Hi everyone.
My GP informed me on Friday (31st July) that I had an HbA1c of 59 and was therefore diabetic. It wasn't a huge surprise, I suppose, as I am overweight and have high blood pressure, gout (or at least elevated purine levels requiring medication) and possibly fatty liver as well. I'd had a previous blood glucose scare a couple of years ago, which went away with some weight loss, but of course I piled it all back on. I am under no illusions that this is anyone's fault but mine.
I am pretty familiar with the disease, as my mother lost both legs to it and then died aged 63. Now, of course, all I can think about is not going down the same path. She was a very heavy smoker, and I think that was probably a major ancillary factor (I've never smoked, and don't drink).
Like a lot of people I was heartened by the publicity around Professor Taylor's work in Newcastle, and since Friday have been eating a low calorie diet with minimal carbs. I don't think at 6'3" I can sustain myself on 600 calories a day, but I think I'm on about 800 or so. Professor Taylor himself said his rigid 600 calorie regime, with meal replacement shakes, wasn't in itself significant and that any low calorie diet would do. I've been further encouraged by reading one or two of the threads from people who've tried this approach. There also seems to be overwhelming agreement that the key is low carbohydrate intake, and that current NHS dietary guidance (eat mostly carbs) is dumb.
I'd rather expected my GP to make some referrals, but no. He's basically told me to lose weight and have another HbA1c in three months. No diabetic clinic or nurse, no monitoring, etc. Fortunately, my diagnosis coincides with me going on leave from work for a month so I have time to focus on getting the diet right. I'm hoping to lose at least a couple of stone in the 3 months, and preferably more (Professor Taylor recommends 1/6th of your body weight, which for me would be three and a half stone).
So, its meat, eggs, nuts and salad for me for the timebeing. I've also decided to start eating a small portion of oatbran porridge flavoured with cinnamon and stevia (borrowed from the Durkan diet) occasionally in the hope of staving off any digestive issues that the diet throws up. I am very lucky in that I have a wife who is both very concerned about my health, and experienced in caring for people with diabetes (OIC at an Care Home).
I thought it would be wise to register and declare myself, to share experiences and get encouragement when the inevitable obstacles come along. I'll keep you posted on how I get on, and fingers crossed I can be another success story (or at least a cautionary tale!).
Devonbear.
My GP informed me on Friday (31st July) that I had an HbA1c of 59 and was therefore diabetic. It wasn't a huge surprise, I suppose, as I am overweight and have high blood pressure, gout (or at least elevated purine levels requiring medication) and possibly fatty liver as well. I'd had a previous blood glucose scare a couple of years ago, which went away with some weight loss, but of course I piled it all back on. I am under no illusions that this is anyone's fault but mine.
I am pretty familiar with the disease, as my mother lost both legs to it and then died aged 63. Now, of course, all I can think about is not going down the same path. She was a very heavy smoker, and I think that was probably a major ancillary factor (I've never smoked, and don't drink).
Like a lot of people I was heartened by the publicity around Professor Taylor's work in Newcastle, and since Friday have been eating a low calorie diet with minimal carbs. I don't think at 6'3" I can sustain myself on 600 calories a day, but I think I'm on about 800 or so. Professor Taylor himself said his rigid 600 calorie regime, with meal replacement shakes, wasn't in itself significant and that any low calorie diet would do. I've been further encouraged by reading one or two of the threads from people who've tried this approach. There also seems to be overwhelming agreement that the key is low carbohydrate intake, and that current NHS dietary guidance (eat mostly carbs) is dumb.
I'd rather expected my GP to make some referrals, but no. He's basically told me to lose weight and have another HbA1c in three months. No diabetic clinic or nurse, no monitoring, etc. Fortunately, my diagnosis coincides with me going on leave from work for a month so I have time to focus on getting the diet right. I'm hoping to lose at least a couple of stone in the 3 months, and preferably more (Professor Taylor recommends 1/6th of your body weight, which for me would be three and a half stone).
So, its meat, eggs, nuts and salad for me for the timebeing. I've also decided to start eating a small portion of oatbran porridge flavoured with cinnamon and stevia (borrowed from the Durkan diet) occasionally in the hope of staving off any digestive issues that the diet throws up. I am very lucky in that I have a wife who is both very concerned about my health, and experienced in caring for people with diabetes (OIC at an Care Home).
I thought it would be wise to register and declare myself, to share experiences and get encouragement when the inevitable obstacles come along. I'll keep you posted on how I get on, and fingers crossed I can be another success story (or at least a cautionary tale!).
Devonbear.
