• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

T2 Obsessing About the Numbers

Lindy1706

Well-Known Member
Messages
282
Location
Kent
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi Everyone,

I was officially diagnosed T2 on the 15th March following a test on the 3rd March which showed an HbA1c of 118 with a fasting BS of 17.7.....Ouch.

I was already eating a variation of LCHF (I had cut down on processed carbs for lent!) but since diagnosis have become much stricter, have incorporated intermittant fasting and an eating window and have started regular excercise, And am getting good results.

I decided from the beginning of testing that I would mesure daily and weekly averages so that I did not get overall concerned about the odd high reading (Walnutgate where my BS want up by 3 mmol for instance!). And have been recording daily averages of mid 5's to low 6's with the exception of one day last week where I managed a 5.3. My weekly averages have been 7.6, 6.4, 6.0, 5.7, 5.9 And 5.8 respectively And my first monthly average 15/3/15 - 15/4/16 was 6.4.

The last two days I have had averages Of 6.0 And 6.2 respectively, both days I have been really active, long walks, And feeling really good And I am having to remind my self quite forcefully that 6.2 is only .5 higher than the average 5.7's And 5.8's I have been getting And is a **** long way from 17.7. But another part of me is saying "its going the wrong way DANGER"

My Husband is firmly in the "for the love of god woman you are stable to within half a mmol stop fretting camp"

Does anyone else obssess about the numbers, I even find myself crossing my fingers as I wait for THE result to come up on the meter .......sigh!
 
Don't worry to much .. Some test strips can read higher than others .. Have you just opened a new tub of test strips ?

In the early days I used to test everything and every day ... Now I just test on the odd time I eat something different. It's good to be in control.. But not great if your going to be upset about small increases in your numbers. Also do remember not everyone can control with diet alone. If medication is needed then there's no problem with that.
But you are doing really well so listen to your husband .. Sometimes husbands can be right ...
 
Yep I obsess about the numbers from time to time too. I reckon it can be a good thing, you learn what's good and what's not good for you personally. Just keep the bigger picture in mind too. You are doing brilliantly and if obsessing adds to that brilliance then carry on. When it starts to get in the way so that it depresses you, that's the time to stop for a while. Just my own opinion of course.
 
I admit I get a little bit of anxiety as I wait for the test result figure to show, but I don't worry too much as long as it's 7 or under.
If it's a bit higher I put it down to liver dump and that meters aren't 100% accurate. No point in stressing, that is only going to raise the bs levels.
 
I know it's easy to get obsessed about BG numbers and not even realise what you're doing, been through that myself. But I think you've proven that what you're doing is working quite well.

Relax!
 
Oh yes..obsessing all the time. And the 'better' they are more 'hungrier' I grow to keep them there or make them even better. It is almost mad situation...every 'fraction' counts.
I really have to step back and have good talk to myself to see things in right 'light'
In certain way this 'hunger' to better oneself is good thing, but...the 'slippery slope' and all that comes to mind too...as long as we don't go 'mad' with it, no harm done..

It is good that you have such a helpful hubby who keeps your feet on the ground...
 
Lindy1706 said:
Does anyone else obssess about the numbers, I even find myself crossing my fingers as I wait for THE result to come up on the meter .......
Click to expand...

Sounds normal to be concerned, although the crossed fingers doesn't work (LOL)

The numbers look good anyway. You can only eat and exercise as sensibly as you can and you're doing that. The next step is to get better control of your brain and tell it to stop stressing. The brain is a powerful tool in this game so you have to practice being in charge of it's thinking.
 
Lindy1706 said:
Does anyone else obssess about the numbers
Click to expand...
Well my grandson seems to think so, but that's from some one who eats sometimes 6 boiled eggs a day,drinks 6 pints of whole milk and uses protein shakes and has turned my bathroom into a mini gym into which he disappears for hours on end.all in the name of building bigger and better muscles.

Any way your numbers are fine and small variation are bound to happen. So ease up a bit and don't worry so much you are gaining control.

 
You sound a bit like me. I'm a data freak and record and average everything. I have been doing this for 2 years but to be honest, it is my personal motivation. It keeps me on the wagon. I am in a competition. Not with other people but with myself. I don't stress about the odd high reading but do get concerned about upward trends even slight ones. I don't think it is a bad thing if it is helping, and it does help me.
 
Yep I will admit I am a data freak (I have some wonderful graphs And very informative pie charts!) And I also note everything, food, excercise, mood And find it quite fascinating how my body reacts.

One thing I do find is that if I lose weight my BS trends to go up slightly And if my BS shows a succession of low numbers I do not lose weight till it goes slightly up again.......there is someting deeply scientific going on I am sure.

I am doing my absolute best to avoid meds, and yes I know that Metformin does not effect everyone but at the moment I am walking miles And swimming And doing excercise classes all of which the side effects of Met would curtail also I feel so good And vibrant at the moment on just good food and excercise, so I think that is why I am seeing every high number as an exocet in my next HbA1c score.

Thanks folks I will try not to obsess quite so much.
 
I have to say that is a bit obsessive but you say you are pleased with yourself so what is the problem and what do you think your levels should be. Has someone told you your levels should be a certain number and you stress if they are not. We all have a level that suits us for some that may be a bit higher than others some want theirs in the 4's most of the time some are happy with 6's and in between.Well I think plenty of people here would love to have those kind of levels you have done really well and if you are feeling good there is no problem.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
A big high five to you so far @Lindy1706 I say better to be slightly obsessed rather than ignore it. Your numbers are good, we all have little wobbles when they go a little off - just know you are doing well (and one of those people who IMHO gets what is needed). Well done on staying of Metformin, I accepted it without even questioning - oh how I've grown in the last 3 months! - and want to be off it by the end of July.

So keep enjoying your graphs, checking your numbers - it's your life and it's working for you.

PS want to see my BG charts (the diabetics equivalent of 'want to see my etching')
 
I would suggest that it might be "Early Doors" and when you've got a good run of data you will be able to see what your true trends are to changes in diet, weight and exercise and what the "outliers" are. At the moment, the numbers are the thing as they are immediate, with time this may diminish... it has in my experience.
As others have said, "you're doing good".
 
I tend to agree with this, and it does sound a bit obsessive.

I can appreciate wanting to avoid medications if possible, but that isn't realistic for many people. If you're happy with the work and effort you've put it then leave it at that and make your decisions with a level head. Crossing your fingers and getting anxiety before a test result may not be a big deal now, but it suggests that you're gauging your hard work on a single result that may be outside of your control. That can be problematic over time as it can cause some people to abstain from taking medication even though they need it. That's also not to mention that it can cause you to discount your hard work and lose motivation.
 
Have a virtual hug .... I too am newly diagnosed and understand where you are coming from .... My machine hooks up to my PC so I get some graphs, but I like your idea of having averages and even pie charts ....

Perhaps just give yourself a bit more leeway - you are doing great x
 
I found I had much better BS levels with slow to barely moderate exercise than power walking. As the insulin production deminished I had to back down exercise. Stinks as I love it. However power walking always raised me and slow leisurely waliking lowered me.
 
Yes, I was the same when newly diagnosed. I got through periods where I'm like that. I'm a perfectionist by nature and I don't think it fairs well with me. I in fact think my perfectionism possibly contributed to my bad health because everything I do has to be done right. Eg. I used to work in leadership and training roles looking after 45 staff and I'd be run off my feet but I would keep going and insist everything had to be done properly. Now I'm out of that job and I see how others handle it I feel like I went over the top. But that's me. You sound similar. I have had to really work on not obsessing over the numbers. I will admit I still do it sometimes when I'm getting a bad reading for example I will get upset about it. My endo explained to me that I shouldn't get upset and understand that the hbA1c test or in other word the average is what I should be aiming to improve rather than those individual numbers. But easier said than done. lol. Hugs... you sound like you've done a wonderful job at getting good BGL control already.
 
Lindy1706, I read your post, chuckled and thought, I'm this ladies clone...right down to the slight nerves as I wait through the 5,4,3,2,1...on the reading. Keep all the averages, daily, weekly etc. just started my weekly 36 hour fast. Read, read, read, read, watch, watch, watch....haha...so lots of empathy here!
 
Lindy1706 said:
Does anyone else obssess about the numbers, I even find myself crossing my fingers as I wait for THE result to come up on the meter .......sigh!
Click to expand...

I did obsess about the readings for a while.

Then after 3 months, when I had my second HbA1c which came out with a number way lower than my meter had been averaging, I stopped obsessing and just got on with enjoying the new lifestyle.

It is only really over the last 3 or so months that my meter readings regularly tie in with my HbA1c.
 
Lindy1706 said:
Hi Everyone,


Does anyone else obssess about the numbers, I even find myself crossing my fingers as I wait for THE result to come up on the meter .......sigh!
Click to expand...
Another vote for being obsessive... when we were away on hols I was anxious as I couldn't update my spreadsheet although still recorded everything.. first thing I did when we got back was spend a morning getting all up to date..I've been recording for 6 months now although don't include mood.. drat you've gone one better, but I find it really useful. Its all part of being in control which I find the best motivator.. like you I have no intention of taking meds if humanly possible. Keep up the great work!
Us obsessives are proud of you.
All the best
Mark
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…