Recent diagnosis

[Sandie200]

Hi, diagnosed 12 days ago with horrendous results. Jul 2020 had bunch tests as lost my smell due to covid and BS 6. I have always had problems with my weight, I live alone and had a stressful job. COVID did not help. But had a medical for work and suddenly BS 17.6, AC1 115. I actually do exercise 3 times a week in aqua aerobics. Currently on 80g glicizade twice a day and slow release metformin 500mg in morning. Just in state shock, trying to reduce carbs etc, no sugary snacks and readings ranging from 5-10. Testing 3 times a day. But so tired, was relieved to read about blurry vision as my long vision is fine, can watch tv but computer had to increase font size and thought I was losing my mind. Wonder if I am on too much medication or is this normal at beginning. Have very little desire to eat but know I have to. Only plus point is lost half a stone in a week. Have ordered the book recommendation by Becker. GP just gave me meds and not a lot else so finding myself on google a lot but now this site. Please tell me this gets better

 

[Windy]

Hi @Sandie200 sorry to hear of your diagnosis and shock with it. I was diagnosed in October with a HbA1c of 80, and am on metformin alone. It was a bit of a shock for me too. It does get easier, I felt like I was staring into the abyss, but learning more from reading these forums and answering questions has helped me cope a lot better.

The blurriness with your eyes will be them adjusting from the high blood sugar levels you had pre-diagnosis, to the lower levels that you're having now. I believe that it settles in a few weeks to a few months. I'd advise trying to cut down on your carbs a bit slower to give your eyes a chance to adjust a bit slower.

I see you're on gliclazide - I think it can give you low blood sugar if you don't eat enough carbs to balance it out - how much are you reducing your carbs in your diet? You're monitoring your BS levels to make sure it's not dropping too drastically, so you're doing the right thing, but be cautious to eat enough carbs. I don't know much about glicazide, but hopefully someone else can advise how much you need to eat to keep your BS at a healthy level. If you're between 5 - 10, you won't get hypos (low blood sugar levels), but if they drop below 4mmol/L, you'll feel poorly. I'm hoping someone else can offer better advise about this, as I don't know much about it.

There's another forum which people put what they've eaten - can you have a look on there to see what other T2s are eating?

Can you phone the surgery and ask for a phone call with the diabetic nurse if you have one at your practice? They're v busy with winter pressures and covid, so may not be able to get you in soon. Ask us any questions you have in the meantime,
Best wishes, Sarah

 

[Sandie200]

Hi @Sandie200 sorry to hear of your diagnosis and shock with it. I was diagnosed in October with a HbA1c of 80, and am on metformin alone. It was a bit of a shock for me too. It does get easier, I felt like I was staring into the abyss, but learning more from reading these forums and answering questions has helped me cope a lot better.

The blurriness with your eyes will be them adjusting from the high blood sugar levels you had pre-diagnosis, to the lower levels that you're having now. I believe that it settles in a few weeks to a few months. I'd advise trying to cut down on your carbs a bit slower to give your eyes a chance to adjust a bit slower.

I see you're on gliclazide - I think it can give you low blood sugar if you don't eat enough carbs to balance it out - how much are you reducing your carbs in your diet? You're monitoring your BS levels to make sure it's not dropping too drastically, so you're doing the right thing, but be cautious to eat enough carbs. I don't know much about glicazide, but hopefully someone else can advise how much you need to eat to keep your BS at a healthy level. If you're between 5 - 10, you won't get hypos (low blood sugar levels), but if they drop below 4mmol/L, you'll feel poorly. I'm hoping someone else can offer better advise about this, as I don't know much about it.

There's another forum which people put what they've eaten - can you have a look on there to see what other T2s are eating?

Can you phone the surgery and ask for a phone call with the diabetic nurse if you have one at your practice? They're v busy with winter pressures and covid, so may not be able to get you in soon. Ask us any questions you have in the meantime,
Best wishes, Sarah

Thanks Sarah. I am eating Weetabix some breakfasts and trying to keep my bread level to no more than 2 slices a day ( wholewheat not white), the odd potato and just bought some wholewheat pasta. But looking back this is a massive cut. Added salad, chicken, tomato, broccoli, cauliflower, leeks and raspberries/ apples plus have some hummus and carrots. And lots eggs, sometimes with smoked salmon. I am very scared about hypos as I live alone so would prefer to be on metformin if possible. My doctor in theory specialises in diabetes but just not feeling like have much support. Have a 10 min call Monday so will try to ask questions then.
Can I ask another question about eyesight - will it change permanently when it settles down so should I wait 3 months or so to change my prescription? Thanks, obviously don’t want to buy new glasses twice.

 

[Windy]

I'm not sure to be honest, but I read a thread about this today which covers eyesight after diagnosis which should be helpful. I'm sure other people will pitch in, I'm still a bit of a clueless newbie as far as diabetes goes.
Can you make a list of the questions for the GP/nurse? I usually realise I've forgotten to ask half the questions I had every time I go into the surgery or phone them!
Sarah

 

[Sandie200]

I'm not sure to be honest, but I read a thread about this today which covers eyesight after diagnosis which should be helpful. I'm sure other people will pitch in, I'm still a bit of a clueless newbie as far as diabetes goes.
Can you make a list of the questions for the GP/nurse? I usually realise I've forgotten to ask half the questions I had every time I go into the surgery or phone them!
Sarah

Thanks for thread. And good idea re questions!

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks Sarah. I am eating Weetabix some breakfasts and trying to keep my bread level to no more than 2 slices a day ( wholewheat not white), the odd potato and just bought some wholewheat pasta. But looking back this is a massive cut. Added salad, chicken, tomato, broccoli, cauliflower, leeks and raspberries/ apples plus have some hummus and carrots. And lots eggs, sometimes with smoked salmon. I am very scared about hypos as I live alone so would prefer to be on metformin if possible. My doctor in theory specialises in diabetes but just not feeling like have much support. Have a 10 min call Monday so will try to ask questions then.
Can I ask another question about eyesight - will it change permanently when it settles down so should I wait 3 months or so to change my prescription? Thanks, obviously don’t want to buy new glasses twice.

Whether your eyes go back to exactly what they were before is difficult to say, I think it all depends. It took my eyes 7 months before they felt more normal and I did at that stage need a change in prescription but there again I wear varifocals and may have needed a change anyway. You should certainly tell your optician.
Most of the foods you mention are good choices and you may be fine with that amount of the high carb foods but it would be worth checking by testing your blood glucose before you eat and after 2 hours to make sure that portion is not increasing blood glucose by more than 2-3mmol/l.

 

[Sandie200]

Whether your eyes go back to exactly what they were before is difficult to say, I think it all depends. It took my eyes 7 months before they felt more normal and I did at that stage need a change in prescription but there again I wear varifocals and may have needed a change anyway. You should certainly tell your optician.
Most of the foods you mention are good choices and you may be fine with that amount of the high carb foods but it would be worth checking by testing your blood glucose before you eat and after 2 hours to make sure that portion is not increasing blood glucose by more than 2-3mmol/l.

Oh I didn’t realise could take that long. I hoped I would be talking more along the lines of a month. Thanks for that guidance on how to check. I did buy some lo carb bread too ( from coop) which I tried for lunch today and it actually tasted ok.

 

[Leadinglights]

Oh I didn’t realise could take that long. I hoped I would be talking more along the lines of a month. Thanks for that guidance on how to check. I did buy some lo carb bread too ( from coop) which I tried for lunch today and it actually tasted ok.

Some people find there eyes settle much quicker so don't be too despondent.

 

[andyp64]

Hi
I was diagnosed beginning of November and my eye blurring has all but gone (thank heavens!).
I was told by my diabetes nurse not to have an eye test (for glasses) for at least three months to allow things to settle.
You should get an appointment sometime for a retinal scan. I had mine this week. It's no big deal!
One thing I am trying to keep in my mind is that the work on controlling diabetes is a marathon and not a sprint.
Be easy on yourself. I recommend the learning zone stuff on here - especially the eating section.

 

[Sandie200]

Thanks, good to hear it can sort itself out more quickly. Know everyone is different though. And thanks also for the diabetic nurse advice. I must find out if surgery has one. I know you’re right about it not being a sprint- I guess it’s all about feeling I need to know what I should do. Will start working through the learning zone too. Will be more use than random googling! Good luck with your journey too

 

[Drummer]

@Sandie200 Many GPs seem to think that the only way to treat diabetes is with medication - I stopped the tablets 5 years ago as they made me so ill, but I was in normal numbers from diet alone, so I probably never needed them.
My hba1c was 91at diagnosis but just in the normal range at 6 months.
I did get a glucose tester and my blood glucose levels after eating are fairly low, I would expect my Hba1c to be lower, but it seems stuck.
As you seem to be eating high carb foods just to counteract the medication I think you could argue for a reduction to see how well you cope without it.

 

[Sandie200]

Thanks my numbers were obviously way off without any meds but do wonder if half the glizcidade with the metformin would help me feel a bit better. It’s something I am going to ask on my phone call Monday.

 

[Drummer]

At the moment the medication seems to be in conflict with how you feel - not wanting to eat but you need to eat to prevent hypos caused by the tablets.
I am probably prejudiced as I was so down on the tablets I was prescribed, and felt so much better when I decided to stop them.

 

[Sandie200]

Well hopefully doctor will have time to talk to me Monday, even a slight change may help.

 

[Alan S]

Hi, diagnosed 12 days ago with horrendous results. Jul 2020 had bunch tests as lost my smell due to covid and BS 6. I have always had problems with my weight, I live alone and had a stressful job. COVID did not help. But had a medical for work and suddenly BS 17.6, AC1 115. I actually do exercise 3 times a week in aqua aerobics. Currently on 80g glicizade twice a day and slow release metformin 500mg in morning. Just in state shock, trying to reduce carbs etc, no sugary snacks and readings ranging from 5-10. Testing 3 times a day.

G'day and welcome. You have already had good advice about variable vision so I'll stick to commenting on testing and food.

I am eating Weetabix some breakfasts and trying to keep my bread level to no more than 2 slices a day ( wholewheat not white), the odd potato and just bought some wholewheat pasta. But looking back this is a massive cut. Added salad, chicken, tomato, broccoli, cauliflower, leeks and raspberries/ apples plus have some hummus and carrots. And lots eggs, sometimes with smoked salmon.

That is a good start but it will help if you use your meter at your peak time after meals to discover the real effects of your food choices and portion sizes. For example, once you start testing one hour after breakfast I doubt you will ever buy another packet of Weetabix. Testing three times daily might be enough if all three tests are one hour after you finish your last bite of each meal but I suspect you will need to test a bit more often until you learn the effects of your menu choices.

I wrote this to help you begin: 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.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Sandie200

Hope your eyes settle down soon, and you continue to find tweaks to your menu that help to improve your BGs 🙂