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Hello again

cairnlady

Well-Known Member
Messages
69
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I was on the Forum but my membership seems to have lapsed so have rejoined! Was diagnosed a few years ago as Type 2 and was just on diet to control. However about 18 mths ago had to start on Metformin MR 500, and then 6 mths ago went onto 1000mg [take 2 x500 at different times of day] and have now also got Forxiga 10mg to take. Am careful with what I eat but do like things that I should not have! [biscuits, chips for example]
I eat wheat/gluten free as have had skin problems, also have under active thyroid, IBS, so am a bit messy really!!
 
Hiya, and welcome back.

Is there anything we can do to help? What are your blood sugars like, your last HbA1c, and do you test out your foods? We all like biscuits and chips!

Do you need any help with your eating plan? If so, perhaps you could give us a typical day's menu and we may see something we can help with.
 
My last HbA1C was 61.
Not sure what you mean by testing out my foods.
My breakfast is either small amount of porridge with bit of honey as sweetener or a round of toast spread with Benecol, lunch is meat/fish with small amount of potatoes and few veg, tea varies from scrambled egg to 2 crackers with cheese! I do not eat a lot.
 
I should have made it clearer, sorry. If you have a meter, do you test before eating and again 2 hours later? This tells you what that meal did to your sugar levels so you can amend some of the foods in the meal next time. This will then lower your spikes and improve your BS levels and lessen your chances of progressing further down the medication route.

If you haven't got a meter, I strongly advise you get one ASAP. Looks like you will have to buy your own, as most of us Type 2's have to, but it is an essential tool in this learning game. If you are interested, have a look here. http://www.homehealth-uk.com/medical/blood_glucose_monitor_testing.htm
The Codefree is the one most of us use as it has the cheapest test strips. (Some makes of test strips are very expensive)

I imagine testing your foods as I described will show you that your porridge and honey, or your toast spread with Benecol, will not be doing you any favours. Nor will the potatoes. Only testing these meals will tell you as we are all different, but honey is pure sugar, so I have no doubt this is not a wise choice, sadly.
 
cairnlady said:
My last HbA1C was 61.
Not sure what you mean by testing out my foods.
Click to expand...

Do you have a glucose monitor to self test blood before and after meals to see how the meals affect your glucose levels?
 
pavlosn said:
Do you have a glucose monitor to self test blood before and after meals to see how the meals affect your glucose levels?
Click to expand...
My GP says I do not need to test myself! The HbA1c is considered sufficient....... !
 
its worth getting a meter
that way you can find out what foods you can and can,t eat
my meter is my life saver
 
cairnlady said:
My GP says I do not need to test myself! The HbA1c is considered sufficient....... !
Click to expand...

What utter rubbish, but typical of so many doctors. Of course an HbA1c isn't sufficient - it may tell you your levels, but does not teach you how to eat properly, what to eat and what to avoid. How else can you learn whether your body can manage a slice of toast, or porridge with honey? Ignore him and get one.

Your HbA1c is high, but you can astound your doctor next time by bringing those levels right down - if you are willing to learn how.
 
cairnlady said:
My GP says I do not need to test myself! The HbA1c is considered sufficient....... !
Click to expand...
Do yourself a favor and acquire one as soon as you can. Without one you are just going blind and just hoping that things will just turn ok in the end.
 

Right, will get a meter and strips. Thank you for that. Will have a look at the information on the topic of meters in forum as well. It would be good to be able to astound the GP.
 
Oh yes .... one in the eye for him! Next time you can go in with excellent sugar levels and tell him diet is the key, not more and more medication, and a diet suited to you is best achieved with a meter. Good luck!
 
cutting your carbs is going to have a big effect on how your feel, your a1c is 61 / 7.7% and the Forxiga should drop another 1% and diet should get it back into normal range
 
Hi. I agree that your breakfast isn't the best. Don't forget honey is 100% sugar and not good. You need to get used to having porridge/cereals without sweetening which you do get used to; honest! Oats are best had cold in muesli etc rather than cooked as porridge. I would stop the biscuits and have nuts or cheese around for snacks. The meter will guide you.
 
Welcome to the forum.
 
cairnlady said:
Right, will get a meter and strips. Thank you for that. Will have a look at the information on the topic of meters in forum as well. It would be good to be able to astound the GP.
Click to expand...
A dietician site might help, it's a middle of the road low carb
http://www.lowcarbdietitian.com/blog/carbohydrate-restriction-an-option-for-diabetes-management

personally, i went cold turkey on carbs and haven't looked back
it’s a long page and a video
http://www.dietdoctor.com/lchf

the first week
http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarb101/a/firstweek.htm
 
Have ordered a Codefree Meter from Amazon.
Have been looking at the low carb information but concerned as am not that keen on salad or lots of vegs because they affect the reflux I have and give me indigestion so have got to have a bit more thought on that!
Also because of that cannot have any high fat items and have to restrict eggs.
I make my own yogurt which has no sweetener or sugar in it so that is no problem.
Lots to think about so thanks for the information you have given me various people.
 
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