Well done all of you who are still battling with your HbA1c results being 48 or more. Don’t give up! I reversed my Type 2 back in November 2017 and have stayed in Remission most of the time up to now (January 2025). I still have regular blood checks every 6 months. If my HbA1c is 48, I refuse Metformin and tell the nurse I know what to do. She says she’ll take more blood in 3 months. So I go back on the MM 8-week diet sometimes, or just reduce my carbs, desserts and fruit intake for a few weeks. Have another blood test 3 months later and it has always gone back down to around 45/46. Once you know how you should be eating, it’s easy to manage it. Good luck everyone. Keep that determined mindset.

Thanks AngS.
My HbA1c was 50 on the 21st May 2024 and 49 on 7th June 2024. On Dec 9th it was 40! 🎉 I am greatly inspired by your post, as I have been wondering about the long term possibility of remaining in remission! Thanks!

Pootle it is absolutely possible to remain in remission in the long term. I have for nearly 8 years now drug free.

I work it in a different way to AngS. I tend to stick to low carb without counting by not eating the really ‘carby’ stuff like bread, potatoes, rice and pasta for 90-95% of the time. I don’t eat cakes, desserts or sweets apart from 70%+ chocolate. But when we go away I do indulge in a few spoons of my favourite desserts or the odd piece of decent bread with cheese etc. I’ve found that my tastes have changed so much that the food/drinks that I enjoyed 8 years or so ago are now just too sweet.

My HbA1c has never gone over 40 in all those years. So I don’t ’cut down’ to get my BS back into control it usually is ok. I do finger prick every few days or so and I know that if my reading is 6.5 or less then all is fine. If it goes above 7 then I’m extra careful for a few days. But that’s just my ‘norm’ yours may be different.

Pootle you will find ‘your’ way but it is totally ‘doable’. Blood Sugar can be kept in control without total deprivation you just have to find the best ‘way’ for yourself.

Thanks Verano,

I aim to continue avoiding all bread, pasta, rice and potato, using the ‘replacements’ that I really enjoy! I won’t be eating cake or biscuits and will continue to have Greek style live yoghurt with a very few berries for a ‘dessert’ unless we are out to eat and crème brûlée is on the menu! (I used to love sticky toffee etc but think it will be far too sweet now!)
I am still checking my weight, and intend to keep at roughly the same weight I am now, but I have wondered how to ensure the diabetes is under control. I hadn’t thought about finger prick… but that is a very good plan! Do you buy over the counter? What is the recognised range?
Hope you have had a brilliant trip to Portugal, wishing you a very happy and healthy 2025!
I am where I am thanks to yourself and Sunshine-girl. I think I would have failed if it weren’t for your tips and encouragement. I only hope my success will help someone else!
X

Hi Pootle

I buy ‘Sinocare’ online but there are others available too. I would suggest that you keep a note of what you eat and the number of carbs then the following morning test before you eat. I picked up a great tip from s-g. Don’t ‘prick’ your finger ‘tip’ use the side of your finger and you won’t get sore. I would probably do this every two days for a couple of weeks just to find ‘your pattern’. Don’t get too hung up on the ‘number’ per se because there are so many factors that can affect that. For example if you eat bread with fat ie. butter or olive oil etc., it usually causes less of a spike than plain bread. You will soon be able to work out your ‘norm’ especially if you test after a day when you have eaten something really ‘carby’.

Try it and see. I only test when I remember now and again or when I know I’ve eaten too many carbs!

BTW you are too kind! You did all the hard work and did amazingly well. 2025 will be the start of your ‘diabetes free’ life, still be full of ‘pleasures’, just of a less carby nature!

Thanks…Ordered from Amazon to arrive tomorrow! xx

Great to hear of remissions. Unfortunately, already being on insulin for about 12 years before discovering BSD I am just happy to have reduced insulin and lowered my numbers dramatically. I think I could go further but there are always little enjoyments in life like birthdays, christmas etc. When I say enjoyments I don’t mean cake or bread, just not being quite so strict.

As Verano says there are many things that can influence you finger prick numbers so don’t fret about it, just use it as a range. For example my BG was 130 this morning which is high for me (range of 85 to 125 is normal) but I have been ill for several days and not eating so not possible I have had too much ‘sugar’, just my body fighting back.

It is a lifetime, lifestyle change but is still enjoyable. Heard someone say don’t think what you cant have, think about what you can add.