Woah! That’s what I was when I started on these boards. I searched for your name and came up with this: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/new-to-the-forum-old-timer-t2.181144/
When did you have that HBA1C of 10.3 (UK equivalent 89)? You’ve got a complex case. Was it your health provider advising you to come off of Metformin?