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Hello . . .

lucretia_ten

lucretia_ten

Member
Messages
7
Location
Warwickshire
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
I'm new on here, having just discovered this very wonderful forum whilst trying to find out some information about how to control my diabetes.

Okay about me, I was diagnosed T2 in '97 at the age of 38 but I'm ashamed to say, have never taken it seriously. Instead, went overboard and ate myself into the state I'm in today. Weighing in at 90kg on a 1.3m frame and taking 2000g metformin a day, actos 30mg (which has just been doubled by the consultant) plus cholestrol and BP lowering drugs to boot, and still my HBA1c is 11. I am also 2 months post-op from having my gallbladder removed.

I had been considering going low-carb but am seeing a dietician who is wholeheartedly against it, saying that as a diabetic I need carbs to control my blood sugars. So I have continued to struggle with food cravings and high BS and feeling quite "ill"

So here I am ready to start a new way of life and get serious about my health. After reading many of your posts, and feeling inspired, I now feel ready to embark on a low-carb or lower-carb way of eating - it seems the sensible thing to do.

One thing I have noticed is, whenever I have tried to "diet" in the past, I have become very shaky, my muscles stiffen and I feel very ill - but now, thanks to reading this forum have discovered false hypos - I didn't even know they existed, so thank you, I now know how to control them without eating everything in sight.

I don't think you'll see many posts from me as I tend read and not write, but I am very grateful for the help you give.

Lucretia
 
Welcome Lucretia

Please dont blame yourself for putting on weight and always being hungry, etc, I was told to have carbs with every meal and in between, I followed the health professionals advice to the letter and ended up weighing over 20st as a result.

Your story sounds very similar to mine, I posted it in the Success Stories thread - anyway you say you like reading, do you read books about diabetes? There are some really good books around, Dr Bernstein, Gary Taube, Dr Charles Clarke, etc are really excellent if you want to learn about diabetes.

All the best to you, do give us a update now and then will you, and if you get stuck or need some advice and support remember we are here and will try our best to help you along.

Karen x
 
Hi Lucretia
Your dietician is WRONG
there's NO NECESSITY FOR CARBS in anyone's diet. As you have already found, all they do to steady your sugars, is to keep them steady on a HIGH number.
Ignore that sort of nonsense and go ahead with it. You'll feel better than you have for years and D will come under control. Keep a food diary and take it back to the dietician and show the proof that it works
 
Thank you both for your replies, I will definitely start keeping a food diary and start reading a few books (and of course continue reading the forum :-)) The success stories are a real inspiration by the way Chocfish - thanks :-D

I noticed that everyone tests their BS many times a day. My previous GP told my to stop testing (I was only doing it twice a week anyway, for a short time) - that it was a waste of time for a type 2 and quite unnecessary as I wouldn't do anything about it if it was high. Well that was maybe true then, but now thanks to you guys, I shall go back and demand more strips and start testing again properly . . . but first I have to go find out that old meter!

lucretia
 
lucretia
You seem to have found a healthcare team from another century/planet :twisted:
Testing isn't a waste of time or Money if you use the information gained to improve your health. Learn which foods spike your blood glucose and what is good for you.keep BG on target( around 5)
If you develop an infection, testing becomes essential
 
Get a new meter! And another healthcare team! Testing is the cornerstone for all diabetic control, no matter which type of diabetes you have and how you treat it. How can anyone possibly treat a condition without knowing the starting point? :shock: Good luck.
 
Forget the past, you are here now. There's lot's of great people out there who are only too willing to help. We may differ in our opinions of what works but we all want to help. I would strenuously suggest giving low carb a go for a couple of months at least (you will need to be strict at first though, then you can take a few more risks later). If after that you decide it's not for you then I'm sure there are lot's of people who can offer you alternative advice. As Kegstore said, you MUST get a meter. There is no way you can know what foods affect you unless you test. My doc was reluctant at first, but when I put it to her that I would need strips for a short while until I'd worked out which foods I could eat she was OK with it. It was put on repeat prescription and I've had them ever since.

The very best of luck!
 
Thank you all for your warm welcomes and advice. I have ordered a new meter and arranged an appointment at my surgery to discuss the meter and my requirements - I will let you know how many strips etc they agree to . . .
 
. . . well I went to see the doc - he has flatly refused to agree to monitoring, saying that type 2's don't need it - that the HBA1c result is enough. I explained that I wanted to control my diabetes with a change in diet - hoping to appeal to his better nature, but he obviously doesn't have one.

So I have a glucose monitor on the way to me but won't be able to use it - I can't afford to buy the strips as my husband is out of work.

I feel like giving up already
 
Hi Lucretia.

There is another alternative to a meter and test strips. It is a product called Glucoflex-R available on prescription or at your larger Pharmacies, Boots etc.
Here is a link to the information about the product.
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=8266&hilit=+glucoflex#p77067

It is much cheaper than meter strips, providing your eyesight is good and you have no manual dexterity problems.

Ken.
 
lucretia_ten said:
. . . well I went to see the doc - he has flatly refused to agree to monitoring, saying that type 2's don't need it - that the HBA1c result is enough. I explained that I wanted to control my diabetes with a change in diet - hoping to appeal to his better nature, but he obviously doesn't have one.

So I have a glucose monitor on the way to me but won't be able to use it - I can't afford to buy the strips as my husband is out of work.

I feel like giving up already
Click to expand...
That was exactly the attitude of my GP around six months ago. However, I ignored is advice and started testing by buying my own strips. I went back to see my GP last week. He was amazed at my improvement in HbA1c from 8.5% > 6.8% > 5.7% > 5.5% and to 5.3%. This time he wrote me a prescription for strips without me even asking.

A question that I'm finding useful to ask all health professionals is "If you were in my situation would you test?". The answer is always a very definite "Yes!". In my opinion, anyone that answers otherwise is not being truthful. I asked the same question of my GP last week and he answered exactly the same as the rest "Yes!"
 
Very interesting Wallycorker, I think you're right most medical professionals would want to take control of their illness and use every possible method available.

As I'm not prepared to wait for six months and don't have the funds to buy my own strips, I have decided to look for another GP practice, so have been phoning around today to ask different surgeries thier policy on the subject of self monitoring for T2's - I am expecting a phone call from a practice nurse tomorrow, as the receptionist wasn't quite sure - so fingers crossed . . . and if all else fails I shall turn to the glucoflex-R, thanks for that info Cugila.
 
Update . . .
The nurse rang me - apparantly they do allow a limited number of strips to each patient for a period of time as long as the patient actually acts on the information. The local PCT has clamped down on all the surgeries in my county. Strips are only available really to insulin users. . . grrrr :x
 
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