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What improvements have you seen?

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Gwynn

Gwynn

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Just looking across the dimly lit lounge early this morning it suddenly struck me that I could see the clock digits on the other side of the room clearly. This is a big issue for me as my eyesight has got worse and worse. Very blurry. But this morning, I noticed that everything is so much clearer. Looking back, this last month my eyesight has gradually improved.

It got me thinking....what other improvements have I seen but not really 'noticed' since I took control of my meds, diet and exercise, and my BG has come under better control?

Obviously I have lost some weight but along side that I have lost the constant pain I used to have when walking or when just moving about.

I am not breathless anymore, and have heaps more energy. Going out for a walk is a pleasure. Going up/down the stairs is no more like tackling Everest without oxygen.

What has surprised me is that not only do I feel better but generally my mood is more positive and more stable. Thats a hard one to notice as I have always been quite positive and reasonably stable.

The nastier diabetic symptoms have all gone too (and I seemed to have pretty much all that are listed). ALL!

I can speak clearly again. When I was diagnosed I sounded like I was very drunk!
And I can balance again. I couldn't before. My wife thought that I was permanently drunk!!!

The headaches have completely gone too.

I hated going out shopping because of the pain, now I enjoy it more (hard to say that I fully enjoy it as I am not keen on supermarkets)

I thought that I might start craving sweet things and food in general, but I don't. That really helps.

So, I thought maybe a thread where people can shout what has gone well for them and any improvements, might be a good idea..... even small incremental improvements, anything positive and encouraging....
 
I can see again but waisted £160 on new glasses to avoid admitting something was wrong.

Weight is dropping at a steady pace

My mood is better

Treadmill is happy & loved again

Willy is coming back to life

Food is now tasty but used for fuel not mood lifting

My son has juice in the cupboard

I've saved Sothern water £'s by not flushing the loo due to constant weeing

Sleep is very good and deep

Look forward to the day rather than dread

Most important, found this forum
 
No pain in hips when trying to climb stairs

No more cracks at the side of my mouth

I've gained weight and look healthier for it
xx
 
Yes, lots of benefits here too.
First and foremost, I've not had a migraine in 2 years since diagnosis and cutting carbs and they were a roughly once monthly occurrence where I lost at least half a day of my life, without considering the actual pain itself. I had suffered them for 20+ years so that is a huge revelation!
Lost weight (about 2st) and now down to the size and shape I was 30 years ago which feels great, physically and mentally.
Joint pain is almost none existent and it was making life hard work pre diagnosis.
Fitter and healthier than I have been for maybe 30 years.
Interesting one..... my teeth are stronger.... I used to be constantly chipping my teeth and now despite eating pork scratchings far more often than I should 🙄, and other really crunchy foods, my teeth don't chip anymore and I don't get any discomfort when I chew on really hard stuff like I used to.
Sleeping soundly, right through the night (unless I wake up hypo or am concerned I might be hypo) without any pit stops. Sound sleep is bliss and really sets you up for the day physically and mentally.

Sadly my eyesight has not improved and seems to be quite variable one day to the next. Distance is pretty good but for reading, some days I can manage without glasses but most days I need them. I think this is probably more to do with age than diabetes but I had hoped it might improve as BG levels improved.
 
Good points, yes I forgot that my food now has real taste, which is good, and natural sweetness which I never noticed before.

I have always slept well, so no change there as far as I can tell.

I think this forum and the support and advice freely given has been a real help.
 
Good idea @Gwynn ! I wasn't aware of any symptoms pre diagnosis but reducing carbs has resulted in a weight loss of almost 3.5 stone (ongoing) & the health benefits that brings especially with a much improved diet. Daily exercise means I can walk faster & for longer distances. I have more energy and am much healthier overall.
 
Eyesight. Prior to diagnosis it was starting to worry me if I’m honest. I’ve worn glasses since I was a kid so just thought it was one of those aging things but bringing BG down has helped considerably.
Another thing which has gone is the horrible dizzy spells which were almost like mini seizures. I had to hold on to something for dear life or sit down on the floor no matter where I was to not fall over.
Again I put those down to just being one of those things. Now I know that there’s a very close correlation between carb intake and that feeling. The proof being that the few times I’ve caved and wolfed down a family pack of crisps in one sitting (don’t judge me!) I’ve had those shakes/weaknesses not long after.
Interestingly they don’t come with puddings but crisps are not kind to me.

Oh and finding this place worth the infinite depth of knowledge and the really wide variety of experiences and personalities here has really helped as well.
 
@Gwynn thank you for starting this thread!
I think we have all ‘seen’ what a tremendous improvement you have made to your health.
I sleep through the night now, my eyesight has returned to normal, I can fit into my size 12 jeans and sit down in comfort again! Most of all my mental health has improved, still get moments of anxiety but much reduced and the ‘ups and downs’ have stopped much to the relief of those around me! Nice to feel me again! Also have ‘met’ all you lovely people! A lovely diverse mix of everything.
 
Yes it's interesting to look back sometimes and reflect on all those positive changes.
For me their have been many joys in the life style changes I needed to make.

Although unfortunately I can't stop the advancing years, I actually feel 'younger', have much more energy and zest for life, and a more positive outlook.
My digestive system is so much happier, and a few penny's saved on not needing packets of Reenies.
From being 'exercise resistance' for most of my life, I really enjoy exercise, particularly my daily walks which help may state of mind as well.

It can be a difficult and demanding journey but there is very good 'pay back'
 
My biggest "improvement" is awareness.
That is awareness of what I eat, how often I exercise and my annual blood tests for cholesterol, liver and kidney functions which I had no clue about until I was diagnosed.
 
So long ago now.

Lost lot of weight up to diagnosis, eyesight poor & felt exhausted with constant trips to loo, head & bladder aches were constant, so not in good state. Few days after starting insulin felt better, eyesight back to normal wasn't feeling drained as much, within weeks started to sleep thru & life got back to normal again.

Exercised then & still do so nowt changed there, still try to eat healthy & keep positive state of mind where possible, bg control probably best its been now but in part down to pump & libre.
 
I have learnt to recognise that perfection is impossible and I am a lot nicer to myself.

It took me a while to accept this with regards to Diabetes (yes I know you told me in a variety of ways @trophywench ). I kept striving to improve my results, the pump helped and then the Libre helped even more, and then the results stopped improving, leading to burnout as I had totally unrealistic expectations of myself.....

Much happier with D now, although there are still blips, and also a lot more relaxed about other things too. I am able to simply enjoy doing things and don’t feel that I have to be good at them. Perhaps being retired helps too.
 
@SB2015 - yes, I did, didn't I? 'Here she goes again, like a broken record .....' 😉

But you - we, all of us - have each to find our own way of getting on with our constant companion, cos he ain't gonna move, is he? Muhammed does always meet the mountain whether it suits us or not!
 
@trophywench you are good broken record or should we say digital download for the younger crew!
I have just had my blood results back and my HbA1c has come down from 149 in sept 2020 to 42 today!!!
I nearly fell off my perch!
That’s with eating Terry’s dark chocolate oranges!! Thank you to everyone for the fabulous advice, sensible straight talking that we all sometimes need and good humour, you have all kept me motivated and have skilled me up in coping with Diabetes and I can still eat a bag of crisps if I want to!!!!!
 
Would you like to know what's even better than a Terry's dark choc orange? A new discovery for both of us. One granddaughter (with 2 'greats' of ours) and her partner live in Nottingham so we haven't seen them since last July - our first venture out, post first lockdown, sent her grandpa a card and some Guylian chocs via moonpig for his birthday last Sunday. Not 'shells' these are filled chocs and one variety is a dark choc orange creme with a sprinkling of dried orange peel on top. They are sooooooooo orangey and tangy . ..... Fab U Lous !
 
Brilliant results @SaraKaya
You must be over the moon.

Now those chocs sound worth searching out @trophywench
 
This thread is just fabulous. So many success stories, so many people feeling better.

For me it's a really silly thing...I used to get awful backache when I was raking out the fire in the morning. 4 stones lighter (and much bendier!) and there is no pain. Also I can turn myself over in bed without huge hrumphs and huffs and puffs which is a bonus for my partner :D
 
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