Pre-diabetes sequel - rubbish result :(

[O2Trees]

Hi my friends,

Well thanks again for all your kind and interesting replies to my pre-diabetes post. Ever hopeful I had a repeat HbA1c on Christmas eve, and what do you know? It had gone up, despite all my giving up sweet and processed foods, from 44 to 48. WHY??? So after all that effort I now officially have diabetes (i.e. > 47). And despite the fact that I read on several sites that if you are diabetic there is a strong chance you will develop full-blown diabetes within the next ten years. Ten years? Good grief, it's way less than ten months . . . If anyone has any insights on why the huge rise from 38 in April to 48 now Id be very grateful.

Very depressing and my consultant seems to think it's to do with my haemochromatosis (iron overload condition) where among other places, the iron that the body cant get rid of gets stored in the pancreas and once in there, or in the joints, heart etc, it cant get out and it interferes with insulin function. Oh yes, Im doing my research. And Im having a fasting blood glucose test on Monday.

I do actually feel better for giving up the sweet stuff so I'll continue but may now add in a bit more fibre like organic brown rice as Im told the diabetic body needs fibre (though I already eat lots of veg, a little fruit, jumbo oat porridge and a slice of whole meal rye toast each day so not avoiding grains altogether).

Any suggestions welcome and molto apologies for not being able to get on here to wish everyone a Happy Christmas - reading back it looks like there were some very good times. Though today feels a bit anti-climatic, so grey and drab. At least we got a lovely walk on the beach on Christmas day.

Love to all xxx

[sassy59]

Well that’s disappointing to say the least Jean. What a pain! I hope someone can shed some light on the huge leap.

I just want to wish you better days ahead and please look after yourself. Let us know how things go.

Lots of love, Carole xxxxx😘

[O2Trees in reply to sassy59]

Thanks Carole - I'll post again in a while. Hope you and Pete are ok in the cold and had a good xmas xx

[sassy59 in reply to O2Trees]

Look forward to an update Jean.

We had a good Christmas thank you and I’m just hoping that Pete hears from someone regarding his back pain. He’s really suffering.

Stay warm and as well as possible.

Happy new year. Xxxxx😘

[O2Trees in reply to sassy59]

That's so horrid Carole - do hope someone can help. Please send him my very best wishes, jean xxx

[sassy59 in reply to O2Trees]

Thank you Jean, I will.

Carole xxxx

[skischool]

Well Jean,i looked to see if you were on other medications that might give you a false high HbA1c level but unless you and Rita have taken to frequenting Opium dens or are Aspirin addicts i haven't found a solution for you.good luck in your investigations and your search for knowledge as it doesn't sound like you can eat a healthier diet than you are presently consuming.

Dr Ski's and his feline assistant xx

[O2Trees in reply to skischool]

Haha Skis - just boring steroid inhaler. Maybe the IV steroids I had twice last year for about 3 weeks each has caught up with me. So hard to tell. Anyway will be tweaking my diet but I think Ive let my exercising go a bit so that needs addressing. Hope you're both well x

[SquirrelsHolt]

Oh bless you dear O2Trees and your Christmas could well have been far better if it wasn't for the diabetes results.😪. You are made of strong stuff and been through enough over the months so I'm glad,so glad that you enjoyed a wonderful walk on the beach Christmas day!

Wishing you and your nearest and dearest a merry Christmas (a few days late)and a happy New Year. 🐿🎅🤶🎄💕

[O2Trees in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

And to you and yours SH. Hope the year brings health and happiness.

[Oshgosh]

Good luck with your efforts

[O2Trees in reply to Oshgosh]

Thank you!

[2greys]

Take a look here:

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

[O2Trees in reply to 2greys]

Thanks 2G

[Hidden]

mine goes up and down last time it was 49 but i don't take any notice of it to be honest.

[O2Trees in reply to Hidden]

I might not take notice either, but this isnt up and down - it's a whoosh upwards.

[jackdup]

Are you taking steroids (prednisone) as that can cause it to go way up. I was on steroids this summer and my AIC was way into the diabetes range but since being off the steroids have dropped back into the low end of the pre-diabetes range.

[O2Trees in reply to jackdup]

Hi Jackdup, steroid medication was my first assumption - I took a load in 2018 with two serious hospitalisations, but since July last year Ive only taken my Symbicort inhaler and at present Im on the lowest number of doses for the last two years. I will be asking about that though and thanks for your reply

[jackdup in reply to O2Trees]

Symbicort also has a steroid component and if you read the insert that comes with it, it mentions it can affect blood sugars. Are you also as asthmatic?

Under side effects it says.

“Increases in blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia)”

You were likely aware of that anyway but thought I would mention it.

They are trying to get people that only have COPD and not asthma off of the steroid inhalers whenever possible but obviously one’s breathing is the first priority, but apparently many people who were on a steroid inhaler do just fine on a similar inhaler with no steroid component.

[O2Trees in reply to jackdup]

I didnt speciically remember that about Symbicort Jackdup so useful reminder, thanks. But as I said above, Im taking the lowest amount Ive taken for at least a couple of years - it will be more when the grass pollen season arrives but that's a while.

And yes, I have has asthma since my 20s, and have been on Symbicort off and on until around '86 when I needed it all year round, so the same since that time.

Ive remembered that the consultant said that if my blood sugar is up on tomorrow's test I will be having insulin treatment. They dont tell you enough but reading about diabetes secondary to haemochromatisis, this is the equivalent of Type 1 and therefore insulin dependent. Hey ho!!

[jackdup in reply to O2Trees]

I’m sorry to hear that, very unfortunate.

[watergazer]

Poor you O2 Trees- I can empathise with you. I was put on a pre diabetes course and after 6 months my HbA1c levels were down to 36- a miracle in my eyes . This was achieved by walking around 12000 + steps daily and a high fibre diet with plenty of veg; however 6 months later after continuing this regime my levels were 42! I was so upset as my fellow prediabetic course peoples' levels were still dropping and the worst thing was that some even hadn't been walking or exercising and were eating foods I had stopped. Then it got worse- 6 months later they were back to 45. My poor doctor had to deal with me crying . I hadn't changed anything food wise and I was still walking though around 8000 steps.

I can only put it down to my meds and in particular my steroid inhaler. Just had my blood test yesterday so enjoying life before the dreaded results.

Maybe eat more high fibre . The bread I buy must be more than 5g of fibre a slice, I have 1 or 2 high fibre snacks a day and have tried to keep my carb limit to 130 g daily which is difficult when I enjoy the bread and sweet potato. Oh porridge though good for us is high in carbs so I have cut that from my diet and now have high protein greek yoghurt (Face?) and I have cut fruit to one portion of blueberries daily as they are low in sugars whereas grapes are high .

Good luck . Anita x

Sorry for the essay

[O2Trees in reply to watergazer]

I love the essay Anita - many thanks. But Im so sorry your improvement didnt last. I walk nowhere near the amount you do but I do walk for 15 minutes several times a week and do weights. I have been doing less than previously so need to up all of that.

I have a small portion of jumbo oats with home made nut milk (very nutty), turmeric and other spices along with Face yoghurt like yourself. Im having a bit of organic basmati brown rice with evening meal now - its meant to be the rice which spikes insulin the least. East sweet potato. Maybe I need more fibre, someone told me that.

There is a diabetes nurse you can get referred to so I may try that. But quite often I find I know more than these dieticians e.g. the hospital one tell me to eat a lot of transfat to keep my weight up!

Hope you're good at the moment x

[watergazer in reply to O2Trees]

Been naughty having a couple of days eating chocolate and goodies 🤣Going to get my results this week then back on the strict regime. Take care oh and drink plenty of water x

[VELoce21]

I too am pre diabetic I have to say I am over weight due to mobility issues (amputee). I panicked and try to eat healthily. My family doctor suggested having more fluid intake prior to blood test? Good luck.

[O2Trees in reply to VELoce21]

More fluid before the test? Interesting idea. Im having a fasting glucose test tomorrow so will try that and report back here.

[irishdave]

HELLO 2 TREES DONT WORRY ABOUT THE DIABETES THERE IS NO PERSON THE SAME WITH IT. I,M COPD EMPHESYMA ETC 9 YEARS 2 YEARS ON INSULIN BELIEVE ME ITS NOT A DEATH SENTENCE YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO MANAGE YOURSELF IF U LIKE ANY MORE DETAILS MESSAGE ME BTW ORAL STEROIDS WILL SEND YOUR BLOOD SUGARS HIGH

[O2Trees in reply to irishdave]

Thanks Dave - I had a lot of IV steroids last year. I guess I will have to get used to it if it happens and Ive got used to a lot already like most of us. If I need to message you I will, thanks for that.

Happy New Year