I was able to reverse diabetes and I like to call myself an ex-diabetic. My name is Oscar, I live in Toronto Canada and I am a recovering carboholic and diabetic.
In April 2017 I was able to get my HbA1c levels down to 5.7 and have been able to keep them hovering at that level. But first let me tell you where I started.
Up to the age of 40 I never had any medical concerns or issues. Overweight and feeling a little sluggish but blamed it on the extra weight. Hovering around 250 pounds and decided it was time for me to finally obtain a family doctor and go for a check up. The Doctor did the usual tests and to my surprise my blood work came back showing I was pre-diabetic. At the time, I was not aware of the possibilities of reversing my diabetes and I ended up on a Metformin prescription.
At this time I was aware of eating a low carb diet, I did Atkins back in 2002 and lost 45 pounds, however once I went back to eating carbs, I gained all the weight back. Once again I started eating a low carb diet and was able to keep my blood sugars down and my HbA1c around 6.4 mmol/L. My ability to keep my blood sugars low impressed the endocrinologist. He was confident I was able to manage my diabetes with diet and metformin and didn't need to go back to see him any longer. Woohoo! I had my free ticket and didn't have to go back? Well, although very proud of myself I felt that maybe I can just stop taking metformin and take care of my blood sugars on my own. Big mistake!
Reverse Diabetes - 2 Years Later
I decided to go back to the doctors and get a check up, no meds, eating whatever I wanted. To no surprise, my blood work came back and my HbA1c was 11.4 mmol/L. I was placed back on metformin but this time, a double dose (1000 mg/day.)
One Year Later
I was visiting my parents during Christmas in my home city of Thunder Bay, Ontario. My mother suffers from several medical conditions, one of them being diabetes. While I was there, my mother was rushed to the hospital due to having water in her lungs, the issue was addressed and she was back home the same day. This seemed to be an ongoing problem for my mother, however with the right medication, it has since been resolved. During this hospital visit, watching my mother grasping for air with her face turning blue, gave me a huge wake up call. I decided on that day that if I want to live a long healthy life I need to take better care of myself.
So after the new year in January 2017 I decided to start a low carb diet. While researching low carb diets, I came across the ketogenic diet and made the switch. A month later I went to the doctors and had some blood work done . My doctor prescribed Glimperide after learning my HbA1c is 9.2 mmol/L. Another prescription was disappointing and when I did my research on this new drug, I decided there was no way in hell that I was going to take it and made a vow to prove to my doctor that I didn't need it.
Reverse Diabetes - 3 Months Later
A visit to my doctors, had my blood work done. I told my doctor that I didn’t take the Glimperide and that I have been following a ketogenic diet and doing the occasional 1 or 2 day fast. Now, I had thought my doctor was going to be upset but once he had a look at the bloodwork results he was in shock. I was able to reverse diabetes and get my HbA1c down to 5.7 mmol/L. Woohoo, my blood sugar dropped big time and we decided to cut my Metformin dose in half to 500 mg/day. Feeling amazing and confident when I heard my doctor say that I was no longer diabetic. Confirming that this way of eating while doing some fasting was the answer to reversing my diabetes.
Today
My HbA1c has been the same since I was able to reverse diabetes. My doctor indicated that if I can keep it the same for a while, I can stop taking metformin. Current dose is 125 mg/day.
***Update no longer on any meds and am able to keep my blood sugars at 5.7 without any medications.
Observations since going keto? Way more energy, I am more focused and don't feel the need to snack all the time. I can skip a meal when I am busy without any hunger pangs or that hangry feeling. No longer have highs and lows and can spend time on important things rather than thinking about food all day.
Stay tuned for updates
Don't forget to check more resources and information and my favourite shop for diabetic friendly foods Switch Grocery.
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