Type 2 83....improvement, but not by much.

[AshrafUM920]

My most recent Hba1c has come back as 83 from 94. of course. i am not happy... i give up - trying to think what else will i need to do to improve my diabetes, - everyone mentions "low carb" "keto" - but, is it that easy... i have cut down on carbs... eating meat everyday isn't possible for me - with, the cost of living going up... I know the carbs cause the blood sugar to increase. i just hate that food is expensive especially halal meat. - I have booked my blood test again - for 3 months time and i plan on somehow getting my blood sugars down and get my health back. - my biggest fear is that i am going to get worse as the years go on... i feel so tired all the time. will need to sit down and really start to think what else to do to improve my health. Since starting Trulicity it hasn't improved my blood sugar which is sad but i will inform the endo... it is so bad... my manager at work... he doesn't understand at all. always talking me down and telling me i need to pace it up.. diabetes makes me feel so tired and slow - i told him that my blood sugar are high and that i cant work as fast as everyone else. anyway. i really need to get my health in check before it is to late.​

 

[Nayshiftin]

I hear you. You don’t say what type of work you do. Are you drinking enough and able to move at least every half hour ? This sounds really too much moving but sitting makes one stiffer and tired too. You only mention your HBA1c bloods were other levels done too. I find low carb too hard too but I limit it and watch the hidden ones more. Fruits , veg have carbs too snd some spike blood sugar more than others. Everyone does this their way and it’s their body. If you don’t want to do low carb at least try and cut out sugar and high spike foods . I find I can still eat some for example I can have cereal at breakfast as long as I drink and walk around a lot after . I started by my bloods needs to stay below ten now I try to go below 8 two hours post a meal . I also try and not eat between meals . I try eat low fat too as I have cholesterol but I don’t achieve that every meal . If I go wrong I move on and try again . Keep moving on it’s not about how many times you start again it’s about how long you keep going .

 

[AshrafUM920]

I hear you. You don’t say what type of work you do. Are you drinking enough and able to move at least every half hour ? This sounds really too much moving but sitting makes one stiffer and tired too. You only mention your HBA1c bloods were other levels done too. I find low carb too hard too but I limit it and watch the hidden ones more. Fruits , veg have carbs too snd some spike blood sugar more than others. Everyone does this their way and it’s their body. If you don’t want to do low carb at least try and cut out sugar and high spike foods . I find I can still eat some for example I can have cereal at breakfast as long as I drink and walk around a lot after . I started by my bloods needs to stay below ten now I try to go below 8 two hours post a meal . I also try and not eat between meals . I try eat low fat too as I have cholesterol but I don’t achieve that every meal . If I go wrong I move on and try again . Keep moving on it’s not about how many times you start again it’s about how long you keep going .

I work in a shop. 8 hour shift- constantly moving around filling shelves - picking customers orders. (dot com) - i never had any problems moving around few years back but last 3 years i have been struggling physically which i am concerned for but, if it is linked to my blood sugar then i need to get that in check.

 

[filly]

Keep it up. The HbA1c has come down more than mine has. Well done.

 

[AshrafUM920]

Keep it up. The HbA1c has come down more than mine has. Well done.

Thank-You, I am happy it didn't increase, but decreased.

 

[AndBreathe]

@UsmanMo96 - I appreciate meat isn’t cheap, but, as I understand it, many supermarkets are now providing halal compliant meat as a matter of course

 

[AshrafUM920]

@UsmanMo96 - I appreciate meat isn’t cheap, but, as I understand it, many supermarkets are now providing halal compliant meat as a matter of course

we don't live to far away from a butcher who does halal meat. - I try eating as much meat as possible. and as little carbs.

 

[lucylocket61]

we don't live to far away from a butcher who does halal meat. - I try eating as much meat as possible. and as little carbs.

Would dairy products and eggs be possible as a cheaper protein?

 

[AshrafUM920]

Would dairy products and eggs be possible as a cheaper protein?

although it is expensive we have managed to still eat, I almost everyday eat meat. as far as eggs and dairy. i eat eggs everyday.

 

[lucylocket61]

although it is expensive we have managed to still eat, I almost everyday eat meat. as far as eggs and dairy. i eat eggs everyday.

What about cheese? Sorry, I don't know where you are.

 

[AshrafUM920]

What about cheese? Sorry, I don't know where you are

I live near London. not a big fan of cheese. - maybe here and there.

 

[Aishia]

Another tip - coliflower rice.I used to grate the coli but just found pks of ready grated in Morrisons.I just fry
It and add a dash of soy sauce .£2 something for the pkt of 4 portions.

 

[filly]

Another tip - coliflower rice.I used to grate the coli but just found pks of ready grated in Morrisons.I just fry
It and add a dash of soy sauce .£2 something for the pkt of 4 portions.

I also do something with Cauliflower rice. It looks nothing like pizza but if you close your eyes it tastes like it. Cook the cauliflower rice, add very small tin of tomato passata, herbs and Mozzerella and cheddar. Now I finish it off in the air fryer but you could put under grill.

 

[Aishia]

And I think it is carb free so then maybe you would be able to eat a smaller portion of meat to go with it.

 

[HSSS]

Ultimately - for all of us - it’s about making changes away from what we were used to eating (for whatever taste, cultural, ethical or preference reasons) towards choices that are better for us. If we eat the same stuff we get the same results. Google some ideas you fancy and add Google or low carb for recipe site and ideas.

where do you think it’s going wrong for you? You say you are eating what meat, eggs and dairy as you can, and limiting the carbs but it seems there are still quite a lot being eaten. What are a typical few meals for you? Maybe we can offer ideas.

 

[Oldvatr]

Did the Trulicity shift any weight off? I remember you do not have much to lose anyway, but you need to reduce insulin resistance, ans weight loss is a way of getting that. Most diabetic meds work on increasing insulin output so will not be of benefit for you. You need meds that either stop you absorbing carbs in the first place, or by shifting glucose through excretion. Meds like that are Metformin, Actos, and the 'gloflozins like Forxiga. The one I suggested earlier, Acarbose, is not really a diabetic med, but is a carb delayer and lowers the spikes by flattening them. It is used in the treatment of Reactive Hypoglycemia (RH)

Acarbose | Drugs | BNF content published by NICE

View acarbose information, including dose, uses, side-effects, renal impairment, pregnancy, breast feeding, contra-indications and monitoring requirements.

bnf.nice.org.uk

But Low Carb really is a game changer if you have insulin resistance. An alternative diet plan is the ultra low calorie diet like Newcastle, or the Fast Blood 800 style diet plans that use meal replacement shakes. But the latter rely on you losing a lot of weight to get the benefit IR wise, which I believe you cannot do too much of. Also the shakes are expensive to buy. The meal replacement is formulated to provide a balanced protein vitamin and essential needs meal thus removing the need to do any special shopping or thinking coz its all in the tin. But they taste bland and leave you hungry (by design) so they are easy to do, but not easy to keep going. But they work (apparently)

As others have suggested, if you share details of what you currently eat we may be able to help you tweak the meals to get better results or suggest alternatives. That glucose is coming from somewhere so if you can turn down the tap any more it will get things moving quicker.

Well done on getting the improvement in HbA1c. Lets help you keep it moving in that direction.

 

[AshrafUM920]

But Low Carb really is a game changer if you have insulin resistance. An alternative diet plan is the ultra low calorie diet like Newcastle, or the Fast Blood 800 style diet plans that use meal replacement shakes. But the latter rely on you losing a lot of weight to get the benefit IR wise, which I believe you cannot do too much of. Also the shakes are expensive to buy. The meal replacement is formulated to provide a balanced protein vitamin and essential needs meal thus removing the need to do any special shopping or thinking coz its all in the tin. But they taste bland and leave you hungry (by design) so they are easy to do, but not easy to keep going. But they work (apparently)

As others have suggested, if you share details of what you currently eat we may be able to help you tweak the meals to get better results or suggest alternatives. That glucose is coming from somewhere so if you can turn down the tap any more it will get things moving quicker.

Well done on getting the improvement in HbA1c. Lets help you keep it moving in that direction.

I am also taking Gliclizade 80mg a day, so that maybe why i am not losing the weight, or why i am probably keeping it on. - I exercise almost everyday. the problem is the food. I probably am eating far more than some people on here do without knowing and - that is something i am working on, by taking pictures and writing down any snacks that i have. normally- if i do decide to snack- i will have 1 bar of chocolate instead of all. -- i have cut down entirely on drinks. only zero-sugar or diet coke now. even then i prefer water. the medicine are probably causing me to crave but i try to fight it off and sometimes succeed and then sometimes fail but - i only snack on nuts and crisps - even though in excess they are bad but before i would snack on sweets or chocolate - of course i know it is bad if i have diabetes but that wasn't my thought at the times when i had the cravings. the emotions were after i had eaten then i realized i have messed up. i have been trying to better myself as far as the cravings. generally- i get the cravings in the evenings.
as far as giving a idea of what i eat in a day. eggs for breakfast and evening i would meat or fish- i will try take a picture of my meals and if it is possible i will upload on here. my breakfast has been the same for a long while now.

As far as Trulicity i plan on discussing with my endo about stopping it. - my appointment is coming up so it will be something i need to think about. i take it once a week and i don't get any side effects- or any benefits from it and i really should have got my blood test for the Kidney checked but my GP didn't write it down so i don't know if it has done me any bad in the process. i can get the kidney blood test sorted soon.

 

[Oldvatr]

I believe you recently had a c-peptide test that showed you had high level of insulin in your blood. So you do not need to be taking medicines that increase insulin production. In fact these may be making your Insulin resistance worse. So the Gliclazide and Truliciy are both working against what you need. IMO you must seriously reduce your carb intake either by diet or by a carb blocker med, and discuss with your doctot using an alternative med or meds to excrete more glucose.

The only way I could get Gliclazide to work properly was to do the diet seriously first to reduce my IR , and now I am on a ttny dose, and it drops my spikes by 3 or 4 mmol/l after my evening meal. Before my diet, I was on max dose gliclazide, and it did nothing for me.

Snacking is not helping your cause at all. What nuts are you snacking on. Some are high calorie (peanurts, cashew nuts etc) which will contribute to weight remaining static. Crisps are to be avoided. I have seen it being advised to have what is termed bulletproof coffee, which can be interpreted as a beverage with added double cream or butter. The fat helps to subdue cravings and make you feel full. The diet sodas are a possible problem too since these can trigger an insulin rush, which as I say in my opening para here, suggests this is the opposite of what you need.

 

[AshrafUM920]

I believe you recently had a c-peptide test that showed you had high level of insulin in your blood. So you do not need to be taking medicines that increase insulin production. In fact these may be making your Insulin resistance worse. So the Gliclazide and Truliciy are both working against what you need. IMO you must seriously reduce your carb intake either by diet or by a carb blocker med, and discuss with your doctot using an alternative med or meds to excrete more glucose.

The only way I could get Gliclazide to work properly was to do the diet seriously first to reduce my IR , and now I am on a ttny dose, and it drops my spikes by 3 or 4 mmol/l after my evening meal. Before my diet, I was on max dose gliclazide, and it did nothing for me.

Snacking is not helping your cause at all. What nuts are you snacking on. Some are high calorie (peanurts, cashew nuts etc) which will contribute to weight remaining static. Crisps are to be avoided. I have seen it being advised to have what is termed bulletproof coffee, which can be interpreted as a beverage with added double cream or butter. The fat helps to subdue cravings and make you feel full. The diet sodas are a possible problem too since these can trigger an insulin rush, which as I say in my opening para here, suggests this is the opposite of what you need.

I was on dapagliflozin many years ago and i stopped due to thrush and it made me go to the toilet so many times throughout the day and this is when my levels aren't even elevated.

I will discuss adding a glucose blocker with my endo and if i knew there were such medicine i would have asked a long time ago.

I dont know why but i am having back pain every morning and i am still feeling exhausted when i am sleeping 6-7 hours a day. This is something i am puzzled by because dr ask if i am sleeping enough and i am. Only other thing could be high blood sugar but my levels are generally in the 9-11mmol range throughout my work shift or sometimes even lower 8-9mmol
When home its lower probably due to me having to rush my work and fill the shelves and it might be why i am higher during my shift.

My back problem hasn't been resolved yet but it may be due to the medication or the fatty liver.

The snacking is probably the biggest problem i have from getting my glucose levels down and i will do my best to stop.

 

[Oldvatr]

Unfortunately the thrush and the weeing are signs that the medication is working well. There are less strong versions in the family, less aggressive. empagliflozin for example,

Adrenaline is indeed an antagonist of insulin and high adrenaline levels will turn off the glucose storage pathways to the muscles since it is the fight / flight hormone and is expecting you to use up the energy, and not store it away. This can cause blood sugars to rise after strenuous exercise or competitive sporting events. Maybe yoga techniques could help? May be the med you need is stress reduction?

Here is some info on carb blockers

What Are Carb Blockers and Do They Work?

Carb blockers claim to help you eat carbs without absorbing the calories. But do they work? Are they safe? This article reviews the science.

www.healthline.com

Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors for Diabetes

How do drugs like Precose and Glyset work? What kinds of side effects can you expect? When will your doctor prescribe them, and who shouldn't take them?

www.webmd.com