"Living with Type 2 Diabetes - reversal is a possibilty"

During the summer of 2018 I became increasingly exhausted after a holiday abroad. Initially I wondered if I had picked up a cold or virus on the flight home but as the days turned into weeks it became apparent that it was something else. Drained of all energy I found myself needing to sleep for 12-15 hours a day and in my waking hours all I could think of was the next opportunity to sleep. Eventually by mid-November blood tests confirmed that I was Type 2 Diabetic. It was actually a relief to discover the root cause of the problem but also helpful to be treated by a GP from Greyfriars Medical Centre who clearly laid out the options available and the challenge ahead. Medication was prescribed that could treat the symptoms but my GP explained that it would be better for my overall health to tackle some of the root causes that contributed to my condition.

For years I had known that I was overweight, leading a sedentary lifestyle, exercise was limited to walking the dog, food and alcohol intake were less than healthy and there had been ongoing occasional battles with depression and other mental health issues.

However the GP encouraged me that if I wanted to make some fundamental lifestyle changes then it was possible in the long term to reverse the diagnosis and at the same time make improvements in my overall health and wellbeing.

Referrals were made to dieticians, healthy weight clinics, eye tests, Desmond programme, health and wellbeing advice, all offering advice and support but at each point stressing that no one else could make these changes for me, the choice was mine whether or not I wanted to engage in the process of turning things around.

By November 2019 my HbA1c blood levels had dropped from 80 to 39 in just over a year. The change was gradual and needed heard work and perseverance. My basic diet remained the same as far as main meals were concerned with just a few tweaks in relation to avoiding sugar surges at breakfast and increasing vegetable and fruit intake. However the main 'dietary' change was reducing the unnecessary trash consumption, biscuits, cakes, and crisps alongside reducing weekly alcohol intake.

After the first few months, encouraged by the initial weight loss, I then had the courage to sign up to a gym. Initially I worked on cardio vascular exercise, which for me was 30-45 minutes on an exercise bike, gradually increasing frequency from once a week up to now attending 3 times a week. For the last few months I have also added some muscle building exercises using the weights and other fixed equipment in the gym. My weight has dropped by around 16kg and my waist is now 6" smaller than this time last year.

All of these changes with the encouragement and support of NHS staff, family and friends have not only benefitted my physical health but had a great benefit for my mental health and wellbeing. I will remain on medication for a further 6 months to ensure that the HbA1c levels remain as they are and then I will be able to come off the tablets.

I am grateful for all of the help on offer and the encouragement to make improvements that have benefits not just in relation to my Type 2 diabetes but ultimately could help prevent other health problems.