OVER 6 YEARS IN OFFICIAL REMISSION THANKS TO THIS FORUM - SHARING WHAT WORKS FOR ME

Debandez

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,030
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
OVER 6 YEARS IN REMISSION

Over 6 years in official remission from type 2 diabetes – no medication - and that feels very much like a success story to me and I am absolutely delighted.

I thought I would pop onto the forum where my healing journey began and give an update in the hope that it gives hope to others who have been diagnosed, and also to say a big thank you to those who helped me at that time and subsequently over the years. The forum is an invaluable resource as there are so many experts in diabetes (all types) on here who willingly share their knowledge and time to help.

WHERE AND WHEN MY JOURNEY IT STARTED

I went to the doctor in December 2017 with a couple of worrying symptoms that had gone on for too long, severe heartburn, a mad dash to get to the loo most days and a dry mouth. I had put a fair bit of weight on too. I thought it was ‘the change’ to be honest taking my age into consideration but no, a blood test (Hba1c) confirmed I had type 2 diabetes and probably had it for some time prior to the symptoms rearing their head. I realised that the yeast infections I was experiencing were probably linked as was the blurry vision in the morning.

My doctor arranged for bloods to be taken and a scan too.

RESULTS

Blood results confirmed I was indeed diabetic with a Hba1c of 62mmol/mol (below 42 is classed as normal).

My scan showed a fatty liver which can go hand in hand with diabetes.

I was absolutely devastated.

I declined the medication offered by my diabetic nurse, metformin, statins (which can raise blood sugars) and blood pressure medication (my blood pressure was very high) in the hope of finding a way to sort it with diet although I didn’t know what that was going to be as I felt I ate healthily. Obviously not otherwise I would not have landed in the type 2 boat which is mainly down to an unhealthy diet. The nurse gave me 2 months to see how I would get on but said I would probably need medication as type 2 diabetes is ‘a progressive disease’.

She also told me I was 4 stone over weight. I had struggled most of my adult life with my weight – it was a constant battle and I always lost. I was determined to lose weight now that my health was at stake.

BLOOD GLUCOSE MONITORING

I asked her about having a blood glucose monitor to check my levels but she assured me that testing wasn’t necessary and medication could be adjusted accordingly as I go along depending on my blood test results! That made no sense. How ever would I know the impact food was having without testing? It would be like crossing the road blindfolded, not a very good idea at all. Apparently by following the NHS Eatwell Guide nutritional guidelines – in fact the nurse drew me the Eatwell plate as a guide which I still have to this day (I later learned eating this way would do the diabetic me more harm than good).

DIABETES.CO.UK FORUM

I felt so many negative emotions as I saw first-hand what diabetes did to my poor mum, but finding this forum after Googling ‘reversing diabetes’ gave me hope that I could regain my health and put this terrible health condition into reverse, and I could do it by making some small but significant changes to my diet.

The advice from the diabetics was simple, test blood sugars regularly to see what spikes levels or raises them for prolonged periods and eliminate the baddies or adjust portion size accordingly. We are all different – it isn’t one size fits all.

I bought a blood glucose monitor and some testing strips – the best investment I ever made.

AVOIDING SPIKES AND PROLONGED RAISED BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS IS MY GOAL AS THEY CAN RESULT IN TERRIBLE HEALTH ISSUES

What spiked me came as a surprise, it wasn’t just the sweet stuff as I had anticipated but savoury food too, for example bread (brown and white) and potatoes. And what kept my blood sugars high for hours at a time, pasta and rice (brown and white).

It was basically food high in carbohydrates that were not my friends.

I found alternatives for these, for example very low carb bread (I buy online or my husband bakes it).

Instead of pasta I use cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, courgette and aubergine.

Instead of rice I use cauliflower or broccoli rice and spice up with herbs.

ULTRA PROCESSED FOOD

We are surrounded with it these days. It’s loaded with sugar and undesirable ingredients and is cheap to manufacture, engineered to be hyper palatable and addictive. I avoid as much as possible and cook from scratch.

SAUSAGES

Good and bad choices I found out thanks to a member on here. I used to eat Richmond (high carb) but now choose Heck (97% meat and ultra low carb)

BREAKFAST IDEAS

For breakfast instead of sugary cereal or porridge oats I eat a variety of things like full fat Greek yoghurt, eggs any which way, kippers or peppered mackerel, a continental breakfast, chaffles with various toppings, a slice of low carb bread with homemade strawberry jam or cheese on low carb toast, and if I am not hungry I don’t bother, just a coffee does the trick, I like mine with cream.

FRUIT

Fruit isn’t called nature’s candy for nothing and there are good and bad choices for me. Bananas I call sugar sticks and grapes sugar bombs, I tend to stick to berries.

DAWN PHENOMENON

I keep my breakfast as low carb as possible especially if my blood sugars are a little higher in the morning (this is down to something called dawn phenomenon). I find a carbier day than is usual for me can put my blood sugars up the following morning.

HEALTHY FATS

Examples - cheese, butter, eggs, beef, duck, pork, fish, nuts, avocado olives, extra virgin olive oil etc

I eat healthy fats which don’t raise my blood sugar levels at all, they keep me full for longer, I rarely feel hungry and the desire to snack just isn’t there, like a switch has been turned off. Before my diagnosis I was under the impression all fats were bad for me but that could not be further from the truth. Even though my diet is higher in fats than it used to be prior to diagnosis my annual cholesterol results are always optimal (I always ask for a full lipid panel to get the bigger picture and fast for at least 12 hours before hand).

REACHING MY GOALS

When I went back to my diabetic nurse after 2 months my blood hba1c was 47 (pre diabetic range is from 42 – 47). I had lost 28 lbs in weight. Medication wasn’t mentioned.

Then I went back 2 months later in April 2018 and my hba1c was 40 (normal) and I had lost 3 stone in weight (42lbs)

On 26 June 2018 I reached my goal weight after losing 50lbs in total and my hba1c was in the 30s where it has remained ever since, controlled only by diet and a little willpower! My blood pressure was perfect and still is.

CAKES AND CHOCOLATE

Love a bit of chocolate but nowadays it is 85%. Cakes – well fortunately my husband is a master baker and keeps our freezer well stocked up. I am lucky enough to have a keto shop more or less on my doorstep and often visit for some delicious low carb delights/biscuits.

EXERCISE

The most I do is a good walk, I love walking, beneficial for mental and physical health and I can watch my blood sugars go down on my Libre if I go for a walk after dinner – fascinating.

LIBRE SENSOR 24 HOUR BLOOD GLUCOSE MONITOR

Because I have moved from finger pricking to wearing a continuous glucose monitor (Libre sensor 2) which gives me 24/7 readings and has given me a much better idea of the impact of food at the time of eating and over subsequent hours, I have been able to be a little more flexible with what I eat but I still stay as low carb as possible.

EATING OUT

My husband and I eat out quite a lot and this has thrown some nasty surprises up thanks to my Libre sensor….. I try something new that I feel is low carb but my Libre tells me there is hidden sugar somewhere (believe it or not it could be in something as simple as a beef burger and I never have bread with my burgers when out so the spike isn’t from the bread). My choice comes back to bite me, bad choices have impacted my blood sugars on more than one occasion over the >6 years on low carb. But if I have a bad day I just dust myself off – tomorrow is another day, no point in beating yourself up, we are all only human.

WEIGHT MAINTENANCE

Weight maintenance – both myself and my husband, who has also lost a lot of weight, weigh ourselves most days. I certainly don’t want to ever take my eye off the ball and start the weight loss battle again if I can help it. We have had a few curb balls thrown at us over the past few years and it is challenging times like these that can have a negative impact with things like eating the wrong stuff and/or drinking too much. My willpower carried me through most days thankfully. Didn't have any prior to my diagnosis so nobody more surprised than me!

ALCOHOL

I do enjoy a glass of red, dry white wine or prosecco and find it has a positive effect on my wellbeing and doesn’t impact my blood sugars so win win.

HOPE

Diabetes does not have to be the progressive disease it is often made out to be – it can be put into reverse/remission. Medication may be required but not always. That said, I understand only too well that if I go back to my old way of eating I would end up back in the diabetic boat and that may well sink in the future. I look at it this way – I have grandads’ army inside battling the sugar and not the SAS like most people and I need to be as kind to them as possible.

Thank you for reading if you managed to get this far give yourself a pat on the back! Right now off to cook dinner (well the air fryer is cooking it), chicken breast stuffed with garlic and herb cheese, wrapped up in bacon with a side of broccoli and a large glass of red wine (no work tomorrow!).

Cheers everyone and GOOD HEALTH.
 
Last edited:

shelley262

Expert
Messages
5,453
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Thank you for sharing your amazing success story of six years in remission., As a fellow member who is in long term remission (7 years now) , I feel it's good to spread the message - not only that it's possible to achieve long term but also to be able to carry on enjoying life, including eating out and some well chosen drinks too! Hoping it will encourage others that not only does it work but can be enjoyable too! Well done @Debandez you're a star.
 

Debandez

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,030
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Thank you for sharing your amazing success story of six years in remission., As a fellow member who is in long term remission (7 years now) , I feel it's good to spread the message - not only that it's possible to achieve long term but also to be able to carry on enjoying life, including eating out and some well chosen drinks too! Hoping it will encourage others that not only does it work but can be enjoyable too! Well done @Debandez you're a star.
Shelley you were one of the forum members at the start of my journey, when I was so upset and confused, who took time to help me and explain things so clearly. Forever grateful. And I see you are still here doing the same. YOU are the star.
 

Lamont D

Oracle
Messages
17,599
Type of diabetes
Reactive hypoglycemia
Treatment type
I do not have diabetes
What a great post.
What a success story.
What a star of this forum.
OVER 6 YEARS IN REMISSION

Over 6 years in official remission from type 2 diabetes – no medication - and that feels very much like a success story to me and I am absolutely delighted.

I thought I would pop onto the forum where my healing journey began and give an update in the hope that it gives hope to others who have been diagnosed, and also to say a big thank you to those who helped me at that time and subsequently over the years. The forum is an invaluable resource as there are so many experts in diabetes (all types) on here who willingly share their knowledge and time to help.

WHERE AND WHEN MY JOURNEY IT STARTED

I went to the doctor in December 2017 with a couple of worrying symptoms that had gone on for too long, severe heartburn, a mad dash to get to the loo most days and a dry mouth. I had put a fair bit of weight on too. I thought it was ‘the change’ to be honest taking my age into consideration but no, a blood test (Hba1c) confirmed I had type 2 diabetes and probably had it for some time prior to the symptoms rearing their head. I realised that the yeast infections I was experiencing were probably linked as was the blurry vision in the morning.

My doctor arranged for bloods to be taken and a scan too.

RESULTS

Blood results confirmed I was indeed diabetic with a Hba1c of 62mmol/mol (below 42 is classed as normal).

My scan showed a fatty liver which can go hand in hand with diabetes.

I was absolutely devastated.

I declined the medication offered by my diabetic nurse, metformin, statins (which can raise blood sugars) and blood pressure medication (my blood pressure was very high) in the hope of finding a way to sort it with diet although I didn’t know what that was going to be as I felt I ate healthily. Obviously not otherwise I would not have landed in the type 2 boat which is mainly down to an unhealthy diet. The nurse gave me 2 months to see how I would get on but said I would probably need medication as type 2 diabetes is ‘a progressive disease’.

She also told me I was 4 stone over weight. I had struggled most of my adult life with my weight – it was a constant battle and I always lost. I was determined to lose weight now that my health was at stake.

BLOOD GLUCOSE MONITORING

I asked her about having a blood glucose monitor to check my levels but she assured me that testing wasn’t necessary and medication could be adjusted accordingly as I go along depending on my blood test results! That made no sense. How ever would I know the impact food was having without testing? It would be like crossing the road blindfolded, not a very good idea at all. Apparently by following the NHS Eatwell Guide nutritional guidelines – in fact the nurse drew me the Eatwell plate as a guide which I still have to this day (I later learned eating this way would do the diabetic me more harm than good).

DIABETES.CO.UK FORUM

I felt so many negative emotions as I saw first-hand what diabetes did to my poor mum, but finding this forum after Googling ‘reversing diabetes’ gave me hope that I could regain my health and put this terrible health condition into reverse, and I could do it by making some small but significant changes to my diet.

The advice from the diabetics was simple, test blood sugars regularly to see what spikes levels or raises them for prolonged periods and eliminate the baddies or adjust portion size accordingly. We are all different – it isn’t one size fits all.

I bought a blood glucose monitor and some testing strips – the best investment I ever made.

AVOIDING SPIKES AND PROLONGED RAISED BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS IS MY GOAL AS THEY CAN RESULT IN TERRIBLE HEALTH ISSUES

What spiked me came as a surprise, it wasn’t just the sweet stuff as I had anticipated but savoury food too, for example bread (brown and white) and potatoes. And what kept my blood sugars high for hours at a time, pasta and rice (brown and white).

It was basically food high in carbohydrates that were not my friends.

I found alternatives for these, for example very low carb bread (I buy online).

Instead of pasta I use cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, courgette and aubergine.

Instead of rice I use cauliflower or broccoli rice and spice up with herbs.

ULTRA PROCESSED FOOD

We are surrounded with it these days. It’s loaded with sugar and undesirable ingredients and is cheap to manufacture, engineered to be hyper palatable and addictive. I avoid as much as possible and cook from scratch.

SAUSAGES

Good and bad choices I found out thanks to a member on here. I used to eat Richmond (high carb) but now choose Heck (97% meat and ultra low carb)

BREAKFAST IDEAS

For breakfast instead of sugary cereal or porridge oats I eat a variety of things like full fat Greek yoghurt, eggs any which way, kippers or peppered mackerel, a continental breakfast, chaffles with various toppings, a slice of low carb bread with homemade strawberry jam or cheese on low carb toast, and if I am not hungry I don’t bother, just a coffee does the trick, I like mine with cream.

FRUIT

Fruit isn’t called nature’s candy for nothing and there are good and bad choices for me. Bananas I call sugar sticks and grapes sugar bombs, I tend to stick to berries.

DAWN PHENOMENON

I keep my breakfast as low carb as possible especially if my blood sugars are a little higher in the morning (this is down to something called dawn phenomenon). I find a carbier day than is usual for me can put my blood sugars up the following morning.

HEALTHY FATS

Examples - cheese, butter, eggs, beef, duck, pork, fish, nuts, avocado olives, extra virgin olive oil etc

I eat healthy fats which don’t raise my blood sugar levels at all, they keep me full for longer, I rarely feel hungry and the desire to snack just isn’t there, like a switch has been turned off. Before my diagnosis I was under the impression all fats were bad for me but that could not be further from the truth. Even though my diet is higher in fats than it used to be prior to diagnosis my annual cholesterol results are always optimal (I always ask for a full lipid panel to get the bigger picture and fast for at least 12 hours before hand).

REACHING MY GOALS

When I went back to my diabetic nurse after 2 months my blood hba1c was 47 (pre diabetic range is from 42 – 47). I had lost 14 lbs in weight. Medication wasn’t mentioned.

Then I went back 2 months later in April 2018 and my hba1c was 40 (normal) and I had lost 3 stone in weight (42lbs)

On 26 June 2018 I reached my goal weight after losing 50lbs in total and my hba1c was in the 30s where it has remained ever since, controlled only by diet and a little willpower! My blood pressure was perfect and still is.

CAKES AND CHOCOLATE

Love a bit of chocolate but nowadays it is 85%. Cakes – well fortunately my husband is a master baker and keeps our freezer well stocked up. I am lucky enough to have a keto shop more or less on my doorstep and often visit for some delicious low carb delights/biscuits.

EXERCISE

The most I do is a good walk, I love walking, beneficial for mental and physical health and I can watch my blood sugars go down on my Libre if I go for a walk after dinner – fascinating.

LIBRE SENSOR 24 HOUR BLOOD GLUCOSE MONITOR

Because I have moved from finger pricking to wearing a continuous glucose monitor (Libre sensor 2) which gives me 24/7 readings and has given me a much better idea of the impact of food at the time of eating and over subsequent hours, I have been able to be a little more flexible with what I eat but I still stay as low carb as possible.

EATING OUT

My husband and I eat out quite a lot and this has thrown some nasty surprises up thanks to my Libre sensor….. I try something new that I feel is low carb but my Libre tells me there is hidden sugar somewhere (believe it or not it could be in something as simple as a beef burger and I never have bread with my burgers when out so the spike isn’t from the bread). My choice comes back to bite me, bad choices have impacted my blood sugars on more than one occasion over the >6 years on low carb. But if I have a bad day I just dust myself off – tomorrow is another day, no point in beating yourself up, we are all only human.

WEIGHT MAINTENANCE

Weight maintenance – both myself and my husband, who has also lost a lot of weight, weigh ourselves most days. I certainly don’t want to ever take my eye off the ball and start the weight loss battle again if I can help it. We have had a few curb balls thrown at us over the past few years and it is challenging times like these that can have a negative impact with things like eating the wrong stuff and/or drinking too much. My willpower carried me through most days thankfully. Didn't have any prior to my diagnosis so nobody more surprised than me!

ALCOHOL

I do enjoy a glass of red, dry white wine or prosecco and find it has a positive effect on my wellbeing and doesn’t impact my blood sugars so win win.

HOPE

Diabetes does not have to be the progressive disease it is often made out to be – it can be put into reverse/remission. Medication may be required but not always. That said, I understand only too well that if I go back to my old way of eating I would end up back in the diabetic boat and that may well sink in the future. I look at it this way – I have grandads’ army inside battling the sugar and not the SAS like most people and I need to be as kind to them as possible.

Thank you for reading if you managed to get this far give yourself a pat on the back! Right now off to cook dinner (well the air fryer is cooking it), chicken breast stuffed with garlic and herb cheese, wrapped up in bacon with a side of broccoli and a large glass of red wine (no work tomorrow!).

Cheers everyone and GOOD HEALTH.
And of course, well done on your journey.
This forum is a great resource.
All the better for the likes of yourself.
 

Debandez

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,030
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
What a great post.
What a success story.
What a star of this forum.

And of course, well done on your journey.
This forum is a great resource.
All the better for the likes of yourself.
This forum is simply the best. How could it not be with the likes of yourself on here, giving so much of your time to help others find their way. Wonderful resource.
 

SB6

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I REALLY needed to read this! I am 11years since diagnosis, likely more before that, initially hormonally led insulin resistance (PCOS and few other conditions) and I fully was in denial, til recently, past few years of complications, nerve pain, foot pain, and now major eye problems has devastated me, the denial/ignorance is no more. I am scared as heck now with eye injections on the horizon (in a week or so) and the complications it can bring. I am just so full of self hate and did this to myself, and feel a lost cause, as if nothing can reverse this, but reading your post and the comments, I feel it sort of gave me a little hope.

I have major issues with food, won't try new things, don't like the things that are good for me. And spent a lot of time having panic attacks about my eyes for past 5weeks and making plans to try do as much as I can with what I can now. I am down from 77 to 56 and unsure if dropping quick exacerbated my issues, but I know diet is a HUGE barrier I need to tackle. Wish it was much easier to understand. I like the idea of the libre educating us about what works and what doesn't, I am not eligible for one, but it would be a HUGE help. I only know my numbers when I get tested by nurse. I never really took charge of this, and reading your post, I should! I need to follow in your footsteps and at least hope I can have a good result. Especially now my eyes are at risk.

Thankyou for your post! its given me hope.
 

MrsA2

Expert
Messages
6,538
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
. I only know my numbers when I get tested by nurse. I never really took charge of this,
There is a much cheaper option of buying a blood glucose monitor (about £10) then the strips to go in it (these can be as cheap as 50 for £10). By taking a small drop of blood (finger pricking) before each meal and 2 hours after you will soon see for yourself what certain foods do to your body. For me, that gave me the motivation I needed. I have since take the work "diet" out of my vocabulary as I've found way of eating for life, not a short term term pick it up or leave it situation , and I'm sure you will too. Have a good read around the forum, it's full of brilliant posts and people, supportive and non judgemental. After all we are all in the same situation
 

SB6

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
There is a much cheaper option of buying a blood glucose monitor (about £10) then the strips to go in it (these can be as cheap as 50 for £10). By taking a small drop of blood (finger pricking) before each meal and 2 hours after you will soon see for yourself what certain foods do to your body. For me, that gave me the motivation I needed. I have since take the work "diet" out of my vocabulary as I've found way of eating for life, not a short term term pick it up or leave it situation , and I'm sure you will too. Have a good read around the forum, it's full of brilliant posts and people, supportive and non judgemental. After all we are all in the same situation
I'm actually looking at them on amazon! I do need this education, my nurses and doctors more or less diagnosed me and left me to it, never really explained anything, but then, I can't blame them. It is ultimately down to us, just realising this now and trying to get out of the self destruct mode I've been in since diagnosis.
 
  • Optimistic
Reactions: Debandez

Debandez

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,030
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I REALLY needed to read this! I am 11years since diagnosis, likely more before that, initially hormonally led insulin resistance (PCOS and few other conditions) and I fully was in denial, til recently, past few years of complications, nerve pain, foot pain, and now major eye problems has devastated me, the denial/ignorance is no more. I am scared as heck now with eye injections on the horizon (in a week or so) and the complications it can bring. I am just so full of self hate and did this to myself, and feel a lost cause, as if nothing can reverse this, but reading your post and the comments, I feel it sort of gave me a little hope.

I have major issues with food, won't try new things, don't like the things that are good for me. And spent a lot of time having panic attacks about my eyes for past 5weeks and making plans to try do as much as I can with what I can now. I am down from 77 to 56 and unsure if dropping quick exacerbated my issues, but I know diet is a HUGE barrier I need to tackle. Wish it was much easier to understand. I like the idea of the libre educating us about what works and what doesn't, I am not eligible for one, but it would be a HUGE help. I only know my numbers when I get tested by nurse. I never really took charge of this, and reading your post, I should! I need to follow in your footsteps and at least hope I can have a good result. Especially now my eyes are at risk.

Thankyou for your post! its given me hope.
Hi @SB6

So sorry for the delay in replying, it’s just been one of those weeks!

I am so glad that me posting this update has helped you and given you hope at this challenging time in your life. This is exactly why I posted it, to give people hope, so thank you very much for taking time to comment. It really means so much to me.

It sounds like you have more than your fair share of health challenges. I completely get why you buried your head in the sand, it is a very human thing we do. But you no longer have it buried and are dealing with things head on. You are making better choices and as a result your Hba1c has come down significantly so well done you.

When I was diagnosed I went through the very same emotions as you, I felt guilty, ashamed that I had done this to myself. I couldn’t even bring myself to tell my friends and most of my family, only those the closest to me knew. I later learned not to blame myself. So many are now being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, even very young children. I do put a lot of the blame on the western lifestyle, and one the ultra processed foods that we are surrounded by. Anyway we are where we are. Education is definitely key and I credit the wonderful forum members on here for educating me. You don’t know what you don’t know.

And you know that you can help yourself with regard to the progression and you can take back control. So many type 2 diabetics doing just that now thanks to forums like this.

You don’t like to try new things, neither do I. I am very boring meals wise and tend to stick to the usual meals that I can count on 2 hands. I envy others who are more adventurous. But I found the foods that I do love that love me back. I found this out by testing. It breaks my heart that they are not giving libres out to people who would really benefit. I have to self-fund and it has been costly but no better investment than investing in your health in my opinion. I can’t edit my post now, I have seen a couple of things I would like to edit so they make more sense. And I wish I had added the fact that you can get a 15-day free trial of a libre sensor (genius inventions), link on their website. This will help you see the bigger picture and you might be pleasantly surprised, as I have been with regard to foods that I felt were totally out of bounds. When I was diagnosed I wasn’t even offered a testing kit, how would I know I was on track?? Well ‘follow the eatwell guide and come back in a few months time and we will test your bloods again’ was the answer, if hba1c had gone up my diabetic nurse would adjust my meds accordingly! Wow. As it happens I declined the meds and focused on lifestyle changes. But their procedure truly shocked me.

A couple of quotes that spurred me on that may help you going forward:

Believe in yourself

You will never speak to anyone more than you speak to yourself so be kind to yourself

We can not direct the winds but we can adjust our sails

You can’t go back and change the beginning but you can start where you are and change the ending

Wishing you all the best, Deb.
 

corwnlyn

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
I REALLY needed to read this! I am 11years since diagnosis, likely more before that, initially hormonally led insulin resistance (PCOS and few other conditions) and I fully was in denial, til recently, past few years of complications, nerve pain, foot pain, and now major eye problems has devastated me, the denial/ignorance is no more. I am scared as heck now with eye injections on the horizon (in a week or so) and the complications it can bring. I am just so full of self hate and did this to myself, and feel a lost cause, as if nothing can reverse this, but reading your post and the comments, I feel it sort of gave me a little hope.

I have major issues with food, won't try new things, don't like the things that are good for me. And spent a lot of time having panic attacks about my eyes for past 5weeks and making plans to try do as much as I can with what I can now. I am down from 77 to 56 and unsure if dropping quick exacerbated my issues, but I know diet is a HUGE barrier I need to tackle. Wish it was much easier to understand. I like the idea of the libre educating us about what works and what doesn't, I am not eligible for one, but it would be a HUGE help. I only know my numbers when I get tested by nurse. I never really took charge of this, and reading your post, I should! I need to follow in your footsteps and at least hope I can have a good result. Especially now my eyes are at risk.

Thankyou for your post! its given me hope.

You sound very much like me. I know I needed to do something when I had 2 high readings and so I cut down on my carbs and lost a bit of weight. The diabetes nurse was pleased and asked what I did. When I told her I’d cut down carbs, she said oh you don’t need to do that. Rather than say well done, keep going she said not to cut carbs and eat anything in moderation. That kind of gave me a green light to eat anything and everything and with the stress of my mum having dementia (&T2 diabetes) I’ve been on a self destructive streak for ages. I’m struggling to get motivated even though I know it’s making me sick. My left eye is blurry, I have a fatty liver and I’m scared.
The other posts have given me hope to get myself sorted so thank you
 

Debandez

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,030
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
You sound very much like me. I know I needed to do something when I had 2 high readings and so I cut down on my carbs and lost a bit of weight. The diabetes nurse was pleased and asked what I did. When I told her I’d cut down carbs, she said oh you don’t need to do that. Rather than say well done, keep going she said not to cut carbs and eat anything in moderation. That kind of gave me a green light to eat anything and everything and with the stress of my mum having dementia (&T2 diabetes) I’ve been on a self destructive streak for ages. I’m struggling to get motivated even though I know it’s making me sick. My left eye is blurry, I have a fatty liver and I’m scared.
The other posts have given me hope to get myself sorted so thank you
It is heartbreaking hearing this, Your diabetes nurse encouraging you to eat everything in moderation, especially as you had told her how you had lost weight, by lowering carbs. The official guidelines advise mirrors what your DN said sadly :-(

As much as we know what we SHOULD be eating, life can get in the way. You have a lot going on. Your mum has dementia and T2. My heart goes out to you.

I had a fatty liver on dx and blurry eyesight some mornings too and it worried me so much. All I can say is that, from my experience and from listening to other diabetics, these symptoms can be reversed.

Obviously being in the right mindset is key. From your last sentence I feel you could well be there.

You did it before and you can do it again.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20250108_052351_Gallery.jpg
    Screenshot_20250108_052351_Gallery.jpg
    252 KB · Views: 45
  • Screenshot_20250108_052657_Google.jpg
    Screenshot_20250108_052657_Google.jpg
    45.8 KB · Views: 45
  • Agree
Reactions: shelley262

MG426

Member
Messages
14
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I have to honestly say that this is very encouraging...I am eight months into a low carb reversal ADVENTURE. And it is very helpful to read such a success story..! Thank you so very much..!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Debandez

Debandez

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,030
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I have to honestly say that this is very encouraging...I am eight months into a low carb reversal ADVENTURE. And it is very helpful to read such a success story..! Thank you so very much..!
It was all the success stories I read at the start of my 'reversal adventure' (love the description) that inspired me and the reason I share mine.

Listening to the experts on here gave me so much hope when I thought all was lost and my future would be bleak. Could not be further from where my 'adventure' took me, on a journey back to good health.

The forum members are amazing and have helped so many over the years. All over the world. Every credit and massive thanks to them for giving so much of their time to support others. I for one will be forever grateful that DCUK was the first forum I stumbled on.

Wishing you all the very best on your onward adventure.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Outlier

JTL

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,402
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Litterbugs war mongers hate mongers propagandists.
I'm sure there's more.
Well done Debandez.
Great to hear such a positive story.
I'm a T2 who doesn't take meds for it just lots of herbs and spices and I'm doing better than any of the medicated at the surgery.
Same with the no statins all herbs and spices so hopefully can avoid the ald timers disease.
If I pushed it a little further I reckon I could reverse mine but I'm to lazy.
I'm happy that my glucose levels sit around 6 to 7 most of the time.
It was this place that saved me from a life of ever rising medication.
Anyway well done and I'm raising a glass of whisky to you right now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Debandez

Debandez

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,030
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Well done Debandez.
Great to hear such a positive story.
I'm a T2 who doesn't take meds for it just lots of herbs and spices and I'm doing better than any of the medicated at the surgery.
Same with the no statins all herbs and spices so hopefully can avoid the ald timers disease.
If I pushed it a little further I reckon I could reverse mine but I'm to lazy.
I'm happy that my glucose levels sit around 6 to 7 most of the time.
It was this place that saved me from a life of ever rising medication.
Anyway well done and I'm raising a glass of whisky to you right now.
Thank you for your kind words. I still have to pinch myself to be honest. Well done to you too. We have found what works for us re controlling blood glucose levels which has stopped the need for medication. Long may that last. What really brings this home to me is a family member, who was diagnosed at the same time as me, chose to continue eating the same way and made no changes., Sadly they are now on a raft of meds including insulin injections and have many health issues which have officially been linked to the diabetes :-(

When I was diagnosed I was offered statins, and as I said in my original post, declined. There is a brilliant thread on this forum 'Cholesterol and Statins' with an incredible amount of info on there shared by some very well informed members and ex-members. I certainly learned a lot from that thread!

Cheers to the toast - that made me feel all toastie inside. I don't drink spirits but can appreciate the joy in a dram or two of whisky. Winston Churchill once said 'The water was not fit to drink. To make it palatable we had to add whisky. By diligent effort I learned to like it'. Even with water I'm afraid it's not for me haha. Sticking to red wine / cava / prosecco. Edit to add NOT ALL AT THE SAME TIME ;-)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: MrsA2 and Outlier