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Longterm Diabetes....

Pollylocks

Well-Known Member
Messages
525
Location
Kent
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Not many.
....I was diagnosed as Diabetic Type 2 when I was 48, now 64 so its been quite a few years.

At the time I followed the Eatwell plate as I knew no different...I did manage to keep it under control though, diet only, and didn't need medication until two/three years ago when I was prescribed metformin which has helped.

However, since I found this forum, I've discovered the benefits of low carbing and although my readings have improved I cannot get them down to the levels I see when reading about others on this forum, great for them and I'm pleased but a bit depressing for others like me. Maybe its just the newly diagnosed...? I think maybe its because its a progressive disease and because I didn't know the full information at the time about my diet, it just progressed and I was following the wrong ways of eating although I didn't know that then.

Is there anyone else who has had Diabetes 2 for quite a long time like me, have you found the same problem, I'd be interested to hear, and how you're dealing with it now, and has it made a difference...?
 
I always say to people on here that we must never compare our own levels to the levels others are reporting. Each of us has a natural base level and will rarely go under that no matter what we eat. I see several members reporting low 4's and 3's with hardly any 5's. I very much doubt I hit those low levels before becoming diabetic, judging by my annual fasting figures going back years, so although pleased they can do this, it doesn't depress me one bit. My levels fasting, pre-meal and bedtime are all 5's. I am happy with this. Naturally, when I do see a high 4 I have a little dance round the room, but if this is a bedtime reading I know my liver will return me to the 5's by morning - it absolutely hates me being in the 4's.

I also don't believe it is a progressive disease if controlled properly. It certainly is if it isn't controlled properly, as you discovered by eating the wrong things (not your fault - down to incorrect advice). I was only diagnosed January 2014 but so far have managed to control it by diet only and a little added exercise, and hope to do so for the rest of my life. I have more chance of this than some as I am already 67!
 

I'm not a longer termed either, so have a limited amount to contribute here. Aside from the advantages of an early intervention (which can't be helped after all these years), it is documented that "natural" HbA1cs tend to creep up a little as we age, so you may have something like that coming into play.

However, for anyone newly diagnosed, and having listened to the "progressive" prognosis we all hear about, your control really does give hope that the progression towards pharmaceutical intervention (never mind injectables) can be a very slow process, if the condition is taken seriously.

I think you should be congratulating yourself, not giving yourself a hard time.
 
I think individuals try really hard to do their best ...
But it can be for some a progressive disease ....
It is good to do all the better things we can if and while we can ...but sometimes we don't always have the control ...
Much nicer to be in control of course it is ...but this is not always the case for all ....

I do worry that readings can be seen as a bit of a competition sometimes , that is not the case though , it really is not and should never be so ....

Weight loss and readings of lower numbers will always be different for all ....
To low and to high can both be very dangerous ....

As for weight loss and weight gain ...there can be many reasons ...

But all the support helps individuals ...reach their goals ...individual and or different as they may be ...
 
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Hi @Pollylocks,

I don't think that all Type2 diabetics are created equal. Some have other conditions to contend with, some have eating disorders, some have mobility problems, depression, too much stress etc...., some have more insulin resistance than others, some have more or less weight to lose than others, some can try as hard as they might and still be envious of other people's levels. You just have to do the best you can and keep telling yourself that this is not a competition. Numbers should not not classesd as good or bad but help to educate us as to our food choices and other reasons that influence our numbers.

Considering you went for 13 years eating as advised, then I think you did very well and we do not know how the newly or recently diagnosed will fare in the future regardless of they dietary preferences.

I was never told to use the eatwell plate, was given a comprehensive guide to using low G.I. and provided with test strips. 11 years on I am still doing well and medication free. Will things change for me in the future, who knows.

I think the risks of progression are there for everyone and you should be congratulated on how far you have come. It is very easy for people to say that their diet will keep them symptom free but they do not know if that holds true because some of them have not had diabetes as long as you. Nobody has a crystal ball that will answer what is going to happen.

Never think that you have not done well so far, you have done an excellent job.
 

Thanks, you're doing really well too @catherinecherub , good to hear and interesting.

I don't think I see it as a competition, was more curious than anything to hear how others are doing after several years of being Type 2.

@Bluetit1802 when I said progressive disease I just meant if its not well treated, wasn;t very clear in my wording! I was given the advice that was around then.

Am hopeful that things are starting to change for everyone as I belong to another forum, a general one but there IS a medical forum within it and a thread about diabetes....lately there have been discussions on there about the benefits of cutting down on carbs, eating GI and GL etc., which I haven't seen before the last few months. We're all individuals with varying other problems and diabetes is such a minefield but everyone needs a base to work from so hopefully its starting to go in what we all hope is the right direction!
 
I'm not long term must be about two years I think.
I'm guessing and have a terrible judgement of time so I could be a little out but I'm sure it's no more than that.
I consider 5 to 5.6 normal and healthy for me.
I don't have any scientific info to back that up just my personal experience.
 
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