Do You Feel Discouraged With Your Type 2 Diabetes Journey?

By Kim Hill

2 min read

Lately, I've been feeling discouraged. It's not because my numbers aren't okay - they are. I've been eating pretty healthy, and the scale isn't moving.

Feeling discouraged about type 2 diabetes

I know you might be feeling discouraged with your type 2 diabetes journey, too. And that can lead to eating habits that aren't good for managing your blood sugar and A1C. What do you do when this happens?

Making healthy eating a habit

It's always been hard for me to eat the right things, or at least stick with it long-term. Since I have an appointment with a cardiologist, it has been even more important to me to make healthy eating a habit.

Avoiding sugar and trying substitutions

I avoid consuming added sugar except for a tablespoon of maple syrup with some peanut butter for a small snack. I've cut out most starchy foods from my usual diet, which has helped me reduce the amount of carbohydrates I consume daily.

For example, instead of sourdough (my favorite bread), I have substituted that with a 5-grain wheat bread. And my beloved french fries? I've had around 5 small fries in over a week. But the scale isn't even moving a few ounces.

Dealing with other health concerns

Some of you who have read my other posts know I've had health issues this past year. So far, I had 4 surgeries, and now I'm on immunotherapy.

Well, it turns out that a side effect of this immunotherapy might cause my TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels to elevate. That's related to the thyroid. Testing TSH levels is used to determine how well the thyroid is working. If TSH levels are too high, losing weight could be difficult.¹

My TSH levels have doubled in just 2 months. These were the same 2 months I started immunotherapy. At least I know another factor contributes to my lack of weight loss.

I want more out of eating healthy

And while weight loss could be a goal for you if you have type 2 diabetes, what's more important to me is eating healthy, regardless of a weight goal. If I'm being honest, I feel like I should at least get something out of giving up my favorite foods. No more ice cream floats or donuts. No more french fries, pasta, and sourdough bread.

But when it comes down to it, I should be eating this way anyway. While my A1C is now in the normal range (due to medication), I still should be eating healthier foods. Weight loss is a great secondary outcome, but not losing weight is discouraging. At least I know there is a reason for this, even though it still brings me down mentally.

You're not alone

My doctor prescribed me medicine that should help lower the TSH levels, which should, in turn, help me lose weight while I'm eating a more balanced diet. But if you're feeling discouraged with your type 2 diabetes journey, I can empathize. I totally get it.

I feel like I should be rewarded for changing and improving my nutrition habits. But rewards are important. Knowing your hard work pays off in more ways than one leads people to want to continue. So, hopefully, these new medications can make my scale move down. But at least I'm eating healthy foods like I should, regardless of the weight.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Type2Diabetes.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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tsteele93 Member
I know everyone’s situation is different but there seem to be three main factors in getting type 2 diabetes: Weight, exercise and genetics. Diet isn’t truly the cause. It can certainly make it worse or make the symptoms more serious, but I have seen a lot of info that says what you were eating (by itself, because of course eating unhealthy can contribute to weight) isn’t a cause of T2D. For ME I know that I had the genetics from my grandmother. I was/am overweight. But I suspect my most serious mistake was sedentary lifestyle. I battle depression. I have many days where I literally don’t leave the house. My diet was atrocious too. My weight was actually my least offense. I was 245 during Covid (doing very little but existing in my home then) but had come down to 190 over the past couple of years. My long winded point is that I’ve recently started making a strong effort to do more walking. I don’t fast walk but there are hills and my wife and I will walk the dog - who keeps me moving at a decent pace - and my son has me out playing Pokémon go with him and walking with him for that. It sounds like exercise may be difficult for your situation but if you could walk somewhat regularly maybe that might be the piece of the puzzle that could help you break through? No matter what, know that we are all here in this boat with you cheering you on! 
1. Lori.Foster Community Admin
 Hi <inline-mention username="tsteele93" user-id="8660583"/>. I edited it to remove the markup language. Our system doesn't handling formatting well. What you say is true. Diet along doesn't cause diabetes. It results from a reduce production of insulin and, often, insulin resistance. There are plenty of obese people who never develop diabetes and thin, healthy people who develop Type 2 diabetes, regardless. Thanks for for chiming in, Warmly, Lori (Team Member) 
2. Diane Talbert Moderator & Contributor
 Hello <inline-mention username="tsteele93" user-id="8660583"/> , Thanks for sharing some of your journeys. I have had T2D for over 30 years. I felt defeated for so many years. My mom passed away at age 38. She went into a diabetic coma. I remember saying at the age of 19 - this will never happen to me. Boy was I wrong. I did everything wrong. I did finally get it together with a lot of trial and error, so I understand what you are saying. And you are so right, we are all in this together. Thank you, Diane (Team Member)
tsteele93 Member
Thank you Lori. What is odd is that I didn’t try to use any markup. Something must have just glitched. I’ve posted every comment from my iPhone the same? Maybe I accidentally included a markup symbol that caused it to corrupt the rest of the message. I apologize and do not know what caused it. 
1. Lori.Foster Community Admin
 No worries, <inline-mention username="tsteele93" user-id="8660583"/>! It happens, especially with comments that are written in Word or Google Docs or some other word processing program, and then, copied and pasted. The formatting is invisible, so you don't see it until it show up in a post. Editing from my end is super easy, so please don't ever worry about it and feel free to message me if you ever need help. - Lori (Team Member)
Keith Crear Moderator & Contributor
I totally understand feeling discouraged. When you have been eating right and getting in a few exercise routines, and that reading comes back high, it hits hard. -B. Keith Crear III (Team Member)
CommunityMember9b8226 Member
I am only 2 months and very discouraged. I lost 30lbs over the past two years and went to urologist for what I thought was prostrate problems. Nope Type 2 diabetes. A1C of 10.5. I have been on Synjardy for 2 months and blood sugars are in check. I have lost another 10lbs the past two months. The issue is my urine glucose levels have not dropped since diagnosis. I am up 3 to 4 times a night. Usually the bladder pain is so bad I stay awake for an hour waiting for the pain to subside so I can fall asleep for another two hours. Two months of only getting 4 to 5 hours a sleep at night have taken it's toll. It's affecting all aspects of my life including work. Both my Endo and Urologist say this will eventually pass, but can not give me an estimate. 
1. Lori.Foster Community Admin
 My heart goes out to you, <inline-mention username="CommunityMember9b8226" user-id="8781189"/>. Sleep deprivation can be really hard on the mind and body. I hope it does pass soon and you are able to sleep longer and more comfortably. In the meantime, are you able to squeeze in a nap at any time during the day or early evening? Maybe just 40 minutes once a day? It won't entirely make up for the loss of sleep, but you would be surprised to see how much it helps. Your kidneys need time to expell all that glucose that has built up in them, but if your bladder symptoms worsen though or if your pain gets any worse, please call your doctor immediately. There might be something else going on that needs immediate treatment. Keep us posted if you don't mind. I will be thinking of you. - Lori (Team Member)
CommunityMember9b8226 Member
Thank you for the kind words. My urologist ran dozens of blood test, ultrasounds and xrays and found nothing wrong and said it's all diabetes related. No stones, cancer, obstructions, infections etc. My Endocrinologist echoed what you said. My kidneys and bladder are working overtime to to expel the excess glucose. Unfortunately my bladder seems to be extra sensitive to the excess glucose and it has inflamed the nerve tissue in the bladder. So the bladder constantly hurts(burning sensation), and pain increases as it fills.(feels like razor blades in the bladder). I work a 4 days a week, 10 hour days so no naps. However on my 3 days off, I am constantly napping to try and catch up on sleep with a heating pad. Still just 2 hours at a time, but it's better than nothing. I am disheartened that my Doctor's don't think this is an issue and that it will eventually pass. Over the counter pain pills don't work. I do realize the synjardy blocks proteins in the kidneys to increase glucose excretion through the urine. I just wish the doctors could prescribe something for the pain.
1. Lori.Foster Community Admin
 Hi <inline-mention username="CommunityMember9b8226" user-id="8781189"/>. That sounds awful. Do you think it would be worth asking your doctor for something that addresses nerve pain, like gabapentin, just for the night time? There might be good reasons you can't take it right now, but it might also be that your doctor simply never thought to prescribe it. - Lori (Team Member)