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Saying hi newly dx

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Dollypolly

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
i have type 2 diabetes and it's a minefield out there on what I have to do and not do.
Doctors and nurses sent me away with leaflets and to join here.
I am at the moment diet controlled.
I'm roughly 2-3 stone overweight.
Waiting on appointment reviewing it again
I've been pretty much left to get on with it and haven't a clue on what to do.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum. You are in the right place for help and advice. Just remember when it comes to diabetes we are definately all different, what one can get away with eating another might not. Do you self test your levels?
 
i have type 2 diabetes and it's a minefield out there on what I have to do and not do.
Doctors and nurses sent me away with leaflets and to join here.
I am at the moment diet controlled.
I'm roughly 2-3 stone overweight.
Waiting on appointment reviewing it again
I've been pretty much left to get on with it and haven't a clue on what to do.
Hi Dollypolly...very similar account to what has happened with many type 2's here...no support...no real guidance...again like me you were given the best advice available...to join this forum...Diabetes can be a minefield but you can get through it with careful management...which after a short while will become like second nature to you...I see you are not on medication...so that sounds positive...can I ask what your Blood Glucose levels were...and whether you have had an HbA1c test yet...this is a blood test which demonstrates what your blood glucose levels were during the last two to three months...if you prefer not to answer that...I understand it's early days yet...when I was first diagnosed just wandered around in a daze for the first 5/6 weeks...then started to read...Type 2 Diabetes The First Year by Gretchen Becker was so informative...written by a woman diagnosed with type 2...takes you through her first year month by month...taught me a lot...then of course this forum...literally a godsend for me...no doubt others will be along soon to offer support...and if you can I would recommend testing with a blood glucose meter...sounds awful...but it is easy...will show you what effect the food you are eating & activity levels have on your blood sugar...you'll be amazed by how much you learn...and will be able to plan yourself a regime that works for you...many type twos have different tolerances (foods that can raise your BG).to different foods...for example I eat bananas...others do not tolerate them well...same as so many other foods...confusing or what since we all have the same condition...you will get the hang of it...hard work but rewarding...oddly enough since being diagnosed...lost weight...more active...feeling better than I have for years...be great to hear of your progress...very lengthy response to your thread...just want you to know you can manage this...good luck.
 
Hi and welcome from a fellow T2.
 
First hba1 test was 13.1
Then second was 11.4
Third was 8.2
I've had 3 tests in a matter of months which I thought weird but I was given a full blood works in October 2016. High cholesterol on tablets for that now. Liver function will be checked because of tablets
Went to appointment today as I'm continually tired but am menopausal too so I asked how can I tell the difference.
She couldn't answer me????
Oh and get this I don't get a machine to check my levels they don't give them to type 2s. So how can I effectively monitor my levels.
Sorry that's an essay.
 
First hba1 test was 13.1
Then second was 11.4
Third was 8.2
I've had 3 tests in a matter of months which I thought weird but I was given a full blood works in October 2016. High cholesterol on tablets for that now. Liver function will be checked because of tablets
Went to appointment today as I'm continually tired but am menopausal too so I asked how can I tell the difference.
She couldn't answer me????
Oh and get this I don't get a machine to check my levels they don't give them to type 2s. So how can I effectively monitor my levels.
Sorry that's an essay.
Who did you see for the appointment Dolly...GP...nurse...DSN (diabetes Nurse Specialist)...disappointingly not unusual not to get answers to what should be very obvious and relevant questions...not all the health care professionals are like that and many will work hard with you...however sometimes its just down to luck whether you get someone who is interested in diabetes...and puts the effort in...while some surgeries do give meters to type 2's the general rule of thumb is they do not provide them as a matter of course to type 2's unless insulin dependant...I test regularly and fund my own meter...test strips and lancets...been crucial for me in managing my diabetes...lots of different meters on the market...I use the SD Codefree...the test strips for that are around £8 for fifty...whereas others can cost two to three times that...if you can afford to fund your own I would recommend the Codefree...available direct from Home Health...or can find on Amazon...very little difference in price between the two sites...not sure what tests you had...fasting...glucose tolerance...difficult to tell from your post...frustrating and disappointing for you...don't despair...many of us here have/had a very similar start and have gone on to get control of our diabetes...if you can I would recommend testing...watch your carb intake...try to be more active (if possible)...and ask whatever questions you need to here...advice & support without any judgement or disapproval...whether type 1or 2 we're all fighting the same battle...chin up!
 
I have to bear in mind it is a marathon not a sprint. Find what works for you and you can maintain long term, most of the time. Some times it is what you eat and sometimes of how much you eat.
 
i have type 2 diabetes and it's a minefield out there on what I have to do and not do.
Doctors and nurses sent me away with leaflets and to join here.
I am at the moment diet controlled.
I'm roughly 2-3 stone overweight.
Waiting on appointment reviewing it again
I've been pretty much left to get on with it and haven't a clue on what to do.
Hi Dollypolly
Warm welcome to the forum
 
First appointment was doctors then nurse that deals with diabetes whom directed me here and gave me leaflets on it all. No follow up only got told today I would have an appointment at the end of next month.

They said it was the one they measure over 3 months but I've had 3 of them in 3/4 months excessive me thinks
Hba1c I believe they called it.

I've done small changes to diet like sweetener not sugar in coffee. Already have semi skimmed milk not full fat
Drinking more water but it has to be chilled first.
Already have meals cooked from scratch, husband does all the cooking
Was told too much red meat caused high cholesterol so I try and have red meat twice weekly
Exercise is slowly coming as I can lazy in that department.
I felt I was dismissed to day really and to stop googling which I didn't I came here to read before a joined.

I'll have a look for those monitors as I feel I would benefit from one so I can see how to reduce foods that spike my sugar levels or avoid altogether
Thank you.
 
First appointment was doctors then nurse that deals with diabetes whom directed me here and gave me leaflets on it all. No follow up only got told today I would have an appointment at the end of next month.

They said it was the one they measure over 3 months but I've had 3 of them in 3/4 months excessive me thinks
Hba1c I believe they called it.

I've done small changes to diet like sweetener not sugar in coffee. Already have semi skimmed milk not full fat
Drinking more water but it has to be chilled first.
Already have meals cooked from scratch, husband does all the cooking
Was told too much red meat caused high cholesterol so I try and have red meat twice weekly
Exercise is slowly coming as I can lazy in that department.
I felt I was dismissed to day really and to stop googling which I didn't I came here to read before a joined.

I'll have a look for those monitors as I feel I would benefit from one so I can see how to reduce foods that spike my sugar levels or avoid altogether
Thank you.
Dolly likely the first tests you had were to confirm you have diabetes...and possibly check on other health issues...the next one is undoubtedly the HbA1c test which will give you your average BG levels as you say over the last three months...a lot of members use a low carb high fat diet...not right for everyone...and not often recommended by a lot of health care providers...you have to find what suits you...I follow the LCHF regime...at the moment it is working for me...so far lost upwards of 25Kgs...BG down from 17.4 at DX (diagnosis) now an average of 6.2 ...blood pressure within normal range ...I avoid starchy vegetables...TBH...not good with veggies at all...never have been...I tend to stay away from any processed foods...use butter rather than a spread...have full fat yoghurt (mainly Greek yoghurt)...often the low fat foods are highly processed and have been sweetened to make them more palatable...and I do eat red meat...not every day but reasonably often...you said you have some weight to lose...you may find as you lose it...your cholesterol will possibly reduce...I use bread but have a high protein bread which is far lower in carbs...a lot to take in...and you have to remember that a LCHF diet will not suit everyone...however...I feel the advice dished out by GP's...DSN's and other health care professional is somehow out of date...only you can make the decision about what regime you follow...give yourself some time...get your head around things...test...read...discuss it with your husband...then you can decide what is right for you...do try and read the book I suggested...you'll be amazed by what you learn from it....my first post here in September last year was...Diagnosed Type 2...Struggling (not sure if that is verbatim but near enough right)...I have learned a lot...still learning...you can do this.
 
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Thank you all
It is a lot to take in that's for sure. Have downloaded the book and have started reading Bubbsie.
 
Thank you all
It is a lot to take in that's for sure. Have downloaded the book and have started reading Bubbsie.
Well done Dolly...it will explain much better than I can how diabetes can/does impact on your life...however...it can be positive in the sense that we/you need to take better care of ourselves...I have...never felt better for years...hopefully you'll look back on your thread and realise just how far you've come in a while...don't rush...give yourself time...do it at your own pace...you'll get there...great start...you're here and reading!!!
 
Hi Dollypolly. Welcome. I'm glad you have downloaded that book, you will find it a great help. It does come as a shock when your first told, but in a short while you'll learn a lot and probably end up teaching the practice nurse about your diabetes, they often don't have very much training in diabetes and quite a few can't get their head round the fact that diabetes is very individual.
eg I can eat porridge others have to avoid it like the plague, some give wrong info too.
Its carbohydrates our bodies can't handle too well. Try to cut down/out on Things like potatoes, pasta, rice and bread especially white. Fruit juice is packed full of sugar as are grapes

These are fine
If you eat meat, meat is fine whatever colour it is excepting green of course :D
So are high meat content sausages and burgers.
Cheese, fish, some nuts are low in carbs, eggs cooked anyway you like.
Personally I don't eat anything that is not naturally low fat, ie low fat yogurts , as they often have more carbs that the full fat version due to added sugar to make them more palatable.

Sadly many T2s who are not on medications that can cause hypo's ( low blood glucose) are provided with a glucose meter, without a meter you cannot find out which foods affect you BGs (blood glucose) badly
If you want to test and can afford the ongoing cost of the test strips, the SD Codefree meter is the cheapest one to self fund, it's test strips are around £7 for 50 other brands are a minimum of £15 + for 50
As already said it's available from Amazon or directly from Homehealth
we use the mmol/L measurement in the uk, don't forget to claim vat back
https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/
You would need to buy more test strips and lancets as they normally only provide 10 each in the starter pack
 
i have type 2 diabetes and it's a minefield out there on what I have to do and not do.
Doctors and nurses sent me away with leaflets and to join here.
I am at the moment diet controlled.
I'm roughly 2-3 stone overweight.
Waiting on appointment reviewing it again
I've been pretty much left to get on with it and haven't a clue on what to do.
Hi Dollypolly, welcome to the forum 🙂 All good advice so far, you will find the Gretchen Becker book very helpful and positive 🙂 Testing is the key to finding out how your food choices affect your blood sugar levels and will allow you to tailor your diet so that you maintain maximum flexibility but redcue or replace items that don't work well for you. Have a read of Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S to understand how to do this efficiently so you make the most of your test strips 🙂 Also, if you are not sure what kind of things tend to work better for people, I'd suggest having a look at the GL (Glycaemic Load) diet. This describes a method of selecting and combining foods so that they have a slow, steady impact on blood glucose levels. The GL Diet for Dummies is a very good introduction.

Please feel free to ask any questions you may have and we will be happy to help 🙂 Diabetes is a serious condition, but it can be managed well once you know what you are doing, so if you are ever confused or concerned by anything, please ask - no question is considered 'silly'! 🙂
 
Hi Dolly. I just wanted to mention that our cholesterol in our bodies is mainly created by the liver. What we eat only has a small effect on our cholesterol. There has been a lot of research into this, & even mainstream TV (such as Sugar Free Farm) are agreeing with the research.
 
OMG I was told I wouldn't ever take a hypo. Now that's been digested I do watch the intake of foods I eat but without the meter which I don't get because I'm T2 I am working blind.

Thanks for ALL info it's greatly received.

Still reading and disgesting everything and learning new things along the way.

I'll have a look at the GL diet and the test and review too.

A lot to take in but I'll take it a day at a time
 
Well, hello Dolly. Welcome to the forum. 🙂
 
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