I've given up the unequal struggle

Patrick66

Well-Known Member
Messages
978
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
People. Noise. Swearing. Many foods.
I haven't been on here for a while because I've been so ashamed by my eating habits and my inability to eat anything like healthy these last several months.

My carb intake has grown and I cant recall the last day I didn't eat something sweet and sugary.

I had a nervous breakdown a while ago. Not been able to clear my head at all really and everything just rose up and overwhelmed me. Panic attacks, anxiety, fibromyalgia pain off the charts and through it all I'm amazed that I only weigh a single pound more than when we started this saga back in March.
Pushing myself to exercise just increases the pain but if my minds weak I can only hope the body isn't as weak even if the pain is staggering at times.

I'm worn out. I'm back at work but taking things very very slowly. I just have no....desire?...appetite?...to eat healthily and everything's become a bother and a nuisance. Its been a struggle and one I'm not winning.

I hope for brighter days. I hope that one day I will be strong enough to sort myself out again but those days seem very distant.

Stay safe everyone.
 

JRT

Well-Known Member
Messages
256
I haven't been on here for a while because I've been so ashamed by my eating habits and my inability to eat anything like healthy these last several months.

My carb intake has grown and I cant recall the last day I didn't eat something sweet and sugary.

I had a nervous breakdown a while ago. Not been able to clear my head at all really and everything just rose up and overwhelmed me. Panic attacks, anxiety, fibromyalgia pain off the charts and through it all I'm amazed that I only weigh a single pound more than when we started this saga back in March.
Pushing myself to exercise just increases the pain but if my minds weak I can only hope the body isn't as weak even if the pain is staggering at times.

I'm worn out. I'm back at work but taking things very very slowly. I just have no....desire?...appetite?...to eat healthily and everything's become a bother and a nuisance. Its been a struggle and one I'm not winning.

I hope for brighter days. I hope that one day I will be strong enough to sort myself out again but those days seem very distant.

Stay safe everyone.
I'm sure you are not alone in struggling at the moment. Take care.
 

Antje77

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
19,284
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi @Patrick66 , please don't be ashamed of yourself because you can't manage to make healthier food choices on top of everything else you're dealing with!
Sometimes dealing with everything life throws at us is simply too much.

Would it be a possibility to discuss your diabetes medication and perhaps add something to keep your bg lower despite your food choices?

Wish you all the best and have a hug!
 

Patrick66

Well-Known Member
Messages
978
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
People. Noise. Swearing. Many foods.
Hi @Patrick66 , please don't be ashamed of yourself because you can't manage to make healthier food choices on top of everything else you're dealing with!
Sometimes dealing with everything life throws at us is simply too much.

Would it be a possibility to discuss your diabetes medication and perhaps add something to keep your bg lower despite your food choices?

Wish you all the best and have a hug!
It would be lovely to be able to talk things through with people but I'm on max dose of my metformin and I don't know what else there is. Hard to get through to speak to real people these days.
Just hope I'm burning a lot of blood sugar by pushing myself to exercise.
 

zand

Master
Messages
10,784
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
You aren't alone. I have given up too.
Take heart in the fact that you haven't put on much weight. Take care
 
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lucylocket61

Expert
Messages
6,435
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I haven't completely given up, but have good days and bad days.

Hugs Patrick. Doing your best is all you can do. It may not be someone else's best, but it's YOUR best, and that's all that matters.

Stress and anxiety raises blood sugar levels, so maybe not stressing about diet for now will help anyway? We can't do much about other stress factors.

Best wishes to you.
 
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Antje77

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
19,284
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
It would be lovely to be able to talk things through with people but I'm on max dose of my metformin and I don't know what else there is.
There are many other medications which can help lowering bg! Could be worth asking your HCP about.
 

Patrick66

Well-Known Member
Messages
978
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
People. Noise. Swearing. Many foods.
There are many other medications which can help lowering bg! Could be worth asking your HCP about.
I was told metformin or...insulin injections. But times may have changed since that discussion...from pre-lockdown times...
 

Patrick66

Well-Known Member
Messages
978
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
People. Noise. Swearing. Many foods.
You aren't alone. I have given up too.
Take heart in the fact that you haven't put on much weight. Take care

I'm sorry to hear that. Its been a bit of nightmare. Plus the shops round here seem to run out of healthy stuff so quickly. Hope things improve for all of us and soon.
 
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Patrick66

Well-Known Member
Messages
978
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
People. Noise. Swearing. Many foods.
I haven't completely given up, but have good days and bad days.

Hugs Patrick. Doing your best is all you can do. It may not be someone else's best, but it's YOUR best, and that's all that matters.

Stress and anxiety raises blood sugar levels, so maybe not stressing about diet for now will help anyway? We can't do much about other stress factors.

Best wishes to you.
Thank you. Nice to hear from you.

Yes stress does strange things to blood sugar doesn't it and we can only try our best, even if that best doesn't seem to be very good.
 

zand

Master
Messages
10,784
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I was told metformin or...insulin injections. But times may have changed since that discussion...from pre-lockdown times...
That advice was wrong then and is still wrong. There are other drugs to lower blood sugar
 
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lessci

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,023
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
There are many other medications which can help lowering bg! Could be worth asking your HCP about.
I totally agree with Antje77, I take 4 different Diabetes medications to keep myself at a reasonable BG, make an appointment with your GP/DN even if it's telephone/Zoom one. Tell them your concerns. They'll either put your mind at rest, send you for a blood test, or prescribe something else until you get back on an even keel
 

Patrick66

Well-Known Member
Messages
978
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
People. Noise. Swearing. Many foods.
That advice was wrong then and is still wrong. There are other drugs to lower blood sugar
I'll take them all...

I must be due a diabetic review (ha, it rhymes) but this pandemic has seriously messed up what I am doing. I will ask the question...so long as they don't say Gliclizide(?) as I know you have to tell the DVLA if you have that one..
 
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Patrick66

Well-Known Member
Messages
978
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
People. Noise. Swearing. Many foods.
I totally agree with Antje77, I take 4 different Diabetes medications to keep myself at a reasonable BG, make an appointment with your GP/DN even if it's telephone/Zoom one. Tell them your concerns. They'll either put your mind at rest, send you for a blood test, or prescribe something else until you get back on an even keel
Hi,

I note you are on Gliclazide?> I think thats one of the drugs where you have to tell the DVLA you are taking it. Trying to avoid that but I will ask the question.
 

BigSteveC

Newbie
Messages
3
I was told metformin or...insulin injections. But times may have changed since that discussion...from pre-lockdown times...
Hi Patrick,
I'm new on here and in the summer my eating and drinking got out of hand.
My recent hba1c was 10.8
Being a lorry driver and on 2000mg metformin I was fearing the worst.
However, the diabetic nurse told me there are a few new medicines that don't lower your bg but rather stop it rising. Therefore no testing (though i've started doing it for my own information) and pretty much no chance of a hypo. Still waiting on DVLA but i'm confident.
So I don't reckon you're gonna be on insulin just yet.
You just need to get back on track.
There is a lot of support for mental health problems. Talk to your GP about what's available in your area.
I'm in the midlands and filled out a self referal form for a mental health wellbeing clinic. I had the choice of 1 to 1 , group, or online help.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. Do it before it gets to the stage of breakdown. No need to feel ashamed.
Stay strong and stay safe brother and i'll see you at the other end of the tunnel.
Take care
Big Steve x
 

Patrick66

Well-Known Member
Messages
978
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
People. Noise. Swearing. Many foods.
Hi Patrick,
I'm new on here and in the summer my eating and drinking got out of hand.
My recent hba1c was 10.8
Being a lorry driver and on 2000mg metformin I was fearing the worst.
However, the diabetic nurse told me there are a few new medicines that don't lower your bg but rather stop it rising. Therefore no testing (though i've started doing it for my own information) and pretty much no chance of a hypo. Still waiting on DVLA but i'm confident.
So I don't reckon you're gonna be on insulin just yet.
You just need to get back on track.
There is a lot of support for mental health problems. Talk to your GP about what's available in your area.
I'm in the midlands and filled out a self referal form for a mental health wellbeing clinic. I had the choice of 1 to 1 , group, or online help.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. Do it before it gets to the stage of breakdown. No need to feel ashamed.
Stay strong and stay safe brother and i'll see you at the other end of the tunnel.
Take care
Big Steve x

Hi,
Thanks for that. I think my GP was being melodramatic about insulin as the diabetic nurse was rolling is eyes when he said it and, as she rightly observed, shes the specialist and he isn't.
I've just contacted my surgery to try and set up my HbA1c test so I can see how the land lies. The fact my weights barely changed and I get as much exercise as fibromyalgia allows me to, has in the past kept the blood sugar from going too high so I maintain a glimmer of hope.
I'm already under the mental health team (being Autistic and having ADHD) but their definition of help and my own seem to be two very different things. Not that I am blaming them entirely as this pandemic is upsetting everyone.

Thanks again.
 

DCUKMod

Master
Staff Member
Messages
14,298
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
@Patrick66 - There are over 400 combinations of oral medications for help manage Type 2 diabetes. Note that is combinations, as opposed to 400 single drug options.

Like for everyone esle, there will be pros and cons to any drug or combination of drugs, but there are usually lots of options to try.

I would also say that having to inform the DVLA of a change of medication rarely raises an eyebrow, and (talking purely about T2 here) does not give rise to any changes to your license.

Anyone using insulin will normally be moved onto a 3-year medically restricted license, but that's about it. Anyone with sight or other eye issues can often expect a bit closer scrutiny, but then, I think that's likely to be expected.

Times have moved on from even Lockdown #1. Many, many more appointments are happening by phone or video calling, so lots of reviews are happening, even if not in the ideal, fact-to-face way.

Do try to have a review. Just talking to someone about things could just help raise your spirits and if your bloods have been running a bit rich, perhaps adding an extra medication - even temporarily - could also help you feel better.

High blood sugars can really impact our moods, and not in a good way.

Good luck to you. You could do with a break.
 

Patrick66

Well-Known Member
Messages
978
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
People. Noise. Swearing. Many foods.
@Patrick66 - There are over 400 combinations of oral medications for help manage Type 2 diabetes. Note that is combinations, as opposed to 400 single drug options.

Like for everyone esle, there will be pros and cons to any drug or combination of drugs, but there are usually lots of options to try.

I would also say that having to inform the DVLA of a change of medication rarely raises an eyebrow, and (talking purely about T2 here) does not give rise to any changes to your license.

Anyone using insulin will normally be moved onto a 3-year medically restricted license, but that's about it. Anyone with sight or other eye issues can often expect a bit closer scrutiny, but then, I think that's likely to be expected.

Times have moved on from even Lockdown #1. Many, many more appointments are happening by phone or video calling, so lots of reviews are happening, even if not in the ideal, fact-to-face way.

Do try to have a review. Just talking to someone about things could just help raise your spirits and if your bloods have been running a bit rich, perhaps adding an extra medication - even temporarily - could also help you feel better.

High blood sugars can really impact our moods, and not in a good way.

Good luck to you. You could do with a break.

Thank you.

My doctor has just booked me in for my HbA1c so i have three weeks to wait. Yes my mood has been awful, not so much lockdown itself but a combination of things mainly work related, that have made my blood boil. Just had five weeks away from work because of things...though the fact I'm working from home means that work is never far away.
 

KK123

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,967
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi @Patrick66, just wanted to say it's nice to hear from you and at the end of the day you are still a TRIER in my book and that counts for a lot. x
 
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Patrick66

Well-Known Member
Messages
978
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
People. Noise. Swearing. Many foods.
Hi @Patrick66, just wanted to say it's nice to hear from you and at the end of the day you are still a TRIER in my book and that counts for a lot. x

Oh my better half says I am very trying...lol. Thanks