Hi,
I have had some symptoms for a while but managed to brush them off as getting older until I read up on blurry vision and another horrible symptom I won't mention. Didn't want to go to the docs so bought a meter to check what my levels were. Well, 2 hours after my evening meal it read 28.2. I was shocked so did another test in the morning and it was 22. At that point, I sucked it up and arranged a fasting blood test which came back at 20.2. I don't have a follow-up appointment for a week and that seems like a really long time. I am reading a lot on the forum which is really helpful. I know this is all my fault and I am quite ashamed that I let this happen. I have never been slim but when I gave up smoking there has been no restraint on eating and I have gained masses of weight and since last year my exercise has been non-exsitant. I know that it was lurking back there anyway but I almost feel embarrassed to go to my appointment and get judged! Anyone else felt this way?
I have continued to check blood and last night after dinner was 32.1. this morning 22. 4 Is there a sharp shock diet that is recommended to help reduce this quickly or would it be best to stop checking, try to eat fewer carbs, and wait for my appointment? Sorry if this is a stupid question but I have no clue about this.
My husband can eat whatever he wants to. And does. He's thin as a rail and actually, a little underweight for someone so tall. You (and I for that matter) don't process carbs well, and probably haven't for a long, long time. Years, maybe even decades. That's NOT your fault, that's just your genes. And who knows, maybe medication (steroids, statins), or underlying conditions like PCOS. All in all... This is a matter of
sooner or later, as you have a genetic predisposition to contend with. This was going to come up, either 10 years ago or 10 years from now, or now... but it was coming. That means you can quit kicking yourself around
right now. Others may try to shame you or bully you or whatever, but know this simple truth: You didn't know. You didn't know carbs were a problem for you, and as you didn't know, there was little you could do about it. Most people, when they think of a diet, they go low fat, high carb. I did, with the hospital's dietician pushing more bread down my throat. And that's
the exact opposite of what our bodies need.
So.
Here.
Have a clean slate.
Grab on to it, and start over.
So, you start here: Practically all carbs turn to glucose once ingested. So you cut carbs. Do that, and your blood glucose will come down. Forget everything you think you know about healthy eating, because it doesn't apply to people with a metabolic condition. And right now, that's you. No grains, spuds, cereals, fruits (save for berries, granted), corn, bread, pasta, rice etc. That's all out the window, as you're asking for a diet to fix this.
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/blog-entry/the-nutritional-thingy.2330/ should help you sort out your next grocery run, and how best to test (strips are expensive and you don't want to waste them). There's three macro nutrients, carbs, fats and protein, and when you cut one, you up the others. That means bacon and eggs are back on the menu. Fish, meat, butter and hard cheeses contain little to no carbs, depending on how processed they are. Above ground veggies and leafy greens are usually okay, though some have a problem with pulses: your meter'll tell you. Underground veggies are best avoided. Some nuts are better than others, so that's worth looking into maybe. Olives, extra dark chocolate, that sort of thing. But that's it in a nutshell... When you check a nutritional label, go for the "total carbs", NOT "of which sugars", because starches turn to glucose too. You want the total, not the breakdown. Keep that low and you're all good.
Also, carbs retain water. That means when you drastically cut carbs, you will feel like a trainwreck for a while. It's called keto- or carb flu, where you get a little dehydrated as the electrolytes you need are flushed out while you pee for England fo a week or two. Get yourself some electrolyte supplements and pop them every day, to keep headaches, fatigue and sore joints at bay. In that time your vision'll also be blurry, because your brain's been compensating for the glucose in your eyeballs/tears, which has been distorting your vision for a while. It needs to stop compensating, and it takes a little while. So if you keep having problems with your eyes, get cheap reading specs, because going for a new pair of expensive glasses is just chucking money down the drain. As long as your bloods aren't back down and stable, having an eye-test (well, that sort of test anyway) serves no purpose. So hold off on that until your bloods are stable.
All in all.... It'll be tough going for a bit, but take this to heart: I was running similar numbers to yours when first diagnosed. I was off medication in about 3 months, and back into the normal range, where I've been these past 4 years. It CAN be done. And you'll feel better for it. (Not to mention you'll shed a lot of weight in the process. Yay, bacon!
). Mind you, I could've cut out the medication a lot sooner, my endo just wasn't very open minded and didn't believe I'd keep this diet up long-term. Shame on her.
You'll be okay. Okay? So please stop beating yourself up. This is a new day, you're motivated as heck, and you WILL get through this and feel better, and sooner than you think, too.
Hugs,
Jo
