I had a call from my GP practice on 23 December saying I have type 2 diabetes and my levels were really high - not to eat anything sweet and avoid carbohydrates. What a shock!
I’ve had a couple of appointments since then and have two tomorrow to start taking insulin.
I was wondering if anyone else has RA and T2D and if so how do you manage? Is it possible to get it under control? I take Methotrexate and Benepali. I’m going to be a total pincushion!
Any tips, advice or reassurance would be marvellous, thank you x
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JEM95
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I was diagnosed with T2DM August 2020 and also has very high levels at the time. They think it was the steroids at the time that tipped me over the edge although I was borderline pre diabetic a year prior.
I was started on insulin and metformin and was able to come off the insulin completely once the metformin kicked in (approx 4 weeks).
My levels have been pretty much normal since then. My HbA1c (3 month average level) at last check was 47 which is considered okay control but definitely could be better.
Be careful of hypos with insulin as I had a few at the start (even had a few with just metformin which they say shouldn’t happen). I was religious with monitoring at the start checking 4 times a day but my fingers were black and blue and I found readings varied wildly even when taken straight after each to double check. I also bought the glucose monitor for a few months that you wear continuously and scan for regular readings with a mobile etc. I found it very useful to know how different foods affected my sugar levels. White rice is a big no no for me but Pasta and chocolate don’t affect it too badly!
I am sure you will get lots of support from your practice nurse with diet etc.
thank you so much for your reply. It’s really helpful to hear your experience. I’ve made massive changes to my diet and I’m determined to be a model patient.
The hypos worry me more than anything else. That’s a great idea about the monitor, I’ll talk to the specialist nurse tomorrow. It’s all a huge learning curve. I appreciate your reply x
I don't have it but was told that eventually the antibodies will get my Pancreas but not to worry as nothing can stop it. So I get checked every year and so far no issues. (pANCA) I live in hope that Insulin is a long way off. lol I hope you are ok and adjust to this new condition quickly.
Don't panic,I was diagnosed nearly 4yrs ago like yourself out of the blue picked up on a blood test for something else,I had been on a high dose of steroids which seems to have pushed me into.t2d.
Yes I was overweight but i was determined to sort the problem.i started with small plates and kids cutlery, stops you cramming stuff in.lol.anway read up and changed what I ate lost 4 1/2 stone diabetes under control just 2 metformin pills a day,really helped with my RA.
Thank you for replying, it’s good to hear your diabetes is under control now - well done. Some good tips there, thank you.
I’m not overweight but have changed my diet anyway, losing a few lbs will be helpful.
I’ve seen the specialist nurse this morning - I’m starting on insulin but she is hoping it will only be for 3-6 months, thereafter hopefully pills / diet controlled.
I'm pleased you are feeling a bit better about the situation. It is a shock when you first get diagnosed ,but it does become 2rnd nature and learning when your sugars are low and how to react to it if necessary. I'm sure you will be fine.
I can imagine your shock after your phone call. I’m glad you are getting support from your surgery. I was told I had pre diabetes and my husband had diabetes about 10 years ago. I felt totally out of my depth. I found the diabetes.co.uk site, which has a forum similar to this site. There is lots of information on there you might find useful. I learned from that forum about low carb diets. That has helped both myself and my husband enormously. I would say don’t panic and just try to take it one day at a time. It is a learning curve. Hope this helps
Hi there, I have RA and T2DM too. I was diagnosed with diabetes 15 years ago and RA 9 years ago. I have been on Metformin since the start, one tablet twice a day, but this was increased when I was pregnant with my son. I also was put on insulin during my pregnancy which i was dreading, but it was totally fine once you get used to it. I am now only on one tablet daily as the diabetes was very controlled. It's still under control but i need to lose weight as this is a big factor of how controlled the diabetes is (well it has been for me anyway). To start with it was a shock, but could also explain why i had been feeling so rough, but once it was under control i began to feel a lot better.
When i was later diagnosed with RA that took a bit of getting used to but when things eventually settled i was able to manage the two conditions. My insulin experience also prepared me for injecting Methotrexate (although the way of injecting is slightly different)
At the start of T2DM i was very strict, desperate to get better, nowadays i watch what i eat, but don't deny myself treats on occassions. Also everything in moderation - one chocolate instead of the whole box in one go! Also smaller plates which helped with weight loss for me and healthy snacks in between. I'm not as controlled as i'd like it to be at the moment, but there not many spare moments in the day with a young child and the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Hopefully I can organise myself a bit better to sort this in 2023 - time will tell!
Thank you so much for your reply. It helps me so much. I really don’t want to start insulin but you have given me hope I can get under control and come off it. The Specialist nurse is confident we can achieve this.
I had to notify DVLA and my car insurers - I think that’s when it hit home the most.
You have given me such a boost. I shall aspire to follow your great example.
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