[Marylin]

Originally Posted by unaluna

My gp said my A1c was 8.3, and if it isnt lower in 3 months, he will have to change my med (2k metformin daily). So day 1 done. Following weight watchers purple plan / whole food plant based / keto-ish.

Gosh I wish my A1c was 8.3 my has been 14 for around 2 years,I am lucky I haven't had serious complications yet,I had been binging on sugary foods.Resolved after eye damage scare,it's reversible never to eat sugar again,there 's a plan will deffo do it this time,sick and tired of feeling so very ill.

[unaluna]

Ive gotten to the point where i really cannot eat TOOO much. I have to stop before i get too full or else i will be ill all nite - not puking, but wanting to, and not being able to sleep, really bad heartburn, and feeling ill all the next day. So thats one thing ive finally been able to change, altho not exactly by choice. Its just a concession to old age and damage ive already done to myself.

A couple of long term changes ive made: i have cookies every morning! I know, that doesnt sound like a GOOD change, but i had cookies and coffee for breakfast practically every working day of my life, usually shortcake or vanilla sandwich cremes, sometimes oreos, whatever was in the machine, or sometimes i would bring in a bag. So i just accept that, and then i have a REAL dessert maybe once a week. Not small, but not binge-size either.

I am also doing the potato diet, altho this afternoon i went a little crazy and ordered from Dominoes (a salad, a chicken parm sub, and chocolate lava cakes). For breakfast i had a big sweet potato and my coffee and cookies. Previously just one sub has not been enough food, but tonight it was, so i feel like the potato diet is helping regulate my appetite. This is more or less a typical day.

I think i lost the couple of pounds that i was starting to drift upwards. I hope that continues. I do like potatoes.

Hi, I am new to the thread, but not new to diabetes.

One and a half week ago my blood glucose was very high. It has become higher and higher this Autumn because I have added more and more sweet desserts

I decided to quit all unnecessary sugar from my diet and now my blood glucose has gone from 17 to 7-8.

I use carrots and/or nuts to still my "sweet-hunger".

I am trying to get used to the Mediterranean diet:

Mediterranean Diet 101: A Meal Plan and Beginner'''s Guide

Originally Posted by unaluna

A couple of long term changes ive made: i have cookies every morning! I know, that doesnt sound like a GOOD change, but i had cookies and coffee for breakfast practically every working day of my life, (...)

I am also doing the potato diet, altho this afternoon i went a little crazy and ordered from Dominoes (a salad, a chicken parm sub, and chocolate lava cakes). For breakfast i had a big sweet potato

CONGRATS with your morning cookie, only!

Your potato diet seem very interesting. I hope it is about sweet potatoes and not about ordinary potatoes, because I was advised by my doctor to stay away from ordinary potatoes.

Remember that to change something is always difficult. Be proud of yourself!

Good Luck!

[Marylin]

Ever since my eye check last wednesday when they told me I had diabetic matcular and retinopathy I have been avoiding sugary foods terrified to eat them.
I don't want to lose my eye sight but some sugar is getting through in the things I eat,I bought ready meals and I think it got in through that.My readings came down from 27mmol/L to around 12mmol/L to 15mmol/L,they are still far too high but coming down,which they need to.

I am doing well I know I can do this and I can make the permanent lifestyle change I need to make to stay healthy and avoid diabetic complications.
Wish me luck and any support and encouragement is welcome.Thank you!

Originally Posted by Marylin

Ever since my eye check last wednesday when they told me I had diabetic matcular and retinopathy I have been avoiding sugary foods terrified to eat them.
I don't want to lose my eye sight but some sugar is getting through in the things I eat,I bought ready meals and I think it got in through that.My readings came down from 27mmol/L to around 12mmol/L to 15mmol/L,they are still far too high but coming down,which they need to.

I am doing well I know I can do this and I can make the permanent lifestyle change I need to make to stay healthy and avoid diabetic complications.
Wish me luck and any support and encouragement is welcome.Thank you!

Hi Marylin, I am so sorry to hear about your diabetic matcular and retinopaty! With regard to sugar I am in the same "box", I do not eat any added sugar.

Here is what you can eat in one meal:
1 glass of milk, but if you chose to drink orange juice, you have to wait two hours for that. Orange juice: one half a glass or 1 dl.

You have to know how to combine and when to eat what.

The same example as above but turned around:
1 dl orange juice - wait two hours before you drink one glass of milk.

What you can eat only one portion at the time:

1 glass of milk (2 1/2 dl)

1 dl orange juice

1/2 apple

1/2 banana

1/2 orange

2 dl blueberries


Breakfast: dark bread with fiber or crackers, cheese, coffee or tea without sugar (if that does not fit for an English person, use a tiny portion of fried sausages and fried egg).

Lunch: Salad or, as an example , dark bread with fiber or crackers (fiber) + 1/2 banana

Dinner: one big sweet potato, salad or vegetables, something easy to make (meat or fish) If you are too depressed to make a real dinner , use sausages or crabstics (always keep that in the refrigerator to be ready to use on bad days). One half fruit afterward (If you don't like sweet potatoes you can use brown rice, but the sweet potato is best with regard to keeping the blood sugar low).

Evening meal: porridge made of oat or fried egg or same as breakfast.

Sweet potatoes lower the level of sugar in the blood vessels, and so do broccoli.

I have shown you a meal plan with a low sugar intake and protein. The principle is that fiber makes it harder for the sugar to have a sudden rise.

In between, to stop the urge for sugar, use vegetables and nuts.

Make your own meal-plan and eat at fixed times. Take a walk outside or inside for 30 minutes a day (Physical activity lowers the level of blood sugar in the blood. Try to go to bed at the same time (good sleep is important for the blood sugar) . Use relaxation exercises to reduce stress. Routines are good for the blood glucose.

BE KIND TO YOURSELF! ALLOW YOURSELF TO FAIL AND THEN RAISE.

It is very difficult to manage diabetes when one is depressed! Know that and give yourself a pat on the back when you are able to reach your goals for your blood glucose.

Good luck!

[possum220]

Why is it that people's default present is chocolate? I got more than 2kgs of chocolate and lollies this year for Christmas. Aaaargh.

[Marylin]

Unfortunately the marshmellows and Baileys got me together with 5 chocolates and sweet prawn cocktail sauce and hidden sugars in gravy and stuffing mix,I did stay off the sugar laden desserts so it could have been much worse,my sugars went up to 27mmol/L or 493g too high but I will get it down again and the plan is to avoid added sugar foods and any processed foods containing sugar and absolutel it's no no choc,cakes,ice creme etc None at all.My plan is to get my sugars back to normal in the next two months and down to safer levels as soon as possible.

[Deilla]

I did blood work on Monday. I'm eager to find out what my A1C is. Last time it was 7.5. It needs to be below 7. Prior to that, it was 6.3. It went up because I couldn't afford my insulin. So I didn't take it every day. This time has been better with a new government program in place. Also, I'm getting my Trulicity for free now.

[possum220]

It's been months since anybody has been in here. I wonder why I am bothering to post at all. I see many people doing the right thing by their diabetes. You know eating the right things getting exercise taking care of their blood sugar. I know it is also something that I need to be doing. I stopped taking forxiga about a month ago because of the side effects.

I eat carbs all day. I feel like my health is about to steam roll me and it's my own fault.

Why would I want to take care of some-one I have never liked? I dont feel like my life has meaning. I dont want to extend this life sentence. Psych meds are calming me down but may be part of the problem. But I am my own problem. Next...............

[possum220]

Nearly two months on since my last post here. I can hear the wind whistling through the bytes.

So four weeks ago I was put on insulin. went from 10 units per day to 20 to 30 now at 36 as some of my lower reading are getting somewhere in the ball park of where they should be. So the diabetes educator doesnt want to do another increase and possibly end up having a hypo.

My reading are mostly between 8 and 15 with a number of readings over 20 each week. This is not good. I thought I was doing okay today until I tested and it was 24.6. Despite being diagnosed with this 12 years ago it only just now feels like a reality. This is depressing. I dont know what I am doing. No carbs, lo carbs, keto, atkins diets. I feel like I have the brain of a squirrel.

[hvert]

Diabetes is depressing. I don't know why I never gave it any thought before. My father had it but I assumed that was related to his lifestyle. Now I learn that quite a few in his family had it or were warned about it. His father was fanatical about what he ate and now I realize it was because he was pre-diabetic. My mother doesn't have it, but quite a few of her family members did. Why did I never even wonder if it would happen to me? I guess ignorance is bliss.


I got a continuous glucose monitor. I wear a sensor in my arm and can see what my blood sugar is at any moment without pricking myself. It is amazing and will help me figure out what does/doesn't affect me. I will be testing pizza soon! However, I also worry it will contribute to disordered eating. I get upset when I see my sugar go up after eating, even though it's normal, so I don't want to eat.

@possum220 fwiw, I've brought my numbers down eating low carb, lower-glycemic foods. About 60-120 carbs per day which come from beans or vegetables rather than grains. Keto doesn't really work for me because I don't eat meat. I feel like I am eating too much fat right now and will probably need to stop that since my cholesterol was also off the charts. It's very hard to get good information on diabetes, seems like there's so many divergent opinions. I also wonder if the low calorie diet I'm on contributes to the lower blood sugar numbers. I have a fantasy that if I lose weight, I can go back to eating bread and pizza.

[unaluna]

Ooh i think i will track my ozempic journey here.

[unaluna]

Starting nov 2022 - wgt 242 plateau
THU - nov 10 - weighed in at 240.6 at urgent care
FRI - nov 11 - #1 0.25 ozempic shot
TUE - nov 15 - wgt 237 lbs at apt gym

Yippee! Off the plateau! I am at the lowest dose which isnt even supposed to be therapeutic, but it has killed my hunger and my propensity to graze. Meals are under 500, often under 300. Breakfast is just higher because of my coffee mix, thatz at least 200 right there.

I havent calculated potential weight loss in YEARS, its been too depressing. I might now tho, but not here.

Some foods absolutely kill me. You know who you are! Basic diet is breakfast: coffee mix, canned fish or chicken with crumpet or crisp bread. Lunch a quest bar. Dinner cup of fruit, cup of soup, veg.

[hvert]

That's amazing!!!! It's also super promising that you are seeing such great results starting at a really low dose. I need to buckle down and lose another twenty lbs at some point but it's hard to summon up the will.

[unaluna]

Got some of my bloodwork results back.

My A1C went from 10.8 to 8.6 or thereabouts, since June, when my dr started me on Lantus insulin. So that is terrific, imo! I read its easier to drop more from a higher number than when you get to the 7's, for instance.

I just ordered Shipt, a bunch of salads, veg, proteins. I ate a little more yesterday because i had fasted in the morning for my blood test and got back well after my usual brunch time. I was also hungrier at dinner. But then stomach/gas pain woke me up this morning. I do feel better after i poop! And back to small portions today. I think thats the biggest trick to losing weight.

I was surprised yesterday evening at how NOT exhausted i was after my big day out. I was tired and ennervated, but not catatonic sleepy as i usually am. So i think thats down to my blood sugar being lower.

The hoarder social worker from my drs office also called me this morning. I asked if we could talk after the holiday. She said the first step is to have the hoarders task force in my county to come in and do an assessment. So maybe we will fix it so Santa can come down the chimney! As long as he doesnt leave me anything to hoard!

The social worker also asked me if i wanted to be hooked up with hot meals. I told her no, my eating is pretty restricted right now.

I could be skinny by the next pool season.

[hvert]

Woohoo, that's a nice drop! I need to start measuring out portions again. I do it for a while and then eventually go back to eating 2-3x the amount. Maybe I'll just switch to the smallest bowl for everything but salad. Have you tried a CGM? It's kind of cool to see which foods affect you.

[unaluna]

Ive been thinking about a CGM. But i sleep on my side - wont it bother my arms?

[hvert]

Side sleeping is an issue - if you press down on it for too long, an alarm goes off. I prefer sleeping on one side so I just put it on the other arm and it works out okay. Some people put them in other places, like on their stomach.

[unaluna]

Thanks, hvert! Plus just the idea makes me feel like Capt Picard when he was a Borg! Right now i am just trying to figure out what in my pantry makes my stomach hurt - like for HOURS.

Eta - i flip from side to side all night, esp when my stomach hurts.

[hvert]

Oh yeah, it would be annoying then. It may be fun to try some day in a different spot but you have a lot of new tools to keep you busy anyway

[poshgirl]

Apologies in advance for what could be a long thread.

Two years ago, had a "provisional" type 2 diagnosis. GP wanted another blood test. Then Covid hit (in general, not me!). Blood test cancelled, then few days later asked to make appointment to discuss its results. When I pointed out no blood test happened, I was thanked for letting them know then heard nothing.

Fast forward to June this year. Asked to book blood test. Results confirmed type 2 diagnosis. First appointment with diabetes nurse who lacked some empathy skills. "Noticed you're overweight when you walked in", "you must exercise". Thanks, tell me something I don't already know. Informed can no longer see usual GP and passed over to specialist diabetes one. Telephone appointments ensured, metformin prescribed. 112 tablets arrived, he forgot to send dosage instructions.

Then fun started. For anyone who has taken this drug and had side effects, you know what I'm talking about. Next telephone appointment told him and he prescribed slow release ones. Even worse side effects. So now have over 100 tablets to take to pharmacy for disposal.

Finally got face-to-face appointment last week. What a thrill that was! For a young guy had little "bedside manner". When I said I'd stopped taking the tablets, then got a lecture on what diabetes can do. Said I was well-aware but would not sacrifice my dignity. So, now he's prescribed something else with a host of side effects too. Dapagliflozin. I use postal prescription delivery so they've yet to arrive.

Also argued with me that fungal type problems experienced were all because of my type 2 and nothing to do with metformin. No amount of telling him that it began when I started the tablets. Have only recently got it under control.

One piece of good news. Had my first diabetic eye test and everything was fine. Although it revealed I should get reading glasses (years of computer use!). GP didn't have the report, so as advised by optician, wasn't sharing it with him.

Next doctor's appointment should be interesting. There's another diabetes one so will try to swop if I can.

[hvert]

Wow, will they not let you see your regular doctor permanently just because you have diabetes?

[poshgirl]

No hvert, they won't.

Seem to have totally ignored I'm taking medication for hereditary high blood pressure.

This new diabetes tablet seems to be a "wonder drug" according to this new doctor. Apparently, will protect my heart and also "have a positive effect on my blood pressure". I'll be reading the info sheet very carefully,

Yes, the UK's NHS is a mess....

[hvert]

I hope it works better for you than the metformin! I was fortunate to not get many side effects from the metformin so I take that and eat low carb. It gets old.