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Need help

Thanks andbreathe, I don't have a daily goal. My hope was to reduce my Hbc1a to around 6 or as I understand it below pre diabetes level . Originally it was 6.5, it's now 6.2 that's after 3 stone body weight loss. It seems to me prediabetes is just a word, no point in me dropping Hbc1a levels and restarting pizza and garlic bread diet again, I will always need to low carb for the rest if my life. As someone commented its about the buffer I can create at this point, can I get my diet right to get the best start. I can. At this time my best start is 6.2, but am I making any errors, as some suggest they can get back to non diabetic levels. I did daily test but as mentioned they rarely went high which was why I was surprised my hbc1a was 6.2. Hope that answers the question, very happy to clarify any points. Thanks for all your help here .

I would suggest if your bloods aren't where you want them to be, it could be advisible to start testing again, at least for a while. Otherwise,you can't actually know what's going on. It's easy for things to creep in the wrong direction sometimes. It would also be useful, in my view, to record everything you eat and drink, then you can compare your intake to your bloods. Really go back to basics. Otherwise you're tinkering with your foods; adjusting protein, fats and so on, but not taking the short term feedback from your body that your meter can provide.

Thus far, I have been able to reduce my HbA1c to non-diabetic levels. The numbers are in my signature, below. But, not everyone can do this, and it isn't all about effort or trying harder. Unfortunately, for some people, their bodies have sustained damage or their function has withered over time, meaning they can't get their levels back under the diabetes thresholds. At the outset, none of us know where we are on that scale. I have worked hard, but I have also been very fortunate.
 
Thanks. I admit i have not been resting post peanuts. my diet is consistent and not very varied. my usual largest peak was 7.5 one hour post meal. If I start to test again what am I looking for. If some foods post 1 hours take me to 7.5 and two hours 6.5 for example . I understand a non diabetic post one hoe could be 8. I had one spike at 8 whilst on holiday in July after soup, which I don't usually touch it was because I was away from home and therefore my access to my usual diet, but mainly post meal 6-7s. As I don't rich any starchy carbs I did not see large variations. Maybe damage is done and 6.2 is as law as I go.
 
Thanks. I admit i have not been resting post peanuts. my diet is consistent and not very varied. my usual largest peak was 7.5 one hour post meal. If I start to test again what am I looking for. If some foods post 1 hours take me to 7.5 and two hours 6.5 for example . I understand a non diabetic post one hoe could be 8. I had one spike at 8 whilst on holiday in July after soup, which I don't usually touch it was because I was away from home and therefore my access to my usual diet, but mainly post meal 6-7s. As I don't rich any starchy carbs I did not see large variations. Maybe damage is done and 6.2 is as law as I go.

Sorry to be a pedant., but what you're telling me there is that you knew what your bloods were when you were testing, not necessarily what they are now. But, in reality, by testing now you will know that your finger-prick scores are better, worse or the same. Even feeling fairly confident of how my scores will be, I sometimes learn just a few things from my testing. Like, I learned that eating very low carb doesn't suit me, and my scores start to rise, not lower. I'm not saying that's you, but you may have just changed things a little bit, and it's not suiting you.

Personally, I only do the 1 hour test if and when I eat anything new, and even then, I would only be really concerned if it was very high (don't ask me for a number, because I couldn't give you one), then didn't reduce after 30 minutes and further by the full two hour mark. I routinely test first thing, then surrounding my biggest meal of the day, or if I am trying something different. For me, that usually means around dinner.

As far as your ability to achieve a lower HbA1c is concerned, that's difficult for any of us to know. For me, the incremental steps down have been pretty modest, after the first big step down, but then my initial figure was so much worse than yours. (Trust me; that was a bit of a shocker!) For the last couple of HbA1cs the lower scores have been a pleasant surprise, rather than anything I had particularly striven for. At non-diabetic levels, with a bit of a buffer, I'm happy.

But, I still feel another phase of recording, testing and recording is worthwhile to see where you're at. If you have introduced new foods, like peanuts, you really do need to know how they're being handled. That I can eat them with no impact is not a sure-fire signal the same will happen for you. My tolerance to carbs has significantly improved over time, but I still don't like the numbers after I have eaten chick peas, so it is all a very personalised puzzle we have to pick our way through.

But, I would reiterate that you shouldn't be disappointed by an improved HbA1c. Being too hard on yourself could push you to the edge of the wagon and in danger of falling off, and that's not the name of the game. Let's face it. We're all works in progress.
 
I will do some retesting. I know I'm probably still a bit stuck in the anger/ bargaining phase of this psychologically. I wanted to work hard to get to be non diabetic again, so I'm a bit disappointed. I am struggling with my overall aim now.If my aim is now to maintain low BG below say 8 or 9 so as not to do any damage to organs and reduce complications I guess my present diet is OK and i shouldn't worry myself if I have a carrot or beet root. I guess I am a bit lost as to what I am trying to do now, is shaving .2 off my Hbc1a a sensible goal? Is knowing I can eat chick peas going to make a big difference , I'm a bit lost and still a bit pd off, but am motivated to do the right thing, which to me seems to be stay low carb and even eat more fat although it flys in the face of what I have been told for many years. But stand in front of a mirror I can see outwardly it works. Silly question to ask other people but What do I aim for?
 
The NICE guidelines as used by the NHS state:

Non diabetics before meals 4 to 5.9. 2hrs after a meal under 7.8.
Type 2's before meals 4 to 7. 2hrs after under 8.5.

If you are reaching these targets you may wish to set yourself some lower ones.
 
To get your hba1c down further, you will need to "eat to your meter", at least until you have tested all the foods you eat. You are already at the point of diminishing returns where further reductions in hba1c will be hard work.

It is really good that you appreciate the role of your own psychology in this. The urge to "beat" diabetes can set up excessive expectations which may then rebound to demoralisation and actually worse blood glucose control. The most important thing about "what to shoot for" is that it must be sustainable.

Good luck with all of it. x
 
I think I may be being hard on myself. I don't think I had above 7.8 ,2 hours after on my diet. So I may start a retest week after I have finished my peanuts, look at results, be positive about my 6.2 aim to see if I can shave that down a bit as my retest isn't until December it may dependent on the surgery deciding. I may just push the boat out tonight and stay at home watch TV and have an onion as a treat. Actually having 6.2 probably means I am less likely to fall off the wagon as I'm still scared, I couldn't beat as I thought I could.
 
I think I may be being hard on myself. I don't think I had above 7.8 ,2 hours after on my diet. So I may start a retest week after I have finished my peanuts, look at results, be positive about my 6.2 aim to see if I can shave that down a bit as my retest isn't until December it may dependent on the surgery deciding. I may just push the boat out tonight and stay at home watch TV and have an onion as a treat. Actually having 6.2 probably means I am less likely to fall off the wagon as I'm still scared, I couldn't beat as I thought I could.

I think setting a target based on HbA1c is quite tricky, because your progress can only be sort of checked along the way, due to the differences in finger prick, versus A1c testing. Perhaps a reasonable target you can measure against would be day to day blood scores? Nobody but you can decide where you set the bar.

For me, I consciously never set myself a goal of being rid of diabetes, because should I fail I might just subconsciously think, "Well, that's blown. What's the point? Pass the chocolate eclair, crisps, bananas", or whatever.

Had you come home today with a score of under 42, and therefore n the non-diabetic range, what would you actually have done? Broken out the chip butties or the Cadbury's Dairy Milk, or carried on as you have been? That was quite fundamental in my thinking.
 
I'm really not sure what would have happened i hope i would have carried on lower carb but I would have relaxed a bit psychologically and possibly carbohydrately.
May have reduced fat intake a bit too. Would have had the odd day off when out, such as have food in a cafe or pub. At present I have been sitting in pub or family birthdays in eating establishments drinking coffee whilst others eat because I won't relent.
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I'm really not sure what would have happened i hope i would have carried on lower carb but I would have relaxed a bit psychologically and possibly carbohydrately.
May have reduced fat intake a bit too. Would have had the odd day off when out, such as have food in a cafe or pub. At present I have been sitting in pub or family birthdays in eating establishments drinking coffee whilst others eat because I won't relent.
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Is that how it's going to be forever? You being an anti-social so-and-so? (I'm paraphrasing your description there.) If you are to be diabetic forever (and nobody knows if that's the case), will you never eat out?

Personally, I haven't told that many people about my diagnosis, but I do go out and socialise. I've been diagnosed almost a year now, so I've been through the rounds of every important person's birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, Easter and Labour Day. I haven't been anywhere where I couldn't eat. I might not have eaten huge amounts, and I certainly wasn't having pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving or Christmas pud, at christmas, but I certainly never declined an invitation, or drank coffee. For the first few months, I might just have drunk mineral water in bars, but now I have a glass of vino or a G&T Slimline. If people ask why I'm not eating dessert, or whatever, I just explain I don't get on too well with carbs, so it's best I don't. I think they think I'll throw up on them if I eat cake, so that stops the supplementary questions.

I suggest you try to find a (mental) place to settle yourself, and allow yourself to find your longer term way of living. Once you can get your mindset out of the "I've given up so much" way of thinking, the better. life's for living, and we only pass this way once.
 
Is that how it's going to be forever? You being an anti-social so-and-so? (I'm paraphrasing your description there.) If you are to be diabetic forever (and nobody knows if that's the case), will you never eat out?

Personally, I haven't told that many people about my diagnosis, but I do go out and socialise. I've been diagnosed almost a year now, so I've been through the rounds of every important person's birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, Easter and Labour Day. I haven't been anywhere where I couldn't eat. I might not have eaten huge amounts, and I certainly wasn't having pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving or Christmas pud, at christmas, but I certainly never declined an invitation, or drank coffee. For the first few months, I might just have drunk mineral water in bars, but now I have a glass of vino or a G&T Slimline. If people ask why I'm not eating dessert, or whatever, I just explain I don't get on too well with carbs, so it's best I don't. I think they think I'll throw up on them if I eat cake, so that stops the supplementary questions.

I suggest you try to find a (mental) place to settle yourself, and allow yourself to find your longer term way of living. Once you can get your mindset out of the "I've given up so much" way of thinking, the better. life's for living, and we only pass this way once.

I get criticized for relaxing too much, the op for not enough.
I think we have to accept what the suits us is different, if you choose to do it your way, that's fine.
The op is still fairly newly diagnosed, and if they can keep the effort going, the figures will keep improving.
 
Is that how it's going to be forever? You being an anti-social so-and-so? (I'm paraphrasing your description there.) If you are to be diabetic forever (and nobody knows if that's the case), will you never eat out?
That seems a bit harsh.
 
As I've had a pincer attack, consensus suggests I'm being harsh today. I apologise @Sunstrea. I hope you find a smooth path forward soon.
 
As I've had a pincer attack, consensus suggests I'm being harsh today. I apologise @Sunstrea. I hope you find a smooth path forward soon.
I know you are telling it like it is, giving tough love, etc. x
 
as @Sunstreaker said, he is still adjusting to it all, we can suggest [or protein badger], but ultimately we all chose our own path, of what we think is best for us.
as the weight comes off and fat leaves the liver and pancreas and the insulin resistance fades. he may see 5.5% by xmas, his A1c hasn't finished dropping in my view
 
As I've had a pincer attack, consensus suggests I'm being harsh today. I apologise @Sunstrea. I hope you find a smooth path forward soon.

Not to worry my skin is as thick as my artery walls. Truth is its not antisocial, it's because I have not eaten meat for 25 years so often there is nothing I can eat. If I went to a well known burger chain I could only suck the middle out of a fillet of fish now. Rather just sit with a coffee. I do enjoy red wine if out but I would be under the table by the time everyone would be on their desert with empty stomach.
All you'd comments have made me realise i want to stick it out. I'm a carboholic and you can fall off the wagon quickly or slowly but not so likely if you keep away from it and cut it out look at it as poison.
 
Not to worry my skin is as thick as my artery walls. Truth is its not antisocial, it's because I have not eaten meat for 25 years so often there is nothing I can eat. If I went to a well known burger chain I could only suck the middle out of a fillet of fish now. Rather just sit with a coffee. I do enjoy red wine if out but I would be under the table by the time everyone would be on their desert with empty stomach.
All you'd comments have made me realise i want to stick it out. I'm a carboholic and you can fall off the wagon quickly or slowly but not so likely if you keep away from it and cut it out look at it as poison.

Thanks for commenting Sunstreaker. My comment certainly wasn't made to upset, although it may have been made out of certain amount of frustration, on my own part. I certainly haven't handled my condition in a perfect way, and I've made my share of mistakes along the way. Trust me on that one! But, to give you a bit of context; I was diagnosed less than three weeks before leaving UK for a 9 month trip overseas, to a country with no NHS, no surgery nurses, no family or community network (well, aside from my OH who has been absolutely sterling in all of this), where the staples of the diet these days seem to be deep fried chicken, rice and peas. All very diabetic friendly, or not, depending on where one's views are on carbs. (I'm back in UK now.)

I guess where that left me was in a place where I very quickly had to work out some workarounds to keep our lives as close to normal as I could; when socialising. There was no way I could ruin that trip for my OH. Just no way. On the other hand, I needed to deal with my bloods. Of course it means I have eaten every Caesar Salad and Garden Salad in the Leeward and Windward Islands, but it means we didn't become Billy-no-Mates.

It is a minefield, but I haven't ever had nothing to eat. Some of my choices might not have been my preferences, but I've always eaten. Curiously, I've probably had more veggie meals out in that 9 months than I would ordinarily had chosen. If we're eating, and I'm struggling to find something off the main menu, I'll often look to starters, where there's often something like deep fried Camembert or prawns or olives that I could perhaps combine to make a main. I have never found an establishment who wouldn't allow me to combine a couple of starters to have as a main. I just ask politely, but positively and they seem happy to help. Just a thought.

Whilst we all hope it might happen to us, I'm not sure a cure or reversal is too helpful to be held out at diagnosis. Until we really understand the percentage of people who can achieve it, I think we maybe have to accept that for the majority of us, life has changed forever. It's just a case of by how much for each of us as individuals.

Maybe it's time to start thinking a little further forward with your diabetes. Christmas is going to be upon us, and t's coming to a time where you'll be forced to think about how you're going to handle that particular carb-fest. With planning, it can be absolutely fine. Different, but fine! Trust me.

I truly wish you well. We're all reluctant members of this club, so it's up to us to pick out the best bits and minimise the worst.

Life is for living.
 
Many thanks andbreathe, your right its a journey a confused and often a lonely one I think, others comments I believe help I will reflect on the words and thoughts and reference this thread over the coming months especially as more demanding festive situation approaches. I think it may not be such a bad thing being a diabetic or boarder line diabetic If that makes any difference which I personally don't think it does. Maybe this last week on reflection I have become a little more accepting that I have a permanent relationship with this disease or state now, I'm not its friend but I'm accepting it a bit more as being a part of my life now.
 
Many thanks andbreathe, your right its a journey a confused and often a lonely one I think, others comments I believe help I will reflect on the words and thoughts and reference this thread over the coming months especially as more demanding festive situation approaches. I think it may not be such a bad thing being a diabetic or boarder line diabetic If that makes any difference which I personally don't think it does. Maybe this last week on reflection I have become a little more accepting that I have a permanent relationship with this disease or state now, I'm not its friend but I'm accepting it a bit more as being a part of my life now.

At one point I used to refer to it as being like a pesky little brother. He misbehaves, and is a complete pain in the pants. He won't do as you want, and to top it all, you're stuck with him. So, maybe we need to find a way to tolerate his for life.

(My real life elder brother isn't so different. ;))
 
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