Diagnosed today, question about diet/pills

SockFiddler said:

Hi @Blossom1977 and welcome to the forum!

I had (accidentally) started to low-carb just ahead of my diagnosis - I'd identified the foods that were the unhealthiest for me (in terms of time of day, circumstances, what I ate them with) and cut them out. They just happened to be bread, potatoes, pasta, rice. I've never been one for cereal.

I joined this forum the day of my diagnosis, completely skeptical about LCHF dieting (still very much at the NHS table), but started reading around - especially all the forum signatures that chart people's progress in numbers. I was persuaded pretty fast that the way I'd actually chosen was effective (there are lots of other routes to take, even within a single chosen diet path) and by day 19, my fasting blood glucose was down below 6.

I also take Jardiance (empagliflozin) and am lucky enough to have the (curious and somewhat uncertain) support of both my GP and my diabetic nurse in my endeavour to eventually control with diet alone. Your doc seems like a harder sell, but she's still given her agreement.

What is "wise" is being as aware of how your body feels as possible. You probably won't recognise how poorly you are (I didn't), but when you start mending (whichever way you choose), you'll be utterly shocked when you look back. Listen to your body, let it heal, be patient.

I'd also say (again, you won't get much help from the NHS) to get a testing meter so that you can see exactly what the food you eat does to your levels. Our bodies are quirky - some people can eat things that other people have to avoid. Some people can't eat something in the morning, but it's fine in the evening.

You're at the start of a long journey. Give yourself the tools to travel safely, ask lots of questions and listen to what your body tells you. Though it doesn't seem like it now, this can be a very empowering experience.

Good luck to you!

Sock

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DCUKMod said:

Hi Blossom, and welcome to the forum.

When I was diagnosed, my HbA1c was 73, so we're near diagnostic twins. I was diagnosed 3 weeks before leaving on a 9 month trip overseas, to the Tropics. Personally, I really didn't want to be going onto medication so soon before going away, where I would still be able to access a form of medical support, but nothing at all like the NHS. I was as much fearful of any reactions or unwanted side effects than anything else. Like you, I negotiated a period of time in which to see what I could do with the numbers.

In fact, I split my trip, and did a 9000 mile round trip at 4 months to have my diabetic review. By then, my HbA1c had reduced from 73 to 37, I had trimmed up (without even trying - I just wanted better blood glucose numbers!), my blood pressure had improved, as had my cholesterol numbers. There has never been any mention of diabetes medication since my appointment immediately post-diagnosis, and my HbA1c score has reduced further, with my most recent coming in at 31.

Unlike other posters, I have remained engaged with my health care professions, even though our approaches to diabetes care may not be entirely tightly aligned. That said, my GP, and a subsequent diabetic specialist Endo I was seeing for a non-diabetes related matter, have agreed that all of my health markers are now in an excellent place and clearly the approach (of reduced carb, and staying trim) suits be well.

However, going back to my rationale of staying close to them; I firmly believe that during my lifetime, it is likely that some time I am going to need than more than they need me, and at that time I have no desire to be viewed as "that difficult, bolshy woman" and struggle to build a decent working relationship when I might not be feeling at my best. I also firmly believe that unless I am clear and open with them about my approach, I am not doing anything to encourage open minds to consider there are other ways than eating plenty of starchy carbs to manage diabetes. That said, I do choose my terminology carefully when communicating with them, so that they don't envisage I am main-lining on cheese, with butter spread on top, wrapped in bacon, when I'm not.

Many, many new members join in exactly the same circumstances as we have done. In reality, how we move forward with our diabetes is a highly personal thing. Some members are better equipped to embrace lifestyle changes, some have other conditions that complicate their diabetes care, and some folks' bodies just aren't able to recover as well as others from their point of diagnosis. Really we only know where we might fit into that spectrum of possibilities after some weeks, or months, of doing our best.

Just take it steady and do lots of reading When you have your meter, please do go into a period of testing and recording both what your blood sugar scores are, but what you eat and drink, because for T2s these are fabulous pieces of information to look back upon for clues, trends and oftentimes reassurance that we are moving forward.

I wish you well, and just keep asking questions. It's what the rest of us did.

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