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Hello and Thank You

Thanks for these posts Paul. You've got off to a brilliant start.

We're here for your journey ahead too as there may be trips, slips, curved balls and temptations crop up when least expected, but theres usually someone around whose been there and will help you through.

PS I loved the bit about handing back the full metformin packet. Bet her face was a picture :p :p
 
Paul_ said:
At a nurse appointment yesterday, she weighed me, then had a begrudging look at my BG data, then said "Well, the metformin is doing its job!" She was shocked (and what appeared to be disappointed) when I told her I hadn't taken 1 single tablet and handed her the full box back.

I really want to thank so many people on this forum. The advice here is better than anywhere else, it's transformed my life. I was stupid to let things get so bad, but with the help of advice here, I've started on something that I love, feel 10 years younger for doing already, and I couldn't have done it without so many people here. It's opened my eyes.

A lot of hard work ahead. 3 stone down, 10 stone to go, it'll be a long road - all while trying to mitigate metabolic syndrome issues along the way. Thanks to this forum though, I've seen the light, and I'm determined to keep going!
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It sometimes make you wonder if they want to keep us diabetic...! Well done on giving her the Metformin back.

I've lost two stone already, with a few more to go. So a very well done to you. It'll indeed be a fairly long road, but it'll be worth it.

I'm so glad I found this place too. People here are so informative, supportive and incredibly helpful.

Keep up the good work, and keep us updated on your progress.
 
Well, it's been just over 3 months (15 and a bit weeks) since I was diagnosed with T2 and I had my first follow-up blood test yesterday. It's been quite the rollercoaster and when I look back at the first post I made on this forum to start this thread, so much has changed. I've been quite the advocate for low carb / keto around here since joining, so this is the first real evidence I've had as to whether it works for me personally. So, without further ado, the scores on the doors (no medication for diabetes or cholesterol during this time).

Hba1c (21st July 2023) - 83
Hba1c (7th November 2023) - 32

Weight (21st July 2023) - 24st 9lb (156kg)
Weight (7th November 2023) - 20st 2lb (128kg)
Loss - 4st 7lbs (28kg) - my waist size has reduced by 8 inches

Cholesterol (14th August):
Serum cholesterol - 4.6
HDL - 0.73
LDL - 2.7
Triglycerides - 2.5 (0.5 to 2.3 are considered normal range)

Cholesterol (7th November):
Serum cholesterol - 4.4
HDL - 0.87
LDL - 2.9
Triglycerides - 1.4

The main other positive change was on my liver function. My serum alanine aminotransferase level was 114 (normal range is 0 to 35) on the 21st July. On my latest blood test, this was 19. Massive reduction and it was the main reason I was told I had a fatty liver. Looks like it's a little less fat now though.

I also have high blood pressure. When I was diagnosed with T2 in July, I was on 3 medications daily for it and it was controlled in normal range. I'm now only on 1 medication, two have been removed, and it's still in normal range. Resting heart rate has reduced from the 80-90 range down to 60-70.

Overall I'm so happy with these results. Sure, my HDL needs some serious work (it's still appalling!), but my hba1c is so much better than I'd ever dared hope for! I was aiming to get under 50 maybe, which was just to try and get within shooting distance of more normal ranges.

Once again, I owe everything to this forum and the lovely people on it. Your advice, tips, and strategies have been endlessly helpful in creating this new diet and lifestyle of mine. Most of all though, thank you for all who have supported me, made me laugh, and challenged any incorrect things I've said here - it's made everything so much easier to handle, just knowing there's a place I can come to where people are on the same page and all pushing to help. I won't name names, we know who these people are. I can never repay any of you in any meaningful way, but you genuinely have mine and my family's deepest gratitude and affection for everything you've helped me achieve so far.

Now for the hardest bit (so I've read), keeping it going! Oh, and no one mention the "R" word just yet, there's a long way to go! :)
 
We could say, but you had to do. And haven't you proved it?! Such a terrific result in such a short time too. On the way, your humour, common sense and diligence have really been impressive, and I would think have brought hope to the many who may not contribute much or at all but enjoy and learn from your postings.

I don't think you'll find keeping going as hard as you anticipate. But if you meet the odd obstacle, we'll be here to support you just as you are here for any of us who stumble on the way.
 
Fantastic results @Paul_ keep up the good work, including carrying on posting here. Your progress like many others here will help and inspire newbies.
 
Outlier said:
We could say, but you had to do. And haven't you proved it?! Such a terrific result in such a short time too. On the way, your humour, common sense and diligence have really been impressive, and I would think have brought hope to the many who may not contribute much or at all but enjoy and learn from your postings.

I don't think you'll find keeping going as hard as you anticipate. But if you meet the odd obstacle, we'll be here to support you just as you are here for any of us who stumble on the way.
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Thank you, you've always been so kind to me and your posts have been such a source of inspiration. I really do consider myself so lucky and fortunate to have landed in this place, with such amazing people.
 
The best thanks you can give all of us, is to continue posting, and helping other newbies, who find themselves where you were such a short time ago. Well done, keep (yuppppppklllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll ( Maine coon kitten typing)). up the good work.
 
ajbod said:
The best thanks you can give all of us, is to continue posting, and helping other newbies, who find themselves where you were such a short time ago. Well done, keep (yuppppppklllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll ( Maine coon kitten typing)). up the good work.
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Your cat is very wise indeed!

Thanks, your posts and advice definitely helped me push past that "what do I have with the meat and veg?" conundrum as a low carb newbie, when chips, potato in general, rice and bread are removed from the plate. The answer was stunningly simple - more meat and veg! :)
 
I don't know about wise, but we had to choose names for them before we got them, due to pedigree registration, and insurance etc. the one is a grey with white socks, which my daughter said had to be Smokey. My reply was in that case the other had to be Bandit, a black and silver tabby. When we collected them 10 days ago, we were told Bandit was a very apt name for him!. He was the one helping with the reply.
 
ajbod said:
I don't know about wise, but we had to choose names for them before we got them, due to pedigree registration, and insurance etc. the one is a grey with white socks, which my daughter said had to be Smokey. My reply was in that case the other had to be Bandit, a black and silver tabby. When we collected them 10 days ago, we were told Bandit was a very apt name for him!. He was the one helping with the reply.
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You're never alone with a Maine Coon; huge in every way, always "helping" with whatever task you have in hand. We have fhree, a red shaded and two reds - Ash, Griff, and Rodney.
 
Congratulations - well done such an amazing result but you clearly hit the ground running and worked out very quickly what you needed to do to make it happen. High five from me and a big thank you for posting on the forum regularly and supporting others.
 
MrsA2 said:
Brilliant results Paul, and a brilliant post.
. Always knew you were a good 'un ;)
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Without your seemingly unending resourcefulness, finding substitutes, suppliers and recipes and posting them up, this would have been way more difficult. You're essentially the Google of low carb diabetes management! Thank you.

Margarettt said:
@Paul_ Well done to you my diagnosed buddy. I have an image of you strutting around all pleased with yourself and it is well deserved. Onwards we go.
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I'm saving all that strutting energy for Friday, when I have my results follow up appointment with my diabetic nurse, who told me I wouldn't lose weight fast enough and wouldn't be able to lower my blood glucose without full dose Metformin. Want to make sure I'm nice and rested for then! :)

Good luck with yours tomorrow, hope it all goes really well for you!
 
shelley262 said:
Congratulations - well done such an amazing result but you clearly hit the ground running and worked out very quickly what you needed to do to make it happen. High five from me and a big thank you for posting on the forum regularly and supporting others.
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Thank you, Shelley. I don't know about hitting the ground running, I was stumbling about for a while that's for sure!

Week 1 I tried to continue with Eat Well for 3 days and decided I had to find something different, my BG readings just wouldn't come down - in fact they were continuing to rise. I found this place by chance, read a few posts that made sense, found @JoKalsbeek's infamous blog post, then lurked here for a month after diagnosis before joining, reading everything I could. I managed to get down to 50g carbs a day with "the basics", but had little to no variation for the first couple of weeks. I gradually built out those basic low carb meals, made them lower carb still, tracked BG readings before and after meals, and after month 1 I had the initial makings of a workable diet. That's when I joined the forum, so no one saw the really confused new diabetic me, cluelessly stumbling around my kitchen, trying to take on this massive challenge without actually talking to anyone outside of my family about it.

My one and only regret is not joining this forum sooner, posting up questions, and meeting everyone. Reading historical posts was extremely valuable, but getting that real time response to questions/worries reduced the stress of it all so much once I'd joined.
 
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Paul_ said:
Well, it's been just over 3 months (15 and a bit weeks) since I was diagnosed with T2 and I had my first follow-up blood test yesterday. It's been quite the rollercoaster and when I look back at the first post I made on this forum to start this thread, so much has changed. I've been quite the advocate for low carb / keto around here since joining, so this is the first real evidence I've had as to whether it works for me personally. So, without further ado, the scores on the doors (no medication for diabetes or cholesterol during this time).

Hba1c (21st July 2023) - 83
Hba1c (7th November 2023) - 32

Weight (21st July 2023) - 24st 9lb (156kg)
Weight (7th November 2023) - 20st 2lb (128kg)
Loss - 4st 7lbs (28kg) - my waist size has reduced by 8 inches

Cholesterol (14th August):
Serum cholesterol - 4.6
HDL - 0.73
LDL - 2.7
Triglycerides - 2.5 (0.5 to 2.3 are considered normal range)

Cholesterol (7th November):
Serum cholesterol - 4.4
HDL - 0.87
LDL - 2.9
Triglycerides - 1.4

The main other positive change was on my liver function. My serum alanine aminotransferase level was 114 (normal range is 0 to 35) on the 21st July. On my latest blood test, this was 19. Massive reduction and it was the main reason I was told I had a fatty liver. Looks like it's a little less fat now though.

I also have high blood pressure. When I was diagnosed with T2 in July, I was on 3 medications daily for it and it was controlled in normal range. I'm now only on 1 medication, two have been removed, and it's still in normal range. Resting heart rate has reduced from the 80-90 range down to 60-70.

Overall I'm so happy with these results. Sure, my HDL needs some serious work (it's still appalling!), but my hba1c is so much better than I'd ever dared hope for! I was aiming to get under 50 maybe, which was just to try and get within shooting distance of more normal ranges.

Once again, I owe everything to this forum and the lovely people on it. Your advice, tips, and strategies have been endlessly helpful in creating this new diet and lifestyle of mine. Most of all though, thank you for all who have supported me, made me laugh, and challenged any incorrect things I've said here - it's made everything so much easier to handle, just knowing there's a place I can come to where people are on the same page and all pushing to help. I won't name names, we know who these people are. I can never repay any of you in any meaningful way, but you genuinely have mine and my family's deepest gratitude and affection for everything you've helped me achieve so far.

Now for the hardest bit (so I've read), keeping it going! Oh, and no one mention the "R" word just yet, there's a long way to go! :)
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Paul, this is incredible! Thank you for posting an update. I needed to read this this evening to give me some hope. I've just collected my glucometer and done my first pre-dinner reading and got a shock when it came out at 16.6. To know it's possible to lower these numbers so significantly in such a short time is super inspiring and gives me a little hope that I'm not a completely lost cause!

I too have been prescribed metformin but want to try and change my diet and activity levels first.
 
Cluuur said:
Paul, this is incredible! Thank you for posting an update. I needed to read this this evening to give me some hope. I've just collected my glucometer and done my first pre-dinner reading and got a shock when it came out at 16.6. To know it's possible to lower these numbers so significantly in such a short time is super inspiring and gives me a little hope that I'm not a completely lost cause!

I too have been prescribed metformin but want to try and change my diet and activity levels first.
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Hey @Cluuur, thanks for replying, nice to know it's helped you.

If there's one thing I've learnt, it that there's always hope! The post-diagnosis period is rough. Really rough. You're hit with the diagnosis, if you're anything like me and many others then you're offered limited support beyond meds from the docs, and it can feel so lonely.

With some changes to diet and lifestyle you can make significant improvements. If you need meds to support that improvement, that's not a bad thing and it's not admitting defeat. The most important thing is that you prioritise lowering those blood glucose levels and limiting the damage it can do. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't. Don't believe anyone telling you that you won't be able to do it. It's not always easy, it's a bit of a steep learning curve at first, but trust me, it's gets better. So much better.

If there's anything you need, or are worried about, just post and ask, or start a thread. There's generally always someone here who's experienced what you're asking, had to overcome it, or that can just offer some good advice. Hang in there, you can do this!
 
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