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New "Old" boy after some guidance

TimLaws

TimLaws

Active Member
Messages
29
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi, I was diagnosed with Type 2 about 18 months ago,at a "Well Man" clinic, my numbers were

Plasma fasting 10.7 mmol/l
Cholesterol 4.3 mmol/l
Blood Pressure 145/105
Weight 15st 10lbs (Body Mass 33)
Waist circumference 100cm

They are now
HbA1c (IFC standardised) 43
Cholesterol 4.3
BP 133/84
Weight 13st 10 lbs
Waist 96cm

I was initially prescribed daily
1000 mg Metformin
10mg Ramipril
Pravastatin 20mg

I am currently taking

1000mg Metformin
7.5mg Ramipril
20mg Pravastatin

I take the Metformin & Ramipril quite compliantly but more often than not forget to take the statin, these were all prescribed by my GP, and I have not yet seen a specialist at any point.
Has any one any experience of reducing their medication with a view to stopping taking them if the numbers indicate it might be safe etc to do so?
 
Welcome to the forum Tim.

My own view is you should only stop taking medication after discussing it with your gp, looking at bp levels your Diastolic levels is just slightly raised at 84 but your Systolic level is fine, however were you to stop the meds it may increase so you need to keep this mind,
 
NoCrbs4Me said:
You should read this recent post: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/my-first-year-of-lchf.76070/
Click to expand...
Thanks, really interested in your story NoCrbs4Me, encouraging, I am down 2 stone with at least another 1 to go and I am going to push for a referral to a specialist, as from my research the GP is following the standard prescribing protocol, there is some evidence out there that Type 2 can in some folk be reversed
In one study, people with type 2 diabetes exercised for 175 minutes a week, limited their calories to 1,200 to 1,800 per day, and got weekly counseling and education on these lifestyle changes.

Within a year, about 10% got off their diabetes medications or improved to the point where their blood sugar level was no longer in the diabetes range, and was instead classified as prediabetes.

Results were best for those who lost the most weight or who started the program with less severe or newly diagnosed diabetes. Fifteen percent to 20% of these people were able to stop taking their diabetes medications.

What I need is some perpective on the validity of these claims, and how relevent to me they are, genetic predisposition etc.

I suppose now the challenge is to find a Diabetologist that is up to date, capable, academic/clinical, pragmatic etc etc, bit like finding a date for the evening really:)!
 
I have some experience through a therapy group I attend of 1 person going from daily insulin ( type 2 ) to no meds with a 3+ stone weight loss and maintaining good BG levels using the no carb diet for 8 weeks followed by 5:2 diet
another person in the group is half way through this plan and has reduced insulin levels by about 75%
be sure to keep in touch with a professional if you embark on such a course
 
Well, there are quite a few type 2 folks on this forum who now have normal blood glucose levels with no meds. I did it mainly by simply cutting out sugar, grains, rice, starchy veg, veg oil, and factory processed food. I did not restrict calories - in fact I consumed more calories than when I was on a high carb/low fat government recommended diet. It would be great if you can find a health care professional that will support a very low carb/high fat diet, but don't count on it. My experience was that they are trained that type 2 diabetics should follow the government dietary guidelines, which is high carb and low fat. Fortunately for me I found this forum and other sources of info that steered me in the right direction. Also, it seemed patently obvious that if carbs turn to glucose and raise blood glucose levels, I should reduce how much I consume, contrary to what the health care professionals were telling me. It is quite fun to see how amazed and happy they are that I have normal blood glucose levels without any meds. Unfortunately, too few of their clients have done as well as I have simply because they are told the wrong advice.
 
Hi. With regard to the drugs, Ramipril as you know is for blood pressure. Your readings show you to be slightly above the good region hence the Ramipril. Statins are precribed like sweets. You may be aware of the arguments for and against them. Increasingly low cholesterol is seen as a problem rather than an asset and you will need to make your own decisions on this. It's no good discussing statins with most GPs/DNs as they have been 'told' to precribe them regardless. Metformin is a good safe drug and does help reduce insulin resistance and the liver's glucose output. If you need to lose weight as a T2 then it's good to have it prescribed. Your HBa1C is pretty good.
 
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