Giving up hope.

[Jenround]

Hi guys, this is my first post on the forum..or so I think it is. I am a 33 year old mother of two and have been diagnosed type two diabetic for around 12 years and a further three to five in diagnosed. Because of my age and weight at the time doctors were reluctant to put me forward for testing. It turns out now that they are saying in those years if it had been treated then I wouldn’t be in the position I am today. I’m in the UK and my blood glucose levels range between 19 and 35, I’m sorry I’m not sure what that equals in other countries, so I apologise for that. I have an accelerated heart rate, fatty liver and enlarged kidneys. I don’t drink alcohol nor do I smoke. Despite my size, around a UK 18 and 13 stone, I don’t eat an awful lot. I have no appetite and pretty much have to force myself to eat so I can take my insulin. I am currently on 60m degladec at night and the same in the morning and 25 novarapid with every meal and once a week an injection of trulicitine? Sorry spelling into really my speciality at the moment.

The doctors keep telling me that I have to lose weight and that I’m on the highest dosages in my surgery at the moment for insulin but neither doctors are offering any practical advise. I work full time and am a single mother. If I don’t work we can’t pay rent and that’s something I can’t allow to happen. I’m truly losing hope, not only is going back to the gym not an option but I had surgery on my back to try and aid my crumbling discs. Something went wrong and now I can no longer feel any nerve endings from the waist down. I don’t want to sound dramatic but I can’t live like this anymore. I’ve begged the doctors for help and the only person who seemed to listen was my diabetic nurse but due to having to move my letters from the specialist never arrived and as such was removed from their list to be seen at the hospital again.

I was wondering if anyone is going through anything similar because right now I feel so helpless and alone and have no one else in my life that even remotely understands. I put on a smile and do all I can but at night when I close my door i wonder how all this will end...sorry for being depressive...it’s just how I feel. Thank you

 

[ChrisBar]

I am so sorry to read this post, please don't give up hope. You need to hassle your hospital and get back on the list to see your consultant you need help with your weight and also your mental health. Its hard enough being a single mom as well as coping with your diabetes as well as battling with your own health issues. Please don't be hard on yourself there are a lot of balls you are juggling there! Take each day with a fresh mindset and take it easy - be kind to yourself but i would say as a matter of urgency get yourself back on that waiting list to see a specialist and rely on your nurse more - get her to hassle too. I know it can be hard to think positively when you are so down but you have 2 beautiful kiddies (I'm sure) who need their mom and as i always say once you've hit rock bottom there is only one way to go - UP! Do you have any family that can offer support? Please take care and you can always vent your frustration on here - hugs being sent to you x

 

[Juicyj]

Hello and welcome to the forum @Jenround

Sounds like you really need alot of support right now, have you done any NHS courses to help with your diabetes care ? There is an expert diabetes course available which is very useful, as your taking insulin you should also be offered the Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating course too. Have you been given guidance in adjusting your insulin to manage high blood glucose levels ?

Getting in front of a specialist diabetes consultant at your hospital is really important for you, as you need some specialist help and guidance from the right team, unfortunately GP's are not specialists so your care needs to be managed by a specialist team - can you speak to your practice about getting a referral to get the ball rolling ?

Please have some hope, with better care and support things can improve alot for you, best wishes J

 

[Resurgam]

Could you enlist your GP's help to get back on the hospital list?
The surgery should know that you moved - perhaps the manager could contact the hospital clinic on your behalf - they must know that you need all the help you can get after all that has happened.
These days at diagnosis you might be lucky and get the advice to reduce carbohydrate and avoid low fat foods to keep your blood glucose levels down - it seems obvious to me but it is regarded as unhealthy by many thanks to all the nonsense about fats.
Reducing carbs - for many - results in a reduction in insulin resistance, and it also helps with weightloss.
Although I don't take insulin I do read about it - and I have the background of my BSc degree - I wondered why you have to eat and take insulin. You would need to have the basal type - probably - if you no longer make your own insulin - but the bolus before meals is to deal with the carbohydrate - so should be adjusted to suit the meal - if the meal is none existent then no need for fast acting insulin - or have I got that wrong?

 

[Member496333]

Hi! If you are on a large dose of insulin then you’re going to find it next to impossible to lose weight meaningfully. As you are type 2 heavily medicated and cannot regain control, I can’t see that you have much choice other than adopting low-carbohydrate eating. Have a wander around the ketogenic/low-carb forums and see how you feel about it all.

Best wishes. There IS hope, as evidenced by the success of so many people in this community. Also try to relax, you’re in safe hands now.

 

[Rachox]

So sorry to hear what you are going through, I think you need to get an appt with your GP as soon as is reasonably possible to discuss everything as you have done with us, try and make a double appt so you don’t feel rushed. If the receptionists ask why tell them you have two issues to discuss and need more time. You do have two issues going on, your physical health and your mental health so it is only stating the truth. Write a list of everything that is bothering to take with you so you don’t forget anything and if there is someone you can trust take them with you to help you remember what is said. All the best with getting things sorted out.

 

[Freema]

Hi guys, this is my first post on the forum..or so I think it is. I am a 33 year old mother of two and have been diagnosed type two diabetic for around 12 years and a further three to five in diagnosed. Because of my age and weight at the time doctors were reluctant to put me forward for testing. It turns out now that they are saying in those years if it had been treated then I wouldn’t be in the position I am today. I’m in the UK and my blood glucose levels range between 19 and 35, I’m sorry I’m not sure what that equals in other countries, so I apologise for that. I have an accelerated heart rate, fatty liver and enlarged kidneys. I don’t drink alcohol nor do I smoke. Despite my size, around a UK 18 and 13 stone, I don’t eat an awful lot. I have no appetite and pretty much have to force myself to eat so I can take my insulin. I am currently on 60m degladec at night and the same in the morning and 25 novarapid with every meal and once a week an injection of trulicitine? Sorry spelling into really my speciality at the moment.

The doctors keep telling me that I have to lose weight and that I’m on the highest dosages in my surgery at the moment for insulin but neither doctors are offering any practical advise. I work full time and am a single mother. If I don’t work we can’t pay rent and that’s something I can’t allow to happen. I’m truly losing hope, not only is going back to the gym not an option but I had surgery on my back to try and aid my crumbling discs. Something went wrong and now I can no longer feel any nerve endings from the waist down. I don’t want to sound dramatic but I can’t live like this anymore. I’ve begged the doctors for help and the only person who seemed to listen was my diabetic nurse but due to having to move my letters from the specialist never arrived and as such was removed from their list to be seen at the hospital again.

I was wondering if anyone is going through anything similar because right now I feel so helpless and alone and have no one else in my life that even remotely understands. I put on a smile and do all I can but at night when I close my door i wonder how all this will end...sorry for being depressive...it’s just how I feel. Thank you

please don´t give up, there is so much you can do and with this forum you can get another view on the whole diabtes type 2 thing,, so many have learned to control their diabtes type 2 in her and many have also lost most of their overweight ... welcome here
I´l tag @daisy1 so you can get all the welcome information that is really working , please stay with ud , we give each other support and information... so please stay here and make us answer you questions and help you to find delicious kinds of fodds that dont damage your body..

 

[Member496333]

I can’t be certain but I think @Chook managed to come off insulin, so may have some valuable insight. Apologies if I’m way off base with that.

 

[mariavontrapp]

First of all can I send you a hug. You are not alone, people on this forum can help by answering your questions and giving encouragement. You have probably got into this position because you were given the wrong information about diabetes and diet. The whole world has been given the wrong information regarding carbohydrates and fat for the last 50 years - that is why there is so much diabetes around. It's not because people are lazy or greedy. If you stick with this forum and learn about how to turn around diabetes you will realise that there is plenty to be hopeful about. However, you need to be prepared to put some time in to educate yourself about this- you need to learn the truth about diabetes and diet. The doctors aren't going to do this, so we have to do it ourselves - this is what we are all doing on this brilliant world renowned forum. I learnt everything I needed to know in two ways - first by using this forum and secondly by watching Youtube presentations by low-carb advocates. Try Jason Fung, Sarah Hallberg and Dr David Unwin for starters. There IS hope - you can do this.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Hi guys, this is my first post on the forum.. ---
I was wondering if anyone is going through anything similar because right now I feel so helpless and alone and have no one else in my life that even remotely understands. I put on a smile and do all I can but at night when I close my door i wonder how all this will end...sorry for being depressive...it’s just how I feel. Thank you

Hey Jenround,

Don't give up. Really. There's hope right here on the forum and on quite a few sites besides. The other day I wrote the below to someone who was in a situation relatively close to yours, I hope you don't mind the copy/paste, as the bit on metformin isn't relevant to you:

"Hi Dede,

Twenty years eh? Oh my. The thing with T2 is, we're insulin resistant. You start off making heaps of the stuff, and I do mean a LOT, so your body becomes insensitive to it. Adding more insulin to the mix, knowing that, seems a little counter-productive; it just keeps making a bad thing worse, as you've noticed. The focus should've been on increasing your insulin-sensitivity, not making it go backwards even further. As things have been this way for 20 years, I have no idea what state your pancreas is in, (it can get exhausted and that would then deplete your insulin production) but it's never too late to change your diet. See, we need insulin to deal with our bloodglucose. And what makes bloodglucose rise? Carbohydrates. All carbs, not just sugar, but starches too, make our glucose levels go up. So that's bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, corn, fruit, anything made with oats like cereal/weetabix... The last time I ate two buns, my BG went up to 18. Haven't had them since, and now my levels are non-diabetic, I've got energy, no complications, and no medication. I started down this road because the metformin I got gave me the runs too... And I mean weeks of it, bleeds included. For quite a few people it's 2 weeks and then the side effects abate, but I wasn't so lucky. So I went looking for an alternative and found the low carb, high fat diet. In the meantime I was switched from metformin to gliclazide, but all in all... After 3 months my levels had dropped so much i could stop all medication (including statins). So while i don't know what your pancreas is up to, i do have a feeling you could gain control when going down that route. just keep in mind that insulin and low carb mean you have to test a lot so as to not hypo.

As for metformin, the most it does is tell your liver not to dump as much glucose as it usually would, about 75% less. It doesn't do anything about what you ingest. So while it does help, it's not a miracle cure.

You might want to read Dr. Jason Fung's the Diabetes Code and www.dietdoctor.com, besides all the advice you're bound to get here. And maybe this'll help too: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/blog-entry/the-nutritional-thingy.2330/

Just keep in mind that if you make any dietary changes (your choice entirely of course, but it is something to at least look into, I hope?), it will make your blood glucose drop like a stone if you take too much insulin with it. So please do be careful of hypo's. Test like mad.

In any case, welcome, and good luck!
Jo"
​

Jenround, Doctors like Jason Fung have treated people who were wheelchair-bound and on the maximum dose of insulin. Were being the operative word here. You can gain control of your bloodsugars by learing about your T2 and changing your eating habits, (which i know can be difficult for a working mum, but it's better than the alternative, right?) and you don't have to do it alone. Try and get your diabetes team on board, but if they don't want to play ball, well, we're here too. You'll get through this. You will.
Hugs,
Jo

 

[Chook]

Hello @Jenround - @Jim Lahey is right, i used to be on very high levels of multiple daily insulin injections (thank you for tagging me @Jim Lahey ). I don't inject insulin any more.

I don't know how you are coping with those high blood sugars, a full time job AND being a lone Mum to two. No wonder you are stressed. *Big hug*

You're in the nasty cycle that i was in a few years ago - never feeling hungry but needing to eat more than i would like in order to take the amount of insulin prescribed for me and then the insulin forces the glucose in to your cells makes it virtually impossible to lose weight. Then, of course, there's the depression, blurry eyesight, downstairs thrush and other nasty symptoms that many people suffer when they have high blood sugars (these fade away when blood glucose has been reduced to normal levels).

The first thing you need to take in board is that its NOT YOUR FAULT. Its thought to be a combination of genetics and environment. You are almost certainly not deficient in your own natural insulin but your body has become resistant to using it properly. The insulin you inject (basically) forces the glucose in your blood in to your cells.

Second thing... T2 is like having an intolerance or mild allergy to carbs. The more carbs you eat the more your blood glucose goes up and up and up. Then, of course, your body can't cope with the glucose in the carbs so you have to inject more. Carbs are addictive - the more you eat, the more you want or even crave - then, of course you need more and more insulin.

Quite often at diagnosis people are given advice to eat a 'normal' diet with carbs making up about a third of each plate. This is fine for people with a normal physiological reaction to carbs but we T2s aren't like that - we can't process carbs properly like normal people and the glucose that the carbs have converted in to just hangs around in our blood potentially causing all kinds of problems.

As i said at the top of this post, i don't inject insulin any more, i control my Type 2 by eating as few carbs as possible - its not easy but it is worth it. When i started this way of eating my doctor thought i was an idiot and I even had the diabetes nurse having a hissy fit telling me that I need carbs for my brain to function (bit silly saying that as I'd been low carbing for two years at that point) but the people at my GP's surgery have come round to accepting a low carb diet as an excellent way to control Type 2.

I hope this helps a bit and gives you hope for the future. Please let me know if i can help.

 

[Jenround]

Hi everyone. I’ve just finished work, late as always and just had chance to read your replies. I’m truly overwhelmed by your helpful and truly kind responses. I am actually gluten and lactose intolerant which causes some difficulty depending on which way you look at it. Pasta and bread are cheaper ways to pack out food but I’m unable to eat them without being stuck in the bathroom all night.

My pancreas has been technically bone functioning for around two years so I produce no natural insulin and I went through the majority of oral medication for treatment of diabetes in six months. I suffered many side affects which earned me a stay in hospital surprisingly. I now am unable to inject into my stomach due to lumps forming so I now inject in my legs. I have a lot of excess skin due to being pregnant and then losing mass, not sure if that’s the right term. I’m a bit of an odd shape in all honesty, my face is quite slim, and my legs are like match sticks but still the doctors don’t seem to believe me when I give them my food diary. It’s like that look they give you to say you must be lieing or not being truthful with them which isn’t the case. I just want to feel normal and live a long life.

Honestly you’ve all given me so much advise and hope, more so than the doctors and nurses I have spoken to. I suffer with a few other medical conditions including bi polar but it’s very mild and kept in check with relaxation and medication. I think I must rattle when I walk sometimes. I’m recently getting over flu but like someone above stated they suffered many infections and thrush which is something I felt so alone with. Thank you all soo much, for the love and hugs

 

[1spuds]

Honestly you’ve all given me so much advise and hope, more so than the doctors and nurses I have spoken to.

This is the place to be for the proper understanding and treatment for our diabetes,and weight.No better source on the planet IMO.

Have you watched Dr Fung on weight and diabetes?He explains why they are related,why diets dont work (and its not your fault,its science) and great dietary advice.It is 6 parts,about an hour each.If I had to see only one thing about our condition,this series is it.

 

[Jenround]

This is the place to be for the proper understanding and treatment for our diabetes,and weight.No better source on the planet IMO.

Have you watched Dr Fung on weight and diabetes?He explains why they are related,why diets dont work (and its not your fault,its science) and great dietary advice.It is 6 parts,about an hour each.If I had to see only one thing about our condition,this series is it.

Thank you so much, I shall watch this as soon as I get home. Well once I’ve tidied and made tea for the kids but thank you!

 

[Member496333]

Hi everyone. I’ve just finished work, late as always and just had chance to read your replies. I’m truly overwhelmed by your helpful and truly kind responses. I am actually gluten and lactose intolerant which causes some difficulty depending on which way you look at it. Pasta and bread are cheaper ways to pack out food but I’m unable to eat them without being stuck in the bathroom all night.

My pancreas has been technically bone functioning for around two years so I produce no natural insulin and I went through the majority of oral medication for treatment of diabetes in six months. I suffered many side affects which earned me a stay in hospital surprisingly. I now am unable to inject into my stomach due to lumps forming so I now inject in my legs. I have a lot of excess skin due to being pregnant and then losing mass, not sure if that’s the right term. I’m a bit of an odd shape in all honesty, my face is quite slim, and my legs are like match sticks but still the doctors don’t seem to believe me when I give them my food diary. It’s like that look they give you to say you must be lieing or not being truthful with them which isn’t the case. I just want to feel normal and live a long life.

Honestly you’ve all given me so much advise and hope, more so than the doctors and nurses I have spoken to. I suffer with a few other medical conditions including bi polar but it’s very mild and kept in check with relaxation and medication. I think I must rattle when I walk sometimes. I’m recently getting over flu but like someone above stated they suffered many infections and thrush which is something I felt so alone with. Thank you all soo much, for the love and hugs

There’s still hope. It’s not inconceivable that your pancreas may recover some partial insulin-producing functionality. But even if it doesn’t, there are still measures you can take to improve sensitivity to the insulin that you inject. I’m not going to bombard you with too much information too quickly, but rest assured that there ARE ways to drastically improve your situation. There’s a wealth of information here, and a whole bunch of very well meaning, super experienced diabetics who will bend over backwards to help you with anything. To be honest even if you just fancy a chinwag you’ll find no shortage of willing parties.

Good luck!

 

[Jenround]

There’s still hope. It’s not inconceivable that your pancreas may recover some partial insulin-producing functionality. But even if it doesn’t, there are still measures you can take to improve sensitivity to the insulin that you inject. I’m not going to bombard you with too much information too quickly, but rest assured that there ARE ways to drastically improve your situation. There’s a wealth of information here, and a whole bunch of very well meaning, super experienced diabetics who will bend over backwards to help you with anything. To be honest even if you just fancy a chinwag you’ll find no shortage of willing parties.

Good luck!

Thank you so much, I’m reading through everything now. I’m actually a stickler for making notes and lists. Thank you all so much I will try and be as active as I can and if I can ever help anyone like you’ve all helped me I’ll be so thankful

 

[Stephen Lewis]

I started on this forum nearly a year ago when I thought my position was hopeless. I have been a single parent with 4 kids and I know how difficult it can be to try and maintain good eating with other people wanting 'normal' food. The people on this forum have provided more and better information than many of those who call themselves medical professionals. Combined with the low carb diet I was able to stop taking insulin last December, I have lost nearly 30 lbs (1 stone 12 pounds if I remember my UK arithmetic) and it does seem that my pancreas is now working better and/or my muscles are better able to use up the glucose. I am lucky that my gym is not too expensive but I could not start until the teenagers went to live with their mother. I did try and get exercise with them from running with a stroller to chasing them in the park. Every little will help. As I have said here several times: a year ago my endocrinologist said, "I can't do anything more for you. You are on your own." We all react differently to the many ways to control, improve and cure(?) our condition but there is always hope and one part of the support is this forum. You are not on your own, there are many here who will provide help and information (but no medical diagnoses) so you can find out what works for you.

 

[ianf0ster]

Hi jenround.
I can't offer the depth of knowledge and advice that you have already been getting in here, just my (virtual) hugs and best wishes.
A so-called 'healthy Low Fat High Carb diet with 5 a day' nearly killed me through blocking my arteries ( triple Bypass) , then gave me T2 Diabetes. And still the idiot Doctor (and Nurse) advised me to stick to low fat and just cut down on high GI Carbs. Another doctor said to continue with Low Fat and to cut down on all carbs - they had no response to my question 'Then what am I going to be able to eat?'
Fortunately I found this site and discovered that the whole world has had it the wrong way around since the 1960s when the (flawed) study came out which said that dietary Fat made you fat and caused heart disease. It just is not true - it is carbs that do both of those things!

It is a shame it has taken so long for you to find this site, but the experts in diabetes in these Forums are better than the vast majority of Doctors on this subject. - So there is hope, for all diabetics!

 

[ringi]

As your body is making little or no inslin, regardless of how your doctor lables you, I expect you will learn a lot from people with type1 who keep to low carb diets.

Remember inslin needs will redical reduce with lowcarb including Basal, but I yet to see a method to predict by how much. If a meal has no carbs, you will stills need some inslin due to the protein, maybe at half the rate as for carbs. I think all of this is covered in https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dr-Bernsteins-Diabetes-Solution-Achieving/dp/0316182699

 

[Daibell]

Hi. As others have said you must keep the carbs right down to try to reduce your weight. As the weight goes down you should be able to reduce your insulin.