I need help to control type 2 Diabetes

Many people live a long and healthy life after a Type 2 diagnosis.

It takes commitment and dedication. There will no doubt be significant changes to your lifestyle, mostly around your diet and activity level. But you probably knew that already.

There are lots of new medications to help, but with adjustments to your lifestyle, you may not need them.

For example, I keep my A1c at about 6.7 with 1000mg of metformin a day, and that's it. But I have to exercise regularly (not intensely) and watch what I eat.

Exercise is difficult because I was disabled by a stroke 5 years ago, but I'm managing.

I've noticed that worrying about it only makes it worse, so I try to relax and do the best I can.

Good luck!

Thank you for your upbeat comments. I appreciate your encouragement.

Breathe. It is anxiety producing. So, please try and practice ‘square breathing’ to help reestablish calm and for whenever you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed. It helps me.

It’s important to have faith in your doctors and specialists. Make informed decisions about medications.

I have type 2 as well and my sweet spot (which isn’t too great) for the HBA1C has been 6.5-6.7 I need to work at keeping the fasting glucose at optimal levels and be more vigilant with taking looks at post meal by 2 hours - numbers. My nutritionist suggested that to have a better idea of levels throughout the day, to keep a calendar (which I have not kept up with).

A nutritionist can also offer help, tips you may not be aware of.

It is important you practice good foot care. No matter what I’m doing or where I am, I were shoes or good slippers to protect the feet from injury. If you see a podiatrist, they will monitor your feet as a diabetic. Also, my insurance covers him as a diabetic. So, if you have not considered going to one, you may want to think about it. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of manure! 😊

Tips (if you are not already doing this)
After washing feet, dry between toes well (I use cotton swabs),
Moisturize but not between toes. Don’t try to remove corns or calluses. Google: diabetes.org and in search bar enter ‘foot care’. You will receive proper instruction.

I cannot say enough about ‘self care’...

You will be okay!

Monitor and log your glucose levels and your feet daily/routinely. My doctor (endocrinologist) said she can also take a look at the numbers via the monitor. But it would be good to log, track to see trend.

I keep a log that includes blood pressure and weight. It makes me more cognizant of where I am and where I’m going.

Continuity of care between doctors with medications and lab tests to track those numbers is key.

Exercise helps keep numbers in check. I used to walk often before I had health issues crop up unexpectedly.

Meditation is good as well. There is a mind body connection. Even if it’s just 10-15 minutes a day, be it found in a meditation you tube video, prayer, something that redirects focus to center and ground us in thought and behavior. It helps. It really does. I consider square breathing an asset where this is concerned.

Well, I think I’ve gone on here but hope something helps.

I hope all goes smoothly. Wishing you wellness.

💜

WOW! Thank you for your extensive response. I will refer back to it often. I just looked up
'square breathing' and found a very helpful sight and went through the exercise once. I can see that it will be helpful. You are appreciated 🙂

So glad. Thank you!
💜

I combine a kind of modified "rectangle breathing" with meditating to calm myself.

I pause for a two-count while thinking "I am"...
Then to a four count while inhaling or exhaling, I think (for example) "Safe, calm, at peace, strong"...
Two-count pause, repeating "I am"...
Then to a four count, repeating my earlier meditation as I exhale or inhale.

It works for me!

Please see my long post elsewhere to find helpful and hopeful recourse while it's still in early stage and therefore REVERSIBLE.

As am 80 y.o. I can attest to the simple and easily healthy lifestyle that seems to do great dividends when we do our part of engaging in Pleasures that are gifted to us (we are drawn to them by nature/instinct) and therefore these 'interventions' come Without any determined efforts -- on the contrary these are our default mode -- curiosity, agency/purpose, playful activities both physical, mental and Social, all help to keep our immunity intact/strong and us healthy and fit that we knew as children.
For me No meds, surgeries, dr visits rarely, and no gym or supplements... just simple foods and exertions to keep me agile and strong. Getting slight joint pains but still can walk many floors huffing and panting last few ones in my apt. bldg.

Good luck ... and please avail this short lucky time slot. Well be good to know yr progress!

Lose weight if need be, exercise daily like a fast walk. Count carbs at meals.

Great idea. Usually I focus on the count, but I like your idea better! Thank you!

💛

I, too, was recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Had no idea until my lab work came back from a routine physical. My A1C was about 9.7. And, like you, I was very anxious. So much so, I was afraid to eat and lost 8 pounds that first week. I was already eating fairly well, at my ideal weight, and was exercising at least five days a week, so it came as quite a surprise. I was facing taking Ozempic and Metformin since weight loss and exercise weren't really options for me. But with the help of a CGM, I was able to determine which foods affected my glucose level the most and when exercise would help the most. I'm only on metformin now and was able to get my A1C down to 6.5 in the first three months after diagnosis. And I really don't think I'm "missing out of life" (though I miss those sushi rolls!).
So, please, don't despair. There's so much support out there for you. And there's plenty you do to take charge and manage your diabetes. I fully understand why you're anxious right now. But I have every confidence that, in a few months, you'll have it all under control and you'll live a long healthy life.