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Confused

T

TraceyN

Member
Messages
7
Hi
I found out on Monday that I was diabetic in may 2019 .. but my GP didn’t treat me or let me know until March 5th 2022 .. I’m mortified I can’t think why they would do this .
During that time I had to very bad reactions to insect bites requiring anti biotics and each doctor said to me are you diabetic and I said no.
I am extremely confused and scared as I now have leg cramps and fast heartbeat.. any advice please
 
Hello and welcome, @TraceyN .
Before we can offer advice, it would be helpful to know if you have been prescribed any medication, and what type of diabetes you have. Also, if possible, can you tell us what your HbA1c number is. This is the blood test to see what your blood glucose levels have been over approximately the last 3 months.
When we have that info we can provide better answers for you.
Most of all, don’t panic, haveva read around the forums, and the information for new members in my signature.
 
No need to apologise, @TraceyN.
It looks as though you have done really well to reduce your HbA1c from 60, to 39, in such a short time. 39 is below the level for diabetes, it is not even in the pre-diabetes range. Well done. Did you change diet? Now that you have that lower HbA1c perhaps you and your GP could consider reducing the meds? Many of our members with T2 , if they are not on any meds that could cause hypos, (and metformin shouldn’t) eat a low carb diet. Perhaps you could consider that, if you haven’t already.
We can’t really advise on the leg cramps, or rapid heart rate. Perhaps get checked by GP, but anxiety can contribute to this. I hope you are reassured that your diabetes is under control.
 
Hi TraceyN,

Welcome to the forums :)

Congratulations on getting your HbA1c down so quickly.

I also can't advise on the leg cramps and rapid heart rate except to say talk to your GP or nurse as something else could be going on and they are the ones to put your mind at ease.
 
Pipp said:
No need to apologise, @TraceyN.
It looks as though you have done really well to reduce your HbA1c from 60, to 39, in such a short time. 39 is below the level for diabetes, it is not even in the pre-diabetes range. Well done. Did you change diet? Now that you have that lower HbA1c perhaps you and your GP could consider reducing the meds? Many of our members with T2 , if they are not on any meds that could cause hypos, (and metformin shouldn’t) eat a low carb diet. Perhaps you could consider that, if you haven’t already.
We can’t really advise on the leg cramps, or rapid heart rate. Perhaps get checked by GP, but anxiety can contribute to this. I hope you are reassured that your diabetes is under control.
Click to expand...
Hi
Thank you very much .. yes I completely altered my diet . I’m a carer and a cook for the elderly so my eating and drinking was very erratic as just so busy. Literally grab and go. So I had to be disciplined and made sure I ate the right food at the right time. Low carb high fibre. It wasn’t hell but hard as although i have never really eaten cakes , sweets, chocolates or bread.. I love potatoes and all the starchy veg. So all a treat now .
Thank you
Good health x
 
valann said:
Hi TraceyN,

Welcome to the forums :)

Congratulations on getting your HbA1c down so quickly.

I also can't advise on the leg cramps and rapid heart rate except to say talk to your GP or nurse as something else could be going on and they are the ones to put your mind at ease.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much x
 
TraceyN said:
Hi
Thank you very much .. yes I completely altered my diet . I’m a carer and a cook for the elderly so my eating and drinking was very erratic as just so busy. Literally grab and go. So I had to be disciplined and made sure I ate the right food at the right time. Low carb high fibre. It wasn’t hell but hard as although i have never really eaten cakes , sweets, chocolates or bread.. I love potatoes and all the starchy veg. So all a treat now .
Thank you
Good health x
Click to expand...
Take care not to go back to your former way of eating, if you want to maintain that good blood glucose control. Do you have a meter to test your levels regularly? Testing will help you to see what foods you are able to tolerate, and the reactions to various foods.
If you have a read around there are threads on eating low carb way. This one is an example…https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/what-have-you-eaten-today

There are plenty of recipes on this site, too. https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/recipes
There are lots of healthier options to the starchy foods.
Keep posting. Let us know how you are doing, and do get checked up for the cramp and fast heart rate.
 
I got leg cramps when first going low carb. I added magnesium supplements, which seems to help me.
And my medical records show I was prediabetic in 2006, but I wasn't told and wasnt diagnosed until 2020. I have no idea when I crossed the threshold in those 14 missing years.
I have however managed to get it under control (for now at least) and don't seem to have suffered any side effects or complications. Fingers crossed its the same for you
 
MrsA2 said:
I got leg cramps when first going low carb. I added magnesium supplements, which seems to help me.
And my medical records show I was prediabetic in 2006, but I wasn't told and wasnt diagnosed until 2020. I have no idea when I crossed the threshold in those 14 missing years.
I have however managed to get it under control (for now at least) and don't seem to have suffered any side effects or complications. Fingers crossed its the same for you
Click to expand...
Thank you for that .. it explains a lot ..and I’m pleased you have no side effects x
 
Pipp said:
Take care not to go back to your former way of eating, if you want to maintain that good blood glucose control. Do you have a meter to test your levels regularly? Testing will help you to see what foods you are able to tolerate, and the reactions to various foods.
If you have a read around there are threads on eating low carb way. This one is an example…https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/what-have-you-eaten-today

There are plenty of recipes on this site, too. https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/recipes
There are lots of healthier options to the starchy foods.
Keep posting. Let us know how you are doing, and do get checked up for the cramp and fast heart rate.
Click to expand...
Hi thank you
I’ve gone from 4 jobs now to 3 to help with my health and to keep control of this. My paternal family are 75% diabetic type 1 and 2 … I think it was my erratic eating that contributed to my predisposition as opposed to what I was eating. I’ve never had sugar from being little as just don’t like it. However I do love savoury snacks such as crisps. Now all stuff like that is a treat .. rest of the time it’s high fibre lentils, chickpeas and wholewheat pasta on rare occasions. I do test and the last 3 months have not gone above 6.7 … I realise this is for life .
Thank you x
 
TraceyN said:
Hi
I found out on Monday that I was diabetic in may 2019 .. but my GP didn’t treat me or let me know until March 5th 2022 .. I’m mortified I can’t think why they would do this .
Click to expand...

So when you got your A1c in Feb 2022 it was only 60 despite being untreated for nearly 3 years.
First, count yourself lucky you weren't further gone.
Second, what your doc did is at best sanctionable & at worst malpractice.
Perhaps they thought you were only a little bit diabetic, bad joke but I've heard it said.
The initial years post diagnosis are the most important & the quicker you act normally your chances of remission.
That said I've seen some remarkable results from those who discover low carb after a decade or more.
You seem to be a good responder.
Keep it up.
 
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