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Turning Point?

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twolumps

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I think I've reached the "next stop Insulin city" stage. I need some advice: been (noticed as) T2 for over 2 years now on diet and metformin but over the last 6 months or so I've noticed the BS levels remaing fairly static (consistently 12-14). I recall Doctor did mention I would eventually have to start using Insulin. Obviously the yearly tests will prove my assumption. I live in SE UK and we don't appear to have much Diabetes PCT support (which is why I'm grizzling on here :roll:) and despite being in the loop for a couple of years, I'm still not sure if my bs readings are that bad for a fairly active 52 year old male 17st golfer with no other critical ailments but falls alsleep at work in the afternoon type person. Anyone else in the same boat :?: :?: :?:
 
hello twolumps, welcome to the forum.

Going by the figures you provided, your hba1c is around 10%.
Ideally this should be closer to 6-7% if possible.
http://medweb.bham.ac.uk/easdec/prevention/what_is_the_hba1c.htm

Once you get onto insulin and get your levels down you should start to feel a bit
more lively (This assumes that your doctor won't try additional oral medication first).

Good luck,
timo.
 
Hi Twolumps and welcome to the forum.
Don't fool yourself - your daily sugar levels are very high, in fact dangerously so and particularly for someone who plays golf so gets more than the average amount of exercise. They are around double what they should be and if you don't take steps to reduce them then you are heading down the road to loss of vision and amputations. At the level you are showing you shouldn't be tested yearly - the medical guidelines say 3 to 6 months maximum. Your falling asleep in the afternoon is a classic sign of a continually high blood sugar level.

Reading between the lines I would say your GP is not a specialist in diabetes and its treatment. My own diabetes consultant describes insulin (for a type-2) as the biggest spanner in the toolbox and one that you only turn to when none of the other spanners will do the job! There are countless alternative oral diabetes treatments that your GP could (and should) consider for you. If this is not suggested when you next see him then ask to be referred to a diabetes specialist - your GP is not allowed to refuse this request and will think none the worse of you for asking it.

What part of the SE are you? I am also SE based and we are fortunate in having the country's two top diabetologists down here, Prof David Russell-Jones (at Guildford) and Dr Mike Baxter (at Chertsey).
 
Hi Dennis, thanks for the reply - some straight talking at last! Forgive my lack of experience but we tend to treat our GPs as oracles and I for one have only recently begun to question the advice I'm given as it varies so much between the various resources, thankfully this forum does appear consistent and the users knowledgeable.

I'm in North Essex/Suffolk area and while there is a diabetes clinic in the area, the game is catching someone on duty and/or getting them to return calls to make an appointment.

I will push for a referal, thanks for the advice.
 
2 Lumps hi i am also T2 and live down in SE. My GP at my last review wanted to put me on Insulin but i wasnt keen for a variety of reasons. You have a distinct advantage in that you are the weight i am aiming for with my latest medication. With the wieght comming off i gave impetus to seek other alternatives and like you i found this site. There began my education, and it still goes on. Follow the various threads make up your own mind, BUT ABOVE ALL IF YOU DONT UNDERSTAND ASK QUESTIONS - NO LIMIT . A lot of people on here started exactly the same way and reaping benefits in all sorts of different ways.

Good luck Dave P
 
Hi Twolumps
Another SE area type 2 here.You will learn more from the good people on here than from most other places.Keep coming on and asking your questions.
I have similar BS levels to yours and the same weight, currently waiting for referral to specialist to come through in the meantime I'm going as low carb as I can. Has certainly helped tiredness and extreme thirst I was having.

Hope this helps
Pete
 
Hi twolumps,

Seems a lot of SE T2 people in here, I'm from North Kent.

one thing you could of mentioned is what sort of diet you are following, personally (and I did) if you're following one from the doctors or diabetes dietician and you're following it to the letter, the first thing you should do is shred it, it's obviously not working. then browse about the forum and see what other people are doing. who mentioned low-carb :D

your bs is far too high, I get miffed if I peak at 14 , let alone stay there permanently.

throw away that museli, bacon and eggs is the way to go :D
 
Thanks to all who replied. There is definitely a feeling of support coming across, which is much appreciated :D

Ozzie, your comment about ditching the muesli - talk about moment of revelation, that rang a bell big time - my diet is basic, starchy carbs, occasional red meat mainly white, some fish and avg 7 portions of fruit/veg daily, having susbsituted snacks for fruit. My one weakness is curry (how stereotypical :oops: ) I will admit I was one for the sugar in the tea, but now I'm using sweeteners I'm losing the sweet tooth. I'm amazed at how I now react if someone makes me tea or coffee and put too much sugar in.

The above looks like I'm saying all the right things, I know. But the path has been difficult, my main focus areas have been replacing foodtsuffs and keeping it interesting. I now actually baulk at the prospect of fried and fatty foods. Which is why I'm so cheesed off at my bs levels not improving. My family are all healthy and don't have my need for change in diet.

BTW just tried to get an appointment with my GP, been told he can see me in about two weeks - I feel a "state of the nation" grizzle coming on :wink:
 
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