Type 2 Adjusting

[markryb]

Hello my names mark and I’m 33 years old. Was diagnosed 3 months ago with type 2. My whole diagnosis from the doctors has been a complete joke in terms of a phone call to say I have it a few numbers and new words with no explanation and a prescription for metformin.
No face to face no advice. DN just not interested. (Oh no I was told I would get some leaflets…. Yay)
So obviously it was up to google to teach me what I needed to know/do. Well that was all doom and gloom…. “It’s progressive” “doesn’t matter what you do it’s only going to get worse” “you’ll end up on insulin either way”
Great that was a recipe for depression. I have had massive highs and lows in terms of mood.

I was pretty much addicted to energy drinks 2-3 500ml cans of full sugar stuff. Monster/redbull for years. My diet was never great but was not terrible. My activity levels dropped over the past 10 years. I used to be a gym instructor and fit as a fiddle. And weight piled on. Sometimes hitting 18 stone. On average around 17 stone.

Since diagnosis I have dropped to 15 stone band on so far. As soon as I stopped drinking energy drinks for good as you can imagine my glucose levels came right down to within normal range. With a meter my levels show I’m averaging around 5.0. I have had to chase up my next blood test because I never heard anything from my DN. so now that’s booked in for a week Monday. Will be interesting. But from what I recall she told me my original results were over 100 (not good!) I have tried to speak with them to see what the original result actually was now I actually understand what it means. But apparently can’t tell me over the phone. Even though I was told over the phone. Hey ho not surprised anymore.

Anyway sorry for babbling on I just wanted to blurt some stuff out. Im still in the phase of not telling many people my diagnosis I’m still trying to come to terms with it. I HATE IT.

 

[ajbod]

Don't be ashamed of having type 2 diabetes, you didn't get it because you were fat. You got fat because you had it.
If you were Lactose intolerant everyone would accept that that as just unlucky.
If you were Celiac everybody would accept that and say you're unlucky.
If you developed a nut allergy, the same scenario.
You have an intolerance to carbohydrates, which causes high levels of sugar and Insulin, you're unlucky that you were genetically predisposed to develop it.

 

[markryb]

Don't be ashamed of having type 2 diabetes, you didn't get it because you were fat. You got fat because you had it.
If you were Lactose intolerant everyone would accept that that as just unlucky.
If you were Celiac everybody would accept that and say you're unlucky.
If you developed a nut allergy, the same scenario.
You have an intolerance to carbohydrates, which causes high levels of sugar and Insulin, you're unlucky that you were genetically predisposed to develop it.

Thank you that does put things into perspective. I guess it carries that stigma of “oh it’s because your fat” which is what comes to most people’s minds. Uneducated ones I guess.

 

[catinahat]

. I guess it carries that stigma of “oh it’s because your fat” which is what comes to most people’s minds. Uneducated ones I guess

We have all come across people like that, don't give it a moments of your time, other people's thoughts and opinions are their business, and your medical details are yours. You are under no obligation to share your ailments with anyone, that's why our medical records are confidential.

 

[HolgateEnd]

Hello my names mark and I’m 33 years old. Was diagnosed 3 months ago with type 2. My whole diagnosis from the doctors has been a complete joke in terms of a phone call to say I have it a few numbers and new words with no explanation and a prescription for metformin.
No face to face no advice. DN just not interested. (Oh no I was told I would get some leaflets…. Yay)
So obviously it was up to google to teach me what I needed to know/do. Well that was all doom and gloom…. “It’s progressive” “doesn’t matter what you do it’s only going to get worse” “you’ll end up on insulin either way”
Great that was a recipe for depression. I have had massive highs and lows in terms of mood.

I was pretty much addicted to energy drinks 2-3 500ml cans of full sugar stuff. Monster/redbull for years. My diet was never great but was not terrible. My activity levels dropped over the past 10 years. I used to be a gym instructor and fit as a fiddle. And weight piled on. Sometimes hitting 18 stone. On average around 17 stone.

Since diagnosis I have dropped to 15 stone band on so far. As soon as I stopped drinking energy drinks for good as you can imagine my glucose levels came right down to within normal range. With a meter my levels show I’m averaging around 5.0. I have had to chase up my next blood test because I never heard anything from my DN. so now that’s booked in for a week Monday. Will be interesting. But from what I recall she told me my original results were over 100 (not good!) I have tried to speak with them to see what the original result actually was now I actually understand what it means. But apparently can’t tell me over the phone. Even though I was told over the phone. Hey ho not surprised anymore.

Anyway sorry for babbling on I just wanted to blurt some stuff out. Im still in the phase of not telling many people my diagnosis I’m still trying to come to terms with it. I HATE IT.

I was diagnosed last year. After a couple of weeks of research and absolute doomsday thinking, I realised I just needed to sort myself out and get on with it. I opened up to close friends and people at work and was surprised to find there were a couple who’ve been long term type 2 and managed to improve their Hb1ac levels and health. Talking to them really helped me to understand that firstly, I wasn’t in immediate danger or death or having a leg lopped off, as some material would have you believe, but secondly they gave me some great advice around eating, socialising etc. I’ve come to terms with it and made improvements, losing weight in the process.

I’d recommend asking about attending a DESMOND course (it’s for newly diagnosed diabetics) as the information they give is invaluable, or at least has been to me. For food, for example, they say don’t cut out carbs as your body does need them still, just ensure every meal is like a Mercedes badge (split into three, with 1/3 each of protein, carbs and veg). And watch out for things like fruit, where some can contain as much sugar as chocolate does, so limit fruit intake to 2 portions per day (and check portions as for example 7 grapes is one portion!!).

 

[ajbod]

Your body needs NO CARBS AT ALL, there is not one single essential vitamin or mineral in ANY carbohydrate.
The only Glucose needed by the human body is for a few different Brain functions. The rest of the brain will VERY happily run on Ketones. The small amount of Glucose needed can and is supplied via Gluconeogenesis where the liver converts either fat or protein to Glucose.
I applaud that the NHS is finally accepting that low carb is a viable route to diabetic health, but they are woefully slow at properly implementing it, and until NICE really get their act together. The NHS will still be way behind the science.

 

[markryb]

I was diagnosed last year. After a couple of weeks of research and absolute doomsday thinking, I realised I just needed to sort myself out and get on with it. I opened up to close friends and people at work and was surprised to find there were a couple who’ve been long term type 2 and managed to improve their Hb1ac levels and health. Talking to them really helped me to understand that firstly, I wasn’t in immediate danger or death or having a leg lopped off, as some material would have you believe, but secondly they gave me some great advice around eating, socialising etc. I’ve come to terms with it and made improvements, losing weight in the process.

I’d recommend asking about attending a DESMOND course (it’s for newly diagnosed diabetics) as the information they give is invaluable, or at least has been to me. For food, for example, they say don’t cut out carbs as your body does need them still, just ensure every meal is like a Mercedes badge (split into three, with 1/3 each of protein, carbs and veg). And watch out for things like fruit, where some can contain as much sugar as chocolate does, so limit fruit intake to 2 portions per day (and check portions as for example 7 grapes is one portion!!).

Yes I think my mind is sometimes like right I’m a dead man walking or il be blind soon. (Stupid things). I also have a 6 month baby girl so my mind taking me to all sorts of dark places.

One thing I can’t seem to find a definite answer to is if someone like me was to keep there glucose levels in normal range is the diabetes still going to progress.

I’m going to do everything I can to carry on losing weight and eat what I have to to keep it under control

 

[MommaE]

The website TCOYD has a video where one of the endocrinologists says that diabetics can now live a normal lifespan, free of complications because of the advances available in technology, nutrition knowledge and in particular regular medical exams that a non diabetic may not have.

 

[catinahat]

Yes I think my mind is sometimes like right I’m a dead man walking or il be blind soon. (Stupid things). I also have a 6 month baby girl so my mind taking me to all sorts of dark places.

One thing I can’t seem to find a definite answer to is if someone like me was to keep there glucose levels in normal range is the diabetes still going to progress.

I’m going to do everything I can to carry on losing weight and eat what I have to to keep it under control

No one will ever be able to give a definitive answer to your question about progression.
Not even the best Dr in the world has a crystal ball to predict your future. And if you think about it we are all dead men walking, no one gets out of this life alive.
Keeping your blood sugar in the normal range is the best chance you have of avoiding diabetes complications, living long enough and being healthy enough to walk your daughter down the aisle.
There are no guarantees though, in that respect nothing has changed, even before you were diabetic, tomorrow was never guaranteed.

 

[wozey]

I’ve spent the last hour having a WhatsApp chat with some friends trying to lie my way out of a birthday meal at the weekend, I’ve told workmates my boss and some family but not all of them about my diagnoses. Yes I feel like people will look down on me because of it and I’ve covered it all up as best as I can. Going out for dinner will set alarm bells ringing because I’ve never ordered a Diet Coke in a pub before and I know I’d have to if I went so best idea was to avoid it altogether but no luck I’ve got no choice and Saturday night I’ll be going out for dinner. It’s happened I’ve got diabetes and that’s just how it is. The point to all my waffling is I think we all feel like you at first

 

[KennyA]

Yes I think my mind is sometimes like right I’m a dead man walking or il be blind soon. (Stupid things). I also have a 6 month baby girl so my mind taking me to all sorts of dark places.

One thing I can’t seem to find a definite answer to is if someone like me was to keep there glucose levels in normal range is the diabetes still going to progress.

I’m going to do everything I can to carry on losing weight and eat what I have to to keep it under control

Hiya, the early days are by far the worst. If it's any help, I had a lot of pretty nasty T2 symptoms over the last ten years that have all either gone away completely, or have reduced to hardly being noticeable, since dropping carbs out of my diet.

I have no doubt whatsoever that if left untreated diabetes is a progressive disease and will do more and more damage. However my take on this is that most damage is caused by high blood sugar, itself a symptom of T2 diabetes, and therefore getting your blood sugar down to a normal level is a really good thing to do, so that you can avoid the consequences. That's been borne out in my experience. High levels of glucose in the blood is the problem, and it helps not to put any more in ( whether as sugar or carbs doesn't matter a lot).

In my case, I have been eating around 20g carb/day for over three years now - I don't think the current NHS advice on basing meals on starchy carbs is either up to date or safe, particularly for T2s. I have normal BGs, lost more than 60lbs, and am feeling better than I have in twelve years. I don't think there's anything inevitable about it at all.

 

[VashtiB]

I agree with @KennyA

I also do not agree with the advice about needing to have carbs- I have been on less than 20 grams of carbs a day (and most days a lot less) and am healthier than when I was eating the recommended amount of 'healthy carbs'. I also lost weight and all my bloods improved (except I need more salt).

I also think the damage is caused by the high blood sugar levels rather than the diagnosis of diabetes. My levels are well within the normal range- about mid way into the normal range and have been since 3 months after the diagnosis. In my last lot of blood test it showed my insulin resistance had decreased so it it not progressive at the moment. I don't expect it to be unless I go back on the carbs

 

[CatsFive]

I’ve spent the last hour having a WhatsApp chat with some friends trying to lie my way out of a birthday meal at the weekend, I’ve told workmates my boss and some family but not all of them about my diagnoses. Yes I feel like people will look down on me because of it and I’ve covered it all up as best as I can. Going out for dinner will set alarm bells ringing because I’ve never ordered a Diet Coke in a pub before and I know I’d have to if I went so best idea was to avoid it altogether but no luck I’ve got no choice and Saturday night I’ll be going out for dinner. It’s happened I’ve got diabetes and that’s just how it is. The point to all my waffling is I think we all feel like you at first

I would go to the meal. It's one meal in a year, lies have a habit of being found out. When I go out socially I drink alcohol which I don't do on my own at home, and I eat carbs but make it a small helping of them.

 

[saky]

I agree with @KennyA

I also do not agree with the advice about needing to have carbs- I have been on less than 20 grams of carbs a day (and most days a lot less) and am healthier than when I was eating the recommended amount of 'healthy carbs'. I also lost weight and all my bloods improved (except I need more salt).

I also think the damage is caused by the high blood sugar levels rather than the diagnosis of diabetes. My levels are well within the normal range- about mid way into the normal range and have been since 3 months after the diagnosis. In my last lot of blood test it showed my insulin resistance had decreased so it it not progressive at the moment. I don't expect it to be unless I go back on the carbs

Are you still taking oral meds?
I thought for 20g carbs, there is.no need for meds...

 

[VashtiB]

No I am on no medication- note to self I need to fix my profile information

 

[Alec G.]

Hi markryb, and wozey,

3 weeks ago following a blood test, I needed to make an appointment with the Doctor to discuss the blood results, still 3 weeks off.
A bit of googling later and thinking, I concluded the meet would be to advise me that I was type 2. Then stumbled upon this forum and read and read.
Based on the info I gleaned, I decided to pre-empt the meeting and plan as if I do have Type 2 and sort my lifestyle / diet out. So firstly I bought a meter, with readings in the 10s and 11s I concluded my assumption was correct. I did not feel guilty or embarrassed, why should anyone be so, 'sh*t happens'.
Instead I took inspiration from the forum members, through lifestyle / diet changes a great many had controlled the condition if not, got it into remission. My view was "if they can do it why can't I".

So in this 3 weeks, I have stopped alcohol, exercised more, and gone on a high fat low carb diet, I have started on the road to quitting smoking. I now view this as a positive challenge. This week my average readings in the morning both pre and 2 hours are between mid 8s and low 7s, evenings are pre about low 6s and post mid to low 7s. While fully acknowledging this is a long term challenge, I CAN see improvement in just this short space of time. So my novices advice to you is:

1, Do not beat yourself up about it, the only stigma is what you put on it. YOU decide how you are going to deal with it.
2, Like me, you may have loads of questions, ask them on here, the members really want to help others and have a massive knowledge base.
3, Do not view it as an 'end' but as a new chapter in your improved lifestyle, heath and longevity.

regards

alec

 

[Potteron]

You're getting good advice from everyone and there's lots of excellent information to be found on this site. I just want to say that your test results are yours and in the past I would phone receptionist and ask for a printout which I would collect. These days I can see all my test results on the NHS app under the GP section. Can't imagine how I'd manage my T2d if I didn't have the essential info.

 

[saky]

Dinner- raw papaya & mango salad, egg omelet, mustard-spinach paste, beans fry, shredded tofu fry, brinjal fry, tangy wood apple paste 1 spoon.