- Messages
- 7
Good morning you lovely people. Firstly I would just like to thank everyone here for your wonderful contributions - so pleased I found this place. I was diagnosed T2 a couple of weeks ago and have been lurking here since, absorbing as much information as I can.
I guess my story is similar to a lot of T2's, came as bit of a surprise to be honest (I'm 35) and I didn't know an awful lot about the causes. Have always struggled with weight but ironically had already lost 4 stone prior to diagnosis through eating "well", 1-2 lbs loss a week over the course of this year so nice and steady and thought I was heading in the right direction, however I now know I wasn't eating "well", at least not for me as I was eating heavy on carbs with every meal, muslei, wraps, pasta, rice, potatoes. All things I love to eat. I suppose I was a bit naive and never knew carbs could have such effect on blood sugar. I am generally a positive person and can take positives out of most things but it did take a while to get my head around this with all the thoughts that go through your head, worse case scenarios etc I am now seeing the positive being that I at least now know about it and am looking forwards to getting fitter and feeling more healthy.
My diagnosis came after going to the doctors with an injury on the coccyx which turned into an infection (nice). Have had similar before but treated at home as I really don't like going to the doctors and admitedley hadn't had blood tests for some years (I have a bit of a phobia of blood tests and needles which stems from when I was young), fortnately this time the pain was too much and the infection was burning up so I went to the doctors. At the doctors the nurse asked me the last time I had a blood test, when I couldn't recall she pulled her blood testing kit out and my face must have fell to the floor! But I am now so glad she did as the test included the usual full blood count with a random glucose test. I am quite embarassed by the high levels which came back. The random test level came back at 23 mmol/L, this prompted me to come back for a fasting test the next day which resulted in 17.2 mmol/L on the day and a very scary hbA1c of 129 mmol/mol. I was perscribed 2 x 500mg metaformin and 1 x 12.5mg alogliptin a day, also on 2.5mg ramipril for BP. Haven't had too many issues with the tablets.
I literally came home and changed my diet the same day as diagnosis. I had some knowledge of low carb having tried the keto diet before (how I wish I had of stuck to it back then). I do find keto quite difficult so not sure if it will be sustainable for me in the long term but have been religious for the past few weeks. Fortunately the nurse isn't against low carb like I read some are, although she has her doubts on keto for the same reason as me (it being sustainable long term). She also perscribed me a meter, strips and lancets so have been testing daily.
After the first week at which point I was on 1 x metaformin a day and no other meds, my levels had dropped to the region of 7-8mmol. After the second week I was testing in region of 5-6mmol and now into the third week I am getting consistent readings of 4.5-5.3 mmol, my average since I started monitoring works out approx 5.5mmol. Pretty pleased with results so far but one thing that's bothering me is knowing how much diet has reduced my levels and how much the meds have. I didn't want meds but with such a high hbA1c I felt I had no choice.
Looking back to pre-diagnosis the symptoms of high blood sugar were there I just chose to ignore them or made excuses for them. Excessive thirst? Must have had a salty meal. Tired all the time? Need to get earlier nights. Going to the toilet more at night? Getting older. I had these symptoms for around 6 months that I recall, no idea how long the diabetes has been there but the main thing is I know about it now and will do absolutely everything I can to get it under control.
And so the journey to this new world has begun, still lots to learn and lots to work on but it is what it is and I will fight this diagnosis head on. Look forwards to reading more of your stories and journeys and I will be sure to update on mine.
PS Christmas low carb snack ideas will be greatly appreciated
I guess my story is similar to a lot of T2's, came as bit of a surprise to be honest (I'm 35) and I didn't know an awful lot about the causes. Have always struggled with weight but ironically had already lost 4 stone prior to diagnosis through eating "well", 1-2 lbs loss a week over the course of this year so nice and steady and thought I was heading in the right direction, however I now know I wasn't eating "well", at least not for me as I was eating heavy on carbs with every meal, muslei, wraps, pasta, rice, potatoes. All things I love to eat. I suppose I was a bit naive and never knew carbs could have such effect on blood sugar. I am generally a positive person and can take positives out of most things but it did take a while to get my head around this with all the thoughts that go through your head, worse case scenarios etc I am now seeing the positive being that I at least now know about it and am looking forwards to getting fitter and feeling more healthy.
My diagnosis came after going to the doctors with an injury on the coccyx which turned into an infection (nice). Have had similar before but treated at home as I really don't like going to the doctors and admitedley hadn't had blood tests for some years (I have a bit of a phobia of blood tests and needles which stems from when I was young), fortnately this time the pain was too much and the infection was burning up so I went to the doctors. At the doctors the nurse asked me the last time I had a blood test, when I couldn't recall she pulled her blood testing kit out and my face must have fell to the floor! But I am now so glad she did as the test included the usual full blood count with a random glucose test. I am quite embarassed by the high levels which came back. The random test level came back at 23 mmol/L, this prompted me to come back for a fasting test the next day which resulted in 17.2 mmol/L on the day and a very scary hbA1c of 129 mmol/mol. I was perscribed 2 x 500mg metaformin and 1 x 12.5mg alogliptin a day, also on 2.5mg ramipril for BP. Haven't had too many issues with the tablets.
I literally came home and changed my diet the same day as diagnosis. I had some knowledge of low carb having tried the keto diet before (how I wish I had of stuck to it back then). I do find keto quite difficult so not sure if it will be sustainable for me in the long term but have been religious for the past few weeks. Fortunately the nurse isn't against low carb like I read some are, although she has her doubts on keto for the same reason as me (it being sustainable long term). She also perscribed me a meter, strips and lancets so have been testing daily.
After the first week at which point I was on 1 x metaformin a day and no other meds, my levels had dropped to the region of 7-8mmol. After the second week I was testing in region of 5-6mmol and now into the third week I am getting consistent readings of 4.5-5.3 mmol, my average since I started monitoring works out approx 5.5mmol. Pretty pleased with results so far but one thing that's bothering me is knowing how much diet has reduced my levels and how much the meds have. I didn't want meds but with such a high hbA1c I felt I had no choice.
Looking back to pre-diagnosis the symptoms of high blood sugar were there I just chose to ignore them or made excuses for them. Excessive thirst? Must have had a salty meal. Tired all the time? Need to get earlier nights. Going to the toilet more at night? Getting older. I had these symptoms for around 6 months that I recall, no idea how long the diabetes has been there but the main thing is I know about it now and will do absolutely everything I can to get it under control.
And so the journey to this new world has begun, still lots to learn and lots to work on but it is what it is and I will fight this diagnosis head on. Look forwards to reading more of your stories and journeys and I will be sure to update on mine.
PS Christmas low carb snack ideas will be greatly appreciated