Newly diagnosed

[AnnieMc]

Hi folks. I'm Annie and was told I have T2 diabetes just over a week ago. It was a shock tbh. I was told anything over the number 48 is diabetic, and mine was 76! My dr wants more blood tests to compare but I can't get an appointment before 22nd July, so I feel a bit in limbo. My Dr says I'll be on meds to 'squeeze every last bit of insulin out of my pancreas' but i've no idea what yet. I also know my diet has to change but again, I've not really been given any information, so I'm a bit overwhelmed tbh.

I'm 52 and overweight and have had fibromyalgia for over 22 years. Add some arthritis and now diabetes into the equation and I'm feeling a little bit sorry for myself. My bloods also showed raised gamets (?) something to do with my liver, and also raised platelets. No idea what that's about or if it's related to diabetes...

Anway, I'm looking forward to getting to know members here and hopefully get help and advice on what I can/can't eat to keep bloods level and also what to eat and lose weight and how to feel less overwhelmed. 🙂

 

[Drummer]

So your GP has no idea about type 2 diabetes, as often output of insulin is high, not low.
The trick - for a very ordinary type 2 is to stop eating high carb foods.
That's all you need to know, really - cutting down and swapping things such as potatoes, cake, bread and sugary fruits should make all the difference and your blood glucose should normalise.
There are more complex variants of diabetes, but for the most part, it's reducing the carbs that does the trick.

 

[PhoebeC]

Welcome. And don’t panic.

Yes it’s reducing carbs, losing weight and adding some exercise, can just be walking and that will all help.
You can do that now whilst you wait for the blood tests.
Keep a food dairy or get an app that does the same job and record what you eat, that will help you work out what changes to make and if you can show your GP it will help too.
Good luck

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @AnnieMc

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, and the other health challenges you have going on at the moment.

The first thing is… Don’t Panic. Diabetes isn’t the end of the world. It is a serious condition, but it’s also one that can usually be managed well with a few changes and adaptations - it’s something that you can learn to live well with, and it shouldn’t stop you doing things you enjoy.

When it comes to managing your diabetes, it’s best to make changes to your menu and activity levels gradually - partly because they need to be sustainable long term, but also because very rapid and sudden changes to blood glucose levels are harder on the fine blood vessels, and changing things more gently will give your body time to adapt.

76 is comfortably into diabetes territory, but several forum members have started in 3 figures and have managed to get their diabetes to behave by moderating their total carbohydrate intake (not just sweet and sugary things), taking medication if needed, and adding any exercise and activity they are able to manage.

Forum members frequently recommend either Maggie Davey’s Letter or Gretchen Becker’s book T2 Diabetes, the first year, which you can work through gradually and will give you a clear overview.

There is also lots and lots of information on the Diabetes UK main website, and especially in the Learning Zone (the highlighted link above)

Good luck, and let us know how you get on 🙂

 

[AnnieMc]

@everydayupsanddowns thank you for all the info. I've just read the letter and I feel a lot better now. I have a plan of action. I'm going to get a blood glucose monitor and start recording gids and test results. I've also bought the kindle version of the book. I'm ready to know more and start on changing my life style. 🙂

 

[Drummer]

@everydayupsanddowns thank you for all the info. I've just read the letter and I feel a lot better now. I have a plan of action. I'm going to get a blood glucose monitor and start recording gids and test results. I've also bought the kindle version of the book. I'm ready to know more and start on changing my life style. 🙂

When cutting down you might find that you get wobblies - feelings faint and dizzy - it is your blood glucose dropping swiftly, I believe, and the brain panics as the nice sugary bath it has got used to vanishes away and normality encroaches.
Usually a drink and very small amount of something carby will slow things down. I used three grapes when it happened to me. After a week or so they stopped.

 

[Molly M]

Hi folks. I'm Annie and was told I have T2 diabetes just over a week ago. It was a shock tbh. I was told anything over the number 48 is diabetic, and mine was 76! My dr wants more blood tests to compare but I can't get an appointment before 22nd July, so I feel a bit in limbo. My Dr says I'll be on meds to 'squeeze every last bit of insulin out of my pancreas' but i've no idea what yet. I also know my diet has to change but again, I've not really been given any information, so I'm a bit overwhelmed tbh.

I'm 52 and overweight and have had fibromyalgia for over 22 years. Add some arthritis and now diabetes into the equation and I'm feeling a little bit sorry for myself. My bloods also showed raised gamets (?) something to do with my liver, and also raised platelets. No idea what that's about or if it's related to diabetes...

Anway, I'm looking forward to getting to know members here and hopefully get help and advice on what I can/can't eat to keep bloods level and also what to eat and lose weight and how to feel less overwhelmed. 🙂

Hi Annie, your story could be mine - I think I am just a week further ahead!

I went to the docs for a completely unrelated thing and she did blood tests 'just to be on the safe side'. This was 2 weeks ago. Doc and I were gobsmacked when my HBA1C came back as 77. It was 40 last year. I totally panicked, had a read of various posts and sites and immediately cut down/out carbs. My follow-up blood results came back as 74 a week later.

I got Metformin 500mg tablets today and took my first one this morning. I've to take
- week 1 1 each morning for a week then
- week 2, 1 each morning and 1 each evening (with meals),
- week 3 has to be 2 in the am and 1 in the pm, then
- week 4 is 2 in the am and 2 in the pm.

If I am sick or can't eat I've to stop the tablets until I feel better again and then restart them

I've to then get bloods redone at the end of Sept ie 3 months after starting the tablets.

Hope this info helps - I am sure everyone is different but this is what I've to do.

I am on to find out about the best ways/diet/exercise etc too

Mx

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi Annie, your story could be mine - I think I am just a week further ahead!

I went to the docs for a completely unrelated thing and she did blood tests 'just to be on the safe side'. This was 2 weeks ago. Doc and I were gobsmacked when my HBA1C came back as 77. It was 40 last year. I totally panicked, had a read of various posts and sites and immediately cut down/out carbs. My follow-up blood results came back as 74 a week later.

I got Metformin 500mg tablets today and took my first one this morning. I've to take
- week 1 1 each morning for a week then
- week 2, 1 each morning and 1 each evening (with meals),
- week 3 has to be 2 in the am and 1 in the pm, then
- week 4 is 2 in the am and 2 in the pm.

If I am sick or can't eat I've to stop the tablets until I feel better again and then restart them

I've to then get bloods redone at the end of Sept ie 3 months after starting the tablets.

Hope this info helps - I am sure everyone is different but this is what I've to do.

I am on to find out about the best ways/diet/exercise etc too

Mx

You could do no better than read the letter as suggested above and that will give you a good idea of what is going on. The metformin dosing you have been given sound typical and is done so hopefully people don't get stomach issues.
The dinner you posted in your other thread looks perfectly OK, the only substantial carbs would be the lentils so as long as you didn't have too much, it should be fine.

 

[AnnieMc]

Hi Annie, your story could be mine - I think I am just a week further ahead!

I went to the docs for a completely unrelated thing and she did blood tests 'just to be on the safe side'. This was 2 weeks ago. Doc and I were gobsmacked when my HBA1C came back as 77. It was 40 last year. I totally panicked, had a read of various posts and sites and immediately cut down/out carbs. My follow-up blood results came back as 74 a week later.

I got Metformin 500mg tablets today and took my first one this morning. I've to take
- week 1 1 each morning for a week then
- week 2, 1 each morning and 1 each evening (with meals),
- week 3 has to be 2 in the am and 1 in the pm, then
- week 4 is 2 in the am and 2 in the pm.

If I am sick or can't eat I've to stop the tablets until I feel better again and then restart them

I've to then get bloods redone at the end of Sept ie 3 months after starting the tablets.

Hope this info helps - I am sure everyone is different but this is what I've to do.

I am on to find out about the best ways/diet/exercise etc too

Mx

Thanks for your reply. I'm still a bit bamboozled to be honest lol. The Dr did say I'd be on Metformin after my next blood results at the end of the month. I'm really anxious about taking them as I have a sensitive stomach when it comes to meds.. yikes.

Have you got a glucose test monitor? It seems to be the insight into what our bodies are doing on the inside. xx

 

[AnnieMc]

When cutting down you might find that you get wobblies - feelings faint and dizzy - it is your blood glucose dropping swiftly, I believe, and the brain panics as the nice sugary bath it has got used to vanishes away and normality encroaches.
Usually a drink and very small amount of something carby will slow things down. I used three grapes when it happened to me. After a week or so they stopped.

Yes I've been having this feeling this week. It's an odd feeling, but knowing what it is helps. Thanks for that info 🙂

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks for your reply. I'm still a bit bamboozled to be honest lol. The Dr did say I'd be on Metformin after my next blood results at the end of the month. I'm really anxious about taking them as I have a sensitive stomach when it comes to meds.. yikes.

Have you got a glucose test monitor? It seems to be the insight into what our bodies are doing on the inside. xx

If by making dietary changes you have shown that your level has come down when you have the next blood test your GP might be willing for you to continue for a bit longer without the metformin. But If not the the slow release version is gentler on the stomach if you are sensitive anyway that would be the one to ask for.

 

[Molly M]

Thanks for your reply. I'm still a bit bamboozled to be honest lol. The Dr did say I'd be on Metformin after my next blood results at the end of the month. I'm really anxious about taking them as I have a sensitive stomach when it comes to meds.. yikes.

Have you got a glucose test monitor? It seems to be the insight into what our bodies are doing on the inside. xx

Hi - no test monitor yet - but I do want one now - everyone uses them from what I see and I understand why. Don’t have a clue why we wouldn’t have been given them straight away. ‍♀️

I have a very sensitive stomach too - had a bit of a bad day yesterday after my first Metformin - at the loo 11 times but was 2lb lighter this morning so it was worth it . I took it after my last bite of brekkie yesterday. Today I took it in the middle and what a difference. No issues at all today thankfully.

Sounds crazy but I am not hungry even though I am not eating pasta, spuds, rice etc. We’ve had no crisps or chocolate now for 2 weeks which is unreal for us

We’ve even been out for a 30 min walk 2 out of the last 3 days (had to stay in yesterday to be near the loo).

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi - no test monitor yet - but I do want one now - everyone uses them from what I see and I understand why. Don’t have a clue why we wouldn’t have been given them straight away. ‍♀️

I have a very sensitive stomach too - had a bit of a bad day yesterday after my first Metformin - at the loo 11 times but was 2lb lighter this morning so it was worth it . I took it after my last bite of brekkie yesterday. Today I took it in the middle and what a difference. No issues at all today thankfully.

Sounds crazy but I am not hungry even though I am not eating pasta, spuds, rice etc. We’ve had no crisps or chocolate now for 2 weeks which is unreal for us

We’ve even been out for a 30 min walk 2 out of the last 3 days (had to stay in yesterday to be near the loo).

It would be unlikely as Type 2 your G P would prescribe a blood glucose monitor so most people self fund them choosing a monitor which has the cheapest test strips as you would use lots of those. The ones that are reliable are the GlucoNavil or Spirit Tee 2 and are inexpensive.

 

[adrian1der]

Hi Annie, your story could be mine - I think I am just a week further ahead!

I've to then get bloods redone at the end of Sept ie 3 months after starting the tablets.

Hope this info helps - I am sure everyone is different but this is what I've to do.

I am on to find out about the best ways/diet/exercise etc too

I think Annie's story applied to most of us T2s. As you'll see in my signature I was around 70 at diagnosis last September and started on Metformin. By the end of the year I had turned things round and came off Metformin in early January. Any help, advice or questions you have please shout.