It's occurred to me that I never introduced myself properly. I've lurked here a while and recently contributed to a thread on Metformin and gut issues.
I'm Pete, 182cm (6') and 102.5kg (16st 2). I'm 69 and 'retired' but work as a home delivery driver for a large supermarket chain 26 hours a week and as a service driver for a car dealership for another 16 hours or so a week.
I was first diagnosed with T2DM in September 2022, whilst working in Ireland on a large computing project. My boss said to me, "Pete, why don't you get yourself checked out? You look tired all the time", so I did and paid for a private blood test and cursory medical (height, weight and BP). The blood test came back with an HbA1c well over 100. I went to an Irish GP who gave me a finger-prick test and got a fasting result of 17. He wanted to send me to hospital for insulin therapy but I convinced him to start me on medication instead. I got prescribed Metformin, Ramipril and Atorvastatin for blood glucose, BP and cholesterol. I had never considered my BP to be a problem but was aware that it had always been on the high side at 140 / 90, and I had never seen cholesterol as a problem, but hey, the doctor knows best, right?
My blood glucose levels improved well on Metformin, diet (restricted carbs, all but eliminated sugars) and exercise (walking 7k steps at lunchtime) but my bowels rebelled. After a month of this, I got referred to an endocrinologist in Dublin who changed Metformin for Sitagliptin (Januvia) and Empagliflozin (Jardiance). This combination suited me well and I have been on it ever since, until February when my UK doctor took me off Sitagliptin. My HbA1c had been 38 the year before and 41 this year. I also had Rosuvastatin prescribed instead of Atorvastatin as I suspected that the Atorvastatin may have been contributing to skin issues. My Ramipril has also been halved from 5mg to 2.5mg once a day as my BP is now 116 / 76.
I am convinced that exercise is key. I used to be a 19st lump of lard and took no exercise whatsoever other than lifting my elbow at the bar. Since I started moving more and particularly since I started being a delivery driver, my weight has declined and my general health has improved. I don't do anything special with my diet other than to avoid sugar (and I may well have a Creme Egg or two at Easter) and don't drink much beer (prefer whisky and water). My diabetes nurse told me that I was "in remission" last February.
There is hope, I'm living proof!
I'm Pete, 182cm (6') and 102.5kg (16st 2). I'm 69 and 'retired' but work as a home delivery driver for a large supermarket chain 26 hours a week and as a service driver for a car dealership for another 16 hours or so a week.
I was first diagnosed with T2DM in September 2022, whilst working in Ireland on a large computing project. My boss said to me, "Pete, why don't you get yourself checked out? You look tired all the time", so I did and paid for a private blood test and cursory medical (height, weight and BP). The blood test came back with an HbA1c well over 100. I went to an Irish GP who gave me a finger-prick test and got a fasting result of 17. He wanted to send me to hospital for insulin therapy but I convinced him to start me on medication instead. I got prescribed Metformin, Ramipril and Atorvastatin for blood glucose, BP and cholesterol. I had never considered my BP to be a problem but was aware that it had always been on the high side at 140 / 90, and I had never seen cholesterol as a problem, but hey, the doctor knows best, right?
My blood glucose levels improved well on Metformin, diet (restricted carbs, all but eliminated sugars) and exercise (walking 7k steps at lunchtime) but my bowels rebelled. After a month of this, I got referred to an endocrinologist in Dublin who changed Metformin for Sitagliptin (Januvia) and Empagliflozin (Jardiance). This combination suited me well and I have been on it ever since, until February when my UK doctor took me off Sitagliptin. My HbA1c had been 38 the year before and 41 this year. I also had Rosuvastatin prescribed instead of Atorvastatin as I suspected that the Atorvastatin may have been contributing to skin issues. My Ramipril has also been halved from 5mg to 2.5mg once a day as my BP is now 116 / 76.
I am convinced that exercise is key. I used to be a 19st lump of lard and took no exercise whatsoever other than lifting my elbow at the bar. Since I started moving more and particularly since I started being a delivery driver, my weight has declined and my general health has improved. I don't do anything special with my diet other than to avoid sugar (and I may well have a Creme Egg or two at Easter) and don't drink much beer (prefer whisky and water). My diabetes nurse told me that I was "in remission" last February.
There is hope, I'm living proof!
