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Think I'm doing okay ???..

Patrick66

Patrick66

Well-Known Member
Messages
978
Location
Dorset UK
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
People. Noise. Swearing. Many foods.
My fasting blood was 3.3 over the weekend. Not good. So I took in some extra carbs and was aware that I had barely eaten in 24 hours or so..

Today, before eating breakfast, it was 6.2 and I had last had something to eat/drink about 8 hours previously.

I'm finding my appetite very variable. Never actually hungry (as in really hungry) but then periods where just the prospect of food makes me feel nauseous.

I think I am doing okay but now I am terrified of making a mistake and messing everything up especially with the all important "big" test a week away so a lot of enjoyment has gone out of eating.

My weight has dropped from 15st 9lb to 14st 9lb in about three weeks..

I think I am doing okay...but I really don't have the confidence that I am.

Anyone else experience that ?.
 
Variable appetite is a good sign. It means your hunger and satiety hormones are working properly. Or certainly it means that you’re not surfing the glucose/insulin tsunami. Don’t start pouring glucose back into your body to compensate.

3.3mmol/L fasting is a little on the low side though. You should certainly consider lowering your Metformin dosing...your profile says you’re on maximum dose, which seems inappropriate based on what you’ve told us. Arguably you shouldn’t do this without consulting your doctor beforehand.
 
Patrick66 said:
My fasting blood was 3.3 over the weekend. Not good. So I took in some extra carbs and was aware that I had barely eaten in 24 hours or so..

Today, before eating breakfast, it was 6.2 and I had last had something to eat/drink about 8 hours previously.

I'm finding my appetite very variable. Never actually hungry (as in really hungry) but then periods where just the prospect of food makes me feel nauseous.

I think I am doing okay but now I am terrified of making a mistake and messing everything up especially with the all important "big" test a week away so a lot of enjoyment has gone out of eating.

My weight has dropped from 15st 9lb to 14st 9lb in about three weeks..

I think I am doing okay...but I really don't have the confidence that I am.

Anyone else experience that ?.
Click to expand...
That's why testing helps... Then you know whether you're reaching goals. Home testing is one thing, the HbA1c another. But from what I'm seeing here... You're doing good. :)

BUT.

(Yeah, that's a big but...)

Try to find some enjoyment in food. If you're not hungry, you don't have to eat. But when you do eat, realise what is on your plate (if it's low carb), will give you everything you need in sustenance, won't harm you, and is allowed to make you feel some joy. Sounds silly, but befriend your food a little. (The analogy might not quite work because you don't usually bite friends, but alright). When I first started out I was scared to eat anything, especially since it took a while to figure the carb thing out... Then eating was a rote chore, and after a while... I just discovered more and more foods I actually really, really enjoyed eating. And which didn't make me spike, or get bigger again. Don't let T2 ruin food for you. That way lies diabetic burn-out, eating disorders and what have you. Be good to yourself eh. You're well on your way. Yay you!
Jo
PS: the 3.3 on the weekend, that's a pretty normal number after fasting for a long time... I don't know if you're on metformin or anything, but you might want to discuss going off it if you are, and are sticking with a new lifestyle.
 
I think most of us have gone through what you are experiencing. I think you have done a fantastic job so far. It is a huge learning curve. Hang on in there.
 
Jim Lahey said:
Variable appetite is a good sign. It means your hunger and satiety hormones are working properly. Or certainly it means that you’re not surfing the glucose/insulin tsunami. Don’t start pouring glucose back into your body to compensate.

3.3mmol/L fasting is a little on the low side though. You should certainly consider lowering your Metformin dosing...your profile says you’re on maximum dose, which seems inappropriate based on what you’ve told us. Arguably you shouldn’t do this without consulting your doctor beforehand.
Click to expand...
Thank you Jim.

I see my Dr in a couple of weeks once I have the big test out of the way. As that test will cover a longer period I am not optimistic I will below the magical 7.0 overall so my operation can go ahead but I also have a diabetic clinic appointment two weeks today at which medication will be discussed.
 
JoKalsbeek said:
That's why testing helps... Then you know whether you're reaching goals. Home testing is one thing, the HbA1c another. But from what I'm seeing here... You're doing good. :)

BUT.

(Yeah, that's a big but...)

Try to find some enjoyment in food. If you're not hungry, you don't have to eat. But when you do eat, realise what is on your plate (if it's low carb), will give you everything you need in sustenance, won't harm you, and is allowed to make you feel some joy. Sounds silly, but befriend your food a little. (The analogy might not quite work because you don't usually bite friends, but alright). When I first started out I was scared to eat anything, especially since it took a while to figure the carb thing out... Then eating was a rote chore, and after a while... I just discovered more and more foods I actually really, really enjoyed eating. And which didn't make me spike, or get bigger again. Don't let T2 ruin food for you. That way lies diabetic burn-out, eating disorders and what have you. Be good to yourself eh. You're well on your way. Yay you!
Jo
PS: the 3.3 on the weekend, that's a pretty normal number after fasting for a long time... I don't know if you're on metformin or anything, but you might want to discuss going off it if you are, and are sticking with a new lifestyle.
Click to expand...
Yes I'm on the maximum Metformin dose.

And you don't know what I do with my friends in the privacy of my own home..lol.

I'm just finding eating a struggle because its all so bland. I know its for a reason and the weight loss is fine but I simply cant face the prospect of ...this.
 
xfieldok said:
I think most of us have gone through what you are experiencing. I think you have done a fantastic job so far. It is a huge learning curve. Hang on in there.
Click to expand...
Thank you.

In two weeks I will get my results and see how successful I have been. I'm not holding my breath that they will be any good.
 
You have only been with us a short time. It's a marathon not a sprint. You will find foods to enjoy, it might just take time.
 
Patrick66 said:
Yes I'm on the maximum Metformin dose.

And you don't know what I do with my friends in the privacy of my own home..lol.

I'm just finding eating a struggle because its all so bland. I know its for a reason and the weight loss is fine but I simply cant face the prospect of ...this.
Click to expand...

*spits out tea, laughing about friends to munch on*

Bland? I have a truckload of herbs in my kitchen.... Maybe that would help? My bacon makes everything nice and salty, and I spice things up with currypowder, garlic, Italian or Provincial herbs... I make the same veggies almost every evening but they're never the same twice in a row... I get a nasty allergic reaction to chilipepers and cayenne pepper, but other than that, anything goes. If I get bored with my scrambled eggs with bacon and cheese I make an omelet with cinnamon and cream, with coconut shavings and a couple of berries on the side. Or have them sunny side up with some ham, or a salmon/spinach omelet, (I know, just spinach would be fine too. ;)) or toss in curry powder, or italian herbs and a tomato... Pretty strong tastes, far from bland, and not too much fuss to just throw in a pan. And that's just the eggs. It takes a while to find variety. I first focussed on figuring out what worked for me, bloodsugar wise, then when I got my BS down I could experiment with variations, because a mistake wouldn't have that much impact anyway... And remember, I am a horrible/lazy/intimidated-by-cookbooks cook. (Plus, as someone who's depressed, it was hard for me to actually care enough to get up and put something on the stove. It was hard to be bothered. But I did it, eventually, and felt better for it.).

Do what you have to to get the operation done. Bland? Fine, then bland it is... After that though, you can experiment if you want to.

And hey, if it doesn't work out for you, there are meds out there. Right now you just have to get through the operation. If a permanent lifestyle change hacks away at your resolve, make it managable. Just to the op.After that, your options are back to open. You could adjust your diet a little, rather than rigorously, and get some help from pills, or shots. Or just go for meds only. But those things, right now, wouldn't help you get the operation done, most likely.

Just get through this. Hang in there and the op'll be over. Then go from there.

You're doing really well. Honest.
Jo
 
Patrick66 said:
I'm just finding eating a struggle because its all so bland. I know its for a reason and the weight loss is fine but I simply cant face the prospect of ...this.
Click to expand...
Are you into cooking at all? If not, learn the basics and get cooking. It might help you to start logging your food, for example in the Low Carb programme. The advantage is that you'll become more confident, and best case scenario, you'll start taking an interest in your food, follow new recipes and your food will become a lot more interesting, which is important! We're in this for life :)
 
Patrick66 said:
Yes I'm on the maximum Metformin dose.

And you don't know what I do with my friends in the privacy of my own home..lol.

I'm just finding eating a struggle because its all so bland. I know its for a reason and the weight loss is fine but I simply cant face the prospect of ...this.
Click to expand...

Patrick - You refer to your food being "bland". What's bland about it, and what would you consider not to be bland?

Please don't think I'm challenging or mocking you. I'm not. It can just find a little whiler to find your groove. As others have said, I use lots of herbs and spices in my cooking, but I know you have some issues around food, and I know with your focus on your op, you won't want to risk anything silly. I'm just wondering if there's something we can suggest to give you a bit of zing in your food.
 
Patrick66 said:
Thank you Jim.

I see my Dr in a couple of weeks once I have the big test out of the way. As that test will cover a longer period I am not optimistic I will below the magical 7.0 overall so my operation can go ahead but I also have a diabetic clinic appointment two weeks today at which medication will be discussed.
Click to expand...

Awesome. Swap out a Metformin for a chill pill. Stress, worry and anxiety are counterproductive to diabetes treatment. Recovery is the long game. It takes time. So far you’re doing ok, be proud and be happy. Tomorrow’s another day.
 
JoKalsbeek said:
*spits out tea, laughing about friends to munch on*

Bland? I have a truckload of herbs in my kitchen.... Maybe that would help? My bacon makes everything nice and salty, and I spice things up with currypowder, garlic, Italian or Provincial herbs... I make the same veggies almost every evening but they're never the same twice in a row... I get a nasty allergic reaction to chilipepers and cayenne pepper, but other than that, anything goes. If I get bored with my scrambled eggs with bacon and cheese I make an omelet with cinnamon and cream, with coconut shavings and a couple of berries on the side. Or have them sunny side up with some ham, or a salmon/spinach omelet, (I know, just spinach would be fine too. ;)) or toss in curry powder, or italian herbs and a tomato... Pretty strong tastes, far from bland, and not too much fuss to just throw in a pan. And that's just the eggs. It takes a while to find variety. I first focussed on figuring out what worked for me, bloodsugar wise, then when I got my BS down I could experiment with variations, because a mistake wouldn't have that much impact anyway... And remember, I am a horrible/lazy/intimidated-by-cookbooks cook. (Plus, as someone who's depressed, it was hard for me to actually care enough to get up and put something on the stove. It was hard to be bothered. But I did it, eventually, and felt better for it.).

Do what you have to to get the operation done. Bland? Fine, then bland it is... After that though, you can experiment if you want to.

And hey, if it doesn't work out for you, there are meds out there. Right now you just have to get through the operation. If a permanent lifestyle change hacks away at your resolve, make it managable. Just to the op.After that, your options are back to open. You could adjust your diet a little, rather than rigorously, and get some help from pills, or shots. Or just go for meds only. But those things, right now, wouldn't help you get the operation done, most likely.

Just get through this. Hang in there and the op'll be over. Then go from there.

You're doing really well. Honest.
Jo
Click to expand...
Thank you Jo.

Its just that "starting from a very narrow diet anyway" perspective. Herbs and spices aren't my thing. In fact I struggle with good old pepper and although I love India as a country, I cant eat spicy food.

I have quite an eversion to tomato. Odd because I can eat Bolognese and have them in a salad but give me one to eat and I run for the hills (well, walk actually, fibromyalgia has put paid to running) .

On we go..
 
briped said:
Are you into cooking at all? If not, learn the basics and get cooking. It might help you to start logging your food, for example in the Low Carb programme. The advantage is that you'll become more confident, and best case scenario, you'll start taking an interest in your food, follow new recipes and your food will become a lot more interesting, which is important! We're in this for life :)
Click to expand...
No, I'm Autistic and following a recipe I find very confusing. I cant even scramble an egg. I can cook a full English though.
 
Whilst 3.3 seems like a scary low number, there are a couple of things to consider
- it is not unusual for someone without diabetes to experience a reading less than 4
- our meters are not 100% accurate. They must be accurate to within 15% so a reading an actual 4 could come out as 3.4 on your meter.

I second the suggestion to try some spices or herbs. Spicy does not have to mean "hot" - cinnamon is a spice which is not hot, for example.
Well done on the improvements and good luck with the test.
 
Patrick66 said:
No, I'm Autistic and following a recipe I find very confusing. I cant even scramble an egg. I can cook a full English though.
Click to expand...
In that case you're doing even better than I thought you were. Well done! A full English sounds lovely, but I do hope you have or find other options. All the best :)
 
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