pavlosn
Well-Known Member
I joined this forum back in 2009 when I was first diagnosed as a Type 2 diabetic but I have been away from it for a few years now.
When first diagnosed, I managed to effect the necessary lifestyle changes to bring my blood glucose levels under control (with a little help from metformin): I tested regularly, ate healthy, exercised and cut back on carbs (although by no means low carbing). I managed to bring my HbA1c down to 5.4% and my weight doen to 86Kg from an initial 104kg. I was doing well....in fact, too well. I got bored and I got complacent. I went on taking the metformin and thought that everything would carry on being fine. But gradually the old bad habits crept back: I exercised less and less, started allowing myself more and more "treats" and worse of all I stopped testing and visiting my doctor. I like to think that I am a reasonably bright man so how did I allow myself to act so stupidly? I have no answer I' m afraid. Complacency is a very dangerous foe, which often takes us unaware.
In the begining of last December, after feeling continuously tired for a while, I decided it was time I tested by blood sugars again. My fasting level was over 16!
That was a wake up call. It was time I look at my lifestyle again and reintroduce the changes that had worked for me before. I did that for a couple of weeks and saw my glucose levels fall to about 11 b utthen platteau out at this level. So I went to see my doctor (I was shocked to discover that my previous vist was 3 years previously, I really did not think it had been that long). He changed my medication to Janumet 50/1000 x2, which is 100mg of staglyptin combined with 2000 mg of metformin (I was previously on 3x500 mg on metformin), stressed the need for healthy diet and exercise and asked me to come back in a month after having my Hba1C and lipid levels measured (as well as a full range of other blood tests).
I am glad to say that despite the Christmas Holidays and a holiday in Marocco, both good excuses for indulging myself, falling within this one month period, I managed to keep my discipline and stick to my new diet/exercise regime.
I just received the lab results and I am more than happy with the results: HbA1c = 5.5%, Total Cholesterol = 4,3, LDL 2.8, HDL = 1. I am due to see my doctor next week, hopefully he will be please as well.
I guess the message in my story is to point out that dealing with your diabetes is a long term, actually lifetime, matter and a warning against complacency. As diabetics, no matter how well we are doing, we can not afford to let our eye off the ball and let the old bad habits creep back on us.
Luckily, my stupidity appears not to have cost me this time. Next time, I my not be so lucky.
When first diagnosed, I managed to effect the necessary lifestyle changes to bring my blood glucose levels under control (with a little help from metformin): I tested regularly, ate healthy, exercised and cut back on carbs (although by no means low carbing). I managed to bring my HbA1c down to 5.4% and my weight doen to 86Kg from an initial 104kg. I was doing well....in fact, too well. I got bored and I got complacent. I went on taking the metformin and thought that everything would carry on being fine. But gradually the old bad habits crept back: I exercised less and less, started allowing myself more and more "treats" and worse of all I stopped testing and visiting my doctor. I like to think that I am a reasonably bright man so how did I allow myself to act so stupidly? I have no answer I' m afraid. Complacency is a very dangerous foe, which often takes us unaware.
In the begining of last December, after feeling continuously tired for a while, I decided it was time I tested by blood sugars again. My fasting level was over 16!
That was a wake up call. It was time I look at my lifestyle again and reintroduce the changes that had worked for me before. I did that for a couple of weeks and saw my glucose levels fall to about 11 b utthen platteau out at this level. So I went to see my doctor (I was shocked to discover that my previous vist was 3 years previously, I really did not think it had been that long). He changed my medication to Janumet 50/1000 x2, which is 100mg of staglyptin combined with 2000 mg of metformin (I was previously on 3x500 mg on metformin), stressed the need for healthy diet and exercise and asked me to come back in a month after having my Hba1C and lipid levels measured (as well as a full range of other blood tests).
I am glad to say that despite the Christmas Holidays and a holiday in Marocco, both good excuses for indulging myself, falling within this one month period, I managed to keep my discipline and stick to my new diet/exercise regime.
I just received the lab results and I am more than happy with the results: HbA1c = 5.5%, Total Cholesterol = 4,3, LDL 2.8, HDL = 1. I am due to see my doctor next week, hopefully he will be please as well.
I guess the message in my story is to point out that dealing with your diabetes is a long term, actually lifetime, matter and a warning against complacency. As diabetics, no matter how well we are doing, we can not afford to let our eye off the ball and let the old bad habits creep back on us.
Luckily, my stupidity appears not to have cost me this time. Next time, I my not be so lucky.
Last edited by a moderator:
