Latest DN appointment

Can you tell us some more detail? Do you know your HbA1c result? What kind of diet are you eating? Let us know a typical days food and we’ll be more able to help you.

The Metformin will help tiny bit but you really need to persevere with the low carb eating, falling off the wagon every few days is most likely undoing any good you’ve done unfortunately. I’ve managed to get my HbA1c down to non diabetic levels with Metformin, low carb diet and self monitoring but very little exercise due to arthritis. Diet has been the key for me.

It sounds like you need a c-peptide test, to determine whether you're not producing enough insulin (indicating T1 or LADA), or are simply insulin-resistant (indicating T2 in the presence of adequate insulin).
T2s can usually avoid medication/insulin by going lowcarb.
Your HbA1c of 122 equates to an AVERAGE blood sugar level of 18.6 mmol/L, which you've started to reduce.

Your symptoms sound similar to mine before going on insulin. When you view it as literally a lifesaver, it's easier to adopt it as part of controlling your health.
Geoff

@xfieldok how long have you been low carb, and how have your BG levels changed over the time?

in

xfieldok said:

After DG in November, they are starting me on Metformin on Friday. My lowest reading so far was 7.3 and my numbers hover around 11.

She suspects I am going to need insulin. I told her I feel really grotty and very weak. I am definitely losing muscle. She reckons it is all the glucose sloshing around my system.

She has given my a new meter 100 strips, 200 lancets and a couple of sharp boxes.

I set up the new meter and it read 11.1 my old meter read 9.3.

Not sure how I can encourage lower readings. Don't really want to go on insulin if it can be avoided.

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Its still very days for you yet...wondering why given your diagnosis in November you're only starting on Medication this week...is there any reason for the delay that you are aware of?...or is that the first available appointment with your DSN...I do completely understand your reluctance to take insulin at this stage...sounds as if you have made some progress lowering your blood glucose already...I wouldn't worry too much about the variation between your BG meters that does happen...always some degree of variance...you could discuss your options for treatment with the DSN...I find the view that 'you'll probably have to go on insulin' incredibly defeatist...negative...it's not an absolute certainty...that was said to me at my diagnosis in June 2016...my BG was 17.4 on diagnosis no HbA1c was given...now I have an average BG of 5.3...it has taken me over a year to get to those levels...there is no point in rushing...find a routine that suits you one you can sustain in the long term...as for exercise...any activity is beneficial...a little walking...some vigorous housework...I walk everyday now...never did before...always tired...weak...no energy...I started slowly...little by little...you'd be surprised how much a few extra steps would benefit you...you need to give yourself some leeway...having to change your lifestyle is not an easy thing to do...if you do have the odd day where you give in to temptation...write it off...start afresh the following day...I do believe we can delay/avoid complications if we manage our diet...increase our activity (however much or as little as you can)...get control of our diabetes...get involved in your diabetes treatment...one of the best things I found was a book 'Type 2 Diabetes The First Year' by Gretchen Becker...a type 2 diabetic herself who takes you through her first year from diagnosis onwards month by month...available to preview before deciding to buy it on Amazon...it changed my whole perspective on managing my diabetes...good luck...be interested to hear your progress.

xfieldok said:

@Bubbsie, thank you, that is encouraging.

I forget which way round it was, resistant/intolerant but it was T2 with insulin. It can't hurt to have an extra test.

I have suspected the feelings/weakness in arms and legs could be neuropathy and tried to explain this to a different DN. She just sent me for an ECG.

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Or could your feeling of weakness is due to low carbing?

xfieldok said:

@Bubbsie, thank you, that is encouraging.

I forget which way round it was, resistant/intolerant but it was T2 with insulin. It can't hurt to have an extra test.

I have suspected the feelings/weakness in arms and legs could be neuropathy and tried to explain this to a different DN. She just sent me for an ECG.

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xfieldox...some DSNs are better...more enlightened than others...when I was first diagnosed there was no DSN at my surgery...I dealt with my GP...who was honest about how little he knew about diabetes (T2)...in response to my question of how much do you know about type 2 he responded 'Not much'...I started on metformin 500 mgs twice a day...at my first review I had an lowered my BG from17.4 at diagnosis to 8.2... seven months later a DSN arrived at our practice...my GP asked me to make an appointment with her...I did but gained little from it...she was opposed to type 2s testing...said I was obsessive testing more than four times a day...her advice on diet I found it archaic...by that time I had a good idea of what was right for me in terms of diet & exercise...having learned so much here & on another forum...I no longer see her & have my reviews with my GP...I am still taking the Metformin...reduced to just one a day now...hoping at my next review to stop taking that last tablet.. .rely on diet & exercise only...the metformin will help you...it won't reduce your blood sugars on its own...you still need to adjust your diet and if you can introduce some activity...have a good look around the forum...some great ideas for low carbing...you'll be surprised at what you can eat...again...don't rush & don't let yourself be rushed whether by your DSN or others...always important to take medical advice...but I believe we need to be consulted...involved in discussion about how we manage/control our diabetes...if you can have a look at the book I recommended...it explains so much...the cause of type 2...asks is it our fault (the answer is an emphatic no it isn't)...the prevailing attitudes towards T2s...diet...testing our BGs...the myths...really is well worth a read.

xfieldok said:

@NewTD2

I forget which way round it was, resistant/intolerant but it was T2 with insulin. It can't hurt to have an extra test.

I have suspected the feelings/weakness in arms and legs could be neuropathy and tried to explain this to a different DN. She just sent me for an ECG.

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Agree with @NewTD2 ...the weakness could be due to your change in diet...low carbs...,lower blood sugars...sometimes we do experience those symptoms...pins & needles...blurred vision...tingling in our hands & feet...if you have concerns about that make sure you speak to your GP/DSN...don't worry about asking them questions...that's what they are there for...you can also ask any question you need to here...plenty of experienced T2s here who would be able to give some you the benefit of their experience...make appropriate suggestions...keep us updated.

xfieldok said:

Possibility the low carb is not helping but the feelings have been there before DX.

Apparently I was boarder line in 2011 but nobody told me. Who knows how long I have had it.

No point in crying over spilled milk, have to deal with the present.

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Many of us have had diabetes for some time before diagnosis...and I have heard of several who were pre-diabetic but never advised they were...good attitude...how long you'd had it is not the issue...it's now all about how you manage it...and we can manage it given the right advice & support...hopefully in another few months you'll feel more confident about your diabetes control...read as much as you can...ask questions here...the real key to gaining control is testing...you've started that...it teaches us so much.

xfieldok said:

@Bubbsie I will definitely check out the book. I think they delayed the Metformin because they said it was more important to get my blood pressure under control first.

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Do check out the book...it will give you a good general overview of diabetes...it taught me so much...don't be worried about discussing your medication...your needs/concerns...& how you would like to be involved in decisions about your diabetes care with your health care team as much as you can.

xfieldok said:

@Bubbsie eBay £2.44 free postage - got it!

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Blimey...hadn't thought of eBay...while you're waiting...have a look on Amazon...it will let you preview the book...good introduction...gives you a list of the chapters...and will explain quite bit...well done.