quote:

---

Are you on Metformin? The side effects are, errm, entertaining!

---

Entertaining? Not the word I would have chosen Ex Mr L was diagnosed some years ago and put on Metformin with far from entertaining results.

I have not had contact with him for quite a while but he was progressing fairly rapidly toward needing insulin as he refused to pay much attention to his diet, ate what he wanted in vast quantities and did little exercise.
 

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Posted by Japes (# 5358) on :
 
I'm also Type 2, diagnosed six months ago, on Metformin. (Initial side-effects had me very grateful it was the start of the six weeks break between academic years and I was mostly at home having moved house the week I was diagnosed.)

I'd always eaten reasonably healthily and adjusted it to very healthily. Trying to be more active... Still may need to have the dosage adjusted in the near future due to higher blood readings with no explanation.
 

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Posted by Jack o' the Green (# 11091) on :
 
Many thanks for your replies. @Spike, No. I'm going to be making some fairly significant lifestyle changes from today, and then have my bloods redone in 3 months time and then review the situation.

[ 06. January 2016, 07:11: Message edited by: Jack o' the Green ]
 

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Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
My son has Type 1 diabetes, which is similar, but has a very different management routine. I would say that you need to get a new management system for your diet that you can stick to, and stick to it. The effects of not controlling it are unpleasant.

However, once you have a manageable routine, it is not a very disruptive illness, IME. Yes, it affects everything you eat and drink, but if you do eat and drink sensibly, then you can carry on life as normal.

But stick to it. Our hope for this year, which doesn't seem very adventurous, is that son doesn't have to be taken to hospital. It would be a first year for that in quite a few.
 

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Posted by jacobsen (# 14998) on :
 
On a positive note, one friend who was diagnosed as type 2 has so engaged with the healthy eating that she is no longer registered as diabetic. Apparently it can be done.
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I'm not a diabetic, but it seems to me that these days nearly everyone else is (or is "borderline"). When I was growing up in the 60s and 70s, I knew precisely one diabetic (she was, I think, type 1); these days I seem to know dozens (mostly type 2).

Having said that, a friend in her early 30s who was diagnosed recently with type 2 reckons that in her lifetime there's likely to be, if not a cure, then certainly a manageable way of controlling it.

that your regime works out for you.
 

---

Posted by Belle Ringer (# 13379) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Piglet:
I'm not a diabetic, but it seems to me that these days nearly everyone else is (or is "borderline"). When I was growing up in the 60s and 70s, I knew precisely one diabetic (she was, I think, type 1); these days I seem to know dozens (mostly type 2).

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Darllenwr:
The unpleasant sting in the tail to diabetes (of whichever type) is that the effects do not appear immediately. One of the problems for Type 1's (including myself, but not diagnosed until I was 35) is that the patient can feel fine in themselves, running a blood glucose level in the mid-20's. OK, so they need to use the toilet quite a lot and they are always thirsty but otherwise there's no problem.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Belle Ringer:

I'm really intrigued at the suggestion Alzheimers is a form of diabetes, the insulin resistance is in the brain. (Now often called Diabetes 3.) That raises the stakes on not just adding insulin but changing diet and lifestyle in ways that can reverse the insulin resistance.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Darllenwr:
The unpleasant sting in the tail to diabetes (of whichever type) is that the effects do not appear immediately. One of the problems for Type 1's (including myself, but not diagnosed until I was 35) is that the patient can feel fine in themselves, running a blood glucose level in the mid-20's. OK, so they need to use the toilet quite a lot and they are always thirsty but otherwise there's no problem.

Yet.

In 20 years time, neuropathy, retinopathy, maybe gastroporesis have set in and there's no way back. All as a consequence of not bothering to control glucose levels 20 years before.

It's a slow burn condition that will get you in the end if you are careless.

I have negotiated it for the last 19 years with, so far, no significant ill effects. But I am a paranoid biochemist.

If you end up on injections (which actually has definite advantages over tablet or dietary treatments) see if you can get onto one of the Carb Counting courses. These teach you various techniques to help you manage the condition reliably. I have found them very helpful.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jack o' the Green:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Belle Ringer:

I'm really intrigued at the suggestion Alzheimers is a form of diabetes, the insulin resistance is in the brain. (Now often called Diabetes 3.) That raises the stakes on not just adding insulin but changing diet and lifestyle in ways that can reverse the insulin resistance.

---

Do you have a link to that? I'm aware of the strong link between diabetes and vascular dementia. The Consultant Psychiatrist who I work with thinks that eventually diabetes caused vascular dementia will be classified as a dementia in its own right.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jack o' the Green:
Apologies if there is already a thread on this, but a search came up blank.

Following a routine hemoglobin A1c test today, I was informed that I have type 2 diabetes. I'm still slightly shell shocked I think. I'm trying to look on the bright side and taken into account that (a) it has been caught early, and (b) that there are plenty of life style changes which I can make to improve the situation.

I was wondering if there are any other shipmates in a similar situation. I should stress that I'm not looking for medical advice, as this isn't the proper place - just some hints or tips and perhaps one or two tasty recipes!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Belle Ringer:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jack o' the Green:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Belle Ringer:

I'm really intrigued at the suggestion Alzheimers is a form of diabetes, the insulin resistance is in the brain. (Now often called Diabetes 3.) That raises the stakes on not just adding insulin but changing diet and lifestyle in ways that can reverse the insulin resistance.

---

Do you have a link to that? I'm aware of the strong link between diabetes and vascular dementia. The Consultant Psychiatrist who I work with thinks that eventually diabetes caused vascular dementia will be classified as a dementia in its own right.

---

I have bumped into the wording "Alzheimer's may be Diabetes type 3" often in the past several years, but have not pursued it. Here are a couple of sites talking about it. I cannot claim to understand the NIH one at all, and I don't know the reputation of the UK site. NIH article, "proposal that AD represents 'type 3 diabetes.'" "Type 3 diabetes is a title that has been proposed for Alzheimer's disease which results from resistance to insulin in the brain."

Do a search for Diabetes Type 3, you'll find a lot of articles, some junk, some maybe worth noting. Google scholar should have a number of items by now. A New York Times article says the concept was first proposed in 2005.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by TonyK:

Jack o' the Green, in my experience if you can make life-style changes, be moderate on the alcohol, cakes, biscuits and sweets, and lose weight, the onset of more serious symptoms can be much delayed. It certainly hasn't spoilt my enjoyment of my retirement.

Hope it goes OK for you

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by blackbeard:
Yet another type 2 here. And I can remember being shell shocked (and quite angry) when I was informed, a few years ago, that I was diabetic.


And ... Welcome to the club.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jack o' the Green:

quote:

---

Originally posted by TonyK:
...if you can make life-style changes, be moderate on the alcohol, cakes, biscuits and sweets, and lose weight, the onset of more serious symptoms can be much delayed.

---

The lifestyle changes have begun already. As nicotine has been implicated in insulin resistance, I've stopped smoking via the cold turkey method since Jan 6th... the gym is going to become a daily event from Monday... My weaknesses are definitely sweet stuff (including fruit juice which I love)and quick hit carbs like white bread.

---

Dietary changes are really hard to do. I went to high good fats low refined carbs (to reduce the risk of metabolic disease as indicated by a fat belly) and totally didn't know what to cook in my culture where refined wheat is the dominant food.

When diet changes, everything changes -- what you shop for, what you cook, as well as what you eat, and what foods to serve as "festive."

Really hard to make so many changes all at once.

You can do it.

Lots of free cookbooks on line, I now mostly eat variations of "whole foods" and "paleo" - got the boxed foods out of my life and inches came off the belly with no hunger - but it was really frustrating at first to think of what to cook!

You can do it; whatever specific diet you decide is best for you, there are lots of discussion groups sharing ideas, frustrations, successes to help you.
 

---

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 
Another type 2er.

Diagnosed in November, but probably been diabetic from May now I know the symptoms.

I am trying to follow the advice, but the exercise bit is difficult, arthritis sees to that. I go to work, come home, feel exhausted, fall asleep in a chair. How can you exercise when you are already exhausted?

at least I never had any of the metformin side effects, or at least nothing serious. Only flatulence. I now fart for Britain, I thing all this methane means I have my own ozone layer hole.
 

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Posted by Darllenwr (# 14520) on :
 
Jack o' the Green, do you know yet what sort of treatment you will be using? The reason that I ask is that, when I was first diagnosed, sheer dread of needles induced me to persuade the medics to allow me to try tablet treatment. I could just about cope with lancets, but the idea of having to inject myself was combined with .

I was allowed tablets for 3 months. When it became obvious that this was not working, the medical profession became insistent that I must inject. Since the choice was between injecting and having my next coat made by a carpenter, I started injecting.

I would also mention a friend of mine who has been Type 2 for most of the years I have known him (over 30). In the last 5 years, he was moved from tablet treatment to injections. He told me that it was the best thing that had happened to him - his quality of life improved almost overnight. Injecting insulin gave him better control over his blood sugars whilst, at the same time, allowed him to eat the things he had been wanting to eat for years but which had been off-limits to him.

My point is that injecting isn't much fun seen in prospect, but it can actually be quite liberating. Or, to put that another way, don't panic if it is suggested to you - whilst it may not be very nice, you will almost certainly have an easier life if you do go to injections.

The only obvious flip side I know of is that DVLA will start to take an interest in you.
 

---

Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by balaam:

at least I never had any of the metformin side effects, or at least nothing serious. Only flatulence. I now fart for Britain, I thing all this methane means I have my own ozone layer hole.

---

That what I meant when I referred to the entertaining side effects
 

---

Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Darllenwr:
Jack o' the Green, do you know yet what sort of treatment you will be using? The reason that I ask is that, when I was first diagnosed, sheer dread of needles induced me to persuade the medics to allow me to try tablet treatment. I could just about cope with lancets, but the idea of having to inject myself was combined with .

I was allowed tablets for 3 months. When it became obvious that this was not working, the medical profession became insistent that I must inject. Since the choice was between injecting and having my next coat made by a carpenter, I started injecting.

I would also mention a friend of mine who has been Type 2 for most of the years I have known him (over 30). In the last 5 years, he was moved from tablet treatment to injections. He told me that it was the best thing that had happened to him - his quality of life improved almost overnight. Injecting insulin gave him better control over his blood sugars whilst, at the same time, allowed him to eat the things he had been wanting to eat for years but which had been off-limits to him.

My point is that injecting isn't much fun seen in prospect, but it can actually be quite liberating. Or, to put that another way, don't panic if it is suggested to you - whilst it may not be very nice, you will almost certainly have an easier life if you do go to injections.

The only obvious flip side I know of is that DVLA will start to take an interest in you.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Darllenwr:
he was moved from tablet treatment to injections. He told me that it was the best thing that had happened to him - his quality of life improved almost overnight. Injecting insulin gave him better control over his blood sugars whilst, at the same time, allowed him to eat the things he had been wanting to eat for years but which had been off-limits to him[/QB]

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Belle Ringer:
... Funny thing I discovered, get off sugar for a year and it no longer tastes as good! Things I used to love are now unpleasantly sweet.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Piglet:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Belle Ringer:
... Funny thing I discovered, get off sugar for a year and it no longer tastes as good! Things I used to love are now unpleasantly sweet.

---

Very true: after giving up sugar in tea and coffee, once I'd got used to them without I really hated the taste of them with it.

---

I gave up sugar in tea many years ago, but I really can't stand unsweetened coffee. I tried it for a while after diagnosis but just couldn't get used to it, so now I use artificial sweetener.
 

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Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
I monitor my diet carefully and blood sugar levels daily. I am not officially diabetic, but have a strong maternal family history of Type II. I was warned 20 years ago that, if I continued on my way, I would be diabetic. My elder brother died of pancreatic cancer (deuce2). I propose, as much as I am able, to be one of those fitness fanatics who lay dying of absolutely nothing at all. It has not been an easy road, and I do lapse. But as much as I can, I am back on self imposed restrictions the next day.
 

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Posted by Jack o' the Green (# 11091) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Spike:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Piglet:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Belle Ringer:
... Funny thing I discovered, get off sugar for a year and it no longer tastes as good! Things I used to love are now unpleasantly sweet.

---

Very true: after giving up sugar in tea and coffee, once I'd got used to them without I really hated the taste of them with it.

---

I gave up sugar in tea many years ago, but I really can't stand unsweetened coffee. I tried it for a while after diagnosis but just couldn't get used to it, so now I use artificial sweetener.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jack o' the Green:
Yesterday and today, I have my first Costa Latte without vanilla syrup for a couple of years - might take a bit of getting used to! [/QB]

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by The5thMary:
Metformin XR (Extended Release) isn't the same as the "regular" Metformin, in most cases. I spent about a week in the bathroom when I first got diagnosed with Type 2 (in April of 2008). It was awful! Then, I did some research and found out that there was another Metformin that wasn't fast acting and I asked/begged my doctor to put me on that instead. Ah, relief! So, please check that out, if you haven't already done so. Also, make sure to eat something BEFORE you take the Metformin. Even the XR version. I hardly ever have the stomach churning, bowel bursting effects with the extended release Metformin but will definitely experience some of the bad stuff if I ever take the meds without first eating something ...

---

GENTLE HOSTLY OINK

May I please reinforce what my fellow-Hosts have said and ask everyone not to post anything that could in any way be construed as "medical advice"?

As Lothlorien and WW have both pointed out up-thread, we're here to offer support and our prayers, but nothing more.

Thank you.

Piglet, AS host
 

---

Posted by Pine Marten (# 11068) on :
 
Another type 2 signing in. I was initially given by the surgery very old fashioned advice to eat plenty of carbs (bread, pasta, jacket spuds) and eventually my weight went up, my bllod glucose readings went up and I was prescribed Metformin twice a day.

However, 2 or 3 years ago I discovered this wonderful web site and by talking to other diabetics there found much more useful advice and support. And so I've lost weight, eat better, do more exercise, and, a few months ago my Metformin prescription was halved because I was doing so well.

Mr Marten is checked annually as his mum was and his brother is diabetic, and other good things we found were Robin Ellis's (the actor) two recipe books for diabetics - tasty food and not too complicated! I got them off Amazon: 'Delicious Dishes for Diabetics' and 'Healthy Eating for Life'.

All the best, Jack o'the Green!

I hope this counts as personal anecdotes, not medical advice

[ 11. January 2016, 13:59: Message edited by: Pine Marten ]
 

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Posted by Jack o' the Green (# 11091) on :
 
Thanks Pine Martin. I've registered with the website and forum. Regarding carbs, I've swapped potatoes for brown Basmati rice.
 

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Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by The5thMary:
I gave up on most "diabetic" foods ... I eat dark chocolate in moderation,

---

A piece of 80% solids chocolate and a glass of Irish whiskey. That is one of my treats.

I have switched from digestive biscuits to rich tea as well, every little helps.
 

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Posted by Pine Marten (# 11068) on :
 
Yes, stay away from 'diabetic' foods, they are no good. Basmati rice is fine for me, and I tend to use sweet potato instead of ordinary spuds, although I've cut that down too. Small portions of whole wheat pasta are fine as well.

But chocolate...mmmm yum. Dark chocolate is very good
 

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Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
So called diabetic chocolate is not only expensive and tastes revolting, it is also extremely high in fat. Forget that stuff and occasionally treat yourself to a small bit of the real thing.
 

---

Posted by mark_in_manchester (# 15978) on :
 

quote:

---

I'm going off the theory that if I cut out both sugar and artificial sweetener, my palate will be less jaded and I'll be able to detect the natural sweetness in food again.

---

I'm a sugar junkie; my experience with this is that it works but takes about 3-4 weeks of iron self-control to reach this point by cutting out all sweets, chocolate, biscuits, deserts; and about a day to blow it back to square one when I falter. I need another go at it - it's worth it, and (in the words of my mate's doctor) I'm too old to eat like a teenager.
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Basmati rice rocks. I discovered it because I liked the smell, then the next week was sent to the diabetic dietician, who recommended it.

I just had a ring from the Practice Nurse to say my blood sugar levels are the lowest they have been in years!!

I try to eat healthily and have trained my taste away from sugary things for the most part to the extent that when I veer from this I really don't like the taste, so sugary foods are not a treat. I have also experimented with different teas such as rosehip, which mean I can have a variety in what I drink without going overboard on sugar. Possibly some of the fruit teas could replace fruit drinks?(This is just conjecture on my part, you still need to check the sugar content).

I still eat more fruit than is recommended -it's summer here and the fresh fruit is amazing - but if I eat some almonds* with it the combination takes longer to digest, which is good.

I am doing everything I can to avoid needing to use needles. I know even small children can learn to inject themselves, but I'd rather not need to. (and no thanks to the person who tried to shame me with the line about children, shaming people can lead to them feeling stupid and less likely to take control of their condition) .

Good luck with managing your diabetes Jack. It can take a while to come to terms with it and break previous habits, but I have found that educating myself has given me more control over my life.

*Yes, I still believe almonds in moderation are the cure for most of life's ills but that's just my bee in the bonnet, rather than a universal panacea

Huia
 

---

Posted by Jack o' the Green (# 11091) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by mark_in_manchester:

quote:

---

I'm going off the theory that if I cut out both sugar and artificial sweetener, my palate will be less jaded and I'll be able to detect the natural sweetness in food again.

---

I'm a sugar junkie; my experience with this is that it works but takes about 3-4 weeks of iron self-control to reach this point by cutting out all sweets, chocolate, biscuits, deserts

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:
Basmati rice rocks. I discovered it because I liked the smell, then the next week was sent to the diabetic dietician, who recommended it.

I just had a ring from the Practice Nurse to say my blood sugar levels are the lowest they have been in years!!

I try to eat healthily and have trained my taste away from sugary things for the most part to the extent that when I veer from this I really don't like the taste, so sugary foods are not a treat. I have also experimented with different teas such as rosehip, which mean I can have a variety in what I drink without going overboard on sugar. Possibly some of the fruit teas could replace fruit drinks?(This is just conjecture on my part, you still need to check the sugar content).

Good luck with managing your diabetes Jack. It can take a while to come to terms with it and break previous habits, but I have found that educating myself has given me more control over my life.

*Yes, I still believe almonds in moderation are the cure for most of life's ills but that's just my bee in the bonnet, rather than a universal panacea

Huia

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jack o' the Green:

quote:

---

Originally posted by mark_in_manchester:

quote:

---

I'm going off the theory that if I cut out both sugar and artificial sweetener, my palate will be less jaded and I'll be able to detect the natural sweetness in food again.

---

I'm a sugar junkie; my experience with this is that it works but takes about 3-4 weeks of iron self-control to reach this point by cutting out all sweets, chocolate, biscuits, deserts

---

Had my first meal out yesterday since being diagnosed. Managed to get through it without having anything I shouldn't. It was more difficult than I thought it would be tbh. I think I'm no longer in the honeymoon period.

---

Yes, I find going out rather difficult too, and (depending on the pub/restaurant) usually end up with some sort of fish/salad dish. I don't like spicy food, so curries etc are out anyway, but Greek or Turkish places are generally ok - lots of humus, veggie stuff, griiled meat if you like that, but I've had to (mostly) steer clear of gorgeous baklava...mmmm

Stick to it, Jack, and you'll find that the hard work really does pay off, with a fitter, healthier you !
 

---

Posted by Kitten (# 1179) on :
 
One positive thing to come out of it, for me anyway, I ran into someone today that I had not seen for about two months. Their first comment was 'Wow, you've lost weight, a lot of weight'

How much I lost I have no idea as I didn't own bathroom scales until last week
 

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Posted by Belle Ringer (# 13379) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pine Marten:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jack o' the Green:
Had my first meal out yesterday since being diagnosed. Managed to get through it without having anything I shouldn't. It was more difficult than I thought it would be tbh.

---

Yes, I find going out rather difficult too, and (depending on the pub/restaurant) usually end up with some sort of fish/salad dish.

---

A diabetic friend insisted we always eat out Chinese because he can always find something in that kind of menu he can enjoy.

I don't know if Chinese works for everyone (where I live, Chinese food for the popular market can be heavily sugared), but I like the idea of knowing which ethnic kinds of food are friendly for your diet. If you can always find something at a seafood restaurant, or a vegetarian restaurant or at -- what? -- you know what to look for when traveling in an unfamiliar city.

For me, Italian (all that pasta) is off limits. Alas my friends LOVE pizza, but most pizza places have salads.
 

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Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
The only cuisine I really try to avoid is Indian but if that's what friends have decided I'll usually partake and deal with the consequences. I think it's the combination of fat and carbs that means I go really high about 6-8 hours after eating it.

If you can find Italian that do the really thin crust pizza like you get in Italy without masses of cheese they're not too bad but something like Pizza Hut or Dominoes would be a disaster for me. Salads, minestrone, osso bucco, veal parmigiana that kind of thing are all ok for me.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Place just down frim where I lived for many years does that lovely thin crust, Evangeline. They will vary toppings etc too but can be busy, so best book. Marios, next to Croydon Station.
 

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Posted by Spike (# 36) on :
 
I still go out for a curry now and again as a special treat. The advice I got from the dietician was that tandoori dishes such as tikka or shaslik are the best. If going for one with a sauce go for tomato-y sauces, avoid creamy sauces and keep well away from anything with coconut milk.
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Not only is my blood sugar lower, I somehow managed to lose a bit of weight too. And the diabetic dietician introduced me to a new variety of cheese that is lower fat than any of the other hard cheeses I've had, yet it tastes like tasty cheese. Whoever invented it should be canonized Cheese has been harder for me to give up than chocolate.

Huia
 

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Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 
Christmas is over. And new year. And my mid-January birthday too.

Which leaves me with high sugar symptoms: Waking in the night, lethargy and thirst. Time to get back on track with the diet.

I was doing so well before Christmas too.
 

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Posted by Pine Marten (# 11068) on :
 
I've just returned from my GP's appointment to check how I'm doing on a reduced Metformin (= one a day instead of two). Oh joy! She was so pleased with my blood test results that she suggested stopping Metformin completely! She said it was up to me to decide, but my control was very good, so after a few stuttered ums and ahhs from me, I said ok then....! I've got my annual appointment with the diabetic nurse on Friday morning, and am to go back to the GP in 4 months to check my progress without Metformin. I talked about meters & test strips (I buy my own) and she admitted she's not allowed to give them out to type 2s, but I think she knows that this is a false economy and very shortsighted. But that's the NHS, she said, rather forlornly.

I went up to the chemists to get my new prescription and he too was very pleased to hear my news, saying, ooh you're one of the lucky ones!

So I'm one very pleased and smug Pine Marten
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
That sounds like good news, PM. Do you have to stop the tablets completely cold turkey, or do you gradually reduce them, one every other day, and so on?
 

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Posted by Pine Marten (# 11068) on :
 
The pharmacist said just stop from tomorrow, which is more or less what the GP said - I'd already taken today's one at breakfast. I'm going to keep the remaining ones in the packet just in case... ...but hopefully all will be well.
 

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Posted by Japes (# 5358) on :
 
Well done, Pine Marten!

I'm now hopeful of getting cut down from three tablets to two per day, though I had quite a scare over Christmas when it all went haywire. And, no, it wasn't the availability of sugary treats, because there weren't any. No mince pies, no Christmas Cake, no Christmas pudding, no extra fruit, no fruit juices, no biscuits, no chocolate... concluded in the end that a bad cold, less physical activity, and banana with breakfast were the culprits. Three weeks of walking to or from work (an hour's walk), banana for lunch rather than breakfast, and kicking the cold into touch seems to have done the trick and levels are back where they were at the end of November.

I also buy most of my own test strips, but do get the occasional prescription from the doctor for them. I know my control is far, far better when I can see for myself what the numbers are doing. Frustrating as it was to see the high numbers, it was very satisfying to be able to sort it.
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I'm going to display my ignorance here: why is having a banana for breakfast bad, but having one for lunch good?
 

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Posted by Japes (# 5358) on :
 
Something to so with how I've worked out to spread carbohydrates across the day more evenly, I think. I'd never been good at breakfast and decided to have food I liked (Toast and a banana) which was quick and easy. It worked until about the end of November, then didn't.

All I know is, since moving the banana from breakfast to lunch, I am not getting high sugar symptoms mid-morning, and very high readings pre-lunch, nor am I risking hypos pre-evening meal, especially on days I walk home, which I do two or three nights a week.

[ 28. January 2016, 17:05: Message edited by: Japes ]
 

---

Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Piglet:
I'm going to display my ignorance here: why is having a banana for breakfast bad, but having one for lunch good?

---

There is also a thing known as 'dawn phenomenon' in diabetes, where blood sugar levels rise during the small hours of the morning and peak around breakfast time. In Type 1, patients with an insulin pump are able to counter this by programming the pump to give more insulin at that time. In Type 2, managing it is probably a bit more complicated, although having an idea (like Japes seems to) of when your own sugars tend to peak will make that task a little easier.
 

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Posted by Kitten (# 1179) on :
 
Good news from my blood test this week, my HbA1c which was 112 last September is now down to 66

Not so good is that my kidney function is down so I have been put back on a lower dose of Ace Inhibitors and will be retested in 2 weeks
 

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Posted by Pine Marten (# 11068) on :
 
Just come back to this thread - well done, kitten, that's really good news!

Do tell us how you get on with the retest .
 

---

Posted by JoyfulNoise & Parrot OKief (# 2049) on :
 
Type 2 diagnosed turn of millennium-ish, sixteen and half stone at the time.
Conglomeration of pills over the years, now injecting insulin.
A much healthier diet, no sweeteners (they made me feel yuck!), little enough sugar now that I can even taste the sweetness in potatoes!
Back in the day I rarely averaged 5000 steps a day, now I walk in preference to bike or bus, and average 15 - 20,000 steps a day (when well. Only just back up to 15,000 following hospital last month.)
And my weight down to 77kg / 12 stone 1.5 pounds, waist from 44 to 34.

Still find difficult refusing the constant offer of deserts, sweets, biscuits, but knowing I will feel off colour for a day or two if I accept is a great decision helper. Christmas, Easter holidays and festivals are the hardest when folk say, 'Just this once...' Hmm, how easy to... Still I have great memories of puddings, late night snacking etc etc.
- and enjoying them in my memory is so much healthier than on the plate
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
...but my memory is so awful!
 

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Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Really awesome effort re the diet and exercise JNPO! Hat off to you!
 

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Posted by Kitten (# 1179) on :
 
Got the test results, still have low kidney function so they have taken me off Lisinopril completely and will re-test in two weeks
 

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Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
I'm curious, what reason did they give for taking you off the ace inhibitor Kitten?
 

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Posted by Kitten (# 1179) on :
 
It was to do with the kidney function still being too low despite the dose being lowered.
 

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Posted by Jack o' the Green (# 11091) on :
 
Had my first eye and foot check. Everything is good. I'm due to have my first follow up blood test 3 months after being diagnosed soon, so I'll see what difference dietary changes and not smoking has made. I definitely should've exercised more. That's something I need to work on.
 

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Posted by Japes (# 5358) on :
 
That's good to hear, Jack o'the Green. I found diet changes much easier than I thought, but whilst I've never been inactive, I've never been one to seek out exercise either.

I have managed to make myself walk more since Christmas and am now averaging 3 - 5 miles most days. It is making quite a difference to my blood sugar levels, my general fitness, and my weight. Though, I do keep muttering it's more I'm changing shape faster than I am losing weight when the worry-mongers amongst my acquaintances begin to murmur about "Are you maybe losing too much weight?" The answer to which is "No, nor am I losing it too fast. It's just you've never known me this small." Well, nor have I since about 1979-ish.
 

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Posted by Kitten (# 1179) on :
 
My HbA1c is now down to 56, and I have lost about four stone since being diagnosed in September
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Kitten:
... I have lost about four stone since being diagnosed in September

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Wow!
 

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Posted by Jack o' the Green (# 11091) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Kitten:
My HbA1c is now down to 56, and I have lost about four stone since being diagnosed in September

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