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Newbie - Scotland

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Karen McClure

Karen McClure

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi everyone, I have very recently been diagnosed with type2 diabetes after going to my gp with an ear infection and mentioning that I may also have a uti she asked me to hand in a sample 24hr later I was asked to come to the surgery and have a blood test as some things flagged up in my urinalysis along with the uti. so the bloods came back at 9.2 and also had something else flag up which needed investigation so needed more bloodwork done 2wks later I had more bloods for the glucose and it was 8.7 so was told to make an appointment with my gp. my mums also type 2 insulin dependent so it is looking like it has been hereditary, the gp scripted me for metformin 500mg a day for 1wk the 1000mg a day for the 2nd week then 1500mg for the 3rd and 4th week then go back and see her. In between that I also had the other blood work done and it showed a vitamin b12 deficiency and the nurse explained it was very likely pernicious anemia that was on Fri 18th I got the 2nd test done. I suffer other issues aswell which complicate things I am agoraphobic which means exercise is very limited and I am morbidly obese although 4/5 wks before I knew anything about my diabetes I gave up full sugar fizzy drinks (coke cola) I was drinking 3-6litres a day and now drink water with just a touch of sugar free diluting juice to taste the water x I also have severe depression, social anxiety. my hips are constantly sore due to arthritis so I already take a lot of medication and when first diagnosed I went into a frenzy mentally I cant cope with being in limbo, I need facts and details to process them and digest the issue and then I can address it and move on. I did ask the gp about blood testing kit but she said at this stage it wasnt needed luckily my mum had a spare and gave it to me and I have been using that so I can deal with things better. I am currently in Ireland over the christmas holiday so wont get my results about the vitamin b12 till 29th and my head is swimming with it all x just feel like my body is giving up on me if that makes sense? but I am trying my best to keep calm and just not worry till I know for sure but it is hard. Diet wise for the diabetes I have bought a meat pack from a health/fitness company that specialises in lean proteins, carbs i dont bother with too much, dairy I barely touch eggs, milk are very seldom part of my diet. sorry it has turned into war and peace x but so difficult to know what to do for the best x
 
Hi Karen - sorry to hear your diagnosis. You seem to be going through the mill a bit there. Well done on giving up the sugar drinks they will help a lot. Just keep on reading and asking questions and you will be ok with this group. There are a lot of very knowledgeable people around here.

I was diagnosed only 3 weeks ago so still learning myself.
 
Hi Karen, welcome to the forum 🙂 Very sorry to hear about your diagnosis, and the additional issues you are having to deal with :( Hopefully, they can clear up the B12 issue and that should improve how you are feeling.

Your blood sugar levels are elevated, but far from terrible, so hopefully with a little tweaking you should be able to get things under control 🙂 Diabetes is a serious condition, as you know, but it is thankfully manageable with the right information and application. I'd recommend reading Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter to begin with, and you would also benefit from getting a copy of
Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker - highly recommended by many of our members 🙂 Testing is a really useful tool to get to grips with how you are affected by various aspects of your diet,so it is good that you are motivated to do it. This notion that you shouldn't test is fallacious, and is purely a cost-saving measure on behalf of the healthcare professionals. We all have individual tolerances for foods and without testing in order to discover your own, you are driving blind. Have a read of Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S for a guide to how to make each test count and make the adjustments to improve your levels efficiently. If you want to get your own meter and strips, the cheapest option we have come across here is the SD Codefree Meter with test strips at around £8 for 50.

Diet-wise, it's worth looking into the GL Diet - The GL Diet for Dummies is a good introduction. This explains how to select and combine foods so that they have a gentler effect on blood sugar levels.

Please ask any questions you may have and join in wherever you wish - we don't just talk about diabetes here, so have a browse around 🙂 Enjoy your Christmas in Ireland! 🙂
 
I highly recommend the Type 2 diabetes the first year book.The author is American and also a Diabetic herself, and there is a version that has had the blood values changed for us Brits.
 
Welcome to the forum. I used to go to "Bonny Scotland" 3/4 times a year on motorbike. To many speed cameras on way up :(
 
Lynn Davies said:
Hi Karen - sorry to hear your diagnosis. You seem to be going through the mill a bit there. Well done on giving up the sugar drinks they will help a lot. Just keep on reading and asking questions and you will be ok with this group. There are a lot of very knowledgeable people around here.

I was diagnosed only 3 weeks ago so still learning myself.
Click to expand...

Thank you Lynn x I will x it is fear of the unknown I guess but at least here we can all muddle through together x
 
Northerner said:
Hi Karen, welcome to the forum 🙂 Very sorry to hear about your diagnosis, and the additional issues you are having to deal with :( Hopefully, they can clear up the B12 issue and that should improve how you are feeling.

Your blood sugar levels are elevated, but far from terrible, so hopefully with a little tweaking you should be able to get things under control 🙂 Diabetes is a serious condition, as you know, but it is thankfully manageable with the right information and application. I'd recommend reading Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter to begin with, and you would also benefit from getting a copy of
Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker - highly recommended by many of our members 🙂 Testing is a really useful tool to get to grips with how you are affected by various aspects of your diet,so it is good that you are motivated to do it. This notion that you shouldn't test is fallacious, and is purely a cost-saving measure on behalf of the healthcare professionals. We all have individual tolerances for foods and without testing in order to discover your own, you are driving blind. Have a read of Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S for a guide to how to make each test count and make the adjustments to improve your levels efficiently. If you want to get your own meter and strips, the cheapest option we have come across here is the SD Codefree Meter with test strips at around £8 for 50.

Diet-wise, it's worth looking into the GL Diet - The GL Diet for Dummies is a good introduction. This explains how to select and combine foods so that they have a gentler effect on blood sugar levels.

Please ask any questions you may have and join in wherever you wish - we don't just talk about diabetes here, so have a browse around 🙂 Enjoy your Christmas in Ireland! 🙂
Click to expand...

Thank you Northerner yeah just tested this morning and I am 7.1 which is not too bad at all x even though I had a wee treat last night a wee tub of ben and jerrys cinnimon bun ice cream 🙂 couldnt resist it is my favourite lol x

After new year I am definitely going to get a few of the books suggested to help with dietary issues x My mum gave me a freestyle optium neo so going to just ask the gp for script for strips and lancets and hopefully their budget will cover them for that x Thank you trying very hard to put my health issues on a backburner till the new year so I can enjoy my break away but once the head hits the pillow the mind goes into overdrive lol x

Thank you for all the information have bookmarked them all and will most certainly be reading up on it all x Thank you again xxx
 
grovesy said:
I highly recommend the Type 2 diabetes the first year book.The author is American and also a Diabetic herself, and there is a version that has had the blood values changed for us Brits.
Click to expand...

Thank you Grovesy x will defo be looking for the book once I am home xxx
 
HOBIE said:
Welcome to the forum. I used to go to "Bonny Scotland" 3/4 times a year on motorbike. To many speed cameras on way up :(
Click to expand...

Sadly it is very true but little known fact as a cost cutting issue 95% of them are not turned on and if they are it is for 30min-1hr a day 😉 x
 
Hi Karen and welcome to the forum. This is a great place for help and advice.
 
Hi Karen, I was diagnosed type 2 in Feb and it's a tough time with a lot to learn but you sound like you're on to what needs to be done and that's a great start! 🙂

My advice just from my experience is to test and guide yourself. It's really the only way to find your own unique tolerances so well done perservering with that and hope your surgery will fund.

You'll probably be aware that Metformin can deplete B12 levels so if it's confirmed, you may need supplements or injections. Sometimes there's even patches because with lack of intrinsic factor, ordinary supplements don't cut it. My mum has pernicious anemia but is well controlled.

I think you'll see a massive improvements in some of your other health issues once your glucose levels are under control. Losing weight will really help your arthritis and hopefully improve your confidence (though I realise social anxiety and agoraphobia is about so much more).

I read a book by Dr. David Cavan called 'Reverse your diabetes' when I was dx and it really helped me. It's written by an expert in the field in language that makes sense. Unfortunately I've found not all medics are up to date especially on nutrition.

Try not to stress because for one thing it pushes the BG's up! Hope you find your own level with this but I'd watch those tubs of Ben & Jerry's even though you need the calcium! Lol
 
Amigo said:
Hi Karen, I was diagnosed type 2 in Feb and it's a tough time with a lot to learn but you sound like you're on to what needs to be done and that's a great start! 🙂

My advice just from my experience is to test and guide yourself. It's really the only way to find your own unique tolerances so well done perservering with that and hope your surgery will fund.

You'll probably be aware that Metformin can deplete B12 levels so if it's confirmed, you may need supplements or injections. Sometimes there's even patches because with lack of intrinsic factor, ordinary supplements don't cut it. My mum has pernicious anemia but is well controlled.

I think you'll see a massive improvements in some of your other health issues once your glucose levels are under control. Losing weight will really help your arthritis and hopefully improve your confidence (though I realise social anxiety and agoraphobia is about so much more).

I read a book by Dr. David Cavan called 'Reverse your diabetes' when I was dx and it really helped me. It's written by an expert in the field in language that makes sense. Unfortunately I've found not all medics are up to date especially on nutrition.

Try not to stress because for one thing it pushes the BG's up! Hope you find your own level with this but I'd watch those tubs of Ben & Jerry's even though you need the calcium! Lol
Click to expand...

Thank you Amigo x
it will defo take time to work out what is going on with my body and allow things to change in my lifestyle x
I have been exhausted the last few days really tired and tomorrow my metformin increases again so if it does deplete them further I am expecting to be super tired till I go home on the 28th and speak to my gp 29th about my results x
I know losing weight will help massively with a lot of my issues but sadly when you are feeling overwhelmed and tired the last thing you want to do is exercise so will need to try and get all the medication sorted first to help with the drained feeling then I just might have energy to do a little exercise x

thank you for the tip on the book a lot of books recommended on here so will have plenty of reading 😉

I am constantly stressed out, about everything and if I have nothing to stress about I worry about not being stressed out ha ha x yeah the ice cream was a wee holiday treat it is not something I bother with at home to be honest x
Thank you again for you reply and your advice xx
 
Hi Karen
Welcome to the forum, although most of us don't really want to be here, well we don't want the diabetes which is the reason we find ourselves here (the forum is actually a very nice place to be 🙂). Just wanted to say hello and welcome aboard really. Oh and exercise doesn't have to mean climbing into a leotard and prancing around, getting out for a nice walk is just as good, I always feel better if I go outside and have a bit of a walk, especially in winter when it's cold (and mostly tipping it down with rain 😉). Well it feels nice when you get back inside at any rate. I also find it helps with the anxiety too, just having a wander outside and exploring. Anyway I'll stop rambling now and get ready for the dog walk that Miss Millie is currently angling for (she like a nice bracing early walk!), Godson has been up for hours and could do with some chill time before he explodes. merry Christmas 🙂
 
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