Hi l`m new here.

[virginiaroo]

Hi my name is Ginnie,l`m 69 and live with my hubby Richard,we`ve been married for 44yrs, we also have Penny, our 4 yr old Cavalier king Charles .We have a son and daughter,who gave us our first Grandchild ,Rudi Frances ,who is 7weeks old today 🙂 I have Fibromyalgia ,Type 2 diabetes, Autonomic and Peripheral Neuropathy.I was diagnosed with Neuropathy in 2009, then in January 2010 they told me l had Diabetis type 2.I`ve had Neuropathy since around 2004,which ,at first was told the pain in my big toe was Gout ,then got gradually got worse until in 2009 I insisted on seeing somebody and was told about the Neuropathy. Because the Consultant in Neuropathy and the Diabetes Consultant arguued about what was causing the Neuropathy, Diabetes or Fibro,they both signed me off their clinics and l haven`t seen anyone beside my GP since 2010 !! I`m in constant pain,especially in my feet and legs,am becoming incontinent with my bowels and bladder, can't walk without my sticks or using a wheelchair outside.I also have dizziness when standing and walking and constantly sweat,l haven`t had any winter clothes since 1989. I had a stroke in 2000 affecting my right side ,speech and walking. I take Pindalol, Duloxotine,Atorvastatin,Amitriptyline,Metormin,Asprin,Nefopam,Ramapril,Kannapolis and Mebeverine. ,My GP has recently upped my Metformin from one a day to four a day, the Doc also says l don`t need to check my Blood Sugars because l have type 2 and there's no need.I`m feeling very ill this year especially with my CFS and finding life tough at the moment,but l feel l have to keep going because we now have a beautiful Grandaughter and really want to see her and enjoy her,but this last few weeks have found every day such a challenge.I was registered Disabled in 1991and had to give up driving 5years ago and really miss it.Sorry if I`ve gone on a bit,l`m so pleased l`'ve found this site and hope l can contribute to the Forum as well as,hopefully, learn something that might help me. Thanks.🙂 xx

 

[Northerner]

Hi Ginnie, welcome to the forum 🙂 I'm very sorry to hear about the problems you have been experiencing, and the difficulty you have had getting the right medical attention at the right time

I'm always a bit dismayed when doctors tell people they don't need to test their levels 'because you're Type 2' Testing informs people about the effect on their blood sugar levels of the food choices - knowing how well, or otherwise, your body tolerates particular meals helps you to learn what is OK for you, and what you might need to reduce or avoid in your diet.

I'd recommend reading Maggie Davey's letter - it's a good, comprehensive guide to ways you can improve your blood sugar control. Improving your levels can also help slow the effects of some of the complications of diabetes, like your neuropathy.

Please ask any questions you may have! There are lots of friendly, knowledgeable people here with a wealth of experience, and we will be very happy to help out wherever we can 🙂

 

[Drummer]

You have had a real up and downer - have you managed to get any idea of how many gm of carbs you can eat a day and keep your blood sugar in the normal range?
I started off with a meter which had quite expensive strips, but got one with cheaper strips from lidl - but you can get one mail order which is very economical. There is - I think - a code to use to get a multibuy at a good price.
Really though, once you can tell what you can eat, after a few months you don't need to test - but without the knowledge of how much to eat then you are totally in the dark.
I did not start off exercising, which completely baffled my diabetes education team - what a joke they were. Advised eating baked potatoes and baked beans. That would have been a disaster for me - and I knew it as I had a meter.

 

[scousebird]

Hello Ginnie

 

[virginiaroo]

Hi Ginnie, welcome to the forum 🙂 I'm very sorry to hear about the problems you have been experiencing, and the difficulty you have had getting the right medical attention at the right time

I'm always a bit dismayed when doctors tell people they don't need to test their levels 'because you're Type 2' Testing informs people about the effect on their blood sugar levels of the food choices - knowing how well, or otherwise, your body tolerates particular meals helps you to learn what is OK for you, and what you might need to reduce or avoid in your diet.

I'd recommend reading Maggie Davey's letter - it's a good, comprehensive guide to ways you can improve your blood sugar control. Improving your levels can also help slow the effects of some of the complications of diabetes, like your neuropathy.

Please ask any questions you may have! There are lots of friendly, knowledgeable people here with a wealth of experience, and we will be very happy to help out wherever we can 🙂

Thanks for your post.I`ll definately read what you recommended.I tried this last week to cut any sugar out of my diet,bread ,wheat ,cereal etc but instead of doing it gradually went in feet first and the result ?? I`ve felt so I'll this last three days with dizziness,nausea and just wiped out!! my own fault,l just want to feel as if l can cope .Thanks for suggesting the read.

 

[virginiaroo]

You have had a real up and downer - have you managed to get any idea of how many gm of carbs you can eat a day and keep your blood sugar in the normal range?
I started off with a meter which had quite expensive strips, but got one with cheaper strips from lidl - but you can get one mail order which is very economical. There is - I think - a code to use to get a multibuy at a good price.
Really though, once you can tell what you can eat, after a few months you don't need to test - but without the knowledge of how much to eat then you are totally in the dark.
I did not start off exercising, which completely baffled my diabetes education team - what a joke they were. Advised eating baked potatoes and baked beans. That would have been a disaster for me - and I knew it as I had a meter.

Thanks for your post, l`m going to the shops tomorrow and getting some strips for my meter,then l`ll go online as you suggest and get some more. Food is the thing l`m struggling with so am going to go into it properly.I`ve already been told to avoid Wheat and Gluten as l had stomach ulcers a couple of years ago and my belly really blows up if l have only have a little.Grains and seeds l`ve to steer clear of too !! Going to have plenty of reading to do this next few weeks.Thanks again for the post .I`ll keep you posted how l get on.

 

[Browser]

Hi Virginiaroo. You’ve come to a great place for support, encouragement and information. Have a look at the other forums, especially the food one for good info on ideas for a healthy diet for type 2s.

 

[Northerner]

Thanks for your post, l`m going to the shops tomorrow and getting some strips for my meter,then l`ll go online as you suggest and get some more. Food is the thing l`m struggling with so am going to go into it properly.I`ve already been told to avoid Wheat and Gluten as l had stomach ulcers a couple of years ago and my belly really blows up if l have only have a little.Grains and seeds l`ve to steer clear of too !! Going to have plenty of reading to do this next few weeks.Thanks again for the post .I`ll keep you posted how l get on.

Which meter are you using Ginnie? The cheapest option we have come across is the SD Codefree Meter which has test strips at around £8 for 50. You can only use the strips that are made for your type of meter, and since the strips are the major expense it's usually worth getting a different meter if you need to so you save in the long term on the strips 🙂

I'd also suggest reading Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S which explains how to use your meter and strips efficiently and effectively 🙂

 

[Bloden]

Hiya Ginnie and welcome.🙂

 

[virginiaroo]

Which meter are you using Ginnie? The cheapest option we have come across is the SD Codefree Meter which has test strips at around £8 for 50. You can only use the strips that are made for your type of meter, and since the strips are the major expense it's usually worth getting a different meter if you need to so you save in the long term on the strips 🙂

I'd also suggest reading Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S which explains how to use your meter and strips efficiently and effectively 🙂

Hi again my meter is the straightforward Contour .I`ll do as you recommend with the reading etc.Thanks.