I was diagnosed with diabetes at the end of September. I had gone to the GP due to a loss of sensation in my feet, which, combined with excessive thirst and unexplained weight loss made me think diabetes, which turned out to be correct. My HbA1c was 128. I was given Metformin and was immediately referred to the diabetes clinic at the hospital and put on insulin to get my numbers down as quickly as possible. Since starting the insulin on 3rd October (and drastically changing my diet) my blood glucose has dropped from 21 to around 10. I'm still struggling to get down into single figures consistently, but they did warn me it could take a couple of months to achieve this so it feels like I'm still on the right track. I get a lot of headaches, and am told that it's just my body adjusting to the sudden change in blood sugar. Other than that I feel GREAT. I had no idea just how bad I was actually feeling. Without wishing to talk too much about my private life, the previous 18 months had been hellish, with bereavements and my husband being diagnosed with a progressive disabling condition. I was under a huge amount of stress, and ended up having to take two months off work when it all became too much. I was eating appallingly, many crisps, chocolate and takeaways, thinking I was "treating" myself. As it turned out, I was making myself much much worse. But I had come to feel that permanent exhaustion and brain fog were just my normal, and it turns out that was not the case. With my sugars nearly down to a normal range I feel brighter and more energetic than I have in years. I am 47 years old - note to self, feeling exhausted all the time is not normal for this age!
I can understand the guilt that some people have mentioned about bringing this condition on yourself. I have always been a bit overweight and until fairly recently had quite a sedentary lifestyle. I've never been great at eating sensibly, and I hate most sports and forms of exercise. However since adopting a dog during lockdown (and now my husband is too disabled to walk her) I walk for at least an hour every day, which also helped me to lose weight initially. Until recently I also had an allotment (no time for it now unfortunately) which was great for exercising the muscles and growing lots of nice healthy fruit and veg. I do think my poor diet and lack of exercise probably didn't help, but I have also read that chronic stress can be a factor in diabetes, and I've certainly had that in spades. Also my dad has T2 so it's in the family. I have chosen not to beat myself up about it - I have the condition and now I have to manage it. I have to stay healthy to care for my husband, so I've got no excuses.
I am still at very early stages - they haven't even 100% confirmed that I'm T2, although that is the assumption. I have a call with the diabetes nurse next week and should hopefully get the other blood test results which should confirm. My body is still producing insulin. I have an atrophic pancreas (found during tests for something else some years ago) which muddied the waters somewhat. With this ambiguity it has been tricky to know what is best to do with my diet. I have cut out pretty much all sugar apart from fruit and been cutting down on carbs on the assumption that I'm type 2. Unfortunately I'm really struggling with the Metformin. I can tolerate one with breakfast in the morning but whenever I try to increase the dose it just messes with my guts (I'm sure you know what I mean). I've not been able to get past 3 days without giving up and going back down to one per day. I'm hoping there is an alternative. The nurse suggested to give it a week and see if it settles down but I can't go that long, I need to be able to stray further than a few metres from a loo - I have a dog to walk and a disabled husband to care for, as well as a full time job! The Metformin I am taking in the morning seems to be having an effect, because my sugars are always higher in the morning than in the evening.
I'm not sure just what the point of this post is, just that it's pretty overwhelming at the beginning, especially with regards to figuring out what to eat etc. I would love to know if I will have to be on the insulin long term or if I will be able to manage it with diet, exercise and medication. But I will discuss that with the nurse next week. I guess it depends on a lot of things and will take time to figure out. Weirdly, I'm not really too upset about the diagnosis. It explains a lot and it can be managed. I may never get full sensation back in my feet but the nurse was pretty happy with the sensation I do have so it shouldn't really cause any issues hopefully. I've got my first eye screening coming up - fortunately I live just across the road from the eye unit so I can walk there which is handy! I haven't noticed any changes in my vision so fingers crossed.
I have already read a lot of very useful information on the forum so I will definitely check in regularly if I have any questions, which I'm sure there will be many.
Look after yourselves and be well x
I can understand the guilt that some people have mentioned about bringing this condition on yourself. I have always been a bit overweight and until fairly recently had quite a sedentary lifestyle. I've never been great at eating sensibly, and I hate most sports and forms of exercise. However since adopting a dog during lockdown (and now my husband is too disabled to walk her) I walk for at least an hour every day, which also helped me to lose weight initially. Until recently I also had an allotment (no time for it now unfortunately) which was great for exercising the muscles and growing lots of nice healthy fruit and veg. I do think my poor diet and lack of exercise probably didn't help, but I have also read that chronic stress can be a factor in diabetes, and I've certainly had that in spades. Also my dad has T2 so it's in the family. I have chosen not to beat myself up about it - I have the condition and now I have to manage it. I have to stay healthy to care for my husband, so I've got no excuses.
I am still at very early stages - they haven't even 100% confirmed that I'm T2, although that is the assumption. I have a call with the diabetes nurse next week and should hopefully get the other blood test results which should confirm. My body is still producing insulin. I have an atrophic pancreas (found during tests for something else some years ago) which muddied the waters somewhat. With this ambiguity it has been tricky to know what is best to do with my diet. I have cut out pretty much all sugar apart from fruit and been cutting down on carbs on the assumption that I'm type 2. Unfortunately I'm really struggling with the Metformin. I can tolerate one with breakfast in the morning but whenever I try to increase the dose it just messes with my guts (I'm sure you know what I mean). I've not been able to get past 3 days without giving up and going back down to one per day. I'm hoping there is an alternative. The nurse suggested to give it a week and see if it settles down but I can't go that long, I need to be able to stray further than a few metres from a loo - I have a dog to walk and a disabled husband to care for, as well as a full time job! The Metformin I am taking in the morning seems to be having an effect, because my sugars are always higher in the morning than in the evening.
I'm not sure just what the point of this post is, just that it's pretty overwhelming at the beginning, especially with regards to figuring out what to eat etc. I would love to know if I will have to be on the insulin long term or if I will be able to manage it with diet, exercise and medication. But I will discuss that with the nurse next week. I guess it depends on a lot of things and will take time to figure out. Weirdly, I'm not really too upset about the diagnosis. It explains a lot and it can be managed. I may never get full sensation back in my feet but the nurse was pretty happy with the sensation I do have so it shouldn't really cause any issues hopefully. I've got my first eye screening coming up - fortunately I live just across the road from the eye unit so I can walk there which is handy! I haven't noticed any changes in my vision so fingers crossed.
I have already read a lot of very useful information on the forum so I will definitely check in regularly if I have any questions, which I'm sure there will be many.
Look after yourselves and be well x