Hi again all,
I have been reading many posts to the forum from some newer members (not that I am an old hand, by any means!), and now that I am a bit more 'in control' of my own Type 2 condition, I thought I would share my experiences with you. I hope it helps some of you that may be very worried (as I was) that things are not improving
Having had no support (other than in this forum) for 7 months following diagnosis, I finally managed to get home for a few weeks (from my current location in Angola) and get checked out.
Before returning to the UK I was at my wit's end, having no energy whatsover, trouble with my eyes and feet, not sleeping and BG levels varying from 9 to 14.7. My first visit with the doctor had me going through various blood and urine tests (repeated 3 times during my short stay), a couple of visits to the hospital for eye and feet checks, and some long discussions 'out of hours' with my GP's Diabetic Specialist Nurse (I think everyone should live in a small village ...care seems to be so much better in a small community!). Conversations I had were related to thoughts on low-carbing (a practice which she didn't think helped much!) and on diet in general. Some things I found out I shouldn't have been doing (when I stupidly thought they would have been helping me) were eating a full punnet of strawberries for breakfast and then a couple of mangoes before bed!
Anyway, following all the blood results, I was put on 2 x 500 mg Metformin, 50 Grammes Testogel, 8 mg Perindopril, 75 mg aspirin and statins for my cholestorol. For the first week to 10 days I saw hardly any changes to my BG (couldn't seem to get any results at any time of day below 9), but did have a renewed 'vigour' about me which allowed me to attack my day job with a zeal that I haven't felt for years (I don't even want to sleep after lunch now!)! Perhaps this was as a result of the testosterone gel (which has renewed other aspects of my life as well
), or maybe simply a placebo effect from the tablets and a feeling that I was on my way to controlling this condition? My diet has changed an awful lot, not by good planning or design, but simply because I don't feel like eating all the **** I used to eat (maybe an effect of the Metformin?). My weight is definitely coming down now and I am very full of life ...maybe for the first time in 15 years!
Anyway, my main reason for writing is that I was getting concerned about the BG levels not moving. However, for the last three days now, my results have dropped to between 5 and 6 ...I have NEVER seen numbers like this before, and I am over the moon! Checked 30 minutes ago (2 hours after lunch) and was 5.4! The only concious thing I have done in those three days has been to reduce (not cut out) my carb intake. One bread roll in the morning and a portion of starchy food at night (e.g potatoes or pasta).
Just wanted to say that a positive attitude and sticking to the plan has certainly shown me some good results, both in BG and lifestyle, so perhaps there is hope after all!!!
Take care,
Colin.
I have been reading many posts to the forum from some newer members (not that I am an old hand, by any means!), and now that I am a bit more 'in control' of my own Type 2 condition, I thought I would share my experiences with you. I hope it helps some of you that may be very worried (as I was) that things are not improving
Having had no support (other than in this forum) for 7 months following diagnosis, I finally managed to get home for a few weeks (from my current location in Angola) and get checked out.
Before returning to the UK I was at my wit's end, having no energy whatsover, trouble with my eyes and feet, not sleeping and BG levels varying from 9 to 14.7. My first visit with the doctor had me going through various blood and urine tests (repeated 3 times during my short stay), a couple of visits to the hospital for eye and feet checks, and some long discussions 'out of hours' with my GP's Diabetic Specialist Nurse (I think everyone should live in a small village ...care seems to be so much better in a small community!). Conversations I had were related to thoughts on low-carbing (a practice which she didn't think helped much!) and on diet in general. Some things I found out I shouldn't have been doing (when I stupidly thought they would have been helping me) were eating a full punnet of strawberries for breakfast and then a couple of mangoes before bed!
Anyway, following all the blood results, I was put on 2 x 500 mg Metformin, 50 Grammes Testogel, 8 mg Perindopril, 75 mg aspirin and statins for my cholestorol. For the first week to 10 days I saw hardly any changes to my BG (couldn't seem to get any results at any time of day below 9), but did have a renewed 'vigour' about me which allowed me to attack my day job with a zeal that I haven't felt for years (I don't even want to sleep after lunch now!)! Perhaps this was as a result of the testosterone gel (which has renewed other aspects of my life as well
), or maybe simply a placebo effect from the tablets and a feeling that I was on my way to controlling this condition? My diet has changed an awful lot, not by good planning or design, but simply because I don't feel like eating all the **** I used to eat (maybe an effect of the Metformin?). My weight is definitely coming down now and I am very full of life ...maybe for the first time in 15 years!Anyway, my main reason for writing is that I was getting concerned about the BG levels not moving. However, for the last three days now, my results have dropped to between 5 and 6 ...I have NEVER seen numbers like this before, and I am over the moon! Checked 30 minutes ago (2 hours after lunch) and was 5.4! The only concious thing I have done in those three days has been to reduce (not cut out) my carb intake. One bread roll in the morning and a portion of starchy food at night (e.g potatoes or pasta).
Just wanted to say that a positive attitude and sticking to the plan has certainly shown me some good results, both in BG and lifestyle, so perhaps there is hope after all!!!
Take care,
Colin.
