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Original poster

Will I die if I don't change?

437 replies

hadntbeen · 23/01/2023 12:06

I'm a 30 year old female. Full disclosure - my eating is out of control. Full of carbs, sugar and I drink a lot, and I mean a lot of semi skimmed milk which is just full of sugar. I am 5 foot 4 and weigh around 15 stone.

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes around 2 years ago when I started to become very sleepy throughout the day.

My hba1c results in October were 8.0 so not too bad, however, I hadn't been taking the 2000 mg metformin that was prescribed to me. I was honest with my doctor about this and so she told me to just take 500 mg and we would do another test in January.

I didn't do that - I honestly don't have any other reason for it other than the tablets make me feel sick and I don't like swallowing them. I've noticed over the last month that I have been urinating a lot more. I just got my hba1c results back and they are now 9.6.

I'm quite worried by these results as my diet hasn't changed since my last results in October but still my sugar levels aren't even staying the same they are just rising.

I'm scared to talk to my doctor. My plan from today is to start taking my one tablet 500 mg of metformin and to cut out the milk. I literally drink about 2 litres a day.

Is it reversible still at this point? If I continue the way I am, what can I expect going forward?

Every part of my life is going so well, I just can't quite get a grip of this.

I guess I need some horror stories/cold, hard facts to shock me into action.

OP posts:
peachgreen · 23/01/2023 15:42

Sorry, Saxenda. Oh for an edit button, MN...

LisaLovedUp · 23/01/2023 15:45

@CoorieInByTheFire The other poster isn't wrong.

(A carb is a carb...)

You are. Sorry.

The carb in milk is lactase. In theory this is a carbohydrate as it's a milk sugar but it's not comparable with other forms of sugar like sucrose and fructose.

Lactase is the milk sugar that can be hard to digest for anyone with lactose intolerance, hence they can take an enzyme to break it down as their own digestion can't.

No one who is trying to reduce sugar would be advised to drop milk because it's a good source of protein and essential minerals and vitamins.

The OP is gaining weight because she is eating a lot of everything - she says this. Forget the lactase, it's also the protein and fat in those 1000 calories.

@hadntbeen I've just completed the Zoe personalised nutrition program and would suggest it to her but I don't think she would qualify with existing diabetes. I've followed the podcasts by their doctors, science and dietician teams for over a year.

I think at the moment, she needs medical help but in time she might find the books by Prof Tim Spector helpful. These dispense with calorie counting and focus on the quality of your food and what you need to help create a healthy gut microbiome.

I hope you find a way forward.

pishkashante · 23/01/2023 15:46

OP, I know that feeling. I went from 8 stone to 12 stone in just a few short years.

Just like you I put off changing eating habits with 'oh just one more day' or 'oh after the party next week'.

I have no self control, if there is a pack of biscuits, I will eat the whole pack, not just one or two.

I've realised I can't calorie count or pound the treadmill at the gym.

What works for me is low-carbing. Yes, it's difficult not having bread, pasta, milk, chocolate, potatoes, rice. But this week I have eaten chicken curry, aubergine parmigiana, steak, artichokes, spinach, omelette, beef stir fry, loads of green veg and water. I feel great and the pounds fall off without calorie counting.

pishkashante · 23/01/2023 15:47

*in the last week

PeachDelany · 23/01/2023 15:51

What you don't want OP is diabetic leg ulcers like my friend. She probably has about 6 stone to lose and it isn't happening. She has open wounds on her legs and ankles and the next step is lower limb amputation. It's very common with diabetes. Please try and muster the will power from somewhere so this doesn't happen to you.

LisaLovedUp · 23/01/2023 15:56

This from Diabetes org.uk explains about milk @CoorieInByTheFire

The risk to diabetics is not just the amount of carbs but their GI.

The risk with sugars/carbs is how quickly they spike the blood glucose levels.

What effect does eating dairy foods have on my blood glucose levels?

Milk and other dairy foods generally have a low glycaemic index (GI) because of the moderate GI effect of the lactose (natural sugar in milk), plus the effect of the milk protein, which slows down the rate of stomach emptying.

The glycaemic index (GI) tells us whether a food raises blood glucose levels quickly, moderately or slowly. This means it can be useful to help you manage your diabetes. Carbohydrates are digested and absorbed at different rates. GI is a ranking of how quickly each carbohydrate-based food and drink makes blood glucose levels rise after eating them.

Milk doesn't cause a spike. This is also why it's recommended for pre- drinking sessions, as it stays in the stomach lining and prevents the alcohol being absorbed too fast.

The risks of carbs are the ones that have no value at all- sucrose and fructose- other than as a carb and where the sugar in them is broken down very fast. Root veggies (parsnip, carrots, potatoes) contain carbs but they also contain fibre and vitamins.

wildseas · 23/01/2023 15:59

There are loads of really good suggestions here, and some great ideas. I like low carb as well, and I always feel better and lose more when I'm no carb-ing.

I was just posting to add that if you can't change everything, then changing three simple things would be a really good start, and would help massively with the cravings.

Can you find one or two nice, healthy low carb breakfast which you like? Plain yoghurt with seeds and berries? Scrambled eggs with mushrooms? Poached eggs with smoked salmon? Can you challenge yourself to have that breakfast every day, with a big glass of water.

Can you buy some low carb rolls off amazon and have one meal a day which is low carb roll filled with something savoury? Cheese/ham/bacon/chicken etc. Served with a big glass of water. Very simple to make so not a huge faff to change.

Can you make a pact with yourself that you won't buy crisps or sweet things for the house. If you have a craving you have to walk to the supermarket/shop; buy a single serving and then walk home before you can eat it? If you have cravings doing your weekly shop buy a single serving to eat that day.

I think that even just those three changes would reduce your need for sweet/carb food and help you start losing weight. Its so much easier to get momentum when you can see it starting off....

PregnantandPissedoff · 23/01/2023 15:59

You'll build up a tolerance to the Metformin. It has horrid GI side effects like nausea and diarrhoea but these settle. Build up the dose and stick to it

LifeExperience · 23/01/2023 16:00

Yes, OP, if you continue as you are you will die, and it will not be a quick, pain-free death either. Please get help.

Perthsmurf · 23/01/2023 16:01

OP, I wish I could hug you and shake you all at the same time.

I wish I could show you my Dad, whose body is decomposing thanks to a lifetime of ignoring the doctors and taking absolutely no responsibility for his diet and exercise. He has no life, he has had no quality of retirement. His retirement has consisted of limping along (literally) between medical appointments. At times he’s been in enormous pain.

Life is for living. You need to do this. You need to do this NOW.

It must be daunting, but it’s better to act now than ending up like that.

fishonabicycle · 23/01/2023 16:08

You definitely need to start taking your medication and make some big changes. I worked at a GP surgery, and the type 2 diabetics are at risk of losing their sight, and you should see a necrotic foot - horrible.

Nocutenamesleft · 23/01/2023 16:09

Cottagecheeseisnotcheese · 23/01/2023 12:19

milk is not full of sugar like other drinks there is a natural sugar in it called lactose but it is a very small % I somehow doubt that the milk is the problem it is more likely to be all the carbs though it is a lot of milk to drink

you need the correct dietary advice even if not reversable it will lower the need for increasing doses of metformin and make it easier to control, but form what you are saying you need counselling as no lifestyle change ( it needs to be permanent bnot a temporary diet) will continue unless you are commited and know why you want to make the change and then how you actually do change

Semi skimmed actually has more sugar in it than full fat! Milk also has lots of carbs. Hidden sugar really.

Daffodilsandtuplips · 23/01/2023 16:11

You are sabotaging your health here..Tell your doctor the truth, as others have so eloquently pointed out the dangers of continuing as you are I’m not going to add to that.
Get yourself a book called Carbs and Calorie Counting from Amazon. It tells you how many carbs, sugars, fats, and salt per 100g are in a whole list of foods. I’ve bought it because my seven year old gd is type 1 diabetic. It’s an eye opener, she wanted an ice pop the other day..no carbs in an ice pop? Oh yes there is, 5. Who’d a thought it..water and some flavouring = 5 carbs.
Sliced ham is protein right-it is but it has sugar in it.
You’ve got one life, don’t waste it.

Daffodilsandtuplips · 23/01/2023 16:14

PS you can download an app too.

willitevergetwarm · 23/01/2023 16:16

My DD's lost their Dad to complications arising from uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes as he refused to change his eating habits/take his medication. He was 52 years old with kidney failure, heart failure and an amputee. He was completely dependant on others for the final few months of his life - please make changes while you still can.

MrsDoyle351 · 23/01/2023 16:18

thewinterwitch · 23/01/2023 12:37

My hba1c results in October were 8.0 so not too bad,

Er, that's bad.

I just got my hba1c results back and they are now 9.6.

Oh, dear. I find the fact you've been prescribed metformin and haven't bothered to take it because you "don't like swallowing them" just incomprehensible.

Yes, it can be turned around, but carry on like this and you can look forward to blindness, stroke, heart disease, kidney failure, amputations of toes, feet, below knee, etc.

Don't worry about the milk. But you really do need help. You're so young. I hope you can find some support to start looking after yourself better in all of this,

Yes - those results are bad.

www.hba1cnet.com/hba1c-calculator/

I'm a dialysis nurse and 50 per cent of our dialysis patients have type 2 diabetes. Many of them on insulin.

Original poster
hadntbeen · 23/01/2023 16:18

Bestcatmum · 23/01/2023 15:10

Those aren't your HBA1C results, if they were 8 you would be unconscious, they are your CBG results (finger prick blood test) and they aren't great.
If you ignore all of this you won't die for a long time but you will go blind and end up on dialysis with kidney failure or get neuropathy and foot ulcers leading to leg amputation.
I'd say with a CBG like that your HBA1C would most likely be around 70 mmols (guessing). It should be in the 40's.
Not taking your metformin because you feel sick is not an excuse, there are numerous diabetic medications you can take instead which won't make you feel sick, you just need to go and speak to the nurse of GP to change them.
I work in the diabetic foot centre and deal with people with uncontrolled blood sugar day in and day out with black necrotic feet, end stage kidney failure and amputations and still they drink, over eat and smoke.
You need to start taking this very seriously and there is every possibility you can reverse your diabetes.
But you HAVE to work with your health care professionals.
I reversed my own diabetes at 50 by losing 5 stone and doing the 800 calories a day shakes and bars regime recommended by the NHS. Ask your GP. My eyesight came back and my nerve damage was reversed.
But time is your enemy, the longer you mess about the more any damage will not be able to be reversed.
The fact that you are urinating excessively means your blood sugar is getting worse.

Nope, they are my HBA1C results and are 9.6. I get every three months and it gives me the average that my blood sugar level has been the past 3 months. I know the difference between getting a finger prick test and my HBA1C. I HATE when people come on here and spout in-factual information with such conviction. It's really patronising.

OP posts:
Original poster
hadntbeen · 23/01/2023 16:19

Bestcatmum · 23/01/2023 15:10

Those aren't your HBA1C results, if they were 8 you would be unconscious, they are your CBG results (finger prick blood test) and they aren't great.
If you ignore all of this you won't die for a long time but you will go blind and end up on dialysis with kidney failure or get neuropathy and foot ulcers leading to leg amputation.
I'd say with a CBG like that your HBA1C would most likely be around 70 mmols (guessing). It should be in the 40's.
Not taking your metformin because you feel sick is not an excuse, there are numerous diabetic medications you can take instead which won't make you feel sick, you just need to go and speak to the nurse of GP to change them.
I work in the diabetic foot centre and deal with people with uncontrolled blood sugar day in and day out with black necrotic feet, end stage kidney failure and amputations and still they drink, over eat and smoke.
You need to start taking this very seriously and there is every possibility you can reverse your diabetes.
But you HAVE to work with your health care professionals.
I reversed my own diabetes at 50 by losing 5 stone and doing the 800 calories a day shakes and bars regime recommended by the NHS. Ask your GP. My eyesight came back and my nerve damage was reversed.
But time is your enemy, the longer you mess about the more any damage will not be able to be reversed.
The fact that you are urinating excessively means your blood sugar is getting worse.

They're at 81 mmols

OP posts:
caramac04 · 23/01/2023 16:21

81mmols is really high and is causing cell damage which you won’t really be aware of. When you do become aware it’s because of deterioration of vision/neuropathy/leg ulcers.
Please help yourself before this happens.

anomaly23 · 23/01/2023 16:22

I've not heard of an hba1c being 9.2, it's always been under 38 - normal, 39-47 pre diabetes and 48+ diabetes.

Daffodilsandtuplips · 23/01/2023 16:22

OP. Make an appointment today with your doctor. The increased thirst and urination coupled with high glucose levels is worrying.

rogueone · 23/01/2023 16:23

You need to tell your GP the truth that you haven't taken the medication and made any changes to your lifestyle. Lying about it isn't going to do you any favours and they will end up changing your medication or increasing the dosage

anomaly23 · 23/01/2023 16:23

Ask for ozempic or trulicity.

It makes you vomit if you eat too much and can have serious side effects if you don't watch what you're eating but can reduce blood sugar and weight quickly.

Purpleavocado · 23/01/2023 16:29

I think it would be useful for you to talk to someone professionally. You've replaced drinks with food and milk. If you stop the overeating, unless you deal with what's driving your compulsions, I think there is a real risk that you'll fall into a different type of addictive or compulsive behaviour.
I think you need to be really honest with your GP, and see what additional help they can give you. If you have any private health insurance it would be worth speaking to them as well

XmasElf10 · 23/01/2023 16:31

Your Hba1c should be below 6 so your blood sugar levels are significantly elevated. If you don't get them under control you will start to see long term health issues like:

  • heart disease and stroke.
  • loss of feeling and pain (nerve damage)
  • foot problems – like sores and infections.
  • vision loss and blindness.
  • miscarriage and stillbirth.
  • problems with your kidneys.

These can result in you going blind, losing limbs and potentially death.

However I'm not telling you anything your GP didn't tell you or that a quick google won't tell you. You need to take the medication. Metformin does cause nausea but it goes away over time as you take the medication regularly. It will also be better if you take your medication with a meal.

I agree with other posters suggesting you need to get therapy urgently. Your previous addiction history suggests you will find it hard to now break your reliance on food. Long term the best way to control your Diabetes as well as improving other health conditions (e.g. joint pain from carrying excess weight, increased risk of cancer etc..) is to lose weight and eat a healthy balanced diet and take regular exercise.