Hi everyone... My first post ...Newly diagnosed

[Deb9]

Hi all...
I was diagnosed with Type 2 a week ago and sent home with no info at all... Only an appointment to get my feet and eyes looked at...I don't know anyone with diabetes
I'm relying on Google for info and some is really old.. I've been living on eggs and fruit some fish and veg....
I'm starving ...confused...and feeling really low

 

[Windy]

Hi @Deb9 welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about your diagnosis and the shock it's given you, and sadly, the lack of information that you've had to support you.
There's the learning zone at the top of this page that's really helpful if you want to sign up for that.
What questions do you have that you'd like answered?
I was diagnosed at the end of October, and it was all new and a bit horrifying then for me too. It does get easier to deal with, though I appreciate that's probably not much comfort to you at the moment.
You don't have to restrict your diet to eggs, fruit, fish and veg, what sort of stuff did you eat before?
Sarah

 

[Vonny]

Hi @Deb9, if you are just a week in, you will be ultra confused and fed up. It takes quite a while for the "my life is never going to be the same again" feeling to go away. In fact, my life never has been the same again, but that's for the better. I was a complete carb monster, carbs for each meal, carbs for snacks, but when I reduced the carbs, the compulsion to eat them gradually subsided. I am more active and so much healthier that I was in my 40s and I'm now 62.
Eggs: good, Fish: good, Veg: good, Fruit: some are ok. Berries are the best but steer clear of bananas and exotic fruit. Meat is also good, cheese good. Basically reduce your carbs and increase your protein and fat. Unfortunately the NHS still gives out the message to go low fat, but if you are reducing carbs you need something to compensate otherwise you will continue to feel starving!
The "What did you eat yesterday" thread is a good place to start for meal ideas.
Welcome aboard and best of luck 🙂

 

[Deb9]

Hi @Deb9 welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about your diagnosis and the shock it's given you, and sadly, the lack of information that you've had to support you.
There's the learning zone at the top of this page that's really helpful if you want to sign up for that.
What questions do you have that you'd like answered?
I was diagnosed at the end of October, and it was all new and a bit horrifying then for me too. It does get easier to deal with, though I appreciate that's probably not much comfort to you at the moment.
You don't have to restrict your diet to eggs, fruit, fish and veg, what sort of stuff did you eat before?
Sarah

 

[Leadinglights]

It is a shock to receive such a diagnosis but look upon it as an opportunity to have a better healthier diet. Like many you seem to have had little support from your surgery but to be honest if it is like many you will get more from being here.
As well as the learning zone you might find this link useful.
https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
The principals are much as many people find successful in reducing their blood glucose.
If you would like to share how your diagnosis came about and what was your HbA1C that confirmed your diagnosis, it will be a number above 48mmol/mol but how high it is will help you know how much you need to do to get it back to normal levels.

 

[Deb9]

Hi @Deb9 welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about your diagnosis and the shock it's given you, and sadly, the lack of information that you've had to support you.
There's the learning zone at the top of this page that's really helpful if you want to sign up for that.
What questions do you have that you'd like answered?
I was diagnosed at the end of October, and it was all new and a bit horrifying then for me too. It does get easier to deal with, though I appreciate that's probably not much comfort to you at the moment.
You don't have to restrict your diet to eggs, fruit, fish and veg, what sort of stuff did you eat before?
Sarah

 

[Deb9]

Hi everyone...
Thankyou for your replys...
I was told 79 which means nothing to me ...She said it was high whatever "it " was ... I feel nothing was explained to me ..the week before I was diagnosed I was sleepy lethargic had time off work which I never do I'd fight through any cough cold or sickness ...I honestly thought I had covid I went for PCR test that come back negative.. Which led me to doctors as something wasn't right... I also have a thyroid problem
I am now on Metformin... Liptor statin and Levothyroxine
Waiting to see dietician ..
Thanks for reading x

 

[Lily123]

Hi everyone...
Thankyou for your replys...
I was told 79 which means nothing to me ...She said it was high whatever "it " was ... I feel nothing was explained to me ..the week before I was diagnosed I was sleepy lethargic had time off work which I never do I'd fight through any cough cold or sickness ...I honestly thought I had covid I went for PCR test that come back negative.. Which led me to doctors as something wasn't right... I also have a thyroid problem
I am now on Metformin... Liptor statin and Levothyroxine
Waiting to see dietician ..
Thanks for reading x

The 79 would be your HbA1C

 

[Leadinglights]

The HbA1C is the test used to diagnose diabetes, it is the average glucose level over the previous three months. It measures the amount of glucose attached to your red blood cells. A level over 48mmol/mol gives you a diabetes diagnosis so the aim is to get it back down to below 42mmol/mol as that is normal. You might see people who say they are 'at risk' or prediabetic and that is because they are between 42 and 47mmol/mol.
At 79 mmol/mol your level is high but not as high as some people here were at diagnosis and they have managed to get it down by either low carb regime or one of the low calorie short kick start regimes.
Some people have weight to lose and doing that also helps.
The symptoms you describe are typical of high blood glucose though many people are surprised by their diagnosis as they have not had any symptoms.
Thyroid issues are something a few people have mentioned that they also have and that can affect their blood glucose levels.

 

[Windy]

Hi everyone...
Thankyou for your replys...
I was told 79 which means nothing to me ...She said it was high whatever "it " was ... I feel nothing was explained to me ..the week before I was diagnosed I was sleepy lethargic had time off work which I never do I'd fight through any cough cold or sickness ...I honestly thought I had covid I went for PCR test that come back negative.. Which led me to doctors as something wasn't right... I also have a thyroid problem
I am now on Metformin... Liptor statin and Levothyroxine
Waiting to see dietician ..
Thanks for reading x

Hi Deb, there's a page here which explains what the 79 means. [@Leadinglights has just pipped me to the post!]. Mine was 80, and I've been working to reduce that. You've already started by changing your diet, and arranging to see a dietician.
You've been given good ideas by people above me. I can recommend buying a diabetes cookbook, or borrowing one from a library so that you can expand the types of meals you can eat. I bought the Blood Sugar diet cookbook and the Diabetes weight loss cookbook and recommend them both.
Also, soup's nice and you can make a load of it at once, then freeze it in portions so that you don't have to make it as often.
I hope you're feeling a bit better soon.
Keep asking questions and we'll all support you as best we can, Sarah

 

[janw]

The tiredness is also a persistent symptom of the thyroid problem, my hubby is on same meds as you (he isn't diabetic, which surprises me, he's always ate more junk than me - and still does!), plus diabetes can cause similar tiredness on top, so it is no wonder you knew something was wrong. Reduce your carbs slowly, doing it too fast can create other issues, so just work on breakfasts first, then lunches, finally dinners.... fit snacks in that keep you under your daily limits. Don't be too hard on yourself 🙂
Vegetables that grow above the ground are better for you, under the ground veggies are higher carb so need to be restricted or an alternative found. Have more good fats and ample protein, plus lots of fluids. Keep an online diary to log all you eat and drink, to keep a check on your carb intake. You might want to invest in a BG meter so you can see how carbs affect you at each meal, most T2s find them a real blessing as it puts us in control - we have to self-fund these, plus the test strips and lancets, but it is so worth it.
If you have any questions or queries just ask away, nothing is considered silly as we have all had to start at the beginning, we are all here to help you find the right pathway for you.

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

Hi Deb9, welcome to the forum.

Most people felt as you do when first diagnosed so you're not alone. It's a shame that there's not more info given to the newly diagnosed but you're in good hands here as we have a wealth of info.

Do have a look at the link above re what HbA1c numbers are, you can also have a look at the following pages re food and everyday testing which tells you what your blood sugar numbers are in that moment vs the HbA1c which is an average of three months . Some people find testing regularly helps them to know what they can eat.

How to check your blood sugar levels

Knowing your blood sugar levels helps you manage your diabetes and reduces your risk of having serious complications – now and in the future. On this page:

www.diabetes.org.uk

I have type 2 diabetes – what can I eat?

If you've just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, one of the first things you might be worried about is food. You’re likely to be faced with what seems like an endless list of new tasks. Medical appointments, taking medication, stopping smoking, being more active and eating a healthy, balanced...

www.diabetes.org.uk

If you have any specific questions , feel free to post them on the site and we'll do our best to help.

 

[Alan S]

Hi all...
I was diagnosed with Type 2 a week ago and sent home with no info at all... Only an appointment to get my feet and eyes looked at...I don't know anyone with diabetes
I'm relying on Google for info and some is really old.. I've been living on eggs and fruit some fish and veg....
I'm starving ...confused...and feeling really low

G'day and welcome.

I wrote this to ease your confusion: Getting Started. I know you will have lots of questions after you read that and the pages it links to. Come back and ask them all.

 

[Gwynn]

Hi, and welcome. It's a real shock isn't it? And there is so much bad, confusing information on the internet. And the GPs seem to just let us go with so little information but plenty of meds.

At first it can be a bit of a nightmare.

BUT

It all gets better from here. It really does.

It's hard work at first. You have to work out for yourself which foods you can eat and which to avoid, but many T2's seem to go for a strategy of reducing carbs and increasing fats and protein with a topping of increased exercise.

In other words diabetes can (will?) change your life strategy for the better. This forum is littered with stories of people who have started where you are and ended up becoming better, fitter, happier (I am one of them)

No mistake, it is harder work at first, but does become easier with time.

So what's the secret?

In my case (and for many others) it has boiled down to...

1. Reducing carbs (I try to get to less than 130g carbs a day). This requires a lot of reading and learning about foods.
2. Increasing fats and protein to compensate for the reduced carbs (keeping saturated fats low though)
3. Increasing exercise gradually ( I could do none at first)
4. Inspecting every meal for carb content and adjusting to suit mak8ng sure that the days meals total to less than 130g carbs. What a lot of work!!! Well it can be much easier if an App is used and there are several out there design to help you in this.
5. Now, this is the tricky one, testing blood glucose levels to see which foods are good or bad for me. I will not say any more excpet that it has been so important that in hindsight I would have self funded a test meter and strips.
6. Experimenting with new foods. This has become fun and interesting and fascinating
7. Keeping a food diary (so I can go back to good food combinations easily)
8. Keeping a health diary (so I can track progress and adjust things)
9. Refusing to panic when something goes adrift, but making a short term plan to address the issue if needed
10. Becoming determined and as positive that I can be to take control of 'me' and put the past behind me
11. Using this forum and the advice available here to help me (thanks everyone)
12. Realising that, actually, I need to take control, not the doctors or nurses. They are there to help me, but ultimately it is my life, so I must make the decisions with them.

I hope you get 'settled in' quickly and that things improve for you.

Please let us know how you get on. Good luck

 

[Deb9]

Thankyou all so much...
The only carb I eat is with breakfast I limit to 2 slices of wholemeal toast with either 2 eggs boiled or scrambled... or with a little of the skinny jam...
I don't know what you all think of the skinny products ... sauces jams choc dips ... I have been trying these also
Walking around morrisons or asda for hours getting the shopping is a nightmare looking for anything I can make meals with (I have picky kids)...
My partner thinks I'm on a " diet " and thinks a kebab is OK it's only meat and salad have a cheat day ... but I say it doesn't work like that .
I'm trying to educate him as well as myself ... I've sent for cook books ... hopefully ones that will offer family recipes...
Thankyou all again for your help and patience x

 

[Docb]

Morning @Deb9, do I detect a more relaxed note with maybe a bit of determination in your post today? If so, then I think you are on your way!

You ask about "skinny" products. Personally I do not like that sort of label because it has no real meaning and is too often used simply as a marketing ploy. I like to look at the nutritional label on the product and find how many carbs are in it and go from there. When it comes to jams and marmalade I have taken to making my own - it is not that difficult. The result is something that has much more flavour than the shop stuff and you only need a fraction of the amount on your toast to get the same taste. I am currently on a pot of damson jam I made in September which I expect to last a couple of months or more of breakfast toast. I have three pots of Seville orange marmalade I made a couple of weeks ago in the cupboard, which will easily see me through to beyond the middle of the year.

The point I am trying to illustrate is that one option you have in your low carb armoury is to use standard things but of higher quality so you eat less of them. No point in going for something with half the carbs which is so insipid you end up eating twice as much of it.

Keep bashing away at your partner and kids. It will take time for you to get them to understand that "going on a diet", with all that has come to imply, is not what you are up to. What you and many others have found out that the stuff many people eat, particularly easy get fast food, can have long term effects you could well do without. You are not on a diet, you are rebalancing what you eat in order to keep your blood glucose under control.

You can be sneaky about it. What sort of meals do you make? Let us know and maybe we can come up with some sneaky ways you can cut the carbs with nobody noticing!

 

[Leadinglights]

Thankyou all so much...
The only carb I eat is with breakfast I limit to 2 slices of wholemeal toast with either 2 eggs boiled or scrambled... or with a little of the skinny jam...
I don't know what you all think of the skinny products ... sauces jams choc dips ... I have been trying these also
Walking around morrisons or asda for hours getting the shopping is a nightmare looking for anything I can make meals with (I have picky kids)...
My partner thinks I'm on a " diet " and thinks a kebab is OK it's only meat and salad have a cheat day ... but I say it doesn't work like that .
I'm trying to educate him as well as myself ... I've sent for cook books ... hopefully ones that will offer family recipes...
Thankyou all again for your help and patience x

You don't need to have NO carbs just less, having less than 130g per day is a good place to start. Reducing your carbs too quickly can lead in some people to eye and nerve issues so it is better to do it gradually.
If the kebab is meat and salad then as an occasional thing then no reason for it not to be Ok, it is the pitta than is the carby bit.
Some recipe books have kebabs as one of the low carb meals.
Some people find the Skinny products Ok but do be careful as the sweeteners used can leave an after taste or upset stomach and as they are low or no sugar it still does not mean they are low carbohydrate.
Shopping will become easier especially as you can look on their website for the nutritional information for total carbs and make a list before you go but then you will probably find you will buy the same things each time.

 

[Leadinglights]

Have a look at the thread What did you eat Yesterday in the food forum (drop down menu at the top Forums) where people post their daily menu, you will see most people have 'normal' food, but just less carbohydrates if Type 2 especially if dietary managed only. People will have different amount of carbs depending what meds they may be on and what regime they are following so bare that in mind.
If you look at any of my posts then I have approx 70g carbs per day and no meds.

 

[Deb9]

Morning @Deb9, do I detect a more relaxed note with maybe a bit of determination in your post today? If so, then I think you are on your way!

You ask about "skinny" products. Personally I do not like that sort of label because it has no real meaning and is too often used simply as a marketing ploy. I like to look at the nutritional label on the product and find how many carbs are in it and go from there. When it comes to jams and marmalade I have taken to making my own - it is not that difficult. The result is something that has much more flavour than the shop stuff and you only need a fraction of the amount on your toast to get the same taste. I am currently on a pot of damson jam I made in September which I expect to last a couple of months or more of breakfast toast. I have three pots of Seville orange marmalade I made a couple of weeks ago in the cupboard, which will easily see me through to beyond the middle of the year.

The point I am trying to illustrate is that one option you have in your low carb armoury is to use standard things but of higher quality so you eat less of them. No point in going for something with half the carbs which is so insipid you end up eating twice as much of it.

Keep bashing away at your partner and kids. It will take time for you to get them to understand that "going on a diet", with all that has come to imply, is not what you are up to. What you and many others have found out that the stuff many people eat, particularly easy get fast food, can have long term effects you could well do without. You are not on a diet, you are rebalancing what you eat in order to keep your blood glucose under control.

You can be sneaky about it. What sort of meals do you make? Let us know and maybe we can come up with some sneaky ways you can cut the carbs with nobody noticing!

Hi Doc...
I'm determined to reverse this ...once I find my path I think I'll be OK...
I've hardly had any meat since diagnosed as in my first post I said I've relied on Google too much... and I love to eat steaks ... mince ... pork .
I was making casseroles and soups...pastries and cakes... I don't eat pasta at all so that is one carb that doesn't bother me... but my family do love pasta and I make lasagna s and other pasta dishes for them
What about Alcohol?
I love a glass of wine but was told no...have a vodka instead with diet coke but I don't drink spirits ...I've never had any alcohol for over a week... suppose that's a good thing really...
I feel I can't have a treat anymore it's just all been taken from me ...Scared to eat Scared to drink ...
Sorry for rambling ! x

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi Doc...
I'm determined to reverse this ...once I find my path I think I'll be OK...
I've hardly had any meat since diagnosed as in my first post I said I've relied on Google too much... and I love to eat steaks ... mince ... pork .
I was making casseroles and soups...pastries and cakes... I don't eat pasta at all so that is one carb that doesn't bother me... but my family do love pasta and I make lasagna s and other pasta dishes for them
What about Alcohol?
I love a glass of wine but was told no...have a vodka instead with diet coke but I don't drink spirits ...I've never had any alcohol for over a week... suppose that's a good thing really...
I feel I can't have a treat anymore it's just all been taken from me ...Scared to eat Scared to drink ...
Sorry for rambling ! x

Red wine or dry white wine in moderation is fine.
Most people following low carb base meals on meat and fish, cheese, diary, eggs with lots of veg and salads and fruit like berries.
Not eating does you no good because your liver releases glucose to give your body energy to function so blood glucose goes up. It is eating the right things, making good food choices, eating foods you like. don't feel you have to eat something if you don't.
It is hard to be prescriptive about what people should and shouldn't eat as everybody's tolerance to carbohydrates is different as are their personal tastes as to what they like or don't like.