Brag away Birdie that's bloody brilliant.Hi all
Thought may be good time for an update. Now just about 3 1/2 months since T2 diagnosis and am still on Diabetes crusade. Have now lost 51 pounds in weight (size 26/28 to 18/20) and have an average BG of 6.4 mmol/l so feel like am doing well. Retinopathy screen was clear and Dietician was pleased with the weight loss pre my assessment with 'Adult weight management service' and said I was not a candidate for the group sessions (phew). The biggest change has been switch to fairly low carb and exercise. 6 months ago I would have wanted to kill anyone who suggested this could be a hobby. Now I do 4.5km at 30kmph on the exercise bike on weekday mornings and 4 mile power walks at 4mph at least three times a week and on the whole am enjoying it. I have so much more energy and having cut back on working hours am enjoying life much more. I feel like a big dark cloud has lifted off me.
I post this, not to brag (much) but hopefully to encourage someone else who may be struggling and thinking they can't do anything to help themselves. Although I have had some medical help, I feel that my so far positive outcome, has everything to do with positive attitude and proactive behaviour and I am so bloody proud of myself. I am not focusing on the past and how I got in this pickle in the first place but looking to the brighter, lighter, healthier future.
Have my follow up Dietician appointment and 1st HBA1C/ Thyroid level/ Cholesterol test later this month, so it remains to be seen if my figures match how I feel, but feel fairly confident that I will get a good report.
I am hugely grateful to family and friends and the forum for advice, especially Mr Birdy who has been my very own Mr Motivator and cheerleader without whom I think I would still be stuck in a rut and suffering.
Anyway, enough about me. Thanks for listening.
Birdy x
Lily Bird - Type 2 Diabetes 2014/Hypothyroid 2009/IBS 1995/PCOS 1992 - other than that I'm fighting fit!!!
Meant to say in my post that I had hypos on metformin. Like you I lost a lot of weight and I also cut out starchy carbs. Started on 3 tablets and after hypo reduced down to 1 by chemist! Doc wanted me to stay on 3 hospital wanted me to stop. I hope that when I've lost more weight that I may be able to come off them!New here and to Diabetes.
Diagnosed type 2 following GP appointment mid-March 2014. Was testing between diagnosis and seeing Nurse at GP practice and BG was between 14-23 (am a nurse myself) and diagnosis HBA1C was 84. Knew before result due to thirst+++, urinating+++ and very blurred vision.
Not much info at appointment and am awaiting dietician appointment. Nurse said may need Insulin due to BG level but started Metformin 500mg twice a day. Also prescribed Simvastatin 20mg as fasting lipid was 8. Have not taken due to fear of side effect and due to Hypothyroid still being underprepared (a possible contributor to high Cholesterol). Was refused testing kit so purchased my own. Found this site and Diabetic friend most helpful and immediately commenced 'healthy eating' and exercise plan. Was unable to tolerate Metformin and switched to Metformin SR 500mg a day, which has been fine.
Since 1st appointment in early April I have managed to lose about 36 pounds in weight and fasting BG is 5-6 mmol/l and two hours after food is under 8 as a rule. Testing on waking and before/two hours after a meal has allowed me to take more control, as opposed to waiting for next HBA1C as suggested by Nurse. She was begrudgingly impressed by my progress and suggested that I stick to current Metformin dose rather than increase as planned.
I am wondering if any of the experienced forumites can tell me if they think I should push to come off the Metformin ASAP or continue as it has obviously helped, along with dietary and lifestyle changes and I am tolerating it well (I think it helps control my appetite).
For any other newbies who are feeling overwhelmed, just read what you can, take control and responsibility and embrace the opportunity to live a new healthy life. I am a 41 year old, married but no kids, very overweight (was 20 stone and 5 feet tall) fairly lazy (no exercise) person who works about 50 hours a week caring for others but neglected herself. Also have Hypothyroidism and PCOS. I am now a convert and get excited by stable BG and reducing waistline ! If I can do it anyone can!!! Even on my (current) two week all-inclusive 5 star hotel holiday in Turkey I have managed to stay fairly stable and have actually enjoyed exercising. Only problem is, now I have lost a little weight I think I am a size 12 (22-24 in reality) and have for the first time in many years abandoned the beach kaftan and am embracing the tankini and am humming 'sexy and I know it' as I strut to the pool. What people must think I don't know (or care). All I know is that I feel healthier than I have for years and have a Diabetes to thank for giving me the major boot up the backside I needed.
Anyway sorry for going on a bit, thanks for listening. Am open to any further advice and hope my story helps/encourages others as reading posts has helped me.
Ps. Strawberries, 1tbsp lighter creme fraishe and one square of grated very dark chocolate had been my saviour!
Peace and love.
Lilx
Well done Jack. Soooooo hard.
Lily Bird - Type 2 Diabetes 2014/Hypothyroid 2009/IBS 1995/PCOS 1992 - other than that I'm fighting fit!!!
Good for you. Keep going and keep posting.Oops hope I didn't come off as smug!
Porridge with berries and ground cinnamon for brekkie quite a big bowl to keep me going - seems ok for BG.
Salad, cottage cheese and prawns or salmon for lunch or brown rice and prawns for lunch and fruit.
Stir fry/baked salmon & veg/stew/ chicken & veg/lean steak & veg for dinner.
All very simple stuff (home made). Am lucky I looooovvveeee veg!!! Trying not to snack which has always been a habit. Reduced Diet Coke to 2 a day!!!! and buckets of water.
Treat myself with fruits (berries). Also very dark choc - 2 square. Indian take say once a week.
Have worked out that bread (any) seems to spike BG so try and avoid.
Trying to also do low fat/low cholesterol to reduce lipids.
Limiting to 1500 calories a day.
Seems to be working for weight and BG.
Also started exercise, 1st time for years. Managed 30 lengths of pool (3/5 mile) yesterday and walked 3 mile along the beach today. Not bad for an unfit fatty!
L
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