Newly Diagnosed

[ImNotDancing]

Hi all, I was diagnosed last week with Type 2. I’ve been put on metformin as I also have PCOS (lucky me!). I have a lot of weight to lose so I’m starting Slimming World as it’s worked for me in the past. I’m feeling so overwhelmed though, everything I read seems to suggest the opposite to what I’ve read before. Will this all make more sense after I’ve seen the nurse this week?

 

[ColinUK]

First things first, welcome to the forum.

Advice has changed over the years but is there anything specific you’re confused about or is it more a general overwhelm and not knowing where to start?

 

[ImNotDancing]

First things first, welcome to the forum.

Advice has changed over the years but is there anything specific you’re confused about or is it more a general overwhelm and not knowing where to start?

It’s more of a general overwhelm I guess, I feel like I’ve just been given my medication and left to it

 

[MrDaibetes]

Hi and welcome to the forum. Being diagnosed can be overwhelming but it will get easier, and manageable. If you have any questions feel free to let us know.

 

[Karen999]

Hi
I'm also newly diagnosed, feeling anxious and tearful one minute then yeah I've got this the next. GP has agreed to let me try and get my numbers back into normal Range before looking at meds I really don't like taking tablets I seem to be one of those people who have every side effect going. I'm reading as much as possible so any advice would be great.
I'll look out for how you get on , good luck.

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum @ImNotDancing and @Karen999

This is definitely a manageable condition and there are plenty of people on here who have successfully got control of their condition. I understand how things can be confusing but there will be people on here with practical advice and we are all happy to try and answer any questions that you have.

T2 is an increased level of glucose in your blood. This is because your body is not able to make use of, or make enough insulin to process the glucose. The glucose in us is coming from any carbohydrates that we eat, along with a little trickle from our livers to keep us ticking over.

In light of this a good step to start with is to find out how many carbs you are eating at each of your meals. This seems a lot to work out the stat but you soon become familiar with the carb count for things. We now have a chart in the kitchen showing the number of carbs per 100g for our most common foods and then just weigh things as we cook. Once you know how many you are currently eating you can then reduce this by swapping to lower carb options or by reducing the portion size. There is no set numbers all, if you have T2 it is simply less than you are eating at present.

There is a lot of info on this site if you look at the Learning Zone tab at the top of the page. Also at the top of the Newbies thread there is a post with useful links for the newly diagnosed.

Apart from all that just ask any questions that you have. Nothing is considered silly on here.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @ImNotDancing

So pleased you have found the forum 🙂

A diagnosis with diabetes can feel overwhelming, and if can be very helpful to have the ‘hive mind’ of the forum to rely on for a brain dump, for any questions that come from conversations you have with your diabetes nurse, or simply to rant among friendly folks who face the same struggles and frustrations day-to-day.

There can feel like a lot to take in at the beginning, but take things steady, one step at a time.

For a helpful and clearly written overview, many members here frequently recommend Maggie Davey’s Letter to the Newly Diagnosed and Gretchen Becker’s book T2 Diabetes, the First Year.