Managing Type 2

[Franky51]

Diagnosed T2 3 years ago. Initial enthusiasm and commitment yielded good results. Now - not doing so well and need re-focused and re-energised to stay well. Any advice, ideas, admonishments...all welcome. Thanks.

[Chappychap]

I'm sorry to hear that the resolve is flagging, but the simple fact that you're recognising and confronting that fact is reason to be optimistic. Acknowledging a problem is always the first step in solving it.

I'd appreciate more background to your experiences over the past three years, as it's relevant to issues I'm currently addressing.

I've just had bypass surgery and I'm putting together a plan for changing my lifestyle towards a healthier model. But I don't want to embark on something in a fit of enthusiasm only to see it wither after a few months or years, I want a plan that I can stick to for twenty-five years or longer. So if there are any lessons that you've learned then please share them!

[Franky51 in reply to Chappychap]

Thanks - and very best wishes for your own recovery! I found the 5:2 diet extremely useful (the best recipes are in the Mimi Spencer books) and retirement has brought good opportunities for excercise. Honestly I think my problem is maintaining momentum and consistency. I know, I know- you’re thinking “get a grip” and you’d be right! Cheers. Francis

[Chappychap in reply to Franky51]

Franky, the issue you've raised is the elephant in the room when it comes to lifestyle changes.

Well over 80% of people who become vegans will abandon it within two years, I suspect the percentage of people abandoning weight reduction diets is even higher, and the all too temporary January surge in gym memberships has become a cliche.

We hear passionate debate about this diet versus that, and this exercise regime versus that. But far more important in my opinion is how many people stick it out over the long haul! Better to still be on a slightly sub optimum diet than to have abandoned an optimum diet.

Michael's point about scare tactics is a good one. Another option is a tax to dis-incentivise junk food. A combination of these two factors worked to drive down smoking, maybe it would also work to reduce obesity?

[mandm65]

I am glad I found this thread, was thinking about writing similar post. Although I remain committed and enthusiastic but something has changed for me. I was diagnosed T2 2.5 yeras ago, my A1c was 48 then, strict diet and regimented exercise regime brought Auc down to 43. I was very comfortable with the progress but lastcyear hit another stumbling block and that resulted my excersise had to be curtailed. Consequently my last two A1c readings were 46 and 49. It's a setback I was not expecting. Anyway I would like to explore some sort of herbal remedies to address this increasingly worrying A1c. I have an appointment with the nurse in couple of weeks and am expecting dressing down.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I have been Type 1 since the sixties. My prime motivator is sitting in diabetic outpatients and seeing people with weeping leg ulcers, amputations and white sticks. Treatment of complications had improved enormously over the years but cannot always save the day. I recall two Type IIs I met in the nineties. One remained fit and healthy whilst the other ignored warnings and went on to lose most of their sight and both legs below the knee!!!

I suspect that in your current situation your diet or medication needs some changes. If you are on Metformin this may need increasing or changing to another of which there are many.

To avoid an unhelpful telling off turn things around with "I know my HbA1c is not too good - how can we turn this around"?

[Franky51 in reply to MichaelJH]

Excellent advice and thank you! I will adopt your recommendation. Francis

[mandm65]

Thanks for your response, you are right it doesn't necessitate too dramatic a change nor deprivation. Like I said I was managing well with my diet and exercise regime and without taking any medication. Everything was working well until I ran into cardiac problem which resulted my excersise was almost came to standstill henec the reflection in increasing A1c. I rather address the symptom naturally instead of taking medication.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I would advise anybody with Type II to invest in a BG (blood glucose) meter. Not for the six times a day testing I need to do but enough to keep an eye on things. The responses to some foods will horrify you!

[Chappychap in reply to MichaelJH]

That's interesting, what foods in particular?

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Chappychap]

Will post more later as been told we are doing some last minute shopping! One example is mashed potato that raises your BG faster and higher than new ones cooked in their skins.

[isobelhannah18 in reply to MichaelJH]

Hi MchaelHJ

I would be grateful for your opinion. I had a H.A. 9 weeks ago despite an active, healthy lifestyle. Would you advise me to get a B.G. monitor to ascertain which foods I should be limiting?

Thanks Isobel

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to isobelhannah18]

I think that in the absence of diabetes Concerned has covered the relevant facts. Some pharmacies will do a BG test for a small fee so you could try the crude test I outlined. If over 7.8 see your GP for an HbA1c test and consider buying s meter. The problem with just buying one is technology changes and if things look OK now you may find two years down the line test strips are unavailable (they have a shelf life).

[isobelhannah18 in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks for your reply. I'll take your advice.

[Handel]

Hi Franky. I have to agree with MichaelJH.

I've been Type 1 since I got chickenpox from my youngest almost 40 years ago (thanks for that Dan!!!). Check blood sugars regularly - a couple of hours after you've eaten. Fruit sugars seem to break down differently. Bananas are good for a sweet tooth!!

Wholemeal stuff and low GI foods should help you. Check out this link:

diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-di...

Good luck and try not to let high blood sugars happen too often (sometimes easier said than done) as it can result in some nasty stuff. I've got background retinopathy in the left eye. Not affecting sight but being checked every 6 months to make sure I don't lose sight.

xxxx

[Franky51 in reply to Handel]

Thank you, Handel! I’ve put in an order for a BG monitor to help me keep aware and on track.

[Handel in reply to Franky51]

Good luck. Stay positive and you'll be fine. xxx

[Suzy1954]

I believe my recent diagnosis of type 2 was brought on by beta blockers! They even say this on their own websites. I’m not over weight. Nothing in my diet has changed in years. So as I need beta blockers I feel stuck! I am going the low carb route but is it going to make any difference 🤔

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Suzy1954]

Statins have also been linked to Type II.

[Suzy1954 in reply to MichaelJH]

Great isn’t it! ☹️

[shopman]

I would like to post a word of caution and not believe too much you see in your BG results. I have 3 different monitors and have at one time tested using all 3 at the same time from blood from the same site. The results were remarkably different and upon querying this with my Practice Nurse there is seemingly no standard to which they adhere to and you can get different readings using different monitors. Now I just use the one and keep the others as a back up.

[Handel in reply to shopman]

I get a different reading when I check left and right fingers!!

[Suzy1954 in reply to shopman]

Interesting 👍

[Suzy1954]

Thanks for that insight. It can be so confusing. I have been watching my carbs now for a couple of months. Low carbs and high fat. Have also managed to lose half a stone. 👍

[isobelhannah18]

thanks for the links.