Type 2 diabetes - how did you find out you had it?

I had blood tests a few weeks ago and was convinced I was developing it, but no, all good thank goodness.

Granatlast007

Can any of you answer a question about pre-colonoscopy diet. I was told I was pre diabetic a couple of years ago and I managed it through the NHS course and the Zoe course and discovered that I need to live with low carbohydrate, more protein and exercise, especially after meals.

I'm just starting the colonoscopy prep and the diet sheet horrifies me, it's white bread, white pasta, scones, cake, jelly , no veg, no fruit, no dairy, fizzy drinks including cordial and squash . I could eat meat, but I don't. I'm at my wits end and think I just won't eat at all because I know that my blood sugar is going to be sky high.

Has anyone a similar experience or any advice?

Phone your colonoscopy clinic for their expert advice. They have alternatives for patients who would struggle with the diet or the liquid prep and are well used to this.

My advice is, whatever they advise, just gird up your loins and follow it to the letter. The emptier and cleaner your colon is, the better the process and result of the scope.

On clean-out day, stay home near the toilet for a quiet day with a box set to watch, and don't make any other plans.

The colonoscopy itself is less bother than the preparation for it, in my experience (5 times).

My mother also had type 2 diabetes which I told my doctor about. I was monitored annually from my late 50s onwards until in my late 60s it became a self fulfilling prophecy. I manage to keep my glucose level around 53/54 which is considered good management but that’s with medication, a good diet and exercise. I accept that some things can’t always be avoided but wish that, instead of just progressing through the prediabetic phase, I’d been given the opportunity to go on the courses which are now provided. Maybe I could have put it off for longer.

Floradora,
I appreciate your post. I do know how type 2 is different for everyone and I apologise if my post was seen as misleading. All I can say is my DH had type 2 for many years, he was slim ( still is )
and I recognise he was very lucky and in the minority . No longer attends the diabetic clinic - he was very fortunate!
Having said that we are aware the condition could make a comeback.

I guess he is in remission . But has been ok now for 12 years.

Granatlast007

Thank you twaddle , I had a look through the colonoscopy threads via search but people are always worried about the prep solution you have to drink not the diet sheet. Someone said there's a low carbon thread? I shall try and find.

I know somebody with stomach cancer, who is also T2 diabetic, She was told to eat the same kind of food as you were. The solution for her has been to take insulin, which you could on a temporary basis, which means that it's not critical to keep her carbs low. You could contact your specialist team and ask to be referred to a nutritionist/dietician.

I had a test as part of a general health review a few, maybe five years ago. I was borderline and have been each year but last year I was told I was officially in remission. The nurse wasn’t sure whether I would still be called for an eye check, but I will still get an annual review. I am not very strict with my diet though generally eat healthily and have never been on any diabetes medication.

My husband and I were told a year ago that we were both pre-diabetic and were given the opportunity to attend a Diabetes Prevention course. We could choose to attend in person or an online one. We chose to attend in person and this was approx monthly over a 9 month period. It was extremely interesting and helpful. We are both 77 yrs old and managed to reduce our glucose results enough that we are no longer pre-diabetic. It is always worth checking if these are available in other areas of the country. We are in Kent.

Well Granatlast007 I was the same as you, absolutely horrified at the white bread, white rice stodgy pre-colonoscopy diet that I asked to have a CT Colonography (computed tomography colonography). There is some, what I call, rubbish food to eat before it, but much less, and I found the whole experience less intrusive. I DO hope this helps.

Had chronic itchy legs and had thought it was a previous autoimmune condition rearing its head again, but no it was T2 diabetes
I wasn’t particularly overweight but there it was/still is

Warmglovesandsocks

Well Granatlast007 I was the same as you, absolutely horrified at the white bread, white rice stodgy pre-colonoscopy diet that I asked to have a CT Colonography (computed tomography colonography). There is some, what I call, rubbish food to eat before it, but much less, and I found the whole experience less intrusive. I DO hope this helps.

Many thanks warmglovesandsocks I had read about CT colonography but assumed it wasn't available for an ordinary bod. It's difficult enough these days to get a GP appointment let alone ask for something special. Really helpful of you.
Thanks to others for replying.

I know that my tendency to diabetes is genetic and I live in fear of it progressing, I've read the posts of those who have been successful at managing the condition with interest, there's such a lot of going out for coffee and cakes these days which gets in the way of avoiding carbs!

I have genetic T2D. I have/had no symptoms when diagnosed. Neither do I have any now a few years later. I follow a low carb diet which put my levels back to normal for a couple of years but my HBA1C started to slowly creep up so now I’m on low level of meds, combined with diet and exercise. I was given an annual test after having had a child as I had gestational diabetes. I was absolutely fine until I had an operation resulting in me losing a fair bit of weight (I wasn’t overweight to begin with!) and my levels started to rise after that.