Diagnosed 10 months ago.
A1C at diagnosis 10.7.
3 months later 5.9.
6 months from diagnosis, again 5.9.
Extremely low carb, happily so. This A1C in November is going to be horrid I know it. I’ve been slipping. I feel afraid. My diet is 1,000 times better than pre-diagnosis. The bread I do eat is low carb and measured. The first six months, when my husband would make the beef soup/stew we all like, I would avoid the potato chunks. Now, I find myself eating a few pieces. Not even 1/4 of what I’d eat prior, but still. In the last 3 months, I have had 2 slices of coconut creme pie. I had bits of dessert in the duration of my 2nd A1C cycle, and my number remained at 5.9. I realize I can have SOME carbs now. I feel amazingly guilty when I do. I’ve had a few emotional days (work has been particularly stressful the last weeks) and I have eaten anything from a measured package of cookies (38 carbs),to homemade rice crispie treats left on the break table. Oh, and that donut. Can you all see what’s happening? When I first met with the dietician he told me that on average, the newly diagnosed T2, is good for 2 years, and then starts to fall off the wagon so to speak. I was so frightened and determined, I assured him it would NEVER happen to me. I love all of my low carb foods. I’ve gotten lax about shopping. About self control. It only took 10 months! Not even 2 years. I am disappointed in myself. Afraid, and it feels as if I’m on a slippery slope and either I regain my footing, or I fall all the way down. Please, someone help me find a mental handhold? I feel as if I need the support of you all now, even more than at diagnosis. Thanks in advance.
Personally, I think the dietician did you a disservice by telling you that you would “fall off the wagon” after two years; we are all different. I don’t even like that term “fall off the wagon” because it implies a white knuckled struggle. You do say you enjoyed your low carb diet, but I’m still wondering if, now that you’ve achieved an excellent A1C (please remind yourself of that!) you need to modify your diet a bit so you won’t feel guilty everytime you eat a piece of potato. If you develop a diet that is still relatively low in carbs but leaves room for the occasional whatever, you may be more able to tolerate it longterm. I call it the “twinkie granola syndrome”. People go on very strict diets and do ok for awhile and then start to feel deprived and end up binging out on garbage. Much better to chose somewhere in between and stay there happily!
Now I know there are many people on here that do very low carb diets and maintain it happily longterm. Perhaps you are one of them and just need to get some more variety of recipes. Also you might want to talk with your husband about having the family eat more low carb for everyone. There is not much you can do about treats at work. But after a time of being low carb you will stop seeing it. I haven’t eaten sugar for 16 years and when I see goodies they don’t call to me. I call it styrofoam, in fact the overly sweet smell is unpleasant to me.
Only you know if you are one who is overly perfectionist and falling prey to the twinkie granola syndrome. Or one that just needs a bit more support from people who believe, unlike your dietician that they can maintain it for the long haul.
I think you are doing great. You have definitely NOT “fallen off the wagon.” You are a normal person who made a lifestyle change 10 months ago due to a D dx. You made the correct changes to your diet and got a rapid and steady result, the terrific A1c of 5.9. Now you have settled into your new lifestyle. There are bound to be small, little glitches in the diet you are on, they are not major mess-ups. It is possible your Ac1 may go up a couple of decimal points, but that is not a disaster. You really don’t know at this point where your A1c will stay with this diet. For example, my A1c has been between 6.3 and 6.5 for the past 2 years. I am happy it stays in the same area. I would like it to be a little lower, but I am not willing to go totally low carb. Don’t be so hard on yourself when you have that occasional treat, as long as it is only occasional.
You can’t go completely without. It’s isn’t even necessary. It’s about portion size and control. Moderation. When you first are diagnosed and you are learning and being very careful, you are very engaged. Later, well, sometimes that doughnut is going to have your name on it. You just don’t reach of another. Plan for it even.
This isn’t a failing, this is you living in the real world. You didn’t abuse food, you aren’t on the wagon. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Just be moderate and if you have something high in carb, walk an extra 20 minutes or something. You love your new low-carb stuff, you’ve made necessary lifestyle changes to mitigate the doughnut issue. Management is about making healthier choices more often than not.
You really are doing just fine. 
Carbs are not an issue of morality, so I don’t know what this whole “diabetics are good for 2 years” thing is supposed to mean. We’re managing a progressive disease that changes over time, and we are humans, not robots, so we will have constant adjustments and occasional slipups.
When you find one thing isn’t working, try something else, but don’t beat yourself up.
95% of this condition is up to you. You know that. Having said that if you didn’t waver you wouldn’t be like all of us. Dont be hard on yourself. Take small steps each week. Start with the easy things you can do right now. Go for a walk, ride a bike, eat healthier, read this web site everyday, whatever you are the strongest in.
Then work on the harder things.
Also realize that some people have a much harder time giving up carbs. It sounds like you may be one of them. Talk to your Dr for Victoza,Symlin, or Byetta to curb cravings. This may help you alot during times of craving and snacking.
Right now you have an average blood sugar of 132 BG from your last A1C. I know you dont want to be running around with a A1C higher than that, that is the reason you are reaching out. If your A1C is higher this time its not the end.
A1C is very individual thing and you should have a goal of where you want it to be. Without a goal how will you know how to get there?
We are all here to help. Do your best, thats all any of us can do.
ps I think the comment by your dietician was very inapporiate.
Don’t kick yourself here. This is a long journey we are all on. The fact is, you recognize that your habits haven’t been up to your expectations. You have the ability to change that. Again, this a long journey with ups and downs. We cant expect perfection all the time and a part of the long term management of D is recognizing those patterns and then always making small adjustments here and there to keep the best control we can.
HEY, HEY HERE! Seems to me that you know what your doing “wrong” I’ve dealt with these facts since I was 10 and I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT!!! Breath long breaths. in deaply out in out. PLease don’t set your self up for any discurage ment you might be pleasently surprised. I know A type 1 talking to a Type 2 probably does no good but YOU CAN DO THIS!!! Always remember that! We all “cheet” everyonce in awhile but you’ve got the stringth to do it. Look inside yourself and you will find it!
I think the dietician’s comment was in response to my refusal at that visit, to entertain the thought of eating any carbs at all. I think? but am not sure, that he was trying for a healthy balance for me, and I assured him I would be FINE without any carbs if possible. I wanted to eat 30 carbs or less each day. It’s totally possible to do! Was he correct? it was too limiting for me? I feel as if I got a bit overconfident with the good A1C readings. Also? I didn’t realize that 132 was my average reading for an A1C of 5.9. I mistakenly thought it was lower than that. Or so the paperwork said? I do not want to be averaging 132. Sigh.
I used this chart, and it told me that 5.9 was 123. This is also what my lab paperwork said. Is it really 132??? Oh dear.
This is Dr B’s formula which gives a wider average. Its supposed to take in the readings below of 100 better, from a 2002 study in the ADA journal. Its the one I use that gives a wider range. My average BGs are alot higher in this formula too
I dont really think that people realize that what they say will effect us so much. Try not to toss that 2 year or even 10 months on yourself. Your doing well. This is a chronic disease with chronic solutions. This means work on this over time and your are and will!
Keep in mind though, that there are alternatives to that doughnut or pie. 85% dark chocolate is 2 carbs for a 1x1" square. PB is 3 carbs for a tbsp. Pumpkin makes great pie and is totally low carb. There are more goodies like this as well that are guilt free. If you feel yourself craving a sweet, tru replace it with one thats good for bg and will bring a lot less guilt. And in the end, if you have a treat, go for it. Just do it in moderation! The point is to keep BGs level and not to punish ourselves. If you can keep a level BG, then have the doughnut. But, dont beat yourself up about it because your doing great.