Hotoff the press
https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/9...in-i-just-had-to-beat-it-by-changing-my-diet/
Shared on my Facebook and this was 1st comment!!!
Well done Debra!!!
I introduced mum to low carb eating after Dad passed away and she came to stay with us for a few weeks in March. I told her about you and your diabetes. She has been insulin dependent for a few years now and couldn’t control her sugar levels. She has kept it up and is enjoying food again after years of eating just what dad wanted, sandwiches, chips etc. her doctor, after trying to regulate her sugar levels without success, has taken her off the insulin injections completely. She has been needle free for a few weeks now and has never felt better. She will be in UK next month until November so you may meet her.
My reply
You have no idea how happy this makes me feel. It is possible to come off insulin and meds but not everyone will want to change their lifestyle. Please say well done to your mum. I would LOVE to meet her. We are told once on meds that's it. It's a progressive disease. We will eventually end up on insulin and there isnothing we can do about it. This is why I'm doing this. There IS an alternate and it doesnt cost anything. It could save the NHS billions if they just advocated it. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS!!!! Xxxx
My Facebook post:
Read all about it! A week of diabetes in The Sun.
I wasnt sure if they would include my story or when it would be in if so. I didnt get to proof read the tons of info I gave in my interview but this sums it up really well. They have included a photo of my dear mum . and also my beautiful granddaughter Willow and my 2nd mum, auntie Bernie which I'm thrilled about because it helps to make it very real. The photo of the bigger me was from 2014. I hate it but it shows me at the biggest. And the reason I put on weight I know now was down to insulin resistance. My body was struggling to deal with the sugar and consequently was storing it as fat!
Yes I thought I ate healthy, brown bread, pasta rice potatoes, 'healthy' cereal. Fruit and fruit juice. Not only was it too many carbs (which turn to sugar), which lead me to my type 2 diagnosis, but I ate too often. I've cut carbs right back. I've increased my healthy fat intake. Cut out processed food as its loaded with sugar, often hidden under over 50 different names. I eat like my granny used to eat basically. Carbs give you energy, when you cut back your body uses fat for its energy. As a result i lost weight rapidly. And the biggy for me was I didnt feel hungry as fats keep you full for longer. Fat is our friend not our enemy.
Yes I'm classed as in remission. But I will always be diabetic. If I go back to my old ways it would no doubt come back. The way I look at it is I have a dads army fighting the sugar inside me whereas non diabetics have the SAS. But I can control it well with diet. And I still love my food. One of the photos shows me eating a boxed salad from Kate's, my local butty shop. They are enormous and I eat the lot (I ask for a low carb option). Freshly cooked joint every day. And my naked kebab from Armenian kebab house on a Saturday night smothered in chilli sauce and garlic mayo has been the highlight of my week!.
I would encourage everyone to know their numbers. The test for t2d is called a hba1c. I was diagnosed at 62 or 7.8%. 48 and over is diabetic. 42 to 47 isprediabetic. I got down to 39 in a short space of time and my symptoms disappeared, dry mouth, blurry vision, itchy skin, IBS, severe and constant heartburn for weeks, regular yeast infections, skin tags!
I would also encourage testing with a blood glucose monitor. This will tell you what foods you are ok eating and those to avoid, the ones that spike your bloods. Spikes cause complications like nerve damage (neuropathy) eyesight problems, kidney damage, a higher risk for heart attack and stroke. Skin problems and much more. Diabetes can effect every part of the body.
My mum suffered with her type 2 diabetes as many do. I remember the community nurse coming every day to dress her leg wounds that just would not heal. Injecting higher and higher amounts of insulin. She could not see by this point and just used to listen to the clicks of her insulin pen to know how much to inject. It was so sad to see and upsets me to think about it.
There are horror stories out there surrounding diabetes. I dont want to be one of them. And if i can raise awareness to others anyway I can I will.
I'm currently working with my surgery Adelaide St. Patients helping patients. Social prescribing. I next have a room Wednesday 11th Sept. PM. If you are a patient at Harris Medical or Adelaide and you are interested in a one to one to talk over your own concerns about diabetes or maybe feel you need to lose a few lbs then contact reception and book in. Very informal.
I felt devastated on my diagnosis. I was told it was a progressive disease. I felt lost. Incredibly worried and guilty that I had done this to myself. I was given a whole load of leaflets to read and booked on a DESMOND course. It would have been wonderful to have been able to talk to someone, someone who.could give me hope and not despair. I found that help and support online at diabetes.co.uk after googling 'reversing diabetes'!!! Never looked back. I have made some very good friends on the forum. Learned from experts. And we have a great laugh along the way.
It has indeed been a blessing in disguise as I have never felt better. Long may it last.