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Type 2 Recently diagnosed and need advice

MrsGruffy

MrsGruffy

Well-Known Member
Messages
147
Location
Launceston, Tasmania
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi everyone,
I was diagnosed about 2 months ago. My GP did a random bg and it was "hi". So I went the next morning for a fasting bg and hba1c. The fasting one was 19, and the hba1c was 8.9. She sent me back for a second fasting bg, which was 20, and again when she did a finger prick test it came as "hi". I had been very thirsty and had issues with my vision - very blurry.
About 2 weeks ago, I had my appointment with a diabetes educator, who taught me how to test my bg and gave me a monitor, and I've been testing before and after meals. My pre-breakfast bg is about 9 on average, reaching around 14s 2 hours after breakfast. Pre and post lunch are around 6-7 (same before and after), and pre and post dinners 10 and 13 respectively. My GP doesn't want to see me again until June after my next hba1c is done. My GP seems a bit inexperienced (she had to google it while I saw her the first time). I'm taking 1000mg Metformin slow release twice a day (no side effects), and I'm still struggling with terrible blurry vision and episodes of extreme thirst and resultant drinking (about a litre of water at a time, at least once - twice a day in addition to a fair amount over the day but less insanely unquenchable thirst) which does not seem to coincide with the highest bg levels.
I haven't changed anything in my diet as yet - I'm looking into low carb and low calorie, but right now I just feel generally ill and very unmotivated. My diet isn't that bad, and I don't smoke or drink. (I have been trying to lose weight over the last year, and have managed to gain 2 kg while following a ketogenic diet over 2 months). I have been under intense stress over the last couple of years and still am to an extent, and there's not a lot I can do about it. I am walking 5 days a week (about 4km/40 minutes). I also have an awful taste in my mouth sometimes, especially when I run my tongue over my teeth. The symptoms of diabetes came on very very rapidly - only a week before I saw the GP.

I feel like it's too long to wait until June to move to the next step of treatment, but the GP said that I had to stay on this level for 3 months to see whether it's effective before reassessing. I also don't want to be one of *those* patients who goes insane when there's nothing really to worry about - or that this is normal at the beginning - which I don't know, and I can't seem to find much information about. I'm worried about the damage going on while my bg moves up and down to such extremes. I've been using a tracker on my phone, and I've only been in the green 5 times in the last 2 weeks.

So I guess my question is whether the GP is right and I just need to be patient and let the metformin have time to kick in. I haven't noticed any overall decrease in bg in the 2 weeks I've been keeping track pre and 2 hour post meals. She told me to take the metformin immediately after breakfast and dinner which is what I've been doing.
 
Hi @MrsGruffy and welcome. I’m tagging @daisy1 for some useful information.

I’m unmedicated so have no personal experience of Metformin, but my understanding from others on here is that it alone will make far less of an impact on your blood sugars than your diet. At this stage getting blood sugars down should be the main priority rather than weight loss, although that may well happen as your sugars reduce.

Daisy’s information will have some details on that, but in the meantime dietdoctor.com would be a good place to start.

Personally I have found a very low carb, ketogenic diet (less than 20g carbs a day) to be very successful in both managing sugars and reducing weight (details in my signature).

Have a good read around the forum and ask as many questions as you like.
 
@MrsGruffy

Hello MrsGruffy and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 235,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.

  • Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why

  • Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
 
@MrsGruffy the extreme thirst and blurred vision worries me. Please do not assume it is type 2.
I don’t know what age you are, but I think you need to return to your GP and insist on more tests.
The type 2 Metformin assumption was made with me at 54 years old and a week later I was in A and E on an insulin drip.
Type 1 is incredibly common in older people.
 
Just letting things go on as they have for a few more months, means a few more months of extra damage to eyes, kidneys, what have you. And feeling like hell. (I'm kinda surprised you weren't sent to hospital with hi readings). Metformin helps just a little... It's not going to fix "hi" 's. You mentioned trying keto, and not dropping weight, but right now it's more important to get your bloodsugar under control. Weightloss'd be a welcome bonus, I'm sure, but if you're feeling horrible you might want to try low carb/high fat, which isn't as rigorous as keto, but will probably bring your levels down considerably. (It got me back into the non-diabetic HbA1c range in 3 months). Doctors sadly don't have all the answers... Which a lot of people here found out after bad, outdated and sometimes even dangerous advice. We're can't give you medical advice, but I'm just saying.... If it were me, and it *was* me July before last... I'd take on a low carb lifestyle. Immediately, not in 3 months. Good luck!
 
(I've switched to keto a few weeks ago, which is making my levels even better, but you seemed reluctant to try it again)
 
Hi and welcome MrsGruffy, as others have said relying on just the Metformin to bring your numbers down won’t work it only helps a little. Try lowering your carb intake. All carbs turn to sugar once you’ve eaten them. I was diagnosed over 11 months ago and immediately adopted low carb eating along with Metformin and self monitoring. I started on keeping under 100g per day then subsequently dropped to 50-70, since then I have naturally dropped to 40 - 60g per day. During that 11 months I have returned my HbA1c to consistently non diabetic and I’ve lost over 5 1/2 stone.
 
Hi and welcome, I was given my type 2 status 1st June last year although only just at 50/48 HbA1c, not offered meds, no information given, found this website and the people and information on here have been brilliant. Started LCHF immediately and in 12 weeks got my level down to 37 and lost two stone.
 
MrsGruffy said:
Hi everyone,
I was diagnosed about 2 months ago. My GP did a random bg and it was "hi". So I went the next morning for a fasting bg and hba1c. The fasting one was 19, and the hba1c was 8.9. She sent me back for a second fasting bg, which was 20, and again when she did a finger prick test it came as "hi". I had been very thirsty and had issues with my vision - very blurry.
About 2 weeks ago, I had my appointment with a diabetes educator, who taught me how to test my bg and gave me a monitor, and I've been testing before and after meals. My pre-breakfast bg is about 9 on average, reaching around 14s 2 hours after breakfast. Pre and post lunch are around 6-7 (same before and after), and pre and post dinners 10 and 13 respectively. My GP doesn't want to see me again until June after my next hba1c is done. My GP seems a bit inexperienced (she had to google it while I saw her the first time). I'm taking 1000mg Metformin slow release twice a day (no side effects), and I'm still struggling with terrible blurry vision and episodes of extreme thirst and resultant drinking (about a litre of water at a time, at least once - twice a day in addition to a fair amount over the day but less insanely unquenchable thirst) which does not seem to coincide with the highest bg levels.
I haven't changed anything in my diet as yet - I'm looking into low carb and low calorie, but right now I just feel generally ill and very unmotivated. My diet isn't that bad, and I don't smoke or drink. (I have been trying to lose weight over the last year, and have managed to gain 2 kg while following a ketogenic diet over 2 months). I have been under intense stress over the last couple of years and still am to an extent, and there's not a lot I can do about it. I am walking 5 days a week (about 4km/40 minutes). I also have an awful taste in my mouth sometimes, especially when I run my tongue over my teeth. The symptoms of diabetes came on very very rapidly - only a week before I saw the GP.

I feel like it's too long to wait until June to move to the next step of treatment, but the GP said that I had to stay on this level for 3 months to see whether it's effective before reassessing. I also don't want to be one of *those* patients who goes insane when there's nothing really to worry about - or that this is normal at the beginning - which I don't know, and I can't seem to find much information about. I'm worried about the damage going on while my bg moves up and down to such extremes. I've been using a tracker on my phone, and I've only been in the green 5 times in the last 2 weeks.

So I guess my question is whether the GP is right and I just need to be patient and let the metformin have time to kick in. I haven't noticed any overall decrease in bg in the 2 weeks I've been keeping track pre and 2 hour post meals. She told me to take the metformin immediately after breakfast and dinner which is what I've been doing.
Click to expand...

Metformin is a mild drug. It really doesn't help a great deal and can't be relied on to bring your blood sugars down. Diet is the key. Being patient will not work. You need to act now before you become ill.

All the symptoms you are feeling are related to high blood sugars. If you can get your blood sugars right down, the symptoms will disappear and you will feel so much better, like a new person. One way to get your BS down is to "eat to your meter". Let your meter guide you.

Test immediately before you eat
Test again 2 hours after first bite
Look at the difference between the before and after readings
Try to keep any rise down below 2mmol/l.
More than this and there are too many carbs in that meal, which are not doing your health any good.
Keep a food diary including portion sizes
Record your levels alongside the food
Watch for patterns. Your personal danger foods will soon show themselves.
Doing this you can see which foods to eliminate, which to cut down in portion size, and which are safe.
Whilst doing this, if you have any questions we will help you.
 
I agree that you shouldn't just assume you are T2 if you are now losing weight without trying (but you don't suggest that?). My GP made that mistake for me. Forget calories as they are irrelevant. Just keep the carbs down and have enough fats and proteins to keep you feeling full together with veg and fruit. With metformin SR the time of day you take them isn't too critical although nothing wrong with what you have been told. Metformin never has much of an effect so you can't rely on that to help much. The bad taste will probably be the Metformin. It's a known side effect and I had it for 6 months - it does completely fade given time. I would continue with the low carbs and discuss diagnosis options with the GP.
 
I don't know what your GP is expecting - Metformin isn't going to reduce your BG levels, it isn't that sort of drug.
As your levels seem highest after breakfast - are you eating high carb foods then?
I find that I need to eat only a few carbs early in the day - as that seems to keep my BG stable - none at all or too many cause spikes and lows which can be unpleasant, but it needs to be checked as different people react differently.
 
Well I won't say that I went kicking and screaming (although I felt like it - I feel so mad with myself right now for all the poor choices I've made) but after reading some more here and watching some brilliant youtube videos which were shared here (Ivor the irishman and then some of his cohorts), I started back on low carb a couple of days ago and the highest bg I've had is this morning's 8.2 (all the others 5-6!). I'm also mad that I had to come on a forum to get this information - dietician and diabetes educator and GP were as useful in real terms as **** on a bull. I wish I could share my graph from this app I've been using.. Massive ups and downs and then a dramatic relatively flat line which coincides with my first low carb meal.
I also realise that my previous attempts at keto have been botched by going too high with protein. My eyes are still very blurry and I have a hunch that both this sudden jolt into diabetes and problems with my vision might be down to the statin that was increased just a couple of months before all these symptoms. From my reading, it's a bit too much of a coincidence but I am realistic enough to know that I'm looking for anything other than diabetes which can explain what is happening to me - that might be just a bit of an indication that I'm in denial. A few weeks without statins most likely won't kill me, so youtube has reassured me.
 
@MrsGruffy well done on getting your bs down. I was on statins for approx 9 months and, whilst it got my cholesterol down from 5.2 to 3.5, I had dizzy spells, sleep issues and my hba1c rose from 48 to 54. I made the decision to stop taking them and my hba1c has been in the 30s for the last 4 years. I still have the ‘you must be on statins’ conversation at every review but I politely refuse their kind offer.
 
@Daphne917 Thanks for sharing. I accepted the statins like a scared person does and without question. No mention of possible side effects. Only after doing some research this past week have I read descriptions of my current symptoms under the heading "possible side effects" of Atavorstatin (Lipitor). I'm feeling a bit cranky because surely the medical people should recognised and discussed with me the possibility that some of these symptoms are likely due to the statins. They just want to tuck everything away under the diabetes label. Even after a month of metformin and the question "Are you feeling any better?" "NO" didn't trigger any further questions. I'm left wondering who I can trust with my (literally) life. I am not stupid, but the medical journals are still a bit hard to decipher, and then there's the fact that a lot of them are full of junk science sponsored by big pharma. It shouldn't be up to individuals like me to decide for myself what is in my best health interests. That's why we have medical specialists, but they're making us sicker through ignorance or on purpose - not sure which. The stuff I watched about calcium scans vs stent surgery was horribly revealing and left me feeling quite distressed about where to turn for good advice. It seems to me that we have all suffered from the American user pays medical system, but here in Australia, we are also rapidly heading in that direction.
 
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