Back in August 2010, I had to go into the local ER where they discovered my blood glucose running at 400 and my HbA1c at 8.2%. I was in the process of going into a diabetic keto-acidosis coma. I think therefore they started off thinking I was type 1 despite my age. I don't have a lot of hard data on the hospital figures - the discussions were of course in French, and I wasn't really at my best at the time. In addition, the numbers would have meant nothing to me.
However after a few days on an intravenous insulin pump, with lots of saline to re-hydrate me and antibiotics to treat my kidney infection, the doctor let me go home for the weekend with some insulin (Novamix) and antibiotics.
I got back on the Monday and after telling me off for eating insufficient starches over the weekend, the doctor decided I was type 2 and prescribed Levemir insulin to help with basal control and Prandin to cope with post meal spikes.
I was also warned that my high fat diet wasn't well balanced. She gave me some rules for dose management of the insulin and re-stated her concerns about my "unbalanced diet". The wife and I followed the guidance on the Levemir dose dutifully and totally ignored the dietary guidance. The main change we made in my diet was to reduce the carbohydrate content to around 70 grams per day (the opposite of the advice given). In calorie terms, it's currently around 2,200.
By early November, I was off the insulin.
The Prandin (read about it on
Blood Sugar 101) is still in the unopened packs in the kitchen drawer.
Over the same period my weight dropped from 183 lbs to 161 lbs - and by the February down further to the current 152 lbs where I seem to be stable.
So the answer to your question is Yes - briefly but not now and I plan to keep it that way.
I think I'm lucky.
- My diabetes seems to be quite "mild" and the crisis was caused by the kidney infection which was controlled by the antibiotics.
- My wife is a great cook and very supportive of the changes in my diet.
- I got a serious fright 15 months ago, and cheating on the diet does not appeal at all!
- My local doctor has seen my numbers and has decided (I think) not to enquire too deeply into how they have been achieved.
Like you the change came as a complete shock - We retired to France only because we were both fit as fiddles - I last saw a doctor in about 1995 for travel shots!
But it happens. I'm just lucky that Judy did her homework the week I was in the French hospital and amongst other things found this forum.
John