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Newly Diagnosed and So Tired

IanBish said:
Hi Ellie,

Yes, I had a hba1c test - it was 69. I'm taking metformin.

I've cut right down on carbs, but I still take a little bit of sugar (maybe a 10th of a spoonful) with my tea and coffee.

Thanks for the reply.
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Hi Ian,

This is my first post on the forum. If I tell you my story so far it may help. Diagnosed as having T2 2 months ago (71mmol), but I suspected I had diabetes as I had been told I had elevated blood sugar levels 2 years ago (43mmol). 3 months ago I weighed 16st 8lbs and fell asleep on the sofa almost every night and was up 2-3 times during the night to pee. 3 months ago I stopped snacking and ate a very low carb diet and ate more meat, eggs and salad. I cut out all bread, pasta, potatoes, biscuits, cakes, sweets, chocolate and all snacks. I exercise regularly and in the first 2 months I lost 1st 10lb. Over the last 4 weeks I switched to the Newcastle Diet and have lost a further 12 lbs. I now weight 14st and feel so much healthier, I don't fall asleep at all unless going to bed at night and I rarely get up to pee during the night anymore. I have an abundance of energy and I have lost 10.5cm around my waist. I was prescribed Metformin 2 months ago and take one 500mg tablet a day.

The weight is coming off me a lot slower on the Newcastle Diet and I am now thinking my Body Metabolic Rate is slowing down as I have only lost 2lb over the last week. I have twice worn a Libre sensor on my arm the 1st time (not long after diagnosis) my fasting blood sugars were regularly 7.5-8.5 in the morning (also confirmed with test strips). I have been wearing a sensor now for 6 days and my fasting blood sugars now read 5.0-5.8. I am not due to have a HbA1C test util the beginning of June so I will be eager to see the impact of the regime I have gone through once that time comes.

If you need sweetness with your tea and coffee switch to sweeteners instead of sugar, I have found that sweeteners and diet Pepsi Max have no impact on my blood sugar levels when consumed.

I am no expert, but what I have done/doing seems to be working for me and I am hoping to be well on the way to the right BG levels/HbA1C, and will find out where I am in June.

I hope the above helps.

Cheers

Martin
 
I know I'm T1 but I felt horrendous when my blood sugars slowly came down into the normal zone. A consultant said I needed to think of my body detoxing from the high sugar levels.

Don't forget your body needs to heal as well as get used to a new normal BG level so you will feel rough for a while. It'll be worth it though (although I miss a bacon sarnie between 2 huge slices of bread too - even the magic of insulin can't cope with that!)
 
Hi Martin

Well done on the weight loss. I hope the upcoming HbA1C test is good news too - it sounds like it will be.

I have weight issues too, but it's not coming off very quickly.

I think I'm still getting used to all this.
 
Hi Ian,

Well, 4 months into my T2 journey and I had my three month HbA1c test results back yesterday: Current result: 36 mmol/mol (5.4%) on 06/06/2023

I am delighted that my results are in the normal range but I am now very conscious of how and what food affects my BG levels. I had to increase my calories when I was on the Newcastle diet after about 7 weeks as I stopped losing weight due to my body metabolism slowing right down. I have had issues speeding up my metabolism and now exercise daily (Peloton bike and/or resistance training in the gym). And now up to eating about 1500 calories a day maintaining lowish carbs and high protein diet. I now need to consult with my GP and see what I do with my Metformin (500mg a day), I have already taken my own decision to stop taking the daily tablet and continue to monitor my BG levels.

Good luck with your journey.

Cheers

Martin
 
Hi Martin,

That's great news about your test results - well done.

I've been doing a few days on the 5:2 diet and have shifted another half a stone. I'm not there yet, but it's a step in the right direction, and the light at the end of the tunnel is becoming brighter.

I'm a lot less tired now, and after taking metformin for a couple of weeks, I decided it wasn't for me, due to bloating and flatulence.

I have a retinopathy test in a week or so, but after not experiencing any blurred vision, I'm hoping that'll go well.

I've also dusted off my exercise bike (not a Peloton) so will start to use that more.

Thanks for the good wishes - the same to you.
 
 
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