Any Diabetics on here?

[anti-pacer]

I have recently been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, which seems to run in the family for some reason. OK I'm not the slimmest of people, nor the fattest, but hey ho I've got it.

Following this diagnosis, I have really altered my lifestyle. I have massively cut down on alcohol and takeaways, and on the whole I'm eating healthily. Once Christmas is out of the way I will join the gym.

Have any of you got Type 2, and if so how do you manage it? Do you still enjoy a drink and indulge in foods that may not be great for you? Also, did you have any bad reactions to Metformin, like I did? I'm now on the "slow release" version and completely fine.

 

[507021]

I don't have diabetes myself, but my Dad does (Type 2), and it runs on both sides of my family.

My Dad still has a drink on occasion, and he has a treat (chocolate, sweets or cake) once or twice a week. The diabetes nurse at the local GP surgery hasn't discouraged him from having alcoholic drinks or eating treats, but she told him to moderate them instead. I can't say anything about my Dad's reaction to Metformin though, as he was diagnosed about 20 years or so ago and I wasn't living with him at the time.

Given my family history, I am mindful of getting diabetes myself in the future, so I do my best to eat healthy food and get some exercise a few times a week.

 

[anti-pacer]

I don't have diabetes myself, but my Dad does (Type 2), and it runs on both sides of my family.

My Dad still has a drink on occasion, and he has a treat (chocolate, sweets or cake) once or twice a week. The diabetes nurse at the local GP surgery hasn't discouraged him from having alcoholic drinks or eating treats, but she told him to moderate them instead. I can't say anything about my Dad's reaction to Metformin though, as he was diagnosed about 20 years or so ago and I wasn't living with him at the time.

Given my family history, I am mindful of getting diabetes myself in the future, so I do my best to eat healthy food and get some exercise a few times a week.

Thanks for the reply. If you don't mind me asking, is your dad's diabetes controlled just by meds or is he insulin dependent?

By the way, take my advice, carry on doing what you're doing to prevent diabetes. I wish I had have done.

 

[Zamracene749]

I have recently been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, which seems to run in the family for some reason. OK I'm not the slimmest of people, nor the fattest, but hey ho I've got it.

Following this diagnosis, I have really altered my lifestyle. I have massively cut down on alcohol and takeaways, and on the whole I'm eating healthily. Once Christmas is out of the way I will join the gym.

Have any of you got Type 2, and if so how do you manage it? Do you still enjoy a drink and indulge in foods that may not be great for you? Also, did you have any bad reactions to Metformin, like I did? I'm now on the "slow release" version and completely fine.

Metformin made me ill as well m8. I was diagnosed type 2 three months ago. I'm also now on the 'slow release' version, it seems better but not ideal- I'm still getting dodgy tummy, creepiness in my muscles etc, however I do drink a lot too. Metformin is usually the 1st choice because it is very cheap, and in many cases, effective. Cut right down on sugary stuff, reduced the alcohol intake and being more and more active. However, I'm still worried because i get right side lower abdomen pains. It could be pancreatitis, plus my dad died 4 years ago with Pancreatic Cancer that they diagnosed simply as diabetes 6 months earlier

 

[anti-pacer]

Metformin made me ill as well m8. I was diagnosed type 2 three months ago. I'm also now on the 'slow release' version, it seems better but not ideal- I'm still getting dodgy tummy, creepiness in my muscles etc, however I do drink a lot too. Metformin is usually the 1st choice because it is very cheap, and in many cases, effective. Cut right down on sugary stuff, reduced the alcohol intake and being more and more active. However, I'm still worried because i get right side lower abdomen pains. It could be pancreatitis, plus my dad died 4 years ago with Pancreatic Cancer that they diagnosed simply as diabetes 6 months earlier

Metformin is awful. I had a very nasty episode one night as a result. The slow release I find much better.

With your drinking are you still able to "have a few" shall we say, without any nasty effects?

 

[Zamracene749]

Yes. I still have a drink or 10. The oddest effect seems to be that I go from sober to simply feeling like I've had a drink, bypassing the the pleasant hazy stages! A bit like going straight to the 'morning after', not hungover, just that weary feeling after you've had a drink the night before. Apparently alcohol consumption actually lowers blood sugars temporarily, because your liver is tied up metabolising the booze instead of releasing glucose! The fat that those empty alcohol calories produce is the bigger problem. The trouble is of course, we can never be sure if we are feeling awful because of the medication or because our insulin isn't working properly..

 

[507021]

Thanks for the reply. If you don't mind me asking, is your dad's diabetes controlled just by meds or is he insulin dependent?

By the way, take my advice, carry on doing what you're doing to prevent diabetes. I wish I had have done.

No worries mate. My Dad's diabetes was initially controlled by medicine (Gliclazide and Metformin at first, then just Metformin), but he's been on insulin for about ten years or so now. He's currently on 48 units per day, it was 56 but it was reduced about a month ago.

I plan to. Although I do eat more treats than my Dad does, I have made an effort to reduce how many treats I buy and to lose weight over the past couple of years. I've lost about 5 lbs in the last couple of months, which I'm really happy with. I'd like to lose about another 7 lbs if I can, but that's a target for the Spring/Summer of next year.

 

[anti-pacer]

No worries mate. My Dad's diabetes was initially controlled by medicine (Gliclazide and Metformin at first, then just Metformin), but he's been on insulin for about ten years or so now. He's currently on 48 units per day, it was 56 but it was reduced about a month ago.

I plan to. Although I do eat more treats than my Dad does, I have made an effort to reduce how many treats I buy and to lose weight over the past couple of years. I've lost about 5 lbs in the last couple of months, which I'm really happy with. I'd like to lose about another 7 lbs if I can, but that's a target for the Spring/Summer of next year.

The insulin part worries me greatly as I'm the world's biggest wuss when it comes to needles.

 

[507021]

The insulin part worries me greatly as I'm the world's biggest wuss when it comes to needles.

My Dad is exactly the same mate, and admittedly, it is a worry of mine in the event I do get diagnosed with Diabetes in the future.

I guess all I can do now is carry on eating less treats and exercising a few times a week.

 

[anti-pacer]

My Dad is exactly the same mate, and admittedly, it is a worry of mine in the event I do get diagnosed with Diabetes in the future.

I guess all I can do now is carry on eating less treats and exercising a few times a week.

How does your dad fare now after 10 years of insulin? Has he got used to it and thinks nothing of it, or does he dread it?

 

[507021]

How does your dad fare now after 10 years of insulin? Has he got used to it and thinks nothing of it, or does he dread it?

He wasn't very keen on it at first, but now he's not that bothered by it.

 

[AntoniC]

I am type 2 diabetic and have been for the last 14 years.
For the first couple of years I was just on diet control and then went onto medication.
Currently I am on 6mg daily of perindorpril for blood pressure, 80 mg x 2 daily of glicazide and 5 x 500 mg Metformin and 1 x 10 mg Forxiga for my diabetes and 1 x 80 mg Lipitor for my cholesterol.
I also get 1 x 500g tub of epaderm ointment for meet , all monthly.
My biggest tip would be to look after your feet because if you dont and you get an infection , because of neuropathy (your nerves die), you may end up in hospital having toes/feet/legs amputated.
The biggest thing I did to help myself was to alcohol free 6 years ago - I dont miss it, I save money so I can do things like the challenges, but more importantly it keeps my blood sugars under control.
In October I got a letter from my GP saying I needed to have a blood test and then go to a diabetic clinic they run - so I had the blood test and when I rang to make an appointment for the clinic I was told I didnt need to as my control was that good.
If you have any questions ask here or feel free to PM me.
Regards

 

[anti-pacer]

I am type 2 diabetic and have been for the last 14 years.
For the first couple of years I was just on diet control and then went onto medication.
Currently I am on 6mg daily of perindorpril for blood pressure, 80 mg x 2 daily of glicazide and 5 x 500 mg Metformin and 1 x 10 mg Forxiga for my diabetes and 1 x 80 mg Lipitor for my cholesterol.
I also get 1 x 500g tub of epaderm ointment for meet , all monthly.
My biggest tip would be to look after your feet because if you dont and you get an infection , because of neuropathy (your nerves die), you may end up in hospital having toes/feet/legs amputated.
The biggest thing I did to help myself was to alcohol free 6 years ago - I dont miss it, I save money so I can do things like the challenges, but more importantly it keeps my blood sugars under control.
In October I got a letter from my GP saying I needed to have a blood test and then go to a diabetic clinic they run - so I had the blood test and when I rang to make an appointment for the clinic I was told I didnt need to as my control was that good.
If you have any questions ask here or feel free to PM me.
Regards

Thanks for this. I've PM'd you.

 

[mac]

One thing to remember if you haven't already done it is to fill the form out to get all your prescriptions free.

 

[Howardh]

My mum was diabetic and although never needed injecting, had so many tablets her stomach rattled. When she got Alzhiemers in 2012 she refused to take any pills as she thought they would kill her; so the doctor agreed to withdraw the lot. 5 years on at 87 she's very much alive and well, and apart from her feet (she gets those seen to every month) as strong as a horse. Oh, and she still likes a glass or two of Baileys!

Not suggesting at all that anyone disobays doctor's instructions, but just an anecdote.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

The insulin part worries me greatly as I'm the world's biggest wuss when it comes to needles.

It's funny you should say that- I have type 1 diabetes and have done since the age of 9, and when I tell people I have diabetes I get one of 2 reactions: the first "but you're not even fat!" will make me distance myself (politely) from that person. The second "are you on injections?" Is generally followed by an expression of sympathy when I say that I am.

Truth be told though, there's very little that I can't do as a result (driving trains is one of them though sadly!) and even very little I can't eat, as long as I don't overdo it. The injections are nothing more than a pain in the proverbial, as the needles are just 5mm long due to being more effective if injected closer to the surface (note: this wasn't known in 1991, so I spent my adolescence looking like a junkie!).

You may experience people saying well-meaning things like "at least you're not on injections!" but I wouldn't want to swap places with someone with type 2. I do know people who manage really well with type 2 though, so it is possible to be healthy and active with it- I get the impression that it isn't the easy ride compared to type 1 though, despite often being portrayed as such.

 

[talltim]

My 9 year old son has type 1, diagnosed just after his 4th birthday. He is on a pump rather than injecting but even so you soon have to get good at mental arithmetic

 

[Lrd]

I'm not diabetic but I probably am well on my way to becoming it. Anyway, I've heard that a Ketogenic diet has been known to cure diabetes as well as reducing weight.

The basics of it are you have no more than 50g of carbs a day which forces your body to go into ketosis which is where your body starts using the stored fat as energy rather than the carbs coming in. I don't know the full details but have seen some great success stories on Reddit here and here

 

[mac]

My mum was diabetic and although never needed injecting, had so many tablets her stomach rattled. When she got Alzhiemers in 2012 she refused to take any pills as she thought they would kill her; so the doctor agreed to withdraw the lot. 5 years on at 87 she's very much alive and well, and apart from her feet (she gets those seen to every month) as strong as a horse. Oh, and she still likes a glass or two of Baileys!

Not suggesting at all that anyone disobays doctor's instructions, but just an anecdote.

I've been Type 2 for about 7 years, I cant remember the name of the thing they measure but I'm only just over the number and my doctor says that if the figure was raised by only a couple of points nobody would be affected but the amount of people with it would drop by thousands.

 

[MrCub]

I've been Type 2 for over 20 years. I'm absolutely fine. It is well controlled through diet and tablet medication - once in the morning and once in the evenings; these are slow release to avoid the side effects and this works well. I lost some weight and this helped. You can avoid needles for years and years and years, so don't let this worry you. Just be sensible with your food and as has already been mentioned on here, look after your feet - do not walk around at home with nothing on your feet. Also look after your eyes too. It'll be fine and shouldn't have little more than a minor impact on your life, although eating out will cause problems. Once everything has settled down, you'll be able to judge when you can have those naughty moments.