NannyClover
Member
- Messages
- 10
- Type of diabetes
- Treatment type
- Diet only
Evening everyone.
Bit of a story, but please bear with me.
On 10th March I had my bloods done as part of my annual BP review (BP well controlled with medication). I recently became able to access my patient records online, so I logged in 2 days later to see if my results were through, mainly to check on my cholesterol. I discovered that my HbA1c was 68.
Obviously, I realised that this was not good news, but I was shocked to discover that at my previous routine blood test, 12 months earlier, my HbA1c had been 51. The surgery hadn’t informed me of this, though I appreciate that this was about the time all the COVID stuff hit the fan so I guess I got overlooked
Like many newly-diagnosed, I Googled for about 24 hrs solid and fortunately one of the first sites I found was diabetes.co.uk. and these fabulous Forums. So much helpful information . Though a lot of it was confusing, I realised that I obviously had to cut out the carbs, which I did in the first week to the best of my ability. I’ve totally eliminated the big hitters - bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, biscuits, cake, chocolate etc. (though not actually counting gms of carbs) and based all my meals around protein, salads, veggies (above ground) and increased my fat intake. I’m limiting myself to one piece of fruit a day. This was a huge shift for someone who thought LCHF meant “Low Calorie, High Fibre”. Still no word from the surgery.
So many of you emphasised the need to test, test, test, so I bought the kit and began collecting my BG readings throughout the day, on rising, before and after meals, at bedtime and keeping a food diary. I wasn’t in a great hurry to arrange any appointments with HCPs as it would appear that they are a bit too eager to prescribe medication and that’s not my preferred course of action. The surgery contacted me on 23rd March to say that the nurse needed to discus my blood test results and I now have a telephone appointment for 19th April. No rush then?
I feel a whole load of conflicting emotions - I feel overlooked, I feel frustrated that I’ve wasted so many years on stupid, useless diets that have probably made things worse, I feel much better informed now, thanks to the tons of advice and information on these forums, but I also feel a bit scared that I’m kind of flying solo (notwithstanding my OH is TOTALLY supportive but no better informed than I am).
The point of all this rambling is to ask opinions on whether I can safely continue in this way, under no medical supervision until my appointment on 19th April?
*Continue to eat in this slightly imprecise but generally LCHF way (I have managed to lose 9 lbs)
*Continue testing in the hope that some sort of patterns begin to emerge (not managing to interpret them in any meaningful way as yet)
*Further increase my exercise (managing walks of between 5 and 8 km 3 to 4 times a week)
*Speak with the nurse in due course, hear what he/she has to say and take it from there.
Does this sound like a plan? Your thoughts/observations would be most welcome.
Bit of a story, but please bear with me.
On 10th March I had my bloods done as part of my annual BP review (BP well controlled with medication). I recently became able to access my patient records online, so I logged in 2 days later to see if my results were through, mainly to check on my cholesterol. I discovered that my HbA1c was 68.
Obviously, I realised that this was not good news, but I was shocked to discover that at my previous routine blood test, 12 months earlier, my HbA1c had been 51. The surgery hadn’t informed me of this, though I appreciate that this was about the time all the COVID stuff hit the fan so I guess I got overlooked
Like many newly-diagnosed, I Googled for about 24 hrs solid and fortunately one of the first sites I found was diabetes.co.uk. and these fabulous Forums. So much helpful information . Though a lot of it was confusing, I realised that I obviously had to cut out the carbs, which I did in the first week to the best of my ability. I’ve totally eliminated the big hitters - bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, biscuits, cake, chocolate etc. (though not actually counting gms of carbs) and based all my meals around protein, salads, veggies (above ground) and increased my fat intake. I’m limiting myself to one piece of fruit a day. This was a huge shift for someone who thought LCHF meant “Low Calorie, High Fibre”. Still no word from the surgery.
So many of you emphasised the need to test, test, test, so I bought the kit and began collecting my BG readings throughout the day, on rising, before and after meals, at bedtime and keeping a food diary. I wasn’t in a great hurry to arrange any appointments with HCPs as it would appear that they are a bit too eager to prescribe medication and that’s not my preferred course of action. The surgery contacted me on 23rd March to say that the nurse needed to discus my blood test results and I now have a telephone appointment for 19th April. No rush then?
I feel a whole load of conflicting emotions - I feel overlooked, I feel frustrated that I’ve wasted so many years on stupid, useless diets that have probably made things worse, I feel much better informed now, thanks to the tons of advice and information on these forums, but I also feel a bit scared that I’m kind of flying solo (notwithstanding my OH is TOTALLY supportive but no better informed than I am).
The point of all this rambling is to ask opinions on whether I can safely continue in this way, under no medical supervision until my appointment on 19th April?
*Continue to eat in this slightly imprecise but generally LCHF way (I have managed to lose 9 lbs)
*Continue testing in the hope that some sort of patterns begin to emerge (not managing to interpret them in any meaningful way as yet)
*Further increase my exercise (managing walks of between 5 and 8 km 3 to 4 times a week)
*Speak with the nurse in due course, hear what he/she has to say and take it from there.
Does this sound like a plan? Your thoughts/observations would be most welcome.