TeddyTottie
Well-Known Member
I thought it might be interesting to compile a list of what physical effects people have experienced as a result of getting their BG back to normal or normal-ish levels. Newbies often cite one ailment or another as an impediment to progressing with their diabetes control, I thought it might be helpful to list some of the changes we have experienced in our journeys.
In my own case I went very low carb, higher fat, higher salt, as soon as I was diagnosed in Dec 2019 and have maintained this ever since, so I cannot point the finger at exactly what has lead to the changes I have noticed. I would expect that the removal of most carbs and as a result, most gluten from my diet has reduced inflammatory effects and although I am not officially ‘gluten intolerant’ I was finding them harder and harder to digest. I have lost over 4 stone in weight too which doubtless feeds in as well, and of course high BG itself causes a myriad of issues. I started on 2000mg metformin, and halved the dose every 3 months until I stopped taking it altogether after 9 months.
So…
The positive effects -
Effortless weight loss
Clearing up of chronic psoriasis/fungal scalp infection
Complete remission (fingers crossed) of hydradenitis. Prior to diagnosis I was plagued by an endless cycle of multiple huge, painful, draining boils in armpit and groin, generally considered an autoimmune condition. I haven’t had a single one in over a year.
Vast improvement in chronic digestive issues - no bloating or acid reflux, although alcohol can bring a temporary return of an acid stomach.
Restless legs are gone!
I also suffered from burning pain along the top of one thigh. I assumed this was sciatica from a nerve entrapment in my buttock, but Dr Google suggests it might have been a form of neuropathy. Either way it’s mostly gone.
Low blood pressure - a bit too low sometimes leading to faintness on rising suddenly, but a bit more salt and proper hydration have dealt with that.
Much improved relationship with food - I no longer comfort eat or crave certain foods (mostly carbs), and am mostly driven by hunger these days so I don’t feel the need to keep stuffing myself. I have control for perhaps the first time in my life.
I no longer eat hyper-processed food, everything I eat is made from scratch with the exception of things like high-meat sausages, salami, bacon.
Negative effects (mostly from metformin in the early days) -
Constant low level nausea, occasional vomiting in the night for no real reason.
Chronic loss of appetite
Occasional bouts of explosive diarrhoea and ‘anal leakage’ - lovely!
Other negatives -
Blurred vision for 4-6 weeks after diagnosis as my BG reduced to normal levels.
Tendency to constipation these days - usually managed by eating a few extra veggies or a bit of psyllium husk powder.
Tendency to leg and foot cramps - I take a slow-release magnesium supplement to help with this.
I think that’s it for me. What have other people experienced? What approach did you take to tackle your T2?
In my own case I went very low carb, higher fat, higher salt, as soon as I was diagnosed in Dec 2019 and have maintained this ever since, so I cannot point the finger at exactly what has lead to the changes I have noticed. I would expect that the removal of most carbs and as a result, most gluten from my diet has reduced inflammatory effects and although I am not officially ‘gluten intolerant’ I was finding them harder and harder to digest. I have lost over 4 stone in weight too which doubtless feeds in as well, and of course high BG itself causes a myriad of issues. I started on 2000mg metformin, and halved the dose every 3 months until I stopped taking it altogether after 9 months.
So…
The positive effects -
Effortless weight loss
Clearing up of chronic psoriasis/fungal scalp infection
Complete remission (fingers crossed) of hydradenitis. Prior to diagnosis I was plagued by an endless cycle of multiple huge, painful, draining boils in armpit and groin, generally considered an autoimmune condition. I haven’t had a single one in over a year.
Vast improvement in chronic digestive issues - no bloating or acid reflux, although alcohol can bring a temporary return of an acid stomach.
Restless legs are gone!
I also suffered from burning pain along the top of one thigh. I assumed this was sciatica from a nerve entrapment in my buttock, but Dr Google suggests it might have been a form of neuropathy. Either way it’s mostly gone.
Low blood pressure - a bit too low sometimes leading to faintness on rising suddenly, but a bit more salt and proper hydration have dealt with that.
Much improved relationship with food - I no longer comfort eat or crave certain foods (mostly carbs), and am mostly driven by hunger these days so I don’t feel the need to keep stuffing myself. I have control for perhaps the first time in my life.
I no longer eat hyper-processed food, everything I eat is made from scratch with the exception of things like high-meat sausages, salami, bacon.
Negative effects (mostly from metformin in the early days) -
Constant low level nausea, occasional vomiting in the night for no real reason.
Chronic loss of appetite
Occasional bouts of explosive diarrhoea and ‘anal leakage’ - lovely!
Other negatives -
Blurred vision for 4-6 weeks after diagnosis as my BG reduced to normal levels.
Tendency to constipation these days - usually managed by eating a few extra veggies or a bit of psyllium husk powder.
Tendency to leg and foot cramps - I take a slow-release magnesium supplement to help with this.
I think that’s it for me. What have other people experienced? What approach did you take to tackle your T2?