Just been diagnosed and feeling overwhelmed

[Grannylorraine]

My doctor diagnosed type 2 diabetes this morning, and has prescribed Metformin, she gave me no further advice, just a piece of paper that she said was dietary advice but said very little on it except eat a low fat diet. I have been looking around this sight when I can today and have printed off some recipes to make, but I am confused about what my diet should be like. I just feel overwhelmed by it all, I already have asthma, liver disease, Trigeminal neuralgia and suffer from depression, now this. At the moment I just want to curl up and cry. Only my husband and daughter know as I am ashamed to tell people and worry about my work, as they already complain about my sick level and amount of hospital/doctors appointments.

Hoping some of you lovely people will have some tips for me.

 

[grovesy]

Welcome.
You have to find what works for you and can maintain long term.

 

[Copepod]

Welcome to the forum Grannylorraine.
As well as considering fat content of foods, you should also consider carbohydrate content (not just sugar). Do you need to lose any weight? If so, then considering calorie content is also important. Exercise / physical activity is also important in managing diabetes, and many other conditions.Outdoor exercise can be effective in managing depresssion, for example.
Were you advised about a follow up appointment, perhaps with a practice nurse, in the future? You shoudn't need many extra appointments, once you gt to grips with diabetes.

 

[Mini-Vicki]

Hi Lorraine,
I wanted to say that you absolutely shouldn't be ashamed of having diabetes. there is a lot of talk of people with type 2 'bringing in on themselves' in the media, but mostly this is absolute rubbish. It's been found that there is a strong genetic component to developing any type of diabetes.
Many people find a low carbohydrate diet helps in controlling their blood glucose. It would be worth investing in a blood glucose meter, so you can test yourself and then see what food affect you in which way. Knowing this is a huge step in controlling your diabetes. The most popular one on here for Type 2s seems to be the SD Codefree meter from Amazon, the strips are relatively cheap compared to other brands.
As Copepod mentioned, exercise is also hugely beneficial for both diabetes and depression.
You are not alone in this, everyone here is really lovely and full of good advice. Don't worry my lovely, it's always a struggle getting to grips with diabetes at first, but you'll get on top of it!

 

[Mark Parrott]

Hi, & welcome to the forum. Sounds like your dietary advice was the standard one they send out to everyone, & i'm sorry to hear you haven't been given the right support. As Copepd says, you should watch out for carbs as these raise blood sugar levels. So try to limit the amount of bread, rice, pasta & potatoes you have, as well as the usual sugary things such as cakes & biscuits. I'm assuming you haven't been offered a test meter. Most doctor's don't believe Type 2's should test, but it's the best way of finding out what foods you can tolerate (we are all different). The cheapest one is the SD Codefree, which is available through Amazon or Home Health.

 

[Mark Parrott]

You beat me to it, @Mini-Vicki 🙂

 

[Mini-Vicki]

You beat me to it, @Mini-Vicki 🙂

Lol! Well,great minds and all that 🙂

 

[DaveG1976]

Welcome, definitely nothing to be ashamed about. You are in the right place for support, the only daft question being the one you don't ask.
I've never had the issue on test meters as I'm T1 but I couldn't cope without testing despite being told many years ago now everything is good you don't need to test! It went downhill from there and I asked for a transfer to a different consultant at a different hospital to get the proper support that is needed.

 

[Sals75]

Hi, I felt really overwhelmed too when I was diagnosed T2 in August 2016 (turns out I am actually T1 now though). I joined this group but it made me freak out and cry each time I tried to read the threads for the first few days!!!! Once I calmed down I sat and read loads of the threads on here and felt much better and very supported by everyone. It is a lot to take in but you just need to take it one step at a time. I ordered T2 cookbooks and they helped. There is a lot of conflicting advise but I really reduced my carb intake immediately. Hope you are ok and it will get better, just try not to worry too much.

 

[Dave W]

Can totally empathise with you @Grannylorraine, I too was pretty shocked when diagnosed as I felt quite well and it took me a month or so and quite a bit of support from this and another site to set me at ease. In far too many cases NHS advice and support is shockingly lacking and often what there is is quite out of date. A good book to read that will help you understand diabetes and what you could do to manage it is Reverse Your Diabetes by Dr David Cavan. It may not reverse the condition but it should help you manage it. I guess my attitude is that either I let diabetes manage me or I manage my diabetes and I do still get a bit depressed at times mainly due to all the extra pressure following a diabetic friendly diet puts on our domestic shopping and food preparation.
The bit of paper giving dietary advice you were given is quite probably based on the NHS Eat Well plate and if it is, isn't all that much use and there is now a great deal of pressure being exerted to get NHS to recognise the benefits of a low carbohydrate, high fat diet for which there is now a vast and reliable body of evidence. I guess that I've now probably confused you even more, but I was confused too at first, but the more I read and researched, the more I became convinced that LCHF was the way to go and my own blood glucose test results show that when I went really LCHF instead of just reducing sugars and carbs a bit my BG dropped significantly.
You've got other health problems too, but managing your diabetes is probably the one you can manage yourself better than the others, so don't get depressed about it. Talk about it, ask for help here and you'll get as much as you need.

 

[Bubbsie]

My doctor diagnosed type 2 diabetes this morning, and has prescribed Metformin, she gave me no further advice, just a piece of paper that she said was dietary advice but said very little on it except eat a low fat diet. I have been looking around this sight when I can today and have printed off some recipes to make, but I am confused about what my diet should be like. I just feel overwhelmed by it all, I already have asthma, liver disease, Trigeminal neuralgia and suffer from depression, now this. At the moment I just want to curl up and cry. Only my husband and daughter know as I am ashamed to tell people and worry about my work, as they already complain about my sick level and amount of hospital/doctors appointments.

Hoping some of you lovely people will have some tips for me.

Hi Lorraine...it is a shock when first diagnosed and there does seems to be some kind of stigma attached to a type 2 diagnosis...almost as if we have 'asked for it'...its early days and you have time to consider how you want to manage your diabetes...I am seven months into my diagnosis...initially I was absolutely clueless...not much support from my health care professionals...reluctant to tell anyone I was diabetic...there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of...you are diabetic and you can manage it... a great resource for type two's is a book by Gretchen Franklin Type 2 Diabetics The First Year...I would say testing your blood glucose is essential this will demonstrate how the food you eat affects you...then of course this forum where you can ask any question you want and will receive advice and support from other members in a similar position to you ...as advised you need to decide how you approach this...what food/diet is right for you..unfortunately the dietary advice from our GP's or DSN's is not the best...sometimes way out of date...and what is recommended by them does not suit all...it does and can get better...like you I have other health issues to contend with...however...I am now feeling better than I have for years...and taking better care of myself...good luck...and keep us updated.

 

[Pine Marten]

Welcome, Grannylorraine, to this forum. Excellent advice already given so I won't repeat it.

Please don't feel down about your diagnosis, or ashamed, as you've done nothing wrong. This forum is a fantastic resource, you can find oodles of advice and encouragement, and if you feel miserable just come and have a good rant! I so wish I had known about this place when first diagnosed as I feel that I could have taken control years ago, so you are fortunate in finding it so quickly 🙂

It can certainly be overwhelming but you have a good chance now to take control over your condition and start to feel better. All the best to you from another type 2.

 

[HOBIE]

My doctor diagnosed type 2 diabetes this morning, and has prescribed Metformin, she gave me no further advice, just a piece of paper that she said was dietary advice but said very little on it except eat a low fat diet. I have been looking around this sight when I can today and have printed off some recipes to make, but I am confused about what my diet should be like. I just feel overwhelmed by it all, I already have asthma, liver disease, Trigeminal neuralgia and suffer from depression, now this. At the moment I just want to curl up and cry. Only my husband and daughter know as I am ashamed to tell people and worry about my work, as they already complain about my sick level and amount of hospital/doctors appointments.

Hoping some of you lovely people will have some tips for me.

Are you Shure Dr said low fat & not low carb ? Welcome 🙂

 

[Katieb]

My doctor diagnosed type 2 diabetes this morning, and has prescribed Metformin, she gave me no further advice, just a piece of paper that she said was dietary advice but said very little on it except eat a low fat diet. I have been looking around this sight when I can today and have printed off some recipes to make, but I am confused about what my diet should be like. I just feel overwhelmed by it all, I already have asthma, liver disease, Trigeminal neuralgia and suffer from depression, now this. At the moment I just want to curl up and cry. Only my husband and daughter know as I am ashamed to tell people and worry about my work, as they already complain about my sick level and amount of hospital/doctors appointments.

Hoping some of you lovely people will have some tips for me.

Hi Grannylorraine

So glad you have found your way to this site for some support and advice. Firstly, read the links in the newbie section. These will help you to understand what you can do to improve your control. Secondly switch to a low carb diet. Then, if you can, invest in a meter and start to test to see what affects you. This will help you with your control and knowledge is power! I fully empathise with your feelings of embarrassment and shame. I felt that way too. However, my GP did say that genetics is a huge factor in diabetes - including Type 2. I think that once you get over the initial shock you will soon take the bull by the horns and start to take control. Help is at hand here, day and night! Please don't feel alone. Katie

 

[Carolg]

Hi grannylorraine and welcome to forum

 

[Grannylorraine]

Thank you all for the welcome, and advice I will look into getting a meter and the book mentioned.

I have 56lbs to lose so I will try a low carb diet as that is what the pharmacist who was a lot of help suggested, she also suggested a meter but didn't have any in stock. I am sure once I get to grips with the best things to eat I will feel a bit better. I know I will have loads more questions for you all

Thank you for your support,

 

[Bubbsie]

Thank you all for the welcome, and advice I will look into getting a meter and the book mentioned.

I have 56lbs to lose so I will try a low carb diet as that is what the pharmacist who was a lot of help suggested, she also suggested a meter but didn't have any in stock. I am sure once I get to grips with the best things to eat I will feel a bit better. I know I will have loads more questions for you all

Thank you for your support,

Hi Lorraine...it will probably be much simpler and cheaper to buy your meter and testing strips from either Amazon.co.uk or direct from Home Health...I use the Codefree Meter...the testing strips are about £8 for fifty...others will cost twice that amount...and when you purchase the meter you only get a sample of testing strips and lancets...so wise to order more of those at the same time...once you start it is so simple to use...amazing how useful pharmacists are...more informative than GP's...and DSN's most times...sounds like you are feeling slightly less scared and worried today...I hope so....honestly you will get to grips with your diabetes...and find the best way for you to manage it...you may find the Metformin helps to dull your appetite...it did mine...although it can give some of us a 'dodgy' tummy...I suffered from that initially...however I am now fine with it...good luck and try to read the book recommended (Type 2 Diabetes The First Year)...it will explain so much...look forward to hearing about your progress.

 

[Grogg1]

Hi and welcome.

I'm quite new to this too. My GP gave me a meter and I've just ordered my third lot of strips from them (prescriptions free in Wales) and I bought one lot of strips as not sure how often they will give them to me. My online reorder says I can order 2 more!!

Re Metformin what dose were you started off on. I had no stomach issues at all but my GP started me on one a day for a week then 2 a day to try to ensure I had no reaction.

 

[Grannylorraine]

Hi Lorraine...it will probably be much simpler and cheaper to buy your meter and testing strips from either Amazon.co.uk or direct from Home Health...I use the Codefree Meter...the testing strips are about £8 for fifty...others will cost twice that amount...and when you purchase the meter you only get a sample of testing strips and lancets...so wise to order more of those at the same time...once you start it is so simple to use...amazing how useful pharmacists are...more informative than GP's...and DSN's most times...sounds like you are feeling slightly less scared and worried today...I hope so....honestly you will get to grips with your diabetes...and find the best way for you to manage it...you may find the Metformin helps to dull your appetite...it did mine...although it can give some of us a 'dodgy' tummy...I suffered from that initially...however I am now fine with it...good luck and try to read the book recommended (Type 2 Diabetes The First Year)...it will explain so much...look forward to hearing about your progress.

Hi I have ordered the Codefree one from Amazon along with extra testing strips. I am not feeling so bad today as I have spoken to my parents and kids (kids are all adults), mum then went on to tell me that she is borderline for type 2 and last year the doc told her if her readings had not improved by the next blood test she would be put on medication, she also told me that her mum had type 2 diabetes diagnosed when she was in her 70s and she lived to nearly 90. Mum-in-law has type 2 diabetes and is a breast cancer survivor again all happened in her late 70s, so I know I can do this.

Thank you for your support.

 

[Grannylorraine]

Hi and welcome.

I'm quite new to this too. My GP gave me a meter and I've just ordered my third lot of strips from them (prescriptions free in Wales) and I bought one lot of strips as not sure how often they will give them to me. My online reorder says I can order 2 more!!

Re Metformin what dose were you started off on. I had no stomach issues at all but my GP started me on one a day for a week then 2 a day to try to ensure I had no reaction.

Nice to meet you - I have been started on 500mg, same as you on 1 a day first week, then on to 2 a day. She was originally going to put me on 3 a day on week 3, but decided to leave me on 2 a day until she sees me in a month, due to my liver condition, which should improve with having to lose weight. I see you have lost lots of weight. I lost almost 1 stone last year going from 14.10 to 13.13, but was not enough to make any difference to my blood sugar levels, in fact they went up a lot.