Great Desmond Course and Coping

[xfieldok]

Ok, I may begin uncertain waters here. If you are in the UK and are on meds for diabetes, these prescription should be free, please feel free to shoot me down here.

Going back to my own situation, if I hadn't been diagnosed with another condition, would have stuck with keto/low carb.

If I had been pronounced cured, I wouldn't have gone back to my old way of eating!

My insulin is purely to control the steroids. I certainly would not recommend it for normal T2 control. Once you have done a bit of research you will see that it is your diet that controls most things.

 

[Courts_12]

If you change your eating significantly then numbers will fall rapidly making the yuk feeling (presumably from being high) less likely. Also not being on glicazide will make things much simpler and potentially safer as there won’t be a risk of hypo on just metformin.

I am trying to cut out a lot at the moment so hopefully I can get my numbers to drop soon. I am just worried that just on metformin I will still feel rubbish. In hospital they gave me insulin and I felt so much better with no dry mouth for the first time in ages. Now with these tablets I still have dry mouth every day. Should I just try cut down on bad food and see if that helps or should I talk to my doctors?

 

[Deleted Account]

Hi @Courts_12
I think it’s great that you attended such a supportive course and went along with a positive attitude.
I hope you see results as you put what you learn into practice.

I am slightly reluctant to mention this because I don’t want to distract you from your recent studies. But ...
I am surprised to read you were diagnosed with type 2 at your age and weight. Whilst, this is possible, I wonder why type 1 was not suggested as, with your age and weight, type 1 (or LADA) is more common.

 

[HSSS]

In hospital they gave me insulin

What happened in hospital? Did you get the results of type 1 testing? Antibodies and c peptide?

If you feel rubbish when your numbers are high then obviously the answer is to get the numbers down. They used insulin as a quick method. Long term as a type 2 the answer is to restrict the carbs and tackle the insulin resistance.

What sort of numbers do you get now pre and post meals? And what are you eating on any that are higher? Maybe we can make some suggestions to get you to more comfortable numbers sooner.

 

[xfieldok]

Metformin is not going to bring your numbers down. It is doing stuff in the background to help you. Your diet is going to be the most help.

Just remember this. We are talking about your life here, not mine or anyone elses. Be guided by your meter. Use your common sense. I know it's a lot to take on board.

At the end of the day, do you want to take the advice of uneducated doctors, or people who live and control their condition on a daily basis.

As I say, read around, ask questions. I am now off to bed and will check up on you in the morning.

Rome wasn't built in a day. There is a saying on the forum, it's a marathon not a sprint. You don't have to do everything within 24 hours. Take your time. Make sure your happy with the way you want to proceed.

Sleep tight, I will

 

[LooperCat]

I’d second what @helensaramay said - sounds like it could be slow/late onset T1 going by your age and weight. I was diagnosed T1 at 23 myself. It’d be worth finding out if they tested you for it when you were diagnosed x

 

[EllieM]

I agree with the others, I'm finding it hard to believe that you're T2 and not T1 (or even MODY???) at your age, specially given that you're not particularly overweight. (I don't know your height but 65kg is a fairly normal weight for most women). Hopefully your doctors also realised this and did the necessary checks. Have you been checked out by a proper endocrinologist and diabetic clinic, or just a GP?

 

[Courts_12]

I agree with the others, I'm finding it hard to believe that you're T2 and not T1 (or even MODY???) at your age, specially given that you're not particularly overweight. (I don't know your height but 65kg is a fairly normal weight for most women). Hopefully your doctors also realised this and did the necessary checks. Have you been checked out by a proper endocrinologist and diabetic clinic, or just a GP?

I am 5ft5 and they did the GAD test and said they found no antibodies. I was in hospital for 3 days and saw a couple of diabetic doctors there but they all thought I was type 1. I saw a doctor last week but she just looked at my blood levels and said it is more likely I am type 2 but she would not give me a definite answer. I do not think I have been checked by a endocrinologist. I was sent for a blood test from my GP as I kept getting recurring thrush and dry mouth then sent from the there to the hospital the day after for 3 days. I did not find it my GAD result until the back end of May.

 

[Courts_12]

Hi @Courts_12
I think it’s great that you attended such a supportive course and went along with a positive attitude.
I hope you see results as you put what you learn into practice.

I am slightly reluctant to mention this because I don’t want to distract you from your recent studies. But ...
I am surprised to read you were diagnosed with type 2 at your age and weight. Whilst, this is possible, I wonder why type 1 was not suggested as, with your age and weight, type 1 (or LADA) is more common.

Thank you I was a bit nervous about the course but I stuck it out thankfully. I am slowly seeing my blood sugar drop but I am mainly cutting out a lot of different foods.

Type 1 was suggested but apparently because I have no antibodies they said it is more likely I am type 2 so they are treating it as that. It is all confusing as the diabetic doctors in the hospital were positive I was Type 1.

 

[Courts_12]

Metformin is not going to bring your numbers down. It is doing stuff in the background to help you. Your diet is going to be the most help.

Just remember this. We are talking about your life here, not mine or anyone elses. Be guided by your meter. Use your common sense. I know it's a lot to take on board.

At the end of the day, do you want to take the advice of uneducated doctors, or people who live and control their condition on a daily basis.

As I say, read around, ask questions. I am now off to bed and will check up on you in the morning.

Rome wasn't built in a day. There is a saying on the forum, it's a marathon not a sprint. You don't have to do everything within 24 hours. Take your time. Make sure your happy with the way you want to proceed.

Sleep tight, I will

I will try my best with my diet I have cut out a lot already. But it is finding the best food for me as you have said it all varies for different people.

The doctors have been no help really just thrown tablets at me and random appointments. Along with contradicting information. I will definitely use this forum more often and talk to people actually facing the same condition.

Thank you! That quote is spot on I will keep it in mind rather than trying to do everything too quickly.

Thanks a lot, speak to you soon and goodnight

 

[Courts_12]

I’d second what @helensaramay said - sounds like it could be slow/late onset T1 going by your age and weight. I was diagnosed T1 at 23 myself. It’d be worth finding out if they tested you for it when you were diagnosed x

I know they have done the GAD test but a few people of mentioned C Peptide so I am going to ring my GP tomorrow to find out. I have been told by various doctors that they were positive I was type 1. But after the test was just told it is more likely I am type 2 and given tablets. I hope they tested me for everything although the doctors have all told me different things over the past few months so it is baffling what they all get trained.

 

[EllieM]

Type 1 was suggested but apparently because I have no antibodies they said it is more likely I am type 2 so they are treating it as that. It is all confusing as the diabetic doctors in the hospital were positive I was Type 1.

Many T1s don't have antibodies and don't show up on the GAD test . There is a cpeptide test which measures how much insulin you are producing which in my opinion (but I'm not a doctor ) is much more useful, as T2s generally overproduce and T1s underproduce. In your position I'd believe the hospital doctors over a GP, maybe you can get referred to a diabetic clinic or ask your GP if a cpeptide test has been done?

And T1 and T2 are completely different illnesses with different treatments. Though they will eventually get it right if you're T1 (as you'll get sicker and sicker till they give you insulin), it'd be much easier for you to start with the correct diagnosis. (A recent survey found that 38% of adult diagnosed T1s were initially misdiagnosed with T2. )

 

[Courts_12]

What happened in hospital? Did you get the results of type 1 testing? Antibodies and c peptide?

If you feel rubbish when your numbers are high then obviously the answer is to get the numbers down. They used insulin as a quick method. Long term as a type 2 the answer is to restrict the carbs and tackle the insulin resistance.

What sort of numbers do you get now pre and post meals? And what are you eating on any that are higher? Maybe we can make some suggestions to get you to more comfortable numbers sooner.

I had to wait over a month after the hospital to receive my GAD test back where they said I am more likely type 2. They do not use any words like definitely and just keep saying it is a possibility. Apparently I have no antibodies and I am going to ring my GP tomorrow and find out about the C Peptide as I was never told.

I am trying to cut down on a lot of carbs as I ate pasta salads more often before. Lately pre meal ranges from 7 up to 9. And post meals I can range a lot mainly between 10 and 14. I ate a lot of fruit salads as I found it hard to cut down but I am trying to restrict it more now. Thank you that would help a lot

 

[woollygal]

Thank you this has helped so much and I will definitely look at using the app mySugr as that would help a lot. At the moment I have an exemption card for prescriptions from what the hospital told me this is because I am on gliclazide. However if I just go to just metformin I will be made to pay the prescriptions which I guess will work out as a lot.

I will find it difficult to cut out fruit as it is such a big part of what I eat. But I will definitely give it a go as I do want my diabetes to be more manageable. Even with the tablets though my blood sugar is still above 10 most days.

Is taking insulin better than metformin and gliclazide? In hospital I was given insulin and my blood sugar dropped completely to normal and I felt much better in myself and my dry mouth was gone. On these tablets I still suffer really badly with dry mouth and drink a lot of water.

Sorry so many questions! Have you found a diet that works better for you now?

Being a diabetic gives you free prescriptions not the meds you are on.

I have a 5 year card which I believe remains even if I reverse my diabetes within that time. Not completely sure on this as no one including dr seems to know

 

[lovinglife]

Being a diabetic gives you free prescriptions not the meds you are on.

I have a 5 year card which I believe remains even if I reverse my diabetes within that time. Not completely sure on this as no one including dr seems to know

Sorry @Cana but that's not quite correct - being diabetic does not get you free prescriptions, you have to be on medication that is specifically prescribed for diabetes such as metformin etc, it is true though that once you have the card it's valid for the five years even if you no longer take any diabetic medication - after that if you are no longer on any meds you will not get your card renewed

 

[becca59]

Just catching up on this thread and was glad to see my fellow Type 1s jump in with concerns about diagnosis. Insist on a hospital consultation. GPS are not knowledgeable enough in my opinion. Also, I am pretty sure in the NHS guidelines tests should not be done to diagnose in the first 6 months as they are notoriously unreliable. A good diabetic consultant will go with their gut and years of knowledge from what they see in front of them. I suspect their initial thoughts were correct.

 

[Courts_12]

Just catching up on this thread and was glad to see my fellow Type 1s jump in with concerns about diagnosis. Insist on a hospital consultation. GPS are not knowledgeable enough in my opinion. Also, I am pretty sure in the NHS guidelines tests should not be done to diagnose in the first 6 months as they are notoriously unreliable. A good diabetic consultant will go with their gut and years of knowledge from what they see in front of them. I suspect their initial thoughts were correct.

They gave me a hospital consultation last week however the doctor kept saying it is more likely I am type 2. But would not give me a definite answer. I was originally supposed to see the doctor I saw in the hospital who said it was type 1 but was given a different doctor at the last minute.

I will try ring the GP today. It just feels like I have been banded in to type 2 and thrown tablets at as I have had to chase up appointments already myself. Thank you for the honesty though, hopefully within this year I can find out everything properly and know for definite.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Hi my name is Courtney, I was newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in April and at 22 it was a massive shock. I have been struggling to come to terms with it but today I attended a Desmond course.

I really struggle in groups as I am quite shy but it was the best thing I could do. I gained so much knowledge and learned different things to try to eat and what is best to avoid.

I am really feeling happy now about getting this under control. It was so nerve wracking as I was the youngest person there (over the age of 50) but everyone understood and reassured me. So if anyone gets the opportunity go to the Desmond course it has helped me understand so much more.

Although I am just wondering if anyone around the same age has advice on how they are coping as it has been a struggle to find people of a similar age with Type 2 diabetes.

Thank you, Courtney

T2 at your age and weight doesn't happen often... So I'm with the others on this: insist on more elaborate testing and specialists, preferably see the one you orgininaly spoke with. There's more types than just 1 and 2, and they do require different treatment. And GP's usually have no idea about diabetes. I know mine doesn't. (Lovely woman though, gives me any test I ask for).

Otherwise I'd just be tempted to say Desmond steered you rather wrong with the spuds and the like, but your meter is already telling you that. And you can have fruit, just stick with berries, starfruit, avocado's... Those'll impact your bloodsugars the least. (And who says "no" to strawberries with clotted cream, or unsweetened whipped?).But really... If you're not a T2 but a T1, this is of relatively little concern... T2 can happen at your age, true, but typically it happens to people who are severely overweight. (The weight gain being a symptom, not a cause of T2.).

You say you want to know before the year is out what type you are... Well, the sooner, the better, because with T1 things can go wrong a whole lot quicker than they do with T2, usually. Keep an eye on your bloodsugars, and if at any given time they keep going up, or don't go down anymore, ring for help. If you ever feel ill, ring for help. And tell whomever you get on the phone that your type is inconclusive.

I hope you get your answers soon. I know some here waited eons to hear they were LADA or Mody, for instance, after years of being treated like a T2. (And being blamed for "failing" in the management of their diabetes!)

Good luck!
Jo

 

[Robinredbreast]

They gave me a hospital consultation last week however the doctor kept saying it is more likely I am type 2. But would not give me a definite answer. I was originally supposed to see the doctor I saw in the hospital who said it was type 1 but was given a different doctor at the last minute.

I will try ring the GP today. It just feels like I have been banded in to type 2 and thrown tablets at as I have had to chase up appointments already myself. Thank you for the honesty though, hopefully within this year I can find out everything properly and know for definite.

I hope you can get a definite answer soon, at your age, with type 2 is unusual, but not set in stone, as we hear of very young children being diagnosed with type 2.
Be assertive, (you could even be Mody or Lada) as you are obviously concerned, so good luck

 

[Courts_12]

T2 at your age and weight doesn't happen often... So I'm with the others on this: insist on more elaborate testing and specialists, preferably see the one you orgininaly spoke with. There's more types than just 1 and 2, and they do require different treatment. And GP's usually have no idea about diabetes. I know mine doesn't. (Lovely woman though, gives me any test I ask for).

Otherwise I'd just be tempted to say Desmond steered you rather wrong with the spuds and the like, but your meter is already telling you that. And you can have fruit, just stick with berries, starfruit, avocado's... Those'll impact your bloodsugars the least. (And who says "no" to strawberries with clotted cream, or unsweetened whipped?).But really... If you're not a T2 but a T1, this is of relatively little concern... T2 can happen at your age, true, but typically it happens to people who are severely overweight. (The weight gain being a symptom, not a cause of T2.).

You say you want to know before the year is out what type you are... Well, the sooner, the better, because with T1 things can go wrong a whole lot quicker than they do with T2, usually. Keep an eye on your bloodsugars, and if at any given time they keep going up, or don't go down anymore, ring for help. If you ever feel ill, ring for help. And tell whomever you get on the phone that your type is inconclusive.

I hope you get your answers soon. I know some here waited eons to hear they were LADA or Mody, for instance, after years of being treated like a T2. (And being blamed for "failing" in the management of their diabetes!)

Good luck!
Jo

Hi Jo,

I have no clue how to go about asking for specialists and the people I originally saw were in hospital. I was supposed to see the doctor I saw in hospital last week as he thought I was type 1 but instead it was changed last minute to a different doctor. My GP is pretty useless too. I have a really nice nurse though who checks up on me now and again.

I now feel like it was a waste of a day if they have told me completely wrong. I am just sticking to my blood glucose meter. My sugars go up a lot, should I be ringing when this happens? Even though they are classing it as type 2 should I just wait and see.

I am hoping I get the answer soon as these tablets just seem to be making me put on weight and are making me feel rubbish often. But I am eating all the right foods and a lot of veg now. I have cut on sweets, a lot of fruit, bread, pasta and I am just trying to see what is best. Thank you!

Courtney