Type 2 Inviting Input!

[douglas99]

If you start adding cream, butter, cheese, fats, to all your meals, and then you avoid the carby parts if you're cooking for both of you, you need to be careful you don't end up with you on LCHF, and Euan on high carb high fat.

 

[SockFiddler]

Gosh, there's a lot I want to reply to since I last checked in, but this struck me as most pertinent:

If you start adding cream, butter, cheese, fats, to all your meals, and then you avoid the carby parts if you're cooking for both of you, you need to be careful you don't end up with you on LCHF, and Euan on high carb high fat.

This is exactly my concern. That and no nutrients so, really, the very worst of both worlds. In this, finally, I can cite an advantage to him going to residential school 5 days a week in that I can change my diet drastically and only have to worry about its impact on him 3 nights a week (I only just pieced that one together - duh).

Also: @Guzzler - You absolutely must share that recipe. It's my birthday next month and I shall cook it to celebrate my switch to Low Carbing - I need some time to plan it out, first, to settle Euan and resolve the issues surrounding him, to get used to testing and recording and observing and, of course, to use up, sort through, dispose of whatever carbs are left in the house.

Also, I'm attracted to the notion of swimming; the thought of being in the water is super-appealing. But it's completely offset by my terror of having to get in and out of the water - how would you do that with just 20 steps / 2 minutes before your legs go numb, on two walking sticks?

As it is, the urge to pee has me climbing up and down the stairs at least 5 times a day which (I'm hoping) it better than nothing at all. That and the mid-afternoon Rock Out With Euan sessions where we sing and dance in our chairs (like brilliant lunatics).

@AM1874 - You're very kind, thank you. I won't always be this brilliant, though - brace for disappointment! It's the shine of being new and expressive, but I appreciate the sentiment and am grateful for it <3

@lovinglife - Thank you so much for your post. Happily, my diabetic nurse is the same woman who saved Euan's life when he had his first asthma attack 5 years ago, and they formed a lasting bond - he wanted to go see her when he came out of hospital and they've been close ever since. This has already proven to be immeasurably helpful when it comes to flu jab season and waiting room meltdowns, and I know she will be nothing but a positive influence for him tomorrow.

You didn't say - do you low-carb (or adopted a different kind of diet / change?) And did your son come to terms with his anxiety? I had quite a serious health scare almost 4 years ago that had me in and out of hospital, at one point in critical condition, and then with various surgeries and it took a long time to resolve Euan's fear after that. It's one of the reasons I want to be so up-front about the diabetes and put him in front of good-quality information from a trusted source instead of allowing him to learn from Google.

In my experience, kids with ASD will often internalise what's worrying or frightening them until it becomes an almost constant source of anxiety. I'm eager to avoid that for Euan, partly because it's really bad for him, but also because I don't believe that - ultimately (when brought under control) - my diabetes needs to be that much of a significant issue in our lives.

How other parent carers have managed their children's anxieties is absolutely something I cannot find any information on. Particularly with diabetes, which can be quite a dramatic and apparent disease (the testing, the lifestyle changes, the health implications if it's not correctly managed), I feel truly under-prepared to help my son accept and cope with what's happening to me.

 

[Guzzler]

Most leisure centre pools have hoists now so getting in and out of the water is no problem. The only reason I don't go to the pool is that I have swimmers ear and balance is an issue for me, too. As for the constant need to go to the loo you will find that that eases very quickly after starting a low carb diet.
I thought it was only me that went a little wappy with the chair dancing!

 

[SockFiddler]

And that recipe..?



Chair dancing (and burping) are two of life's greatest joys.

Didn't know that about the hoist - will call my local leisure centre and see what they say. Thanks so much for the tip!

 

[ickihun]

Most leisure centre pools have hoists now so getting in and out of the water is no problem. The only reason I don't go to the pool is that I have swimmers ear and balance is an issue for me, too. As for the constant need to go to the loo you will find that that eases very quickly after starting a low carb diet.
I thought it was only me that went a little wappy with the chair dancing!

I'd feel humiliated being hoisted into a pool in front of other able bodied swimmers. With other disabled swimmers I'd be ok but not people who wouldnt understand the humiliation.

 

[Guzzler]

There are activities at some leisure centres for older or disabled users. Humiliating? So you would refuse to use a hoist because of people looking at you? If using a hoist meant you could help get your bg down, your weight down and lower pain in your joints and all of the benefits that excercise gives but you wouldn't do it because of vanity or embarrassment then clearly you have other options (?). When choices are taken away from you you tend to banish embarrassment to cupboard under the sink.

 

[ickihun]

There are activities at some leisure centres for older or disabled users. Humiliating? So you would refuse to use a hoist because of people looking at you? If using a hoist meant you could help get your bg down, your weight down and lower pain in your joints and all of the benefits that excercise gives but ou wouldn't do it because of vanity or embarrassment then clearly you have other options (?). When choices are taken away from you you tend to banish embarrassment to cupboard under the sink.

I don't think I've got to accepting my disability yet and deep down I feel I might wake up one morning to no bulging discs and scatica. The nhs info says it can fix itself.

 

[ickihun]

Gosh, there's a lot I want to reply to since I last checked in, but this struck me as most pertinent:



This is exactly my concern. That and no nutrients so, really, the very worst of both worlds. In this, finally, I can cite an advantage to him going to residential school 5 days a week in that I can change my diet drastically and only have to worry about its impact on him 3 nights a week (I only just pieced that one together - duh).

Also: @Guzzler - You absolutely must share that recipe. It's my birthday next month and I shall cook it to celebrate my switch to Low Carbing - I need some time to plan it out, first, to settle Euan and resolve the issues surrounding him, to get used to testing and recording and observing and, of course, to use up, sort through, dispose of whatever carbs are left in the house.

Also, I'm attracted to the notion of swimming; the thought of being in the water is super-appealing. But it's completely offset by my terror of having to get in and out of the water - how would you do that with just 20 steps / 2 minutes before your legs go numb, on two walking sticks?

As it is, the urge to pee has me climbing up and down the stairs at least 5 times a day which (I'm hoping) it better than nothing at all. That and the mid-afternoon Rock Out With Euan sessions where we sing and dance in our chairs (like brilliant lunatics).

@AM1874 - You're very kind, thank you. I won't always be this brilliant, though - brace for disappointment! It's the shine of being new and expressive, but I appreciate the sentiment and am grateful for it <3

@lovinglife - Thank you so much for your post. Happily, my diabetic nurse is the same woman who saved Euan's life when he had his first asthma attack 5 years ago, and they formed a lasting bond - he wanted to go see her when he came out of hospital and they've been close ever since. This has already proven to be immeasurably helpful when it comes to flu jab season and waiting room meltdowns, and I know she will be nothing but a positive influence for him tomorrow.

You didn't say - do you low-carb (or adopted a different kind of diet / change?) And did your son come to terms with his anxiety? I had quite a serious health scare almost 4 years ago that had me in and out of hospital, at one point in critical condition, and then with various surgeries and it took a long time to resolve Euan's fear after that. It's one of the reasons I want to be so up-front about the diabetes and put him in front of good-quality information from a trusted source instead of allowing him to learn from Google.

In my experience, kids with ASD will often internalise what's worrying or frightening them until it becomes an almost constant source of anxiety. I'm eager to avoid that for Euan, partly because it's really bad for him, but also because I don't believe that - ultimately (when brought under control) - my diabetes needs to be that much of a significant issue in our lives.

How other parent carers have managed their children's anxieties is absolutely something I cannot find any information on. Particularly with diabetes, which can be quite a dramatic and apparent disease (the testing, the lifestyle changes, the health implications if it's not correctly managed), I feel truly under-prepared to help my son accept and cope with what's happening to me.

Acceptance can be one of the hardest things but seems to come eventually. Time is relative to most people.

 

[Chook]

I don't think I've got to accepting my disability yet and deep down I feel I might wake up one morning to no bulging discs and scatica. The nhs info says it can fix itself.

Thats exactly how I feel about my arthritis. I feel like accepting it will be like giving in.

 

[kimlala]

Gosh, there's a lot I want to reply to since I last checked in, but this struck me as most pertinent:



This is exactly my concern. That and no nutrients so, really, the very worst of both worlds. In this, finally, I can cite an advantage to him going to residential school 5 days a week in that I can change my diet drastically and only have to worry about its impact on him 3 nights a week (I only just pieced that one together - duh).

Also: @Guzzler - You absolutely must share that recipe. It's my birthday next month and I shall cook it to celebrate my switch to Low Carbing - I need some time to plan it out, first, to settle Euan and resolve the issues surrounding him, to get used to testing and recording and observing and, of course, to use up, sort through, dispose of whatever carbs are left in the house.

Also, I'm attracted to the notion of swimming; the thought of being in the water is super-appealing. But it's completely offset by my terror of having to get in and out of the water - how would you do that with just 20 steps / 2 minutes before your legs go numb, on two walking sticks?

As it is, the urge to pee has me climbing up and down the stairs at least 5 times a day which (I'm hoping) it better than nothing at all. That and the mid-afternoon Rock Out With Euan sessions where we sing and dance in our chairs (like brilliant lunatics).

@AM1874 - You're very kind, thank you. I won't always be this brilliant, though - brace for disappointment! It's the shine of being new and expressive, but I appreciate the sentiment and am grateful for it <3

@lovinglife - Thank you so much for your post. Happily, my diabetic nurse is the same woman who saved Euan's life when he had his first asthma attack 5 years ago, and they formed a lasting bond - he wanted to go see her when he came out of hospital and they've been close ever since. This has already proven to be immeasurably helpful when it comes to flu jab season and waiting room meltdowns, and I know she will be nothing but a positive influence for him tomorrow.

You didn't say - do you low-carb (or adopted a different kind of diet / change?) And did your son come to terms with his anxiety? I had quite a serious health scare almost 4 years ago that had me in and out of hospital, at one point in critical condition, and then with various surgeries and it took a long time to resolve Euan's fear after that. It's one of the reasons I want to be so up-front about the diabetes and put him in front of good-quality information from a trusted source instead of allowing him to learn from Google.

In my experience, kids with ASD will often internalise what's worrying or frightening them until it becomes an almost constant source of anxiety. I'm eager to avoid that for Euan, partly because it's really bad for him, but also because I don't believe that - ultimately (when brought under control) - my diabetes needs to be that much of a significant issue in our lives.

How other parent carers have managed their children's anxieties is absolutely something I cannot find any information on. Particularly with diabetes, which can be quite a dramatic and apparent disease (the testing, the lifestyle changes, the health implications if it's not correctly managed), I feel truly under-prepared to help my son accept and cope with what's happening to me.

@SockFiddler, my youngest has disabilities, and I know hard any new change is for her. Your post shows what a loving parent you are. As long as you take care of you (emotionally, physically), you will be able to handle and take care of your son. Thinking of you , and sending you prayers!

 

[SockFiddler]

Re: Accepting disability.

I loathe my walking sticks (though I adore my Flexifoot - am I allowed to link to companies that sell good things to people who need them?)

I remember watching this TV show where kids were asked to point out the differences between them. It was all "Jane likes puddles" and "John likes dancing". What was interesting was that the group was highly diverse in almost every way: some kinds were visibly disabled, from different ethnic backgrounds or had same-sex parents. Not once did any of these kids remark on any of these differences.

More interestingly, even the disabled kids failed to say stuff like "They can all walk" or whatever, and I've certainly noticed that Euan's autism (less so with the sensory stuff, I have to admit) isn't something he's ever remarked upon in context to being different to others.

This all makes me wonder whether the way we frame disability as adults is the issue. As kids, people are just people, and their value is immediate and apparent: Jane likes puddles. If it's raining and I wanna have fun, I'll go find Jane.

As adults, we seem to expect more from each other - and this leads to negative stereotypes and negative expectations, I think: "fat people get diabetes", for example, but also "fat people are just lazy" Think of the meaning of the word itself, "disability" - how negative a label is that? You're literally saying to someone that they can't and won't be able to and, therefore, are somehow diminished by that. Which, I'm hypothesising here, is the root of our personal discomfort when we're diagnosed with disabilities as adults - we have to transition from "I can! I will!" to "I can't and I won't" instead of, as the kids on that show naturally did, see the things we still can and will and that we will be valued for.

<Insert long rant about Social Model of Disability here>

I'm struggling to accept my lack of mobility these days, too. I'm still intensely self-conscious about walking with my sticks and imagine that everyone I encounter are assuming the worst (ergo "She's so overweight she can't even hold herself upright anymore"). The truth of it is, though, every single person posting on this forum has already come to terms with disability, as diabetes has formally been classed as one by the government to allow people with diabetes access to support and services they'd otherwise be denied.

That's really my bottom line here. For years I was part of a group that was lobbying for ADHD in children to be recognised as a disability (it's not, and won't be for many political and social reason - a whole other topic), and the thing I realised is that, formally speaking, the term "disability" purely exists as a threshold to separate those who require more support from those who should be able to get by without it.

Whatever else we decide to bolt onto that is up to us.

 

[ickihun]

Re: Accepting disability.

I loathe my walking sticks (though I adore my Flexifoot - am I allowed to link to companies that sell good things to people who need them?)

I remember watching this TV show where kids were asked to point out the differences between them. It was all "Jane likes puddles" and "John likes dancing". What was interesting was that the group was highly diverse in almost every way: some kinds were visibly disabled, from different ethnic backgrounds or had same-sex parents. Not once did any of these kids remark on any of these differences.

More interestingly, even the disabled kids failed to say stuff like "They can all walk" or whatever, and I've certainly noticed that Euan's autism (less so with the sensory stuff, I have to admit) isn't something he's ever remarked upon in context to being different to others.

This all makes me wonder whether the way we frame disability as adults is the issue. As kids, people are just people, and their value is immediate and apparent: Jane likes puddles. If it's raining and I wanna have fun, I'll go find Jane.

As adults, we seem to expect more from each other - and this leads to negative stereotypes and negative expectations, I think: "fat people get diabetes", for example, but also "fat people are just lazy" Think of the meaning of the word itself, "disability" - how negative a label is that? You're literally saying to someone that they can't and won't be able to and, therefore, are somehow diminished by that. Which, I'm hypothesising here, is the root of our personal discomfort when we're diagnosed with disabilities as adults - we have to transition from "I can! I will!" to "I can't and I won't" instead of, as the kids on that show naturally did, see the things we still can and will and that we will be valued for.

<Insert long rant about Social Model of Disability here>

I'm struggling to accept my lack of mobility these days, too. I'm still intensely self-conscious about walking with my sticks and imagine that everyone I encounter are assuming the worst (ergo "She's so overweight she can't even hold herself upright anymore"). The truth of it is, though, every single person posting on this forum has already come to terms with disability, as diabetes has formally been classed as one by the government to allow people with diabetes access to support and services they'd otherwise be denied.

That's really my bottom line here. For years I was part of a group that was lobbying for ADHD in children to be recognised as a disability (it's not, and won't be for many political and social reason - a whole other topic), and the thing I realised is that, formally speaking, the term "disability" purely exists as a threshold to separate those who require more support from those who should be able to get by without it.

Whatever else we decide to bolt onto that is up to us.

I feel enriched by you being a poster here. Thankyou for joining our gang.
I feel I can learn something important from you.
Disability is just a word.
Thank you. And a huge welcome @SockFiddler

 

[CherryAA]

I think, as with many things in life you can look for the positive.

For the very first time in my life I could look at being overweight the other way round. I am fat because I have a metabolic disorder, not I eat too much which gave me diabetes.

If you do adopt the diet that suits your from here, and you do lose weight, it won't be long before you are quite happy to boast about how you did it. especially as you will inevitably come across many other folk that could do with the same advice. ( I am now up to 6 others who have lost a significant amount of weight/ reduced diabetes symptoms since I began this) .

Eating together with your son. it sounds like your son likes " mush" - one of my friends is pretty much like that. I tackled that by making things mush like eg beef lasagne cooked with chopped tomatoes and pre sauteed aubergine , courgette , cabbage leaves or leeks in place of the pasta , once baked with a cheese sauce topping, its got a quite "Mushy " consistency.

Also how about " curries" - with or without the heat - you can cook all the ingredients together to make the " curry" sauce - if he doesn't like the big bits - take his portion and put that briefly through a blender , cook it in a normal - ordinary fats way - serve him with rice / couscous / blended vegetables - so he gets good quality filling nutrients.
Take your share -keep the protein part quite small and add in some cream and butter to give you more fats then serve that with the blended veg/ cauliflower rice


If you blend any combination of broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, turnip, swede, - you end up with something akin to mashed potatoes with more flavour. Adding any of butter, cream, cheese, yogurt, and or a combination of spices will achieve your goals with various tastes .


Cheap foods - go see your local butcher -(not a supermarket they generally don't do this ) ask him for bones -. They will usually sell you a bag of chicken carcasses for about 2 pounds ( there are normally 5-7 in there I roast those exactly like I would a chicken, then strip the carcass and use the meat for salads, pies etc - I usually get upto a kilo of proper meat. Then take the juices from the pan and add them to the bones - simmer that lot for a long time ( ie 5- 6 hours ) and strain. Once strained, take your favourite veg and any flavouring and add them to the stock simmer that until everything is soft, - blend to the desired consistency. Use it to make gravy, sauces , piece, soups - its packed full of goodies and almost free.

Ask him for a big beef bone - preferably chopped in two so it fits in a pan - simmer that overnight - strain and do the same thing - also pretty much free and and easy way to add goodness to every meal by using a spoonful with all your recipes.

Not overfeeding your son - it seems to me that the key thing here is that as you change your diet, you need to make sure that your son only eats as much as he needs . High fat is calorie dense so its easy to eat too many calories if you are also adding in high carbs as well.

Get yourself a calorie/ nutrient counter - and try out a few foods . you could set one up for each of you - stick his meal in one , your adapted meal in the other and see how they compare to recommended intakes for both of you given personal ages, weights etc. (I use cron-o-meter - which is a free download. )

For both of you getting rid of the sugar in your diets can only do good, even if you do also give him more good carbs - i.e. natural ones from real food and not processed ones.

good luck with it.

 

[SockFiddler]

Absolutely amazing - thank you so much for taking the time to share that. I'd like to write a fuller response but I'm one foot out of the door on my way to my first Diabetes Nurse appointment and found this as I hopped back online to look for @daisy1 's helpful guidance on what I should be asking.

It's funny, though, I remember my Grandmother obsessing over the chicken carcass and the beef bones, and everyone telling her she was mad to waste so much time.

 

[CherryAA]

Absolutely amazing - thank you so much for taking the time to share that. I'd like to write a fuller response but I'm one foot out of the door on my way to my first Diabetes Nurse appointment and found this as I hopped back online to look for @daisy1 's helpful guidance on what I should be asking.

It's funny, though, I remember my Grandmother obsessing over the chicken carcass and the beef bones, and everyone telling her she was mad to waste so much time.

Generally speaking if your grandmother ( or anyone else's ) said " do it " its probably worth it.

Also don't let them " frighten " you into drugs as the first option. My first readings were awful, they became ok within about 4 months using LCHF - many others have found that too - no drugs or drug related side effects. You might find you need them in due course, but think about giving your body a chance to recover first. Left to my doctors I would have been on a heavy drug regime day one - as it is I've taken nothing yet.

 

[ickihun]

Generally speaking if your grandmother ( or anyone else's ) said " do it " its probably worth it.

Also don't let them " frighten " you into drugs as the first option. My first readings were awful, they became ok within about 4 months using LCHF - many others have found that too - no drugs or drug related side effects. You might find you need them in due course, but think about giving your body a chance to recover first. Left to my doctors I would have been on a heavy drug regime day one - as it is I've taken nothing yet.

My only concern about this advice is an additional 4mths is a long time with uncontrolled diabetes. Damage can be caused in some.
Yes, dont panic but some take metformin til bgs settle down. Which is sooner than the months it takes on diet only. They then stop metformin when their diet benefits kick in.
I'm all for avoiding complications. We all dont know how long we've had diabetes before diagnosis. Months or yrs of uncontrolled diabetes. Unfortunately.

Stay safe and wise with your now diagnosed diabetes @SockFiddler .
Luckily the nhs can support this period unlike many other countries. GPs don't dispense meds when they don't have to.

 

[Resurgam]

I know I felt very damaged by my five or so weeks on Metformin and Atorvastatin. It took months until I could go to the folk club and sing again - I could not remember the words. All the more galling when I realised that my diet was all that it was taking to lower my blood glucose levels to normal. I did get a professional carpet cleaner out of it, but I would really rather not have needed it.

 

[CherryAA]

My only concern about this advice is an additional 4mths is a long time with uncontrolled diabetes. Damage can be caused in some.
Yes, dont panic but some take metformin til bgs settle down. Which is sooner than the months it takes on diet only. They then stop metformin when their diet benefits kick in.
I'm all for avoiding complications. We all dont know how long we've had diabetes before diagnosis. Months or yrs of uncontrolled diabetes. Unfortunately.

Stay safe and wise with your now diagnosed diabetes @SockFiddler .
Luckily the nhs can support this period unlike many other countries. GPs don't dispense meds when they don't have to.

What I am saying here did not lead to UNCONTROLLED diabetes . I switched to low carb THAT day. My blood sugars started to go down rapidly THAT day. measuring that via HBA1C will take a while using either metformin or diet, because its a three month average measure :

here are my figures

diagnosis fasting blood sugar 18.4 - god knows what the high was - hba1C 92 an average blood sugar of 14.3% .
Within the first couple of days my blood sugar high was lower than the entire previous three months AVERAGE.

week 1 average 10.5 High 13.2
week 2 average 9.2 High 11.3
week 3 average 8.9 High 11.2
week 4 average 8.7 High 10.0

Overnight fasting blood sugar was 8.5 or less within 15 days of beginning and under 6.7 within 28 days.

I would be amazed if taking any drugs could achieve those results for me so quickly.

 

[SockFiddler]

Am just back from the appointment, but a bit ragged: the taxi I booked to come home seemed to equate "I can't walk at all" (it's a long walk to my doc's from where they can drop me off and my back and legs get tired so quickly) with "No, that's fine, I'll levitate 200 yards because it'll make life easier for you."

Sorry. Grumpy. I now can't feel my left leg and I'm shaky and it's going to now take all day tomorrow to properly recover and it didn't need to happen at all.

ANYWAY

Just back. Interesting stuff. Will write a separate post later but I got most of what I wanted without a battle namely my diabetes nurse's support to:

- Stop the Metformin and replace it with something else (I'm not anti meds, I just have ambitions of not needing them eventually)
- Move onto a Low Carb diet (initially 80g / day)
- Not have to attend every single appointment in person, but to get what I can done over the phone
- Not to know my weight, just how much (if any) I lose
- Have them note my targets on my medical notes so any GP or nurse I talk to will be aware of them
- No education classes. I just don't have the time (or the childcare), I like finding my own way, figuring it out myself, and I have this community and you lovely folk right here

The only thing I didn't get was an agreement that they'll prescribe testing strips in the future. She did give me a meter, I was taught how to use it and the lancet, but the GP practice's policy (handed down from the Health and Wellbeing Board - to whom I shall be writing a strongly worded letter when I'm better armed with info) is that T2Ds don't need to monitor their blood long-term, and she maintained the position in spite of my showing her the pages of notes I've already got about calorie, carb and sugar intake and how open and supportive everyone here it.

I finally have my HbA1c result... somewhere, my Liver Function Test was slightly wonky and my vitamin D is "in my boots"

All in all, very impressed and reassured. Feeling good about the diabetes, even if my back is in agony and my legs are numb.

 

[ickihun]

Am just back from the appointment, but a bit ragged: the taxi I booked to come home seemed to equate "I can't walk at all" (it's a long walk to my doc's from where they can drop me off and my back and legs get tired so quickly) with "No, that's fine, I'll levitate 200 yards because it'll make life easier for you."

Sorry. Grumpy. I now can't feel my left leg and I'm shaky and it's going to now take all day tomorrow to properly recover and it didn't need to happen at all.

ANYWAY

Just back. Interesting stuff. Will write a separate post later but I got most of what I wanted without a battle namely my diabetes nurse's support to:

- Stop the Metformin and replace it with something else (I'm not anti meds, I just have ambitions of not needing them eventually)
- Move onto a Low Carb diet (initially 80g / day)
- Not have to attend every single appointment in person, but to get what I can done over the phone
- Not to know my weight, just how much (if any) I lose
- Have them note my targets on my medical notes so any GP or nurse I talk to will be aware of them
- No education classes. I just don't have the time (or the childcare), I like finding my own way, figuring it out myself, and I have this community and you lovely folk right here

The only thing I didn't get was an agreement that they'll prescribe testing strips in the future. She did give me a meter, I was taught how to use it and the lancet, but the GP practice's policy (handed down from the Health and Wellbeing Board - to whom I shall be writing a strongly worded letter when I'm better armed with info) is that T2Ds don't need to monitor their blood long-term, and she maintained the position in spite of my showing her the pages of notes I've already got about calorie, carb and sugar intake and how open and supportive everyone here it.

I finally have my HbA1c result... somewhere, my Liver Function Test was slightly wonky and my vitamin D is "in my boots"

All in all, very impressed and reassured. Feeling good about the diabetes, even if my back is in agony and my legs are numb.

Excellent.

If any consolation I too had to walk around the block to access the infant school due to one gate being locked for security. Of course I don't begrudge that for the safety of the kids but I too was left in agony. Bum, hip and upper part of my right thigh went numb and heavy. I've dragged myself along with my right crutch and I'm thinking of starting to use both as all pressure on my right and even shoulder and neck on the right is aching.
I will be no use to man or beast tomorrow.
My 1pm tramadol didn't work!

You feel free to compare pain notes. It's nice to moan to someone who understands exactly the pain and it's effect.