This is my Diabetes Type 2 Story

• Reduce your carbohydrate intake
• Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l

• Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l

• 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

Priam said:

I've recently been diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes. my blood sugar was 65, whereas it should be between 42-48. It surprised me and my doctor. Although I'm 76 I have been an athlete all my life (not a particularly good one). I was a racing cyclist in my younger days, and then a fell runner when we moved to the Midlands, and latterly a cyclist again, when both knees failed. In winter I do about 30 minutes a day on the trainer and when it gets warmer, two to three, two-hour bike rides each week. My blood pressure is normal - about 120/70, as is cholesterol etc, although I do take a statin. My doc was surprised as I'm not overweight; he associated type 2 mostly with fat people, although normal bodied people can get it. I don't suffer any of the symptoms of depression and other mental problems associated with diabetes.
Although I've only been diagnosed in the last month I think I may have had it for at least sixteen months. Towards the end of 2014 I started to experience a mild pain in my lower abdomen - nothing that I could not tolerate, but annoying. On occasions the pain increased and when driving home, having spent Christmas at my daughter's, the pain became quite intense. It did drop off and on occasions became non-existent. My doctor examined me and couldn't find anything wrong but sent me for an ultrasound scan - which showed up nothing. The pain continued so I was sent to see a urology surgeon. His diagnosis completely floored me. According to him it was wearing too tight trousers. I thought he must be joking, as although they may have been marginally tight on my visit, I mostly wear tracky bottoms around the house.
But after my diagnosis and seeing the diabetes nurse (who seemed to have far more knowledge than doctors or specialists) who advised that diabetes can affect the bladder (no one had previously advised this) and advising what foods I should cut out, and those I should eat more of; within a couple of weeks the pain in my abdomen has completely disappeard.
I was a fairly big eater; plenty of wholemeal bread (we bake our own), so it wasn't supermarket rubbish, and I could polish off a pound of grapes with no problem, and a couple of bananas a day to boot. And I've never had a processed meal in my life. I did once - many years ago - have a Wimpy beef burger, but it was so disgusting, I've never touched one since.
I always thought our family ate fairly healthily as we had always had fresh food, plently of fruit and veg (maybe too much fruit), meat from the butcher (not the supermarket), so to be diagnosed was quite surprising.
Since visiting the nurse I have not had a grape for a month and only the occasional banana; very few potatos, no more than two of the thinnest slices of bread and plenty of green veg. Apart from the disappearance of the abdomen pain, I don't feel any difference. I don't qualify for a meter so I've no idea what my blood sugar is and therefore no idea what foods tend to spike it.
I'm due for another blood test in a couple of months, so I will know then if my austerity diet will have helped.

All the best to fellow sufferers

Hello Priam
I am aged 71 and my experiences are almost identical to yours I was fit although not athletic and not overweight I too enjoyed cycling, my symptoms were a painful burning rash on stomach and tops of thighs unfortunately it was invisible so was prescribed lots of ointment and moisturisers to no effect finally got an emergency appointment at local clinic, I was in the hospital neurology unit that night, I was diagnosed with diabetic amyotrophy (all muscles below the waist wasted away) after 5 weeks I was home complete with all sorts of contraptions to keep me upright and mobile. Enough of this ramble I too look on this as a challenge and not a problem and today I climbed a loft ladder in the garage after a year at home, I am also on the austerity low carb high fat diet it does seem to work I do recommend getting a meter I test perhaps 2/3 times a week 2 hours after food it just gives you a clue how you're doing and the effect of different foods.

Tony

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Priam said:

Many thanks.

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