Wanted to say thanks

[Carolyndee]

I feel like it's been a rollercoaster ride of emotions - mostly fear, uncertainty and frustration. Click here for my first post in May when I was diagnosed as T2 diabetic. And then when I was diagnosed as having Retinopathy earlier in September I made another post here.

It's hard to believe that it's only been four months - it feels like years since I was diagnosed. But this forum has offered me hope, faith, care and understanding and I can't thank you enough. I must have read over a hundred posts and comments - on top of mine - and followed a lot of the great guidance that was shared.

I was also lucky to speak to another doctor at the surgery who allowed me to control my diabetes through exercise and diet. Since May I've been walking 50k steps a week and I've seriously cut down on carbs. When my HbA1c was 49 in June (from 53 in May) he was confident that I'm doing all the right things to manage my diabetes. On Friday was the dreaded three months on and test to see how I'm doing and I got my result today. My HbA1C has gone down to 43. I am so relieved.

I'm sharing this post for two reasons. One is to thank everyone on here for doing what they do because it really helps. Your experience and guidance is priceless and to share that is truly a gift. The second is to say that there is hope. I know that 43 is still in the pre-diabetic range but I feel more confident that I'm not going to let this beat me - at least for as l can. If I read this exact post a few months ago, it would have given me hope and helped me feel better and not at a complete loss. I hope this does the same for at least one other person.

 

[Martin.A]

That's great progress so clearly what you're doing is working, and well done the GP who could see the merit in the diet & exercise route. Some GPs are just a little too trigger-happy when it comes to dishing out pills. If your next HbA1c is also below 48 then that's considered to be remission under the current definition. Based on what you've achieved so far I'd put money on you managing it, too.

Thanks for sharing - it's always good to read someone's success story.

 

[silver minion]

What a lovely, thoughtful and positive post to share on the forum.

 

[BobbleHat]

I feel like it's been a rollercoaster ride of emotions - mostly fear, uncertainty and frustration. Click here for my first post in May when I was diagnosed as T2 diabetic. And then when I was diagnosed as having Retinopathy earlier in September I made another post here.

It's hard to believe that it's only been four months - it feels like years since I was diagnosed. But this forum has offered me hope, faith, care and understanding and I can't thank you enough. I must have read over a hundred posts and comments - on top of mine - and followed a lot of the great guidance that was shared.

I was also lucky to speak to another doctor at the surgery who allowed me to control my diabetes through exercise and diet. Since May I've been walking 50k steps a week and I've seriously cut down on carbs. When my HbA1c was 49 in June (from 53 in May) he was confident that I'm doing all the right things to manage my diabetes. On Friday was the dreaded three months on and test to see how I'm doing and I got my result today. My HbA1C has gone down to 43. I am so relieved.

I'm sharing this post for two reasons. One is to thank everyone on here for doing what they do because it really helps. Your experience and guidance is priceless and to share that is truly a gift. The second is to say that there is hope. I know that 43 is still in the pre-diabetic range but I feel more confident that I'm not going to let this beat me - at least for as l can. If I read this exact post a few months ago, it would have given me hope and helped me feel better and not at a complete loss. I hope this does the same for at least one other person.

I'm that person! Thank you. Diagnosed in July, hba1c 52. Cutting carbs, losing weight and hoping I can be in the pre-diabetic range in November at re-test.
You've done brilliantly and it's inspiring to read.

 

[Carolyndee]

That's great progress so clearly what you're doing is working, and well done the GP who could see the merit in the diet & exercise route. Some GPs are just a little too trigger-happy when it comes to dishing out pills. If your next HbA1c is also below 48 then that's considered to be remission under the current definition. Based on what you've achieved so far I'd put money on you managing it, too.

Thanks for sharing - it's always good to read someone's success story.

Thanks Martin 🙂 and don't I know it! The first doctor put me on pills immediately and I was on Metformin for exactly three weeks (mid May to first week of June) and was asked to stop by the second doctor saying that I need to have two consecutive tests where my levels are diabetic and arranged for the second test. Funny because I was speaking to him about a separate medical issue! Shows that some doctors really care about their patients and the best treatment plans for them. If it weren't for him, I'd be taking Metformin for a year before being tested again - which was the treatment plan from the first doctor.

 

[Carolyndee]

I'm that person! Thank you. Diagnosed in July, hba1c 52. Cutting carbs, losing weight and hoping I can be in the pre-diabetic range in November at re-test.
You've done brilliantly and it's inspiring to read.

Sounds like you're doing everything that I'm doing. I feel really confident that you'll drop to pre-diabetic range in your next test. I have fingers, toes and everything crossed for you 🙂

 

[Martin.A]

Shows that some doctors really care about their patients and the best treatment plans for them. If it weren't for him, I'd be taking Metformin for a year before being tested again - which was the treatment plan from the first doctor.

And this is despite NICE guidelines saying that HCPs should "adopt an individualised approach to diabetes care that is tailored to their needs and circumstances........ taking into account their personal preferences....."

 

[rebrascora]

Many congratulations and I am so pleased that the forum gave you the comfort, advice and support to enable you to do the hard work necessary to achieve that result. So wonderful that you want to share that result to help support and inspire others, which is of course how the forum works, by paying it forward.
Delighted to read of your success!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thanks so much for sharing your story @Carolyndee - I’m sure people will find that very encouraging and inspiring.

And thanks so much for your kind words about the forum too.

One of my favourite things about the forum is seeing people arrive overwhelmed and absolutely floored by their diagnosis, then beginning to help others by sharing their own experiences.

Well done on your terrific progress!

 

[SB2015]

Well done @Carolyndee and thank you for such lovely feedback about the forum.

 

[Flower]

Congratulations @Carolyndee on your great progress. So good you’ve found the forum so supportive & helpful.

 

[Pidgeonpost]

Thanks Martin 🙂 and don't I know it! The first doctor put me on pills immediately and I was on Metformin for exactly three weeks (mid May to first week of June) and was asked to stop by the second doctor saying that I need to have two consecutive tests where my levels are diabetic and arranged for the second test. Funny because I was speaking to him about a separate medical issue! Shows that some doctors really care about their patients and the best treatment plans for them. If it weren't for him, I'd be taking Metformin for a year before being tested again - which was the treatment plan from the first doctor.

That's great progress, well done! I was pinged with Hba1c 43 two years ago, but managed to drop a couple of points. Latest test a couple of weeks ago and I'm now on the cliff edge at 46.
Regarding trigger-happy prescribing, my Diabetes nurse is urging me to consider taking statins though they seem to be trying to push a lot of people down that route.

 

[Inka]

Well done @Carolyndee 🙂 And I’m pleased you’re feeling more confident.

 

[Carolyndee]

That's great progress, well done! I was pinged with Hba1c 43 two years ago, but managed to drop a couple of points. Latest test a couple of weeks ago and I'm now on the cliff edge at 46.
Regarding trigger-happy prescribing, my Diabetes nurse is urging me to consider taking statins though they seem to be trying to push a lot of people down that route.

I hope that your levels drop or at least don't go any higher. Any thoughts on why it's gone up? There are several people I've read about here who've had stable readings for years so don't give up hope. I've seen that push too - I know someone who's been put on statins and he's not diabetic nor does he have high cholesterol. The clinic said that it's precautionary or preventative - something like that. Very strange.