Just to let you know, sometimes people use the word "diet" to mean whatever a person is usually eating. Other times it is used to mean a system of eating different foods with the aim of losing weight. I think when people asked about your diet they meant the first meaning, as in "what sort of foods do you eat?". This info helps us to help you.
I used to be very overweight - 22 stone. I had all sorts of health problems because of it, such as an itchy rash under my tummy that never went away over about 2 years (fungal infection), shortness of breath, tiredness, feeling sleepy all the time because I kept stopping breathing during sleep (sleep apnoea), sore knees, frequent bladder infections and thrush, constipation, and depression. It was not a good way to spend my life - I was in my 30s like you. Once I was diagnosed with diabetes, I was very upset about it, and decided to lose weight. I lost several stone over one year, through reducing starchy foods/carbohydrates like bread and pasta, and most of the health problems I had went away. My blood sugar levels were also not diabetic anymore. That was 4 years ago. If I had stayed the same weight, I almost certainly would have been put on insulin by now.
It's very hard to get your blood sugar levels down when you are moderately or very overweight. (Someone else might be able to explain this better than me, but as I understand it... ) the extra areas of fat around your body produce chemicals that make it hard for insulin to work. The insulin is still made by your body, but it can't unlock the door to the energy cells because the cells are resisting the insulin. So instead of the sugar getting into the energy cells and fueling your body, it just builds up and goes around in your blood instead. You don't notice how tired you are because it happened slowly and you are used to it. Sugary blood does damage to organs, eyes, nerves, and skin.
If you lose weight and get your blood sugar down you will feel so much better, and you probably won't need to take extra insulin. The insulin is helping a bit, but over the years if you stay overweight you will probably end up needing more and more, without feeling much better. It's keeping you going but it's not really solving the problem.
I wish all doctors and diabetes nurses would take the time to explain how diabetes affects the body and I'm sorry to hear yours didn't. I hope you are able to find some health professionals who will take better care of you.
