What was your fasting blood glucose? (full on chat)

[PenguinMum]

@Debandez I too was told by my GP when she phoned with my dx that they dont recommend testing daily as it makes people too anxious. The one helpful thing she said was to go online where I would find lots of info and support and I came here almost straightaway. I just lurked for a few weeks reading before I felt able to post.
My logic is you wouldnt recommend crossing a busy road with a blindfold on but you are equally taking high risks with managing Diabetes without the use of a personal meter because of the peaks and troughs which the A1c doesnt show. And of course it is well documented that peaks above 8 can cause damage.
As regards cost the NHS regularly does deals with companies who supply them so could negotiate with one supplier on the cost of strips etc and possibly could persuade them to issue free meters because of the numbers involved.
The only thing I would add is the public need to start taking ownership of chronic conditions and try to manage them in partnership with their doctors. If only Doctors could start the conversation on dx saying yes it is a chronic condition but can be controlled and managed with self discipline and use of a meter before and after (2 hrs) eating. One of my OH’s buddies is in a bit of denial and it is his wife who does the worrying and polices his food. Behind her back he does what he likes. But that might be because Diabetes has always been portrayed as having hopeless outcomes and putting your fingers in your ears and saying lalala is just a coping method for abject fear.

Sorry Deb a bit rambling...and I am happy to give a snapshot of my experience if it helps. The strange thing for me is since dx (same date as you) I have had normal A1cs but yet I am about to start my second course of eye injections due to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion which has reduced my sight in one eye significantly. That might be because I had high BG for many years before dx and the damage was already done or maybe I am just unlucky.

 

[dunelm]

I really enjoy russets - seems such a shame to turn them into apple sauce but far better than going to waste. Something more meh like spartans would be my choice. No frosts yet here so plenty of time for them to hang on the trees. We no longer make cider but next Saturday would probably have been cider day - russets go well as part of the mix for that. Just seen that this this year is the most colourful apple crop in 20 years. Also, love Robert Frost generally but Good-by and keep cold especially
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44265/good-bye-and-keep-cold

I like the poem.
Unfortunately for our apples, pears, plums and cherries (usually stolen by birds) I can no longer eat them without taking on enough sugar to blow a gasket. A very small dollop of apple sauce though with a nice piece of crackling is, so far, a pretty good treat.
Apart from the unblemished, which will go to friends and (some) neighbours, they are all now chopped and on a slow slow burn in a big pan with a lid on - no added water or other stuff necessary.

 

[ianpspurs]

I like the poem.
Unfortunately for our apples, pears, plums and cherries (usually stolen by birds) I can no longer eat them without taking on enough sugar to blow a gasket. A very small dollop of apple sauce though with a nice piece of crackling is, so far, a pretty good treat.
Apart from the unblemished, which will go to friends and (some) neighbours, they are all now chopped and on a slow slow burn in a big pan with a lid on - no added water or other stuff necessary.

I do take a few bites of apple or pear on my strolls around the garden - especially with sun on them. Last year I threw the rest to the chickens but the fox ate those chickens and no point replacing until/if we move. Having sampled many varieties of plum whilst picking them only a rivers is worth eating raw IMHO, People did seem to like buying our vics - no idea what that is about but I was happy to help them with their problem of having too much money - all heart me.

 

[ianpspurs]

5.7 today
Swapped libre sensor to new one, decided to use mobile to scan again as I prefer the layout of info but it seems to have increased my fbs! Still happy with this.

I've posted this in 'ask a question'. Any feedback much appreciated from my favourite thread and its wonderful members. Once I get feedback I will decide on which direction to take it forward.

Its world diabetes day on 14th November.

It seems a good day to highlight to the powers that be that:

1) current t2d guidelines are wrong
2) we need to be offered blood glucose monitors (what is measured can be managed)

It seems the majority of us coming to this site (and many others) are actively discouraged from testing. My DN said it can become obsessive and there really is no need to test! Apparently a 6 month hba1c that confirms AVERAGE bg in a 2/3 month period is the only monitoring we need to do. I liken this to being a mountaineer, if I scaled the highest mountain putting my life in jeopardy or a small hill where I could ramble along only an average would be recorded. I'm risking my life moreso climbing the biggies I feel!

I wonder how many would like to fund & cannot afford it? It should be provided for all T2'ds that demonstrate a firm commitment to want to manage their diabetes AND the benefits of testing should be explained clearly. We are all different, not one size fits all (unfortunately).

So I'm just testing the water here (not the blood just yet). If I was to set up a template letter along the above lines which we could each send to our respective CCGs (or equivalent outside UK) where there would be a blank page for you to write your own words if required who would be up for doing this?

My initial plan was to set up a petition, collect lots of signatures demanding change and march to no. 10 wearing my brightest yellow vest! But although dietary advise is being challenged and we are seeing lots of remission journeys in the media, maybe I'm being a little too optimistic. He is a tad busy at present our Boris!

Apart from sending to CCGs we could also send to high profile T2Ds like Tom Watson. The health secretary Matt Hancock. Head of NHS England. DUK. Etc etc. Any suggestions welcome.

I can help with putting letter together if you want to back up the standard letter with details of your own journey.

Really I'm just putting out the feelers. Is this the best place for this thread even?

Any feedback appreciated

Thank you.
Deb.

@Debandez your commitment to helping others and trying to alleviate needless suffering due to poor advice is fantastic. In your post you switch between monitoring and testing once or twice. Pressing for monitors to help to monitor and adjust is absolutely good. Reading through this thread most mornings, seeing it as a test does seem to cause some anxiety - I would say don't call it testing.
The advice does seem to be showing its age but I don't know when it was first issued and I was certainly never given any advice whatsoever on diet. I imagine pointing out that science and managing T2 in other ways is evolving rapidly which means it would be appropriate to "revisit" the advice. This may be better received.
Just because something can be measured it does not automatically mean it can be managed but it does make it far more likely and is far more likely to save easily avoidable pain, suffering, potentially death and expense and extra, avoidable, work across the diabetic population. The monitor needs to be supplemented with a course/workshop on using it and what you are looking for - what post-prandial rise to aim for , how one might achieve this (with good examples from real people) and factors which affect this and fbg. A better course than DESMOND or whatever you guys had. Just my thoughts to add into the mix.
Anyone seen or used this https://www.england.nhs.uk/2019/05/online-diabetes-support/ I have certainly never been made aware of this despite being in an area where it is available. Support what you do just offering my thoughts.

 

[Muddy Cyclist]

a few years ago I was wanting a fat-tired beach cruiser, which seems to be a fancy new name for the kind of bike nearly everyone rode when I was a kid ..

Bikes are bikes, they may change shape and have fancy names but still mostly have 2 wheels a saddle, handle bars and pedals. Like most things in life my only advice would be buy the best quality within your budget if you intend using it a lot.
The only difference between USA and UK bikes is that brakes are on different sides, I used to lead weekend rides in the Brecon Beacons and visiting USA troops would often go over the handle bars when they forgot the back break leaver was not where they expected

Sorry you did not get the rain, even more sorry we have had bucket loads today. A muddy ride beckons tomorrow.

 

[Muddy Cyclist]

5.7 today
Swapped libre sensor to new one, decided to use mobile to scan again as I prefer the layout of info but it seems to have increased my fbs! Still happy with this.

I've posted this in 'ask a question'. Any feedback much appreciated from my favourite thread and its wonderful members. Once I get feedback I will decide on which direction to take it forward.

Its world diabetes day on 14th November.

It seems a good day to highlight to the powers that be that:

1) current t2d guidelines are wrong
2) we need to be offered blood glucose monitors (what is measured can be managed)

It seems the majority of us coming to this site (and many others) are actively discouraged from testing. My DN said it can become obsessive and there really is no need to test! Apparently a 6 month hba1c that confirms AVERAGE bg in a 2/3 month period is the only monitoring we need to do. I liken this to being a mountaineer, if I scaled the highest mountain putting my life in jeopardy or a small hill where I could ramble along only an average would be recorded. I'm risking my life moreso climbing the biggies I feel!

I wonder how many would like to fund & cannot afford it? It should be provided for all T2'ds that demonstrate a firm commitment to want to manage their diabetes AND the benefits of testing should be explained clearly. We are all different, not one size fits all (unfortunately).

So I'm just testing the water here (not the blood just yet). If I was to set up a template letter along the above lines which we could each send to our respective CCGs (or equivalent outside UK) where there would be a blank page for you to write your own words if required who would be up for doing this?

My initial plan was to set up a petition, collect lots of signatures demanding change and march to no. 10 wearing my brightest yellow vest! But although dietary advise is being challenged and we are seeing lots of remission journeys in the media, maybe I'm being a little too optimistic. He is a tad busy at present our Boris!

Apart from sending to CCGs we could also send to high profile T2Ds like Tom Watson. The health secretary Matt Hancock. Head of NHS England. DUK. Etc etc. Any suggestions welcome.

I can help with putting letter together if you want to back up the standard letter with details of your own journey.

Really I'm just putting out the feelers. Is this the best place for this thread even?

Any feedback appreciated

Thank you.
Deb.

Yes, I was told not to test and given all the wrong advice about diet and heavy handedly given Metformin which I refused to take. The doctor who is the health centres Diabetic Specialist said if I did not take the tablets I could be dependent on insulin injections within 3 months, luckily I am a questioning type of guy but others would trust the doctor implicitly, I am so pleased I took no notice of his advise but I was lucky because I had a relative who had already proven LCHF diet can reverse Type 2 and so researching for me was easy, not so for others.
@PenguinMum I agree about people taking responsibility for chronic illness. I am not convinced most Type 2 patients realise just how life threatening and serious it is. The majority of people I speak to dismiss it as a modern irritation, very common not something to worry about and are always shocked with my loss of limb, eye and death response to there flippancy. Education is important but whilst our NAtional Health are playing it down by suggesting not to test I'm not sure how much notice will be taken.
But yes @Debandez count me in.

 

[SaskiaKC]

Bikes are bikes, they may change shape and have fancy names but still mostly have 2 wheels a saddle, handle bars and pedals. Like most things in life my only advice would be buy the best quality within your budget if you intend using it a lot.
The only difference between USA and UK bikes is that brakes are on different sides, I used to lead weekend rides in the Brecon Beacons and visiting USA troops would often go over the handle bars when they forgot the back break leaver was not where they expected

Sorry you did not get the rain, even more sorry we have had bucket loads today. A muddy ride beckons tomorrow.

I remember it was the same with British and American motorcycles. Brakes, gears, on opposite sides of the bike ...

 

[SaskiaKC]

Recent posts here reminded me of bumper stickers I used to see back in the day ...

I understand this even better now since having been diagnosed with diabetes.

 

[PenguinMum]

@ianpspurs insightful post to @Debandez but I think measuring FBG causing anxiety sometimes is a good thing. For me anyway! Every day a day of reckoning!

 

[SaskiaKC]

Bikes are bikes, they may change shape and have fancy names but still mostly have 2 wheels a saddle, handle bars and pedals. Like most things in life my only advice would be buy the best quality within your budget if you intend using it a lot.
The only difference between USA and UK bikes is that brakes are on different sides, I used to lead weekend rides in the Brecon Beacons and visiting USA troops would often go over the handle bars when they forgot the back break leaver was not where they expected

.

Oh my goodness!!! All the hand-brake bikes I have ever ridden have had the front caliper brake on the left, the rear on the right. These bikes were American made, Austrian, possibly Italian. Several friends had Raleighs but I don't think I ever rode one (men's bikes and too tall for me!). So ... British bikes have the front brake on the right, rear brake on the left?

That's one thing I prefer about horses. As long as they're not western-trained they respond to more or less international aids.

 

[Muddy Cyclist]

Oh my goodness!!! All the hand-brake bikes I have ever ridden have had the front caliper brake on the left, the rear on the right. These bikes were American made, Austrian, possibly Italian. Several friends had Raleighs but I don't think I ever rode one (men's bikes and too tall for me!). So ... British bikes have the front brake on the right, rear brake on the left?

That's one thing I prefer about horses. As long as they're not western-trained they respond to more or less international aids.

It does not matter where they were made, I'm sure UK bikes that arrive in USA have the brake leavers on the side for your country, it's to do with the side of the road traffic moves on.

Yes horses are more international but have no brakes which I have experienced once or twice

 

[trick60]

Good morning folks, a 5.1 on the dice today at too early o'clock.

 

[gennepher]

Fbg 7.1

Good morning!

 

[PenguinMum]

Morning All. Been awake since 5 with the start of a cold. 6.1 at 06.30.
Plan to make my Christmas cakes today. The fruit has been bathing in cognac since the weekend. There will be lovely smells in the kitchen if I can smell anything!
Have a good Tuesday everyone. Stay well, stay safe and dry if you can.

 

[UserABC2021]

Been awake since 5 with the start of a cold.

Perhaps a tipple or two of the cognac to kill the cold bugs

5.2 this morning for me, off the infection meds now but in truth, I can't say I feel any better. I need to go into the village today so, as usual, the walk will be my measure. Enjoy the day

 

[PenguinMum]

Perhaps a tipple or two of the cognac to kill the cold bugs

Ha the fumes should be enough! Hope you start feeling better...some of your own advice..a nip of Taliskar now you’re off the meds.

 

[karen8967]

6.2 for me have a good day everyone

 

[Muddy Cyclist]

Good Morning all up and about, bright and promising here. Awoke to a 5.5 which I am pleased with as my BG had rose to 7.2 yesterday after succumbing to a delicious piece of Red Currant Cheesecake yesterday lunch at the local pub.

I have a list of jobs as long as my arm today but I am going to ignore them until after a muddy bike ride.

@OldButBold sorry meds don't seem to have sorted out your probs, hope walk goes well.

PS I managed 6 hours sleep last night instead of the all to regular 4 hours. YIppee!

 

[ianpspurs]

@PenguinMum hug for the cold and early waking. @trick60 shame about too early O'clock but jolly fine bg so best seen as a draw. @OldButBold fbg seems fine so I hope the walk goes well. @Muddy Cyclist the bike ride is obviously first priority. 5.3 for me today - sub optimal but very few in this thread manage the sub 5 every day. What I think the benchmark is comes well below what I achieve but that is well below what I expect from this rigmarole. I am continually baffled by it all. Enjoy your own daily mystery tour folks.

 

[Muddy Cyclist]

Morning All. Been awake since 5 with the start of a cold. 6.1 at 06.30.
Plan to make my Christmas cakes today. The fruit has been bathing in cognac since the weekend. There will be lovely smells in the kitchen if I can smell anything!
Have a good Tuesday everyone. Stay well, stay safe and dry if you can.

Sorry you are feeling under the weather, hope the fumes improve things but if not I'm sure they will cheer you up.