Just been diagnosed

Adam..72

Member
Messages
6
Hi all, I've just yesterday my doctor phoned me to tell me I have diabetes type 2,I didn't realise how bad this would effect me, I'm a truck driver, I had a hgv medical coming up and decided to get myself a blood pressure monitor, little did I know at the time that the blood pressure monitor has saved my life, as I had been walking around and living my life with a blood pressure of 236/127,I had to see the doctor next day who sent me for blood tests, they confirmed my blood pressure was at a dangerous high level, and my blood sugar was at 13, I've always been a big guy, but boy this has really given me a kick up the backside I needed, the doctor has put me on ramipril and 3 doses of metformin a day, I've changed my whole lifestyle and eat now very healthy and brought myself an exercise bike which I use 5 days out of 7,I've dropped 15 pounds in 1 month since being diagnosed with high blood pressure it was only yesterday I was told I had diabetes so today is my first day on tablets, the thing is I've got myself a finger prick sugar monitor and I've gone from 13 on my sugars down to 5 in 1 month, as I thought I was doing so well with a 15 pounds weight loss and getting my sugars down to a normal level, I really didn't think I would need diabetes medication, however the second blood test which is over a 3 month period says I'm at 68 and need to be under 48 I think, I'm so focused on getting this back to normal, I have to have another blood test in 3 months, but how would I know if its me doing the right things and not the medication bringing it down, I would have rather not had any medication and In 3 months see where I am, but I don't think this is possible, my family say not to worry but I can't think of anything else, and how I'm to blame for being such an idiot and thinking it won't happen to me, its just in1 month my world has turned upside down, knowing I could have had a heart attack or stroke at any minute and now I'm a diabetic,,
 
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Ronancastled

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,234
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Great to see you've grasped the nettle straight out the gate.
I see you've already got a meter which is vital.
Just research low carb & keep doing what your doing, you've got this.
 
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Adam..72

Member
Messages
6
Thank you so much, your right I have got this I've never been so determined, if you got your health it means everything and I want mine back
 

Rachox

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
17,253
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi @Adam..72 and welcome to the club no one wants to join! I have a very similar story. Five years ago I was told I had diabetes after a routine blood test (HbA1c of 70), I was obese, my blood pressure wasn’t well controlled despite two meds. Anyway long story short I did exactly what you’re doing, low carb diet, Metformin and self monitoring. I lost a shed load of weight, BP normalised to the point where I dropped one BP med and halved the dose of the other and also getting back to a non diabetic HbA1c in four months. As you say a kick up the backside, a blessing in disguise.
Metformin is a very mild drug it doesn’t have a direct affect on your blood sugar level, it has a cumulative effect of stopping your liver chucking too much sugar into your blood stream. So it’ll be your lifestyle changes that have done most of the work.
Keep up the good work, you’re doing well :)
 
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Yulkuy

Member
Messages
23
Just saying you should be careful with workouts with high blood pressure, I guess even cardio can be a bit dangerous if your resting pressure i 240/130. It is probably quite a bit better now, but still. You also should be careful with going from no exercises to 5 days a week on exercise bike as high blood pressure shows your heart is struggling to pump blood across your body. You may want to make this transition more gradually
 

Adam..72

Member
Messages
6
Thank you so much for your reply, it's great to hear that this is reversible,I really needed to hear that,as my own doctor who I've never even seen due to covid and only phone conversations as put me on all this medication when I know I can do this myself, yes I should have been doing it anyway but if I can't do it with this type of health scare then I dunno what else is gonna motivate me the way this has, a huge congrats on your own weight loss and reducing all your meds,
 

Adam..72

Member
Messages
6
Yes the doctor said I should do nothing more than gentle walking but within 1 month my blood pressure is down to 144/86,I picked a exercise bike because of the low impact and I don't go mad on it
 

Outlier

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,097
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
You have grasped the nettle and you are doing brilliantly! We are all here in support, so ask us, tell us, lean on us as much as you need. I am very impressed and I promise you it all gets easier.
 

Hezzal

Member
Messages
21
Great job Adam, you’ll be amazed at how quickly your blood sugar will normalise now you’re feeding yourself what your body needs. I’d be willing to bet that you’re back in normal levels at your next hba1c!
 
Messages
4
with you all the way.... had a reading of 57 a months ago... 52 last week.. doc wanted me on medication...said no I will continue exercise regime and cuting out added sugars in drinks, cakes, biscuits etc.. eating more protein, taking Omega three fish oil and walking 2 to 3 miles per day...hope to be back in normal range by next blood test... (3 months)
 

danziger

Well-Known Member
Messages
166
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
That’s great about your blood pressure, when mine was over 230, they insisted on hospitalising me to sort it out, which took 12 days! (And was still at 160/90 when I left). I can’t exercise due to disability but I’ve found low carb is really helping my BP as well as my blood glucose (am now down to 110/74 despite reducing medication), so keep going, keep monitoring BP and BG, cut the carbs and keep your chin up.
 

Adam..72

Member
Messages
6
Just a quick update saw my doctor today after 5 weeks and after 19 pounds weight loss in those 5 weeks I'm off medication and can control the diabetes with my diet alone, so pleased
 
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ElenaP

Well-Known Member
Messages
514
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Just a quick update saw my doctor today after 5 weeks and after 19 pounds weight loss in those 5 weeks I'm off medication and can control the diabetes with my diet alone, so pleased
Well done!
 

CamGreen

Member
Messages
14
Just a quick update saw my doctor today after 5 weeks and after 19 pounds weight loss in those 5 weeks I'm off medication and can control the diabetes with my diet alone, so pleased

Adam. That’s fantastic. You should feel very proud of yourself. Your journey so far will help inspire others. It certainly has me. I’ve lost 17 lbs in the past month and am also on metformin but I’m determined to lose more weight and get into remission. Keep going. You’re doing so well.