Not yet diagnosed...but know what's coming

[Pickle13]

Hello,

I believe I will soon be diagnosed with prediabetes. I had gestational diabetes last year and had a letter through for my follow up GTT. I've not been yet. I started testing here and there just to see so I'd be ready for any result. I seem to be ok after meals. But my fasting reading isn't good. I had this issue with my GD. Ended up on metformin just for fasting levels and even that was a struggle. I have no idea how to control them. And I'm not sleeping well as I have the baby now at 10 months old....sleeps beautifully but always wakes once in the dead of night for whinge and I take forever to go back off to sleep. Forever disturbances crack of dawn by my toddler as well.

I'm terrified. Mainly as I am the fussiest eater ever and I struggled so hard with GD and that was only for 3 months! I wanted to get a handle on it but I know fasting numbers are the hardest to crack. I've had 6.1 the last 2 mornings. Not sure if anyone has any advice? I'm just just over a different medical diagnosis...unrelated...so this feels like a kick in the gut and all I want to do is cry. And I've not even had the official nod yet!!!

Thanks for reading my convoluted hello/cry for help there. I didn't know where else to turn

 

[Bubbsie]

Hello,

I believe I will soon be diagnosed with prediabetes. I had gestational diabetes last year and had a letter through for my follow up GTT. I've not been yet. I started testing here and there just to see so I'd be ready for any result. I seem to be ok after meals. But my fasting reading isn't good. I had this issue with my GD. Ended up on metformin just for fasting levels and even that was a struggle. I have no idea how to control them. And I'm not sleeping well as I have the baby now at 10 months old....sleeps beautifully but always wakes once in the dead of night for whinge and I take forever to go back off to sleep. Forever disturbances crack of dawn by my toddler as well.

I'm terrified. Mainly as I am the fussiest eater ever and I struggled so hard with GD and that was only for 3 months! I wanted to get a handle on it but I know fasting numbers are the hardest to crack. I've had 6.1 the last 2 mornings. Not sure if anyone has any advice? I'm just just over a different medical diagnosis...unrelated...so this feels like a kick in the gut and all I want to do is cry. And I've not even had the official nod yet!!!

Thanks for reading my convoluted hello/cry for help there. I didn't know where else to turn

Hi Pickle...the diagnosis can be a total shock...must be hard particularly after the GD...6.1 is an acceptable number...within the recommended guidelines...shouldn't be too difficult to bring those down with the right diet/lifestyle changes...however...with a new baby and waiting for a confirmed diagnosis...you need to cut yourself some slack here...give yourself some time to adjust...you have had some experience of managing your diabetes...albeit for a short period...diabetes is a perfectly manageable condition...once you find the right routine...one that suits you...when are you expecting to have the results of your blood test...have you had one yet?...try not to worry too much...stress can be a factor in raising those BGs...I can recommend a really good book on pre-diabetes...Gretchen Becker wrote Type 2 Diabetes The Frist Year... a book I read that changed my whole perspective on managing my diabetes...she has also published a book on pre-diabetes called Prediabetes: What You Need to Know to Keep Diabetes Away I appreciate with a young child you won't have much time for yourself...but...if you can get a chance to read this please do...it will answer so many of the questions you have...well written...easy to read...I would thoroughly recommend it...why not wait for your diagnosis...if it is confirmed as you suspect...then come back to the forum...ask as many questions as you need to...there are many here who have been in a similar position...that will offer you advice & support...do try and read the pre-diabetes book...good luck...keep us updated.

 

[Pickle13]

Hi Bubbsie. Thanks for your reply.

I've not had the test yet, I've been scared to make the appointment. But I'm going to call later today. I will try to get hold of that book. I think I just feel so lost as no one else I know has it. None of my fellow GD mothers have had further issue.....some haven't turned up to their tests so wouldn't know if there was an issue. And no one understands why it bothers me so much.. as I mentioned before, I'm such a fussy eater that I basically find it difficult to eat once I start stripping it all back.

Your message is very helpful. Thank you

 

[New-journey]

Hi Bubbsie. Thanks for your reply.

I've not had the test yet, I've been scared to make the appointment. But I'm going to call later today. I will try to get hold of that book. I think I just feel so lost as no one else I know has it. None of my fellow GD mothers have had further issue.....some haven't turned up to their tests so wouldn't know if there was an issue. And no one understands why it bothers me so much.. as I mentioned before, I'm such a fussy eater that I basically find it difficult to eat once I start stripping it all back.

Your message is very helpful. Thank you

It is absolutely understandable you feel so lost and scared, as Bubbsie says hard enough with a young child without having to deal with this and you have no support in your circle of Mums. You have made a big step writing here and sure getting the book and making the call will help how you feel. Good luck with everything and do ask any of your questions here.

 

[Bubbsie]

Hi Bubbsie. Thanks for your reply.

I've not had the test yet, I've been scared to make the appointment. But I'm going to call later today. I will try to get hold of that book. I think I just feel so lost as no one else I know has it. None of my fellow GD mothers have had further issue.....some haven't turned up to their tests so wouldn't know if there was an issue. And no one understands why it bothers me so much.. as I mentioned before, I'm such a fussy eater that I basically find it difficult to eat once I start stripping it all back.

Your message is very helpful. Thank you

Pickle...relieved you are going to make the appointment...to get yourself tested...so important to know if you are pre-diabetic or not...it's understandable you feel alone...but...there are many here who can relate to your circumstances...will be happy to address any concerns you have...I would wait for the results...your fears may be completely unfounded...however...if a pre-diabetes diagnosis is confirmed...you have an opportunity to prevent type 2 developing...it may be hard to view that as a positive result...however...once you know what you are dealing with...you can take action to prevent any progression..with the right approach it is perfectly possible to achieve that...so in that sense even a confirmed diagnosis can be positive...call your practice...make that appointment...come back to us...keep us updated when you can..do read the book...I can't recommend it highly enough...good luck.

 

[Pickle13]

Thanks very much. Made the call and have an appointment Wednesday morning. Hoping my other health issue that's arisen doesn't affect my results but I think it's best to just see what happens at this point. Worrying doesnt make it better so might as well crack on. Thank you. I feel better knowing I can come back here if need be

 

[Ditto]

Hello and welcome to the forum Pickle. 🙂 I hope it's good news but if not this is the place to be for help and advice. Wish I'd discovered it sooner.

 

[Maz2]

Welcome to the Forum Pickle. I was diagnosed pre-diabetic last year and it came as a real shock. I had been taking part in some medical research and the researchers found a high fructosamine reading and alerted my GP. She did two hba1cs - one in April which came in at 42 and another in July which came in at 43 which meant I was pre-diabetic. I was devastated as I had altered my diet following the first reading and had lost weight even though I was told I did not need to. I was then underweight and still am. It was lowering the carbs that had done it. I saw another GP as the GP I had seen previously was not available and he said he could explain why my change of diet had not altered anything. He was very kind and said no one knows why some people can reduce it and some cannot. c

I was offered a Diabetes Prevention Programme which I am still on. Although I don't care for the eat well plate and prefer to come here for advice, at least it offers a bit of help and the hba1c is tested on 4 occasions, once at the start to check you have not tipped over into diabetes, once 6 months later and another 3 months after that, then a final one which will be in October this year. All my tests have come back normal but rise each time although are still within the normal limits. I got a bit worried about this so started testing as I was advised here. I am now learning what foods I can eat and what I cannot. One surprise I found is that it looks as if I cannot eat sausages as it put by BGs through the roof.

I am sorry to hear about your problems. It must be a nightmare with a young baby. I am an older member of the community (64) so am retired and have time to worry about meals, food etc. It must be very difficult for younger people who have to juggle work and children too. I retired end March this year.

I have 4 friends who are diabetic and one friend an ex work colleague who are pre-diabetic so do not feel too alone.

This is the best place to be as you will get lots of help and support.

 

[Browser]

Welcome to the Forum Pickle. I was diagnosed pre-diabetic last year and it came as a real shock. I had been taking part in some medical research and the researchers found a high fructosamine reading and alerted my GP. She did two hba1cs - one in April which came in at 42 and another in July which came in at 43 which meant I was pre-diabetic. I was devastated as I had altered my diet following the first reading and had lost weight even though I was told I did not need to. I was then underweight and still am. It was lowering the carbs that had done it. I saw another GP as the GP I had seen previously was not available and he said he could explain why my change of diet had not altered anything. He was very kind and said no one knows why some people can reduce it and some cannot. c

I was offered a Diabetes Prevention Programme which I am still on. Although I don't care for the eat well plate and prefer to come here for advice, at least it offers a bit of help and the hba1c is tested on 4 occasions, once at the start to check you have not tipped over into diabetes, once 6 months later and another 3 months after that, then a final one which will be in October this year. All my tests have come back normal but rise each time although are still within the normal limits. I got a bit worried about this so started testing as I was advised here. I am now learning what foods I can eat and what I cannot. One surprise I found is that it looks as if I cannot eat sausages as it put by BGs through the roof.

I am sorry to hear about your problems. It must be a nightmare with a young baby. I am an older member of the community (64) so am retired and have time to worry about meals, food etc. It must be very difficult for younger people who have to juggle work and children too. I retired end March this year.

I have 4 friends who are diabetic and one friend an ex work colleague who are pre-diabetic so do not feel too alone.

This is the best place to be as you will get lots of help and support.

Welcome to the forum Pickle 13. I hope things go ok for you. Not trying to hijack your thread but the reference to sausages in this post caught my eye. I find Tesco Finest Aberdeen Angus and Sainsbury Heck sausages are very kind to my BG.

 

[HOBIE]

Hello,

I believe I will soon be diagnosed with prediabetes. I had gestational diabetes last year and had a letter through for my follow up GTT. I've not been yet. I started testing here and there just to see so I'd be ready for any result. I seem to be ok after meals. But my fasting reading isn't good. I had this issue with my GD. Ended up on metformin just for fasting levels and even that was a struggle. I have no idea how to control them. And I'm not sleeping well as I have the baby now at 10 months old....sleeps beautifully but always wakes once in the dead of night for whinge and I take forever to go back off to sleep. Forever disturbances crack of dawn by my toddler as well.

I'm terrified. Mainly as I am the fussiest eater ever and I struggled so hard with GD and that was only for 3 months! I wanted to get a handle on it but I know fasting numbers are the hardest to crack. I've had 6.1 the last 2 mornings. Not sure if anyone has any advice? I'm just just over a different medical diagnosis...unrelated...so this feels like a kick in the gut and all I want to do is cry. And I've not even had the official nod yet!!!

Thanks for reading my convoluted hello/cry for help there. I didn't know where else to turn

Pls go to see the right people. The sooner you find out the better. Your head will be in a better place & it my be not bad at all. If you are testing right after a meal etc you will be higher. Good luck & pls keep asking. Welcome 🙂

 

[Pickle13]

Thank you all for your messages.

I tested all day yesterday, before meals, one and two hours after and before bed. My levels were all fine except the slightly raised fasting upon waking. That's the one that pops into prediabetes territory. It was a decent level this morning and that was my last strip. I was using my mates leftover strips. So no more testing for now. Blood test in the morning so I'll soon find out. But I'm trying to start thinking about what I'm eating a bit more closely....can do with losing a bit of weight anyway, so if nothing else, the scare is pure motivation to do something about it! Lol

 

[Bill Stewardson]

Hello to Pickle.

 

[Maz2]

Pickle 13 - I believe some people have high readings on waking known as Dawn Phenomenon. Something to do with the liver pushing out insulin overnight but no expert on this. May not be anything to worry about.

 

[Ljc]

Thank you all for your messages.

I tested all day yesterday, before meals, one and two hours after and before bed. My levels were all fine except the slightly raised fasting upon waking. That's the one that pops into prediabetes territory. It was a decent level this morning and that was my last strip. I was using my mates leftover strips. So no more testing for now. Blood test in the morning so I'll soon find out. But I'm trying to start thinking about what I'm eating a bit more closely....can do with losing a bit of weight anyway, so if nothing else, the scare is pure motivation to do something about it! Lol

Hi Pickle. The waking test is often the last one to start coming down. Also if you test a few minutes after getting up your levels can rise.

 

[Pickle13]

I think that's the awkward thing. If I just slept, woke and tested, it would be more accurate. Lately it's wake for the baby some time in the middle of the night. Wake for an early alarm for meds. Wake as my husband's alarm goes off. Wake for the baby.....go to the loo. Wake for my toddler. Which wake do you test for?! Lol! I've been testing on my final wake up when I intend to get up. But it's an incredible amount of mucking about up to that point

 

[Ljc]

😱 Yes I can see it's rather difficult. How on earth do you cope.

 

[Pickle13]

Normally in a state of confusion and grumpiness haha. That's all if my IBS doesn't flair up as well. If that does, I'm up a couple of hours in between the chaos. I'm lucky the kids are decent sleepers really. They just disturb each other on the occasions they do wake up.....and inevitably disturb us lol.

 

[Maz2]

Hi Pickle. The waking test is often the last one to start coming down. Also if you test a few minutes after getting up your levels can rise.

That is interesting. I usually wait until I have been up, showered, and dressed. Even went a walk the other day before I tested. Will have to give it a go as soon as I wake.

 

[Pickle13]

I got my results back and they are showing as normal right now so doc said no action required at the mo. I'm obviously pleased about that.....but I came back mainly to say thank you guys very much for being so kind. I posted so certain this would be the beginning of the journey for me and straight away was met with support and kind words.

 

[Martin Canty]

That's good news, Pickle, however..... Changing the way you eat can have a profound effect on your health with or without D!