Hello - Type 2 18 Years

Hello everyone, I’ve lurked here on and off for a long time but decided it was time to finally say hello!

I’m Ally and I’m mid-40s and a Type 2 for 18 years. I’ve had times when I’ve had good control and others times when I’ve not. In May my HbA1c was 112. It’s been higher and the lowest was 49 back in 2019, so I’ve had good control sometimes.

I have an ED (BED) not officially diagnosed, since I was a child and my MH has been up and down for 20 years. I am overweight but equally I’ve lost a significant amount through my own hard work (50kg) but I still have more to lose, but I have also accepted many years ago I was happier if I didn’t focus on my weight constantly so long as I didn’t gain a large amount back. Yeah, a few lbs here and there no problem, but anymore and it really has a negative affect on my MH.

I’ve been on insulin on and off since 2017, I won’t go into what happened when I started insulin back in 2017, that’s for another post. I have been ignoring the diabetes, taking my tablet medication as prescribed, but the thought of insulin was hell for me.

Sadly, I commenced insulin early June as medication in the form of tablets were just not working solely, and it’s clear I’m needing large doses of background insulin and short-acting insulin, and I’ve gained almost 5kg in weight since early June, and it’s killing me, and that is with being good with food, yes there is always room for improvement in my diet but I have an ED and there is zero support for that within the NHS!

I’ve seen good results on Libre with the insulins but mentally it’s just not worth putting myself into a MH crisis!

I guess that’s my introduction, sorry it’s long!

Have been on the GLP-1s on and off since 2010 but they have caused gallbladder disease, and so I’m no longer allowed to take them. Semaglutide was stopped in 2019 by my diabetes consultant! And I’ve still experiencing the gallbladder problems!

MissMuffett said:

Hi @alimar77 and welcome to chatting with us, it’s great you can tell us your story. I have a few stone to lose too and trying to find medication (only on metformin at the moment) that will help bring down my BG further. I am doing low carb as well but don’t want to have insulin injections.
when you say you’re being ‘good with food’ what’s your typical day of eating as this will help members give you any tips and advice to help you on your journey?

Click to expand...

Thanks @MissMuffett

I’ve always preferred low carb, high fat, high protein but the fat is a problem due to the gallbladder disease. I can have several good days and weeks and then something will happen which causes a binge and then it takes ages to get back on track.

I have chronic pain due to osteoarthritis, probably going to get diagnosed with fibromyalgia at an appointment this coming week, and after years of being labelled with a personality disorder which I argued was wrong, turns out I am autistic and this diagnosis was confirmed 18-months ago and fits me more, but it’s been really difficult to come to terms with this! I question how such a diagnosis was missed for more than 15 years, especially when many of my breakdowns where connected to a major autistic sensory overload. I’ve been given zero support to come to terms with this diagnosis!

On top of that I’m a carer, yet these days I’m struggling to even care for my own basic needs!

I’m not a breakfast eater, I have two coffees in morning with semi-skimmed milk. Lunch is usually a sandwich and my evening meal is usually whatever comes out the fridge!

I’m not going to say I don’t eat junk food, I do, but this is because I crave it, I’m a binge eater and it’s difficult to control. Depending on my day, my pain and my stress, depends on what I eat. Truth is I’m feeling very isolated most days, but don’t do mixing with others (I now understand this to be my autism) What friends I do have are some distance away.

I feel this is my last chance to get things under control. I hate insulin. I have had signs of diabetic retinopathy / maculopathy for the last 18-months also.

I’ve tried all the classic diabetic medications so insulin is my only option. I’m currently on Metformin, Alogliptin and (Insulin, suspended myself at present - Tresiba and NovoRapid!

Thanks @MissMuffett

I try to avoid bread as like you it sends my BG sky high, as does milk in my coffee, but I refused to give up my Nespresso! I have now cut out my loaded sugary coffee from take-outs and if I do have one I opt for sugar free syrup.

I use to get my daily exercise with walks in the park, and despite pain I pushed myself. Sadly I lost my dog in March and I’ve not been to the park since! I’d love another dog but now is not the right time.

I waited 10 months to see weight management only to be told the NHS service had been decommissioned! I’ve asked to see a dietician through the diabetic clinic but there is none due to recruitment issues!

The weird thing is I prefer healthy food over junk, I just turn rubbish when I’m stressed, it’s a catch 22 and difficult to break the circle!

Antje77 said:

I don't know what kind of gall bladder disease you have, but have they considered just taking it out?
I had gallstones for years before finding out what those horrible attacks were, but after finding out I got rid of the gallbladder, problem solved.

Click to expand...

Sadly the NHS won’t remove it due to a high BMI, a few points over, despite the NICE Guidelines not actually saying anything about BMI, it just the NHS making excuses. I’ve created a post elsewhere on the forum about my gallbladder issues!

coby said:

Hi @alimar77: I'm sorry to hear you are struggling with lunch and giving way to bread, if it spikes you. Could you make a salad the night before and cling film wrap it to take with you? I'm assuming lunch is at work ... sorry if that's wrong. Or even just take two hard boiled eggs as they are nutritious and filling x

Click to expand...

@coby Thanks Coby, on good days I do do things like this, the issue is really getting some control over the binge eating.