What do you think?

[goanna]

Hi everyone. Merry Christmas. I just wanted to ask for some advice. i was diagnosed last June as type 2 (my doctor thinks that I am maybe LADA) but said that she is not going to do the peptide test yet as she would be treating me the same way any way, My Hba1c to start was 16.5 and last month was 8.6so at least it is coming down. I am on slow release metformin 4 x 500 a day (which the doctor says is the maximum) By the way my BGLs did not go down until I started cutting the carbs. My BGLs at the moment of a morning are between 7.5 to 9 and through the day 2 hours after eating in the 11's and 12's. I feel fine and always have even when my BGLs were around the 17's at the start. I am trying to low carb my meals (no potato, rice) but I still have a sandwich at lunch and some muesli for breakfast. (and occasionally pasta at dinner ie once a week). Do you think that I will be put on insulin or do you think that the other type of medications might make a difference. I know it is a basic question but I'd like to prepare myself and you people are great at giving the advice!!! Thanks in advance , Anna

 

[hanadr]

I can't predict what your doctor will want you to do, but i can say that you could still cut your carbs further if ytou want to go that route. Very low carb breads are available at a price as is pasta.
If you don't already have it, get the Collins Calorie guide or the carb guide. they you can check each food and set your own targets.

 

[Geoff]

Hello goanna, Insulin is not a magic bullet that is going to cure all your problems with high blood glucose, especially people who are type 2 diabetic. Many type 2's seem to hold the belief that if they cannot control their bg quickly, the last resort is insulin.

This is because many, but not every type 2's problem is caused by them being to a lesser or greater extent resistant to the insulin that their pancreas still produces, there is a need for you to increase your metabolism through exercise, this reduces any resistance that you may have, combine this with a improved diet containing lower amounts of carbohydrates; do you count your carb intake? Then the metformin that you are taking which helps stimulate natural insulin production will be able to do it's work.

If you were to move quickly on to insulin without reducing any resistance you may have, you would probably end up having to inject vast amounts of insulin daily, (which is also not a good thing to do, as the non diabetic persons pancreas only needs to produce small amounts on demand), and still not not archive improvements in your control.

My advice is to improve your diet and exercise, you do not need to run 15 miles a day, just walk more often than taking the car etc, and try to reduce 5 to 10% of your present body weight, most of us are over weight so it is no bad thing to try and reduce some of it. Do this and I can guarantee that by this time next year you will see big improvements in your condition.

 

[Katharine]

Hi Geoff,

If you really are a LADA it is only a matter of time before you need insulin. Honestly, you will get the hang of it very quickly and with the short, narrow gauge needles available they are almost always pain free.

As already stated, you do have some carbs in your diet that could be usefully replaced by protein/ low starch veg/ and healthy enjoyable fats. This would help your blood sugars a lot.

Breakfast ideas:

vegetable omlette
bacon and eggs
scrambled egg /smoked trout/tomato

Lunch:

meat/cheese/egg salad
fruit and cheese


Dinner:
meat/cheese/egg dish with lots of veg.

You will be amazed at the variety of low carb meals and baking you can produce.

Go on, give those beta cells a Christmas break!

 

[goanna]

Thankyou for your replies. I am sorry I did not respond sooner as I have been away on holidays. The carb counting went right out the window whilst away but am back on track now. I have joined a gym and am trying to lower the BGL's and raise my fitness that way for the moment. I really do not want to take any more medication or go onto insulin but just wondered how out of control the BGL's had to be to be put on insulin. I am not an overweight type 2 and that is why my doctor thinks maybe I am LADA but really all I want is better control and know that I am avoiding long term damage. I guess that all diabetics have to learn Patience. i hope you all had a lovely festive season and thankyou again. Anna

 

[Trinkwasser]

Frankly I think you need a more proactive doctor, you may be a skinny Type 2 like me and about 20% of Type 2s but if you actually *are* LADA then the Type 2 meds are a waste of time.

Meanwhile have a read here (fellow Australian)

http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/10/d-day.html

Blood pressure check and full lipid panel would be a good plan if you can't get GAD or c-peptide done, they might be indicative of insulin resistance - or not