I've Moved

Due to the fact this is an additional Blog to my main outlet

I've decided to moved my Diabetes Blog to the main one.

This blog will remain up

The new address is

http://www.soi1114.blogspot.com/

Day 156

I finally got round to visiting the Doctor to find out the result of the blood test I had before Christmas.

It all came about because my eyesight is all over the place and the Optician was concerned that my sugar levels had gone up.

Well the result was great news! My average has come down from 11.8mmo/l to 6. This us what you'd expect from a healthy normal person. All very good news, also the Doctor took me off the Ziclazide tablets and will see how I go with just 2 x 100mcg of Metformin. This is also good, Ziclazide is a strong weight gain tablet, so cutting it out and going on to Metformin should help me loose weight.

Talking of loosing weight, I've enrolled at Weight Watchers. I went before in 1995 and lost 7 stone in 7 months. Too much too quick! I want to loose about 6 stone by the end of the year, this works out at roughly 2lb (800g) per week. I'm up for it and know I can do it. I'll keep this blog updated weekly with how it's going.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Day 148

This morning I received the results for Retina exam. Thankfully everything came back as normal! This means that I won't have to go for another year.

Happy New Year every one......

Day 143

Warning - Contains frank discussion of bodily functions......

or REVENGE OF METFORMIN

As part of the treatment for my Diabetes, I take Metformin. This drug lowers your blood sugar and helps you to regulate your condition.

Unfortunately one of the side effects is severe flatulence and or diarrhoea! In the time I've taking it the effects have been mild. However I have noticed that the more rich the food you eat the more severe the end result. Unfortunately at Christmas you tend to eat a lot more rich food, and after a day of Christmas dinners, Christmas pudding, cheese and biscuits and dips my insides began to bubble just before I went to bed. During the night the noise and smell woke everyone up. Despite minus temperatures outside, I had to sleep with a window open just to get some fresh air in the room.

Then the runs kicked in! I can honestly say that I thought I was going to suffocate on the smell of my own body!! About an hour later I emerged from the toilet a lot lighter than when I entered and a can of air freshner lighter.

Today I'll take it more steady on the rich food!!

Day 140

                                        

                                         A picture of a good retina

Yesterday I went for a Retinal Scan at the DRI in Derby. Because of the effect that diabetes can have on your eyesight, you need to have a detailed photo taken of your retina at the back of the eye.

First of all you have to take a rudimentary eye test, something that I will deal with later in the post. After the test the Technician puts a special drop in your eye. She told it would sting a little and then I would have to wait for twenty minutes for the drops to take effect. Well the little stinging sensation turned out to be more like having diced Spanish onions put under my eyelid!

The pain did wear off a couple of minutes and slowly my vision began to get blurry. It turns out that the drops dilated your pupils, when I looked in the mirror it looked like I was in the effects of a morphine trip, very weird. Anyway the picture was taken and I'll know in a few weeks out it as turned out.

Earlier in the day, I had been to Babington Hospital for blood test, the test was one that shows an average for your blood sugar levels over the last three months. The reason why I had to test was that since September 2009 I have been wearing glasses full time, this was when I believe the diabetes started to kick and with the rise in the level of sugar in my blood, your eyes expand and this effects your vision. Once my diabetes had been diagnosed in august this year I went back to the optician because my vision had become worse. I was given stronger glasses and told to monitor the situation. This last few weeks, I've noticed that my eyesight is getting better and I'm currently trying out a new set of contact lenses at a low strength. My reading sight is no better, maybe worse but my distance vision is outstanding. The Doctor as said that this is probably due to my diabetes starting to control itself and that is why I went for a blood test.

I've been a little bit better on the diet and have been out on my bike a couple of times, despite the shocking weather. The pin prick tests are averaging out about 9mmo/l which is still a little high. I really hope that when I get the results it is positive news. I'm still taking 80mg of Ziclazide and 200mg of Metformin a day.

Day 111

Sorry I've not posted for the last month or so, but being out of work as been a little depressing and I've not really felt like writing anything down on this blog. This attitude as sadly crossed over to the way I've been handling my diabetes.

My cycling come back as gone right down hill and I'm back to square one with my fitness. My diet as all but stopped and the amount of food that wiol affect my blood sugar has gone up in consumtion.

The latest test that I did the other day was only 7.8 mmo/l, which is a very good reading. Unfortunately, these tests are only a snap shot of my level at the time. An hour after the test the reading could have been double that!

I will knuckle back down and I'm sure when I get a new proper job, I'll get back into a routine and get back on the diet and take this whole thing alot more serious.

Day 75

A few days into my period of being out of work has been good for my diabetes. I went out on my bike on sunday and again today. On sunday I really put the hammer down and it felt good.

Today I was out on the bike again, going further than normal and alot more climbing. The weather was at its British best, but even that didn't dampen my spirit. I was also priviliged to see a calf being born as I went through a farm yard. Never a dull moment.

I'm really keeping up with the tablet regime and not missing any. Earlier this evening I took my glucose level and it was a very respectable 8.2mmo/l. The norm is around 6 ish.

Right, getting fitter, getting better! Just got to find a job now!!!!

Day 65

Since my last post I have to admit that I've come off the rails slightly. The main reason being my weeks long holiday in North Wales and East Yorkshire. Whilst the holiday was great, the diet went out of the window and I got very little excercise.

Next week I will be made redundent from my current job, so this may give an opportunity to get some miles in on my bike whilst looking for another job.

I've also been missing my regular tablet regime, missing one of my Metformin tablets in the evening.

I last took my glucose level on day 63, it came out at a respectable 9.3mmo/l, still 30% higher than it should be, but within acceptable levels.

Time now to knuckle down, get fit, loose weight and find a job, easy if you say it quick enough!

Day 50

Its the 50th day since I found out that I was a chronic type 2 diabetic. Strange as it may seem, since knowing that I have this illness I feel 100% better in myself.

I can now put a lot of the problems I was facing with temperament, depression and no self worth were directly associated with suffering from diabetis and not knowing it. My weight loss seems to be slowing down, but then again I feel and look alot better than I did. The diet is still on the go, however I have had a couple of lapses, but they don't seem to have done me any harm. I think I'm beginning to live with this thing.

I need to get back on my bike, I've not been on it for a fornight and it seems unlikely I will for the next two weeks because I'm very busy at home.

Taking the tablets is no problem, I have always taken some sort of tablet for the last 16 years, so a few more wont hurt.

Last night I took a glucose reading, it came out at 9 mmo/l. This was very pleasing, I seem to be averaging out at 10 - 12 mmo/l, whilst still high, its alot better than it was.

Firts 50 days, I'll give myself a thumbs up!!!

Day 40

Yesterday I had an appointment with the Diabetes Nurse at Whitemoor Clinic.

I had a thorough examination including Blood Pressure, Weight, pulse and bizzarely my feet! The blood pressure was spot on fine, my weight is still to much. However I was told that Glciazide tablet I'm taking can make you put weight on any my heart rate of 78bpm was fine. Feet are a good indicator of your bodies health when you have diabetes apparently. I had to have a sensitivity test and make note of any blotches so as to compare at the next exam.

I have got to go for a further blood test for cholestorol, last time it was a bit high and if it's still the same, I may have to start taking more tablets...

I will shortly receive an appointment to go and have a full eye test at the Hospital, again eyesight is a pontential problem when you have diabetes. I was also given a diabtese folder and will have an appointment sent through to me to go and get help from a diabetes support group.

On the whole I feel a whole lot more healthy than I did 40 days ago, I'm not in control yet, but I'm getting there.

Day 32

What a day! It was the day of my first real hard ride. The guys from my old bike club met up on a memorial ride for a mate who died in an accident whilst out training a few years ago.

Ten turned out for the trip, from the off it was uphill and bloody hard. I was straight to the back and was playing catch up all day. Only on one of the decents did I overtake some body. Basicallythe route took me up through Wirksworth, up to the trig point at Black Rocks, up the last two inclines of the High Peak Junction then up to the tops of Middleton. Finally a decent down to Grangemill, then up again to Ible before a decent down through Bonsall to Cromford.

Unfortunately, at the top of Ible, had a mega hyperglicaemic attack, my blood sugar level dropped very quickly and I had to sit down before I fell down. I ate two cereal bars and carried on. It caught up with me again at Cromford and I was forced to stop at The Greyhound Pub. I had a pint of Coke, a packet of crisps and a bar from Lee.

Lee was a proper Mate, he arranged to have me taken home and looked after me.

When I got home, I treated myself to a Macdonalds thinking it would help bring my sugar levels back to something like. It didn't work and I took my Glucose levels later they were a very low 4.7 mmo/l.

I now know that racing is out of the question for a long time! I need to get fit steadily, not so Gung Ho!

Day 26

I was really happy when the Doctor prescribed Metformin. It's technically a appertite surprescent, so I was hoping it would help me on my diet. Well this week it didn't, I lost no weight which was a little disheartening.

Having said that, it was my birthday on tuesday and I had a lovely meal, then on thursday and friday whilst camping I wasn't on my best food behaviour, couple this with a macDonald on friday evening and I guess I did well not to put a load of weight on.

Today I did about two hours hard excercise on the bike and I must admit I now feel pretty weak and keep on having dizzy spells, I don't know whether it's me being super out of condition or it's down to a side effect from the diabetes. Something I need to take advice on.

I took a glucose reading on saturday (10.5 mmo/l) and last night (8.8 mmo/l), both good readings.

Day 21

I broke up from work for a few days today, which is nice! Tomorrow Elizabeth and i are off to N. Wales for a few days.

The diet is going very well, last night on my birthday and I had a fantastic meal at Armando's in Belper. I had Scallops for starter and a superb Fillet Steak for main course. It was lovely to eat out again and Armando's was a lovely place with good food.

I took my glucose reading a little while and it was 9.5 mmo/l. I'm very pleased with how things are going. I found out today I'm at the Doctors again on September 13th, can't wait to see how things have gone.

Also today I went for a bike ride, I had an excellent ride! Things like getting out of the saddle going up hill and using bigger gears on the flat. My fitness is beginning to come back slowly, maybe I might get fit enough to race again this winter!!!!!

Day 18

It was the big weigh in this morning, the scales don't lie. I topped them at 113kg, which is around 17stone 11lb. I lost about 5 kilo this week.

I'm determined to keep the diet going until I'm down to 100kg which is about 15stone 10lb. Keeping to this diet will keep the sugar levels in check as well. On the bike this morning I actually felt fitter and the hills didn't seem as bad as this time last week.

My glucose reading was 10.5 mmo/l, it seems to be levelling out at 10 ish, a little higher than it should be but better than 30 three weeks ago.

Day 16

My first week at work as gone better than I expected. My diet was just about bearable, by noon I was proper Hank Marvin!

My diabetes is in better control now and my whole body and temperament seems to be better aligned. On monday there is a new guy starting work who will take a big chunk of work off my hands. This again should make things better for me.

The glucose level tiday was 10.5 mm0/l which is high, but not as bad as it was.

Day 15

I had my first road trip at work today, I had to visit a Farmer all the way down at Hastings in Kent. Road trips were always a problem with the amount and quality of food I would eat. Generally I would live on what I can buy at motorway service stations, food like chocolate, crisps, pies and burgers. All washed down with plenty of fizzy pop, all the things that are now on the do not touch list!

Today I took four slices of bread and jam, two oranges, one Necterine, an apple and a banana. Also a bootle of sparkling mineral water.

I managed to only eat the food that I took with me and only stopped once at a service station to use the toilet. I also saved at least £10 of my own money with not buying anything...

Yesterday my glucose level was 6.4 mmo/l which is outstanding, today it was back up at 12.3 mmo/l. Not sure why the levels are so mad?

Day 13

A normal day at work today! The problem is I take problems personally even if it's not my fault. However continuing on the good trip vibe, feeling better is helping me cope better with work. Next week a Project Manager will be starting, this will take a huge chunk of work off my plate.

Diet went very well today:

Breakfast:

3 Weetabix with UHT milk

Lunch:

1 Tin of Vegatable Soup
2 slices of wholemeal bread
1 banana
1 Necterine
Cherries

Dinner:

1 piece of fish
3 pices of grilled bacon
2 slices of wholemeal bread
4 Garibaldi biscuits

I do feel hungry just before I eat, but it is getting better.

Tomorrow I'm starting to double the amount of Metformin I take, I'll be taking 500mg in the morning and 500mg in the evening.

My Glucose count this evening was 8.4 mmo/l, it's ok and I'll keep at it.

Day 12

My first day back at work. So far it as gone ok!!!

Yesterday afternoon I went on a good hard bike ride, going up the Chevin near Belper. Anyone who knows the Chevin Knows how hard it is to get up to. Surprisingly I handled it very well, I'm so impressed with my fitness that I've bought some better handlebars for my bike.

I didn't take my glucose readings because the lateness of my meals and when i did my exercise.

Generally, I still feel a whole lot better than I did three weeks ago.

Day 11

Desite a phone call from work trying to wind me up, yesterday was a very good day. The diet is becoming second nature, last night I made chicken fajitas! Sounds fatty, but no:

1 chicken breast (little fat)
capful of olive oil
1 red pepper
1 onion
3 spoons of cottage cheese
3 tea spoons of salsa
3 wholemeal tortilla flours
1 1/2 packet of fajita mix

Fry the sliced chicken, pepper and onion in the olive oil. Add the fajita mix. Cook until the chicken is throughly cooked.
Put the tortilla in the microwave for 30 seconds
drain excess oil out of pan and scoop 3 equal portions onto the tortilla's then put on cottage cheese and salsa.
Wrap or roll them up and eat......

Cookery lesson over for today. My Glucose level was only 6.5 mmo/l but this reading isn't what it seems! I took the reading three hours later than uaual so wasn't a reliable reading.

All looking good, I hope starting back to work on monday goes smoothly....

Day 10

Things are definately looking up, the diet is becoming more normal. I ate out for the first time since this all started. I had a jacket potato with chilli con carni. No butter and a diet coke, I really enjoyed it.

I also had my first cheat on my diet, after dinner I had a chocolate couissant type thing that nuch bought. It was nice and so far the effects are none excistant.

My glucose count went right down to 6.1 mmo/l, that looks great, unfortunately I tested one hour later than normal and the effect of food in my body was lower. On a positive note all the readings do seem to be going in a downward arc, i'm under no illusion that i'm cured but I do feel better than I did this time last week. This is a rest of my life thing...

I also downloaded an app for my iPhone. Glucose Buddy allows you to log your daily food intake, glucose reading and excercise done. You load the data then it downloads it to their website so you can keep an up to date account of your diabetes. First inpressions are good.