Newly diagnosed - some advice please

[Mike d]

Hi All and greetings from OZ

I was diagnosed with Type 2 in June this year. High cholesterol, high blood sugars, high blood pressure, you name it, I had it.

I knew NOTHING about Type 2 and I'm still learning from the mountain of information out there and REALLY appreciated finding this site. I am taking Olmetec (1 in morning) Cavstat (1 in evening) and two metformin tablest (Diabex) with morning and afternoon meals.

I went back for my first three month check last week and the doctor was thrilled ... cholesterol normal, blood sugars normal, HDL/LDL ideal, triglycerides / HDL ideal .... but that came at a cost with the lifestyle change. I'm male, 60 and was set in my ways. I then started losing weight (I'm down to 79 Kgs from 90 Kgs) and exercising and COMPLETELY changed my diet by dumping anything considered bad for Type 2. I am now on one Diabex a day so I'll take that as a win.

I have some questions. I've read about long term effects on nerves and warning about leg / foot treatment. Does anyone know how quickly this develops after initially contracting Type 2?

The other question that's driving me nuts is in relation to blood sugars .... and I feel at times they're too low. Just HOW do you regulate them during the course of a day to maintain a consistent level? Is snacking important? Is water important? Does alcohol (guiness only) help or hinder?

Hope to hear from you

Best Regards

Mike

 

[andcol]

Hi and welcome to the forum and well done on normalising your body.

I shall answer your last questions first. If you keep your blood glucose levels normal you may never get issues with your feet/eyes etc. It is the high glucose levels that do it. Make sure your doctor regularly tests your B12 and D levels if you are remaining on metformin. For some people it causes malabsorbtion.

Alcohol. Causes your liver to process it in preference to providing your body with glucose. Therefore it can have a lowering BG effect in the short term. However, Guinness is full of carbohydrates so that will be raising your levels - Metformin can also impact alcohol and the liver function so just monitor the effects and make sure you are ok. Water is always important.

 

[Mike d]

Hi and welcome to the forum and well done on normalising your body.

I shall answer your last questions first. If you keep your blood glucose levels normal you may never get issues with your feet/eyes etc. It is the high glucose levels that do it. Make sure your doctor regularly tests your B12 and D levels if you are remaining on metformin. For some people it causes malabsorbtion.

Alcohol. Causes your liver to process it in preference to providing your body with glucose. Therefore it can have a lowering BG effect in the short term. However, Guinness is full of carbohydrates so that will be raising your levels - Metformin can also impact alcohol and the liver function so just monitor the effects and make sure you are ok. Water is always important.

Thank you Andrew.

Wise advice I've come too far to turnaround now and as I intend retiring to the United States early next year, I'd like to enjoy life in my new environment and remain as healthy as I can get.

Balance in everything huh ?