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Reversal of type 2 - reassurance please?

M

Michelle80

Member
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5
Hey,

So this is my second thread I have done, but I'm hoping I could ask for some reassurance tbh!

My first thread was that I have basically reversed my diabetes and I'm no longer taking medication (I'll be having a repeated HBA1C in 3 months)
BUT!!!

Why am I now terrified of now not taking medication? before if I ever felt high I knew that I had my metformin and gliclazide to take, now though I won't be taking anything and I'm nervous that'll spike again
I don't have a testing kit as my evil ex husband who was type 1 took it

Is this normal to be nervous of the unknown and how have others overcome this when in remission?

I've already said to my fiance that I'll be even more cautious now with whatever I eat etc
 
Yes it’s normal. I stopped taking medication while I was doing the Newcastle Diet 18 months ago. I was quite anxious about this for a while, but didn’t need to worry.
My advice though - get a testing kit & use it regularly. This will help to reassure you if the numbers stay good & is an early warning system in the event things start to go the other way.
Good luck with staying healthy...
 
Thank you for your reply. I think I will do actually
I did ask the GP for one especially as not taking medication anymore I'd prefer to keep a closer eye on things but she said they aren't really given out to type 2's anymore only type 1's which is news to me but then before I moved to where I am now I was a completely forgotten about diabetic in the community so it must have been a good 3 years since my last diabetic blood test.

I'll take a look at the one you have said you use, thanks :)
 
Michelle80 said:
Hey,

So this is my second thread I have done, but I'm hoping I could ask for some reassurance tbh!

My first thread was that I have basically reversed my diabetes and I'm no longer taking medication (I'll be having a repeated HBA1C in 3 months)
BUT!!!

Why am I now terrified of now not taking medication? before if I ever felt high I knew that I had my metformin and gliclazide to take, now though I won't be taking anything and I'm nervous that'll spike again
I don't have a testing kit as my evil ex husband who was type 1 took it

Is this normal to be nervous of the unknown and how have others overcome this when in remission?

I've already said to my fiance that I'll be even more cautious now with whatever I eat etc
Click to expand...

Rachox wrote some excellent info on what meters to consider. Thought it might be of some use to you. If you can see what your blood sugars are doing, after all, you can let go of that anxiousness:

Here’s some info on UK meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned. For a meter with cheap strips go for the Tee2 + found here:

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-plus-blood-glucose-meter/ with the strips found here:

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-testing-strips/


Some members have got a free Tee2+ by phoning up to order, with a large order of strips they often throw the meter in for free:


Phone number 0800 8815423



With more expensive strips is the Caresens Dual which I currently use, this one has the advantage of glucose and ketone testing in one machine, it’s to be found here:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/collections/caresens-dual


Home Health have recently bought out this one, but I haven’t heard any reviews yet, links to strips and the meter:

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/glucose-navii-blood-glucose-test-strips-50-strip-pack/


https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/gluconavii-blood-sugar-meter-glucose-monitor-starter-kit/


And to be totally transparent I used to use the SD Code Free from Home Health which has the cheapest strips available if bought in quantities of 5 or 10 pots with the codes below. However I found it to be becoming less and less reliable. Here it is for anyone wanting to give it a go, just bear in mind it seems they are replacing it with the Navii, details above.


http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-monitor/

and here for the extra strips

http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/sd-codefree-test-strips-to-be-used-only-with-the-sd-monitor/

There are discount codes if you buy in bulk.

5 packs 264086

10 packs 975833


Don’t forget to check the box if you have pre diabetes or diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for all meters and strips)​
 
Since I am across the pond, I can not comment too much on the meter, but agree what everyone else said you need to get one. It is great that you are your meds and you are in remission. One thing you need to understand that without the meds they are taking the training wheels off your bike and you are controlling the blood sugars yourself. You need to be careful of carbs and watch what foods are giving you trouble. The the other thing is portion control. Give yourself time to figure it out.

In the last stages before I can claim that in remission my last a1c was 33 and is off my meds. I need to have an equally good a1c in 2 months before I am officially in remission. I have used exercise to help with my blood sugar, because if I took my meds, glipizide, I would always go hypo. In the beginning my pancreas took a little more time with delivering the insulin and with the meds I went hypo. I used exercise to compensate for not using meds. I have also lost ab out 50 lbs. I have used my fasting readings as good indicator of control

You are in a great place and give yourself time to figure things out. I hope this helps.

Dave
 
I won't claim reversal but I've kept my glucose levels at the top end of normal - bottom end of pre-diabetic for all but the first 2-3 months of the six and a half years of my "diabetic life". I stopped my metformin three years ago (at GP's suggestion) and I've managed just as well without it since then.

I managed to reduce HBA1c from 61-62 on diagnosis to 47 within 3 months without a meter simply by cutting right down on all the obvious starchy and sugary carbs. But shortly after this I did buy one and have self-funded my test strips since then, and would definitely recommend a meter as a vital tool for managing glucose levels. The basic awareness that I should avoid all higher carbohydrate food has been all the incentive I've needed to keep on track, and I've eaten a not too strict low carb/ketogenic diet since diagnosis. "Eating to your meter" can be both a guide and a reassurance.
 
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