• Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
  • We seem to be having technical difficulties with new user accounts. If you are trying to register please check your Spam or Junk folder for your confirmation email. If you still haven't received a confirmation email, please reach out to our support inbox: support.forum@diabetes.org.uk

Type 2 Struggling

skippyinspace

skippyinspace

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Just had a diabetic consulatation due to visiting my GP as I was constantly feeling exhausted, wieght gain, lack of concentration, constantly eating / feeling hungry etc.

So was sent for a blood test, came back with low B12. Blood sugar increased to 58.

So have started B12 loading dosses and was sent for a diabetic review, Basicly a lecture of dont eat junk food, (As if I didnt allready know that) Will power has gone due to the lack of energy. Been given some tablets today that start with M and as my annual review is due in August made an apointment for that.

Im exhausted, Im constantly hungry, I made huge inroads 3 years back but like every time Ive lost weight it has taken huge effort (Ie hours of cardio work a week) Cutting certain things out of diets that creep back in. The cycle is endless and it now triggering my depression which makes things more and more frustraiting.

Dont actually know what Im looking for here.
 
Welcome to the forum. It sounds as if you know what you need to do but haven't yet found a sustainable way of eating which is enjoyable as you are finding you are hungry. This is often because the standard NHS advice is still promoting low fat but when you reduce carb intake then you need energy from somewhere and that is protein and healthy fats.
Yes cutting out the junk food but sadly there are other foods which for those who are not diabetic are fine but not good options if someone struggles to cope with carbs.
The medication you have been prescribed sounds like it is Metformin which helps the body use the insulin it produces more effectively and reduces the release of glucose from the liver.
Many find a low carb approach successful and doesn't leave them hungry and this link may help you with some ideas as there are meal plans, some do's and don'ts. It is based on a suggested no more than 130g carbs not just sugar. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
 
Hi @skippyinspace and a very warm welcome from me too 🙂 . It must be awful feeling exhausted and tired all of the time but hopefully you will find a diet that can be maintained, enjoyable to eat and keep you fuller for longer. With any luck when you see any improvements even small ones you'll start to feel a bit more motivated. You may find this useful to get an idea of carb content in foods Carbs & Cals | Dieting & Calorie Counting Books & App. Keep us updated...
 
I was diagnosed last year and realised with cutting out rubbish I was losing 2lbs a week. Effectively I ate more protein and good fat. Some people do keto but mine is around 130 gms. I ironically I have eaten loads of carbs today including lentil soup with two slices granary bread, 2 chocolate choux buns - I needed a sugar hit and they were less carbs than chocolate eclairs. I've just eaten a falafel side salad with sweet potatoes. I think the reasons are two fold. I went to a course that said you should have carbs at each meal, and I was ill last week. I didn't eat over the weekend and was also told my iron was low. I'm now on iron tablets. I have spent last ten days trying to build up my appetite. Fortunately my B12 was OK. It can lower with metformin use.
The freshwell site apps good.
I think you should start by writing down what you are actually eating. Decide which carbs you want to reduce portion size of or replace.
l go to an aquafit class which gives me joy. A brisk walk after your meal in summer is good too. Ten minutes will help.
My favourite meal is full fat Greek yoghurt with berries and nuts or seeds for breakfast. I have an occasional fry up or omlette.
This nhs site has loads of info plus links on left handside to interesting websites.

 
skippyinspace said:
Just had a diabetic consulatation due to visiting my GP as I was constantly feeling exhausted, wieght gain, lack of concentration, constantly eating / feeling hungry etc.

So was sent for a blood test, came back with low B12. Blood sugar increased to 58.

So have started B12 loading dosses and was sent for a diabetic review, Basicly a lecture of dont eat junk food, (As if I didnt allready know that) Will power has gone due to the lack of energy. Been given some tablets today that start with M and as my annual review is due in August made an apointment for that.

Im exhausted, Im constantly hungry, I made huge inroads 3 years back but like every time Ive lost weight it has taken huge effort (Ie hours of cardio work a week) Cutting certain things out of diets that creep back in. The cycle is endless and it now triggering my depression which makes things more and more frustraiting.

Dont actually know what Im looking for here.
Click to expand...
If you are on Metformin and feeling depressed to start with do be aware that a rare side effect is depression - I was suicidal after 5 weeks on just one tablet a day - if your mood worsens, do go back to your GP - it might be more common that reported, as I found that none of the problems I had were noted down in my files let alone reported on.
I need to eat a low carb diet to maintain low blood glucose levels but I do not try to lose weight as it seems that eating a low calorie low fat diet is detrimental to my well being - and always has been.
My weight has decreased significantly since diagnosis, but returning to normal numbers was my aim. The weight loss just happened, and my waist measurement shrank down very significantly whilst I ate meat, fish, eggs, cheese, full fat dairy, salad and berries, plus I drank coffee with cream. Eating this way for almost 9 years now controls my blood glucose but necessitates new clothes at least once a year.
I eat twice a day at most, as I am never hungry - probably due to the highly nutritious quality of the foods I eat.
 
Hi, I'm new here too, a T2 and struggling. I feel for you and know how you feel.
I have gone down the Freshwell route and I am constantly reading carb contents on food packets. Try chaffles on the Freshwell app, they are scrummy!
 
Welcome to the forum @skippyinspace

Sorry to hear how you’ve been feeling. Hopefully the Vit B12 boost will help lift your fatigue, and you’ll get a bit of oomph back.

Hope you are able to make some tweaks to your menu to reduce your feelings of hunger (more protein, good fats, and more stable BGs seem to help with this)

Great to know you’ve had success in the past. Hopefully this time you’ll be able to find a slightly easier management approach that doesn’t feel like so much of a slog, and is easier to maintain long-term?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top