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I haven't taken Diabetes seriously enough.

BB335

Newbie
Messages
2
Good Evening,

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes December 2018 with BG levels in the thirties.

When I was first diagnosed I reduced my sugar intake, I increased my exercise and I maintained an overall healthier lifestyle and I was able to get my BG levels back between 4 and 7.

Since then I stopped running so much and wasn't as regimented in taking my medication and didn't watch what I was eating and consequently my sugars were back into the thirties with my GP urging me to visit A and E to get treatment.

Within this time I have also been diagnosed with colitis and have had numerous courses of steroids which sent my sugars higher than normal.

Fast forward to today and the doctors are talking about putting me on insulin to treat my T2 which has really scared me as I believe it will prevemt me getting particular safety critical jobs in engineering.

I have obviously taken this seriously and the nurses have agreed to give me 3 months to try and lower my levels using diet, exercise and my current medication which is 4x 500mg of Modified release Metformin and 4x 80mg Gliclazide.

I have started testing throughout the day to see what foods effects me the most.

First thing in the morning my levels are between 8-11 and they tend to stick between 7-12 throughout the day if I'm careful with what I eat. I go to the gym 4 times a week and do mainly weights but throw in a couple of 5k runs as we'll so I'm not particularly unfit. I'm 5ft 7in and 85kg which is technically overweight according to BMI but I feel the healthiest I've been in a long time bar the ailments.

What is an acceptable BG level for someone on medication as I really dont want to resort to insulin if I can control it as much as possible with diet and exercise.

Kind Regards

Brendan
 
What safety critical jobs prohibit those on insulin out of interest? Can’t think there are many jobs that type 1s can’t do and they have no choice insulin wise

What was your most recent hba1c?

7 to 12 is too high, but depends when you are testing. There are good levels on the site that I try to aim for, if not better

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/blood-sugar-level-ranges.html

Many on the forums including myself found a lower carb regime or even keto has helped reduced blood levels to acceptable levels of pre-diabetic or into the “normal” levels and sometimes to reducing drugs or even no drugs at all. Those who have mad diabetes longer than you have also, so it is possible. Not guaranteed but seems to work very well in many cases

quite often weight loss can naturally come from this type of diet too, whic can help depending if it’s true fat vs muscle etc.

what is your normal diet? There may be options there.
 
Hi
It would really help to know what you eat in a typical day.
What are your favourite foods - as we may be able to suggest low carb substitutes for these to help you stay on track this time.
 
Thanks for the reply.

My hba1c was 83 on my last blood test. Prior to that I was 54 but I was 126 before that.

There are definitely changes I can make to my diet because I have what my wife and 3 kids have at the moment. I have just stopped putting any sugar and milk in my drinks if I have a tea or coffee and I only drink water. I have stopped any snacks and chocolate.

I have stopped cereals for breakfast and will only eat eggs if I do eat breakfast.

I'm hoping that these subtle changes will have a noticeable effect but ultimately I want my levels to be even lower so I know I will have to change the rest if my diet as well.

I just really struggle enjoying food that is low in carbs :-(
 
My bloods were 78 so not that far off and I brought them down so for me it worked

but it takes changes, and you have started so that’s good but what else do you eat? There will be things you likely cannot have, it is not always easy but as you said, you don’t want insulin…
 
Reactions: ert
Hi,

I appreciate you’re taking necessary steps to try and prevent needing insulin, that’s great and I’m sure there will be a wealth of advice and help available to you on this site regarding that.

But one thing I did want to say is please don’t be afraid of needing insulin, it’s not a life sentence. Of that’s what it takes in the end to keep you well and free of diabetes related complications well then it’s a help not a hinderance.

Do I wish I didn’t have to take insulin? Absolutely! But it keeps me feeling well and he’s resulted in a large reduction in Hba1c to almost at the border of the “pre-diabetic” range. ( I’m hoping to be lower than that on my next check) so it’s not as bad as I envisaged. I tried all the oral antihyperglycaemic meds first and the low carb diet (the combination of which gave me DKA and landed me in hospital) Im now able to eat what I’d class as a medium carb diet and it works for me.

I’m hopeful you’ll be able to manage to get your diabetes under check using the medications and those methods you suggested and wishing you all the best with it
 
Hi @BB335, You say that you don't like food without carbs. This may be true if you're a vegetarian or vegan, but most omnivores have a great time in having more reasons to eat fish, seafood, beef, pork, lamb, duck. eggs, hard cheeses, double cream, butter, plain greek yogurt with any type of berry (strawberries and blackberries are lowest carb blueberries probably the highest carb berry but still OK in smallish quantities). I do occasionally eat chicken or turkey, but eat the skin too because otherwise it is lower in fat as well as being less tasty.

I have a large portion of Cauliflower Cheese (made with yogurt and grates hard cheese - not a cheese sauce) at least twice a week and look forward to it. Cauli 'rice' or Broccoli 'green rice' mean that the only carbs in my curries are the ones in the sauce. I can also use it as a substitute for mashed potato. Celeriac is a good substitute for roast, boiled or chipped potato.
 
I really think you have a lot of ways you could make improvements without feeling deprived — I got my HbA1C down from 81 to 34 using medication (not insulin) and low carb (although admittedly in more than a few months!)

It is an adjustment in diet, but unlike cutting fat, I don’t feel hungry and crave-y. There are so many nice ways to adapt meals you already like, and even half-decent low carb bread, pizzas, and cakes you can make or buy. When you see the difference on your meter, it might help you feel more motivated.
 
When I went to Low Carb, I was the chief cook and bottle washer in my family, so instead of me eating their food, they started eating mine. The beauty of the LCHF diet is that it is not rabbit food, and one can have very tasty meals that are still LC. My family was able to eat their own snacks and treats, but I supplied the basic fodder. As a result, my wife went from 18 stone down to 10 stone as did I, and we both needed a new wardrobe. Even Christmas Dinner has been LC for 4 years now, and now we use the LC recipes out of choice not need. So tasty LC food is quite feasible, and can be kiddie compatible too,

Since introducing LCHF to the family, my snack bill has dropped considerably, and the larder is usually devoid of biccies and snacky nibbles, so it saves me money and allows better quality food to be purchased instead. Win, win, My daughter is far more food aware now, and watching her intake with care and knowledge, I am the only diabetic, but it seems the whole family has benefitted from the info from this site. My last HbA1c was 42 which is much better than the 106 I had when I started LCHF. I am also using minimum medication compared to the max dose I was using then. My waistband dropped from 38 to almost 30, and I have had to add new holes on all my belts.
 
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Feel your pain. I'm a nightworker and I also run my own business. I basically eat junk because its all I can get when I'm out at 2-3 am in the morning. Currently feel ill as I'm tired all the time. I take 4 metformin and 1 empagliflozin tablet. My last HBA1C was 99 (having previously been 56, 51 & 64). Really struggling. I'm due another review where they've suggested I start injections (would this be insulin)... I hope its not insulin as I will lose my LGV licence entitlement I believe?
 
Hi @pictureman36 , there are other injections than insulin too. But if you are to start insulin, it doesn't need to be the end of your LGV licence. You might like to have a read of this thread: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/th...ed-what-is-the-procedure.182327/#post-2409575
There are also options for eating a bit more sensible than junk at 2 am. Why not start your own thread with your issues and questions, it could be very helpful!
 
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