Hi everyone
New to the forums however I have been type 2 for about 3 years. Here’s my current health profile:
Age 30
Weight 19.4 stone (lost 2 lb this week)
Height 5ft 11
Meds 2X1000mg metformin slow release currently taking morning with breakfast and evening with dinner
60mg lisinopril 20mg 3 times a day
10mg amlodopine taken with breakfast.
BP is now around 130/95 (diastolic still too high)
Started to do some light walking for exercise as I’ve been advised not to go to a gym until my BP is under control (meeting with the doc on Tuesday to see what she says)
Still awaiting my latest hba1c as my bloods were done last week. This probably isn’t going to be pretty
Unfortunately I have only just started taking my condition seriously as when I went for my recent eye screening there had been some blood vessels that had burst. Thankfully no treatment is require yet but it’s given me the kick up the backside to do something.
My current strategy is to get the BP and blood sugars under control whilst trying to lose weight. I had been eating high sat fats proteins and high carbs in the past however this week I have changed that following a telling off from the nurse for not taking it seriously. I have tried to change what I eat changing bacon butties, hash browns and KFC for porridge at breakfast, soup and a slice of whole meal bread at lunch, handful of basmati rice with dinners of fish or chicken etc. Snacks of a bit of fruit or a snack a jack. My blood sugar meter readings have been all over the place, as high at 19 and the lowest of 9.9. Today I thought I would try some of this low carb diet strategy. Today so far
4am 9.9 (thought I’d try a cheeky night reading whilst doing the newborns bottle)
9:30am 9.9
Breakfast omelette 2 eggs mushrooms and a slice of ham (taken my metformin and bp meds)
11:30 9.8
I just can’t seem to get the meter reading below 7 and I’m not sure if it’s my diet my meds or what? Hopefully I’ve given an accurate picture of where I’m at and any advice or tips would be appreciated.
Cheers
Chris
Welcome Chris and well done for now taking your condition seriously. That is the most important thing, the rest from here onwards is easy by comparison.
I've had T2 for 9 years and was a lot like you when diagnosed at age 40. I have high blood pressure too (now controlled).
It sounds to me like you are doing everything right. Remember it's a marathon not a sprint... you will see your BG numbers come down over weeks not days and it will take a few months to achieve your initial goals but you are well on your way!
I'm so happy for you, especially since you have a newborn baby who will have a much healthier Dad by the time active play times are needed, lol.
You may not fully realize how tired you are at the moment but I think you will look back and wonder how you found the energy to get up a 4am to give baby a feed etc.
I tend to agree with the doctor about avoiding intensive exercise until your BP has improved (and I am sure it will soon). Even brisk walking, if sustained, could put you at risk right now, so IMO better safe than sorry... exercise is really important for you in the long term but just for the next few weeks I would keep it to light walking (unless the doctor says otherwise - she is right and I am wrong, OK?) IMO what you eat, and the meds you take, will make more of a difference than increasing your exercise intensity... for now.
I only need a low dose of one BP-lowering med but a lot of people need two or even 3 meds. I'm fairly certain as your BGs come down (and your weight as a direct result without even trying), your BPs will improve and your GP can reduce your dose and even get down to one BP med. You might be like me and need a low dose med long term because it runs in your family. There is no shame in that.
Same deal with metformin - some people have gotten down to 850mg a day (minimum dose of long acting, as far as I know). If they can tolerate short acting then 500mg or 250mg a day is possible. Some people can keep their hbA1c under 42 without any Metformin, just through eating the right foods and being active. Met doesn't do much to lower BGs but it does reduce the glucose that your liver releases, plus other things I won't bore you with for now, lol.
Do you work at a sedentary job or is there a chance to do some activity, like walking around, or carrying things?
I always do better when I have a more active job. Sitting at a desk all day makes it hard for anyone to keep fit. Lots of research has shown that. "Incidental exercise," the kind you have to do automatically day to day, is easier to stick at, and every bit helps. Babies and toddlers are great for forcing you to be active.
Keep up the good work, Chris!