AIBU to keep type 2 diabetes secret to reverse it?

[MoFro]

Got blood test results back today and I have type 2 diabetes 😩
I’ve put on weight over last few months and eating more junk, exercising less.

I am embarrassed about the diagnosis.

It runs in our family so knew it was a strong possibility that id get it at some stage but I’ve been too lazy/burying head in sand to do anything about it.

I don’t want to tell DH or kids - I feel ashamed as type 2 is diet related so it’s my fault. I just need the willpower and motivation to do something about it which has always been my biggest challenge!

I’m almost 50 and not very active, WFH and watch far too much TV, eat too much junk so am entirely to blame! I need to make changes but never stick to the good stuff! Diabetic nurse will contact me in 2 weeks apparently but I know I need to start ASAP I have the Michael moseley boood sugar book but couldn’t stick to it so that’s probably my starting point?

Anyone else reversed their diagnosis? Any tips please?

Thank you x

I met someone who went to slimming world for a while and reversed his diagnosis . Studies show lots of ppl do if they lose 10% of body weight . Probably too tough to do alone . Good luck

I’m 67. I had a Stroke a few months ago and received a T2 diagnosis with a blood glucose level of 107 😳.

I gave up all added sugar and swapped refined carbs for wholegrain. Lost around 30lbs (was 15st) and my 3 month blood test gave a glucose level of 55.

It’s not easy and I’ve fallen off the wagon a couple of times but it’s my body any my responsibility to do everything I can to fix it!

Like you OP I was terribly ashamed and thought about hiding the diagnosis but I did find that telling people helped to keep me on track. I wish you every success

@Booboobagins
As I said it won't work for all type 2s. I was on his radio show and he said I was unlucky! Around 20% of type 2s can't reverse it.

I agree it might nit work for all people. In his book he says 10% of those diagnosed within the last 6 years won't be able to reverse it. But even if he's changed that to 20%, it means that 80% can. That's a lot of people eliminating all sorts of horrible outcomes and improving their general health at the same time. And not being on medication is better for your health and saves the NHS a fortune.

The op has said she's put on weight in a comparatively short period of time so the likelihood is that it is diet related. You sound like you're being negative about her trying. Even if she loses the weight and doesn't reverse her diabetes, she will have improved her general health, lowering her likelihood of developing all sorts of other diseases. There are examples on this thread of how people no longer have high blood glucose levels and have improved their lives.

My point is OP has it in her family, ie it's genetic. She is unlikely to be able to reverse it just like I can't.
BTW, they're not his stats I'm quoting, they're NHS stats.
My other post lists eating things to focus on, tgat will help keep tge diabetes under control but let's be honest, everything is affected by. Lack of sugar control, everytime yiu eat you cause localised cellular damage most of which us irreversible. Its a hideous condition and I fir one want you be able to euthanized myself before vascular disease stops my brain and muscles working.

Please don't be embarrassed. T2 isn't just diet related. Its genetic, age, gender and ethnicity too.

Nothing at all to be embarrassed about

But, Booboo, you don't know if it's genetic. It might be that her other family members are overweight as well and that's how they got it. So it might be family nurture rather than genetic nature. No one should be encouraged to not try just because it might not work. And like you say, for 80% of people it does work.

Hi OP. I can really relate. I was diagnosed in January and was really embarrassed too initially. I'd had gestational diabetes 7 years ago so knew I was at risk but have been eating loads of rubbish and putting on weight over the last few years. I'm still quite cross with myself but equally coming to terms with the fact that I obviously had a predisposition and many people more overweight than me don't get it, so there is an element of bad luck.
The gp was happy for me to try and control it with diet for 3 months, and I need to book another blood test soon to see how thats gone! I've lost just over a stone and my diet has changed loads so we'll see.

I couldn't face the 800 cal diets yet - but I'm using My Fitness pal to do 1200 cals and 50 - 100 g of carbs. I bought a bloood glucose monitor which I use occasionally to spot check, which is giving me an idea of how I'm getting on. There's loads of advice on the diabetes uk forums.

I think it's sad you don't even want to tell your dh though - what's marriage for if not supporting each other at times like this? And from a practical point of view he can support you more if he understands your aim. I only told DH to start with

Sorry, pressed post by mistake. I only told dh to start with - I couldn't have hidden it as I was in floods of tears off and in for days! But have gradually told family and closest friends when I was ready - at least it stops them offering me sweet things! And my parents have been a great support as my dad is type 1 so they have some understanding. If you have family with type 2 you may find it useful to talk to them.

Hi @MoFro Dr Michael Mosley has written a number of diet related books and he details how following his eating plans you can reverse diabetes himself included. I’d have a word with your GP and get his blessing as unregulated diabetes can be dangerous. This LOSE IT April 2022 Thread is quite supportive, no matter what healthy eating pattern you follow. Good luck 🤞

NRTFT

My vague understanding of this from my grandad is that you have glycaemic indexes and glycaemic loads.

e.g. a toffee might have a higher glycaemic index than mashed potato but if you only eat 1 toffee Vs a whole portion of mash, the toffee would have s lower glycaemic load.

So then you change your diet with the focus being a low glycaemic load above all else.

My grandad went from needing medication to control his diabetes to there being no sign of it at all using that mechanism.

I reversed mine in 3 months last spring.
Less than 800 calories, as few carbs as humanely possible, and take as many steps as you can; not too far from home as until the second week when ketosis kicks in you will be exhausted . Once your body has 'forgotten carbs' you will feel better straight away.
I would not suggest this for long term weight loss as it isn't sustainable, but to reverse type 2; do it now, as quickly as possible, and be ruthless with yourself. When you get back to a safe body weight you will feel as if someone flicked a switch: you feel better immediately. Good luck!

Thanks so much for your support, sharing and advice. Mum had it and 2 siblings are currently diabetic, all at least 1-2 stone over normal weight so it’s genetic but I know losing weight will help overall health.
I’m over 15 stone now so this is the kick up the butt I’ve been waiting for that’s made it real.

Thank you posters on here, I’ve told my DH and kids who were all lovely and maaaively supportive. DS got into fitness last year and hugged me for ages while I cried and is going to put together a meal plan for me and committed to a daily 5k walk with me from tomorrow.

The Timing is actually perfect as we are starting Ramadan tomorrow so will be fasting daily for the next month - which Michael moseley recommends so our food and routine will be changing. It’s going to be hard but this hard is better than dealing with the illness.

DH and DS said they will dig out the unused treadmill from the shed and set it up for me too so I can get extra exercise indoors as well.

Thank you all so much for posting and replying xx I feel better already and know I’ll have a damn good go at getting healthy xx

@Simplelobsterhat

Hi OP. I can really relate. I was diagnosed in January and was really embarrassed too initially. I'd had gestational diabetes 7 years ago so knew I was at risk but have been eating loads of rubbish and putting on weight over the last few years. I'm still quite cross with myself but equally coming to terms with the fact that I obviously had a predisposition and many people more overweight than me don't get it, so there is an element of bad luck. The gp was happy for me to try and control it with diet for 3 months, and I need to book another blood test soon to see how thats gone! I've lost just over a stone and my diet has changed loads so we'll see.

I couldn't face the 800 cal diets yet - but I'm using My Fitness pal to do 1200 cals and 50 - 100 g of carbs. I bought a bloood glucose monitor which I use occasionally to spot check, which is giving me an idea of how I'm getting on. There's loads of advice on the diabetes uk forums.

I think it's sad you don't even want to tell your dh though - what's marriage for if not supporting each other at times like this? And from a practical point of view he can support you more if he understands your aim. I only told DH to start with

Totally forgot we actually have a blood sugar monitor at home, DH just reminded me so will start monitoring it.

Well done on your weight loss so far, hopefully I’ll make a big enough difference x

Sorry not read the full thread. I cannot recommend enough the Jason Fung book and fasting. I also use a Dexcom CGM. I'm just in the pre diabetic range but after 2 months I'm almost the right side again.

My mum lost 10 stone and reversed it by eating a low carb/high fat diet

Well done OP, its great your family was so supportive and you've got a good plan.

I lost 20kg and reversed mine. Actually it was already reversed at 15kg lost. Read Life Without Diabetes by Roy Taylor to motivate you.

I didn’t do anything crazy drastic, I just skipped breakfast and ate two normal ready meals a day and healthy snacks for an intake of about 1500 calories.

Dr David Unwin is a GP who specialises in controlling DM2. He’s amazing.

twitter.com/lowcarbgp/status/1397638180678078465?s=21

These are the basics: www.dietdoctor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Diet-sheet-of-what-to-eat-with-Dr.-David-Unwin.pdf

Full program: www.lowcarbprogram.com/

[quote SparklingLime]Dr David Unwin is a GP who specialises in controlling DM2. He’s amazing.

twitter.com/lowcarbgp/status/1397638180678078465?s=21

These are the basics: www.dietdoctor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Diet-sheet-of-what-to-eat-with-Dr.-David-Unwin.pdf

Full program: www.lowcarbprogram.com/[/quote]
@SparklingLime thank you, he sounds very sensible!

Just want to say, OP, that your family sound absolutely amazing. What a lovely son! and how kind and supportive of your husband. It is so nice to hear about families where everyone is helping and caring for one another.

I have a blood sugar monitor how can I test myself for this, when is the best time?

OP have a look at Saxenda, it is a fantastic short term tool for weight loss (coupled with calorie controlled diet and exercise) and improves blood glucose control. Make sure you talk to the diabetes nurse about it though in case they want to put you on other meds.

Your family sound lovely OP, good luck and as @TheRealHousewife said, you can join us on the weight loss group

Hi. Have a look at the diabetes uk forums- loads of advice. I think some people test before and after eating to see the affects of their food but I just tend to test 2 hours after occasionally to see how I'm doing, as I'm paying for the test strips.

There's some useful information here: www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/testing. The targets for type 2 diabetes they give are: before meals: 4 to 7mmol/l and two hours after meals: less than 8.5mmol/l. I know the NHS doesn't actually advise blood sugar monitors for type 2 though bit I find it useful just to know I'm on the right track.

That was in reply to sunshine and rainbows sorry