut into strips substitute for noodles quite well.
It is almost 8 years since diagnosis now, but I still feel thankful that I could just negate the diabetes so easily. I understand why people get a bit narked by my advising low carb - I'm so insufferably cheerful as well. I might well qualify as a wicked old grandma before too long.

 

[Carolyndee]

I used chopped cauliflower instead of rice - if it is particularly strong tasting once taken out of the water or steamer I boil the kettle and use the hot water to cook it for a few minutes longer as that seems to remove the taste, but mostly the smell.
Spiral cut courgette or egg and water 'pancakes' rolled up and cut into strips substitute for noodles quite well.
It is almost 8 years since diagnosis now, but I still feel thankful that I could just negate the diabetes so easily. I understand why people get a bit narked by my advising low carb - I'm so insufferably cheerful as well. I might well qualify as a wicked old grandma before too long.

That's a great idea and I love veggies. Love them more than fruit and I'm not fussed about the smell or taste of cauliflower. I just need to find a more economical and less time consuming way to prepare it. Great idea about the courgettes too so I think I'm going to invest in a food processer. Cabbage is another veg I really love and can never eat too much of it. Won't be like cauliflower rice but maybe I can start a new fad, hehe.

Thanks so much! And also, well done in being in remission for a few years now. Gives me hope x

 

[Drummer]

That's a great idea and I love veggies. Love them more than fruit and I'm not fussed about the smell or taste of cauliflower. I just need to find a more economical and less time consuming way to prepare it. Great idea about the courgettes too so I think I'm going to invest in a food processer. Cabbage is another veg I really love and can never eat too much of it. Won't be like cauliflower rice but maybe I can start a new fad, hehe.

Thanks so much! And also, well done in being in remission for a few years now. Gives me hope x

I invested in a Bamix with accessories, which is really useful in the kitchen.
I have a couple of pressure cookers - they have lowered the energy costs for cooking quite significantly over the last winter. One is usually in the fridge (not always the same one) holding stock for soups and casseroles, the other one will be used to cook with water. I have the perforated baskets and plate, and a trivet to keep things separated.

 

[Leadinglights]

I have a Bosch mini chopper which I use for lots of things, coleslaw, cauliflower, veg for soups, things like tuna and mackerel pate, chopping herbs. Easy to wash up and small enough to keep out so ready when needed.