T2 diagnosis

[Ughughughugh]

Ffs. Please can anyone help.

Was diagnosed with pre-diabetes 3 years ago, managed to get the HB1AC down by losing 2.5 stone via low carb and got the HB1AC number back down to normal. Was absolutely devastated when the surgery phoned and did everything I could to get the number down. Lasted maybe another couple of months after getting it down and went back to eating shit and put it all back on again.

Today the surgery has called and now is diabetic. Am totally numb, cried so much the last time but just feel like this is yet another bloody thing to deal with and I don't have the energy. Have to go in next week to retest and stupidly forgot to ask for the number but guess that's immaterial.

Am 19.5 stone, 5ft 11, mid-40s, sedentary, eat absolute crap though make a healthy dinner for the family 6 days out of 7 (pizza night once a week). It is all the other snacks etc in between.

Also have a completely fucked gallbladder so if eat loads of protein/fat I get a lot of pain.

On medication for hypertension, and thyroid, and HRT, and the mini pill.

I think I need to do the Fast800 and just try and get counselling?? Or something to work through why I eat so badly and do no exercise.

Any words of wisdom welcome.

That's excellent news. Those latest bloods will still be covering some of the previous period as I think it can be up to 12 weeks that show in the Hba1c.

The next test will give a clearer indication of where your changes have got you.

Keep at it!

Thank you so much @BigBoysDontCry

To give a bit of context I went from 51 in September to 42 in December and my GP was delighted with a 9 point reduction in that period and you've done so much more than that.

Thank you @BigBoysDontCry , am glad your GP was delighted - I just need to keep it up now, it was definitely the kick up the backside I needed. The nurse said it was mixed news - good that it's come down but not so good still in the diabetic range, I just need to keep going.

Haven't had bread in so long and think that has helped a lot.

Obviously everyone is different, but I think if you can be strict and lose some weight initially, that gives your pancreas the best chance of learning to deal with carbs.

My last two readings were while eating low carb, not keto. I was keto between March (no hba1c test but blood glucose was 19.1 at the beginning) and end July. My hba1c at that point was 47. I reintroduced some carbs and went up to 51. I didn't change anything between the 51 and 42 so I can only conclude that I became more insulin sensitive.

I've continued to low carb but not keto so hoping next reading will be okay. Definitely easier (for me anyway) once you can have a few carbs. I can have a small portion of sweet potato fries etc.

Still not doing sugar and no white carbs but I seem okay with small amounts of brown rice/pasta etc.

Now got my weight up to 9 stone 4 so I'm now into normal bmi and feeling pretty good.

You are doing a great thing for your long term health, be proud of yourself. 😊

Thank you so much @BigBoysDontCry , your posts are really encouraging! Great to hear what is working and gives me lots of encouragement to stick at it

Five years ago I had hba1c of 88 . I have eaten low carb ever since , I don't diet but substitute cauliflower rice , mashed cauliflower for potato and rice, have salad instead of chips , don't have sugary anything , eat a lot of Greek yoghurt and berries , dark chocolate and make my own low carb bread (based on vital wheat gluten).
I have been in remission for the last 41/2 years with an hba1c of 38 or lower.

The key was to find a way of eating that I could live with , eg going out at a restaurant where I will have cheese instead of a dessert , salad or green veg instead of rice/potatoes .

Look at the type 2 diabetes help groups , at least with type 2 you can make a difference with just diet and exercise .

I would second investing in a Libre sensor every now and again to see what "spikes" your blood sugar and to see what effect even a short walk after eating makes.

There is just so much conflicting information and sometimes even nhs dietician advice doesn't suit.

I was told that porridge was fine, try to have rolled/steel cut rather than little packets. However, I've been doing some fingerprick tests just to see what I can tolerate and what I can't and as I expected, porridge (no sugar, just milk and cinnamon and about 5 blueberries) gave me a huge spike which took ages to go down so that's now back off the menu.

I don't want to get obsessed, but I'm considering getting myself a continuous monitor for a couple of weeks and trying some things out to see how they affect me. However, I don't want to jinx my next hba1c so I might wait until after that.

You are doing really well so I think keep going as you are for now until you get a couple of readings in the normal range and then maybe try the same? Get a monitor and try a few things out?

How are you getting on OP? I hope you’re still seeing improvements🤞