Confused!!!

[georgenfrances]

I was diagnosed in February with T2. Since then I have been told I was not to test as the recent thinking is that it is not necessary? I therefore have no idea how I am doing but when I saw my GP 6 weeks ago he sent me for a blood test and said that the form now is to have two per year and thats it! I have lost 19lbs so far and am hoping that cutting out all carbs and sugars will do the trick and that I can lose enough weight eventually to come of Metformin. I eat lots of veg and salads, small portions (palm size) of fruit, in fact I eat very small meal portions now. Instead of bread I eat Dark Ryvita, no rice or pasta and no potatoes. The one thing that bugs me is knowing what I CAN have in jars and tins as I cannot work out how many carbs and sugars, if any I can allow myself. For example, I would love to use Dolmio Bolognese Sauce but dont know if this is an absolute no-no or not is there a book anywhere that I could get to help? I'll shut up now as I am sure you will be bored listening to me waffle on!

 

[Ralph-YK]

I haven't heard it put this way. However, it appears this is common. On self testing, my nurse said I'd worry if I knew my figures. Others hcp have said I didn't need to.
I got my own meter and strips, presented it as a done deal to my new dsn and started testing last week. I'm unable to give much advice on food yet. If you can get onto a good diabetes course/info days that can be a help. As can a carbohydrate sessions.
There may also be a sessions looking at lables. These will be of some help.
Ask about DESMOND, X-pert and dieabetic dietican. If you can find the contact information, you may be able to self refer.

 

[georgenfrances]

Thanks for answering. I will ask my GP on Tuesday about any courses that may be available and also a dietician. Hopefully I'll be able to get the answers I need.

 

[Visionvalue]

I was diagnosed more or less the same time as you and the nurse told me not to buy a meter as I may get one in the future. My next blood test is September so have to wait for that to see if I can have one. Same as Ralph I was told I may be worrying over something that doesn't need it but its like not knowing whether you are doing right or wrong . I have lost weight nearly 14lbs so far so that's a plus. As for Dolmio I would leave them well alone and try and make it from scratch. Lots of sugar found to be in them. I do follow the recipes on here and hubby said we have never had so much variety and nice meals at that lol. I bought the Cals and Carbs book which is helpful as it tells you the amounts on each food and various diabetes cook books which I enjoy using. I use Rye Ryvita instead of bread so it must be working what ever I am doing lol. Hope you get some answer from the Nurse . 🙂

 

[georgenfrances]

Hi Visionvalue. Thanks a lot for replying. You sound exactly like me! Its just a case of having peace of mind that you are doing the right thing isnt it? I am not much of a cook but I will get the Cals and Carb book and give it a go. I really need to start finding some different recipes as what I am having at the moment are a bit 'samey'. I have to say though, I do feel better than I did before diagnosis especially my eyesight has improved 100% - it was the first thing I noticed was wrong as it was very blurred all of a sudden - scared the heeby jeebies out of me!! Ah well, onwards and upwards 🙂

 

[Amigo]

I was diagnosed in February with T2. Since then I have been told I was not to test as the recent thinking is that it is not necessary? I therefore have no idea how I am doing but when I saw my GP 6 weeks ago he sent me for a blood test and said that the form now is to have two per year and thats it! I have lost 19lbs so far and am hoping that cutting out all carbs and sugars will do the trick and that I can lose enough weight eventually to come of Metformin. I eat lots of veg and salads, small portions (palm size) of fruit, in fact I eat very small meal portions now. Instead of bread I eat Dark Ryvita, no rice or pasta and no potatoes. The one thing that bugs me is knowing what I CAN have in jars and tins as I cannot work out how many carbs and sugars, if any I can allow myself. For example, I would love to use Dolmio Bolognese Sauce but dont know if this is an absolute no-no or not is there a book anywhere that I could get to help? I'll shut up now as I am sure you will be bored listening to me waffle on!

Hi georgenfrances,

You've certainly made a great start and certainly sound on the right track. I've no idea whose 'recent thinking' supports not testing but can be pretty sure it's the people responsible for the financing rather than the health monitoring. I was diagnosed last year and would have had no idea whether I was eating the right things in the right amounts and at the right time without regular home testing. We are all unique in terms of what we can tolerate and what spikes us. I've found home testing invaluable in keeping my levels under control without medication. The idea that testing is pointless for type 2's is so paternalistic and insulting.
The hba1c test is useful but it doesn't capture the spectacular highs or the worrying lows...it just gives an average and we know that there are members on here who maintain very acceptable HB tests but still struggle to manage spikes.
You may find buying your own home meter beneficial. My GP provided one and regular, ample testing strips but it's not the norm.
Good luck with your great early start. I'm sure you'll do well once you find what suits you.

 

[bilbie]

It is to save money as far as I see it. The goal is to get normal BG numbers. If you reduce carb, you may need to get your head around fats being good for you. when you cut Sugars and Starches, you may need a bit more protein and more fats to replace the lost carb
this looks at different diets for diabetics
http://www.nutritionjrnl.com/article/S0899-9007(14)00332-3/pdf
Dietary carbohydrate restriction as the first approach in diabetes management: Critical review and evidence base

testing and SD codefree meter, it has the cheapest strips
http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14045524.php

http://www.homehealth-uk.com/medical/blood_glucose_monitor_testing.htm
if you buy extra boxes of strips there is a discount code ..5 packs 264086

 

[KookyCat]

Sounds like you're doing really well, and honestly I think the current position of not issuing meters is just crazy. They need to treat people as individuals and assess how useful testing would be for each individual. In my opinion it's like asking you to get to a destination without a map or a compass. Personally I also think that if you say to people cut all carbs and sugar it's a recipe for disaster for lots of people because it's not sustainable, and comes from the position that everyone with type 2 is eating a massive amount of carb to start with. I think a much more sensible approach is to find out what you can tolerate and adjust your diet so it's as comfortable as possible. Personally I'd buy a meter and some strips if you can afford it, use them to assess your tolerances and then nag the heck out of the nurse/GP to prescribe strips on the basis that you're using the results to make effective treatment changes 🙂

Ps I'd stay away from shop bought tomatoe sauce though they tend to pack it with sugar. I make my own and freeze it. 4 tins of tomatoes, some olives, lots of garlic, bit of salt, knob of butter of glug of olive oil and half a bottle of cheap red plonk (the alcohol burns off but the wine adds depth), chuck in fresh or dried oregano and simmer it down for a good 30 mins or more and bob's your uncle. If you like it sweeter either chop some sundried toms and add or but in a couple of tablespoons of balsamic and less red wine. You can leave the wine out altogether but then definitely add some apple cider vinegar or balsamic. Freeze in portion sized pots and then defrost in the microwave for a quick sauce

 

[Ljc]

Sadly most T2s who are not on medication that can cause hypos are seldom prescribed meters and test strips, so it is unlikely you will persuade the doctor to do so, IMO not being prescribed the tools to test your BG (blood glucose ) levels is extremely short sighted and in the long run will end up costing the NHS more money. We T2s need to be able to test so that we can see how foods affect us as we are not all the same. as well as seeng how well or not we are doing so we can make any necessary changes.
I have my diabetic checks with the practice nurse which include blood test four times a year, it seems to me that you are being let down, maybe you need to think about changing to another GP practice.

 

[Martin Canty]

told I was not to test as the recent thinking is that it is not necessary

Fortunately the medical community in the States is a little more enlightened, probably because it's insurance based, I was prescribed a meter & 2 strips a day (whoopee, no co-pay on the strips!) immediately on DX, can get a HBA1c test every 3 months.... The Dr. is very pleased with the way I'm managing my disease so is not offering any advice outside of keep up the good work; absolutely no suggestion that testing is bad.

I'm quite confused as to just how the NHS funding works as they appear to be quite happy to fund frequent consults with Dr's, DSN's, Dietitian's & a whole host of other specialists yet not fund meters for us to manage our disease on a day to day basis

 

[Ralph-YK]

I was prescribed a meter & 2 strips a day (whoopee, no co-pay on the strips!)

I've heard that companies will give away the meteres. I know you can buy they can be as cheap as £10. As for strips, 2 a day is not enough. I've just started testing and am using a lot more than that. You need at least 6. Two for each meal. And the strips is where it'll cost you. For my meter they cost £8 for 50, which last 9 days. Over 150 a month. For us low income people, that's just not possible. They can cost you £15-20 for 50.

 

[Martin Canty]

As for strips, 2 a day is not enough

Ah, Ralph, had to take what I could get, I also bought a couple of extra meters from Walmart, (100 strips cost $18).... That way I can have my main meter for accountability, one of the cheap meters at home for when I'm testing new foods & one in my pack for Search & Rescue callouts.

 

[grovesy]

Some strips are over £25 for 50!

 

[Martin Canty]

Some strips are over £25 for 50!

The ones for my accutouch are $40 for 25 😱.... That's why my moral outrage took a back-seat while I sneaked into Walmart hoping that nobody would see me!!!!

 

[trophywench]

We tend to advise our members to delve into Alan Shanley's Blog.

His 'Test, Review, Adjust' advice is second to none and when - all those years ago! - he heard from all his friends in the UK that T2s here were being refused test strips or having them rationed - he penned his excellent 'Testing on a Budget' article.

Read it! http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.co.uk/2006/10/test-review-adjust.html and http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.co.uk/2007/04/teting-on-budget.html