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New and overwhelmed

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bakebeans

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hello everyone, as the title says I’m new and overwhelmed after a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes yesterday. I knew my sugar levels were high after a borderline result a year and a half ago but had to have some blood tests last week and was told yesterday that my results had gone up from 46 to 56 so I am now classed as diabetic.

I was really upset and scared yesterday, I feel much the same today. I’ve been given metformin to start today so feeling nervous about that
 
Hi, @bakebeans, welcome to the forum. Yes, it can be quite a shock but don't despair, your numbers aren't massively high, and by coming here you've made a good start!

Were you given any advice about diet? We have found that by cutting out or reducing starchy carbs such as bread, potatoes, rice and pasta, blood glucose numbers can rapidly come down, and increasing some form of exercise also helps, and (if necessary) losing weight. Lots of green veg, good quality meat, eggs, cheese, nuts, seeds can all be eaten. There are lots of tasty recipes on the different threads here so have a read around and get to know us 🙂

As for Metformin, it can have rather embarrassing er, gastric problems (it's known as Metfartin 😉) but there is a slow-release version you can get instead which is better tolerated.

Others will be along in a minute, so I'll leave it there for the time being 🙂
 
Hi bakebeans. If you read around the forum you will find that your reaction to diagnosis is pretty common. If you follow peoples stories you will also find that most eventually get things sorted. Hang on to those two things and you will be OK.

An HbA1c of 56 is nothing to panic about, you need to get it down but you are long way off being an emergency. Fortunately you will have a lot of resources to help. Being "officially" diabetic means that you will get tested routinely for the complications that badly controlled diabetes might lead to even when you get things under control. You have also found this forum where there are a lot of people who have been where you are and can offer ideas on ways forward.

By the way, metformin is the standard starting point for treating diabetes and most type 2's on here are either on it or will have taken it at some time or other. A bit of nausea in the early days is a common side effect and if you get that and it persists then see your GP about alternatives.
 
Hi bakebeans and welcome, I too felt just like you and for quite a while to be honest. Coming on here was such a good thing as we all know how you feel. You will probably have lots of questions once you have had a good look around the site and we are all very happy to help answer them. Low carb is definitely the way to go if you can but don’t rush it as you will have quite a bit of adjusting to do. Come on here at any time as there is usually always someone here to listen and if possible give advice. All the best to you.
 
PS I am on Metformin and other than some nausea seem to be doing fine on it. Couple of dry no added sugar biscuits usually helps me.
 
Hi Bakebeans,I am also newly diagnosed (found out I was Diabetic only a few days ago).I too was very upset and scared.It's only natural to feel that way and it is overwhelming.Try and stay positive,you will have bad days and better days and hopefully you will be fine on the Metformin and start to get your head round things soon.x
 
Hello Bakebeans. Love your Forum name. Stay with people here and you will end up feeling much better. There is so much good advice here. Have a look at "what did you eat yesterday" thread where members say what they are eating. Testing is important too as you will then know what you can and cannot eat.

I was only diagnosed pre-diabetic and that was bad enough. My friend was diagnosed diabetic and had had no idea she had problems and was devastated but she is fine now and sorting herself out.

I find Michael Moseley's books very helpful. a/lso a book called "Reverse your Diabetes" by Dr David Cavan. He means getting it under good control rather than literally "reversing." I also find Tom Kerridge's book about the Dopamine diet helpful but some find the recipes a bit fiddly
 
Forgot to say have a look at the recipes on here. They are very helpful. Also a website called dietdoctor.com.
 
Thank you all for your kind replies it’s nice to know there’s support and advice here to help. I’ve bought a blood glucose testing kit today. I had a banana for breakfast then chicken salad (no pasta or potatoes just spinach, tomato, cucumber and celery) for lunch then checked my sugar levels nearly 3 hours later at it was 5.2 I’m not sure if that’s good? Also is it ok to eat lots of fruits? Sorry I’ve got lots of questions and when the dr asked last night I was to upset to think of any
 
Ask away! 5.2, three hours after a meal is normal human behaviour. Fruits are a bit of a mixed bunch in that they all contain fruit sugars but the effect varies from fruit to fruit and person to person. Almost any fruit even in small quantities gives me a spike, sometimes into double figures. You will need to test to find out what happens to you.

With testing a good strategy is to test immediately before a meal and somewhere between one and two hours afterwards. You can see the rise and try and relate it to the foods eaten. Be aware it is not an exact science, there are things other than what you eat that affect blood glucose. Nevertheless it will give you some good broad pointers and highlight things best avoided.
 
Hi bakedbeans

I've only just been diagnosed a week ago , I’m currently reading through all the information there is a lot to take in but looking through the comments and threads on here there. Is a lot of support

Good luck in your journey
 
bakebeans said:
Thank you all for your kind replies it’s nice to know there’s support and advice here to help. I’ve bought a blood glucose testing kit today. I had a banana for breakfast then chicken salad (no pasta or potatoes just spinach, tomato, cucumber and celery) for lunch then checked my sugar levels nearly 3 hours later at it was 5.2 I’m not sure if that’s good? Also is it ok to eat lots of fruits? Sorry I’ve got lots of questions and when the dr asked last night I was to upset to think of any
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Usually high starch and sugar foods are not a good choice, so a banana is off the menu most people, as are most fruits. I can eat a few berries with cream as a dessert after dinner, but my insulin resistance was greater in the mornings so I would normally eat no more than ten grams of carb with my first meal of the day.
 
Thank you for your replies, I wouldn’t say I’m happy but I’m more positive after a couple of days to get my head around things. I’ve read mixed reviews about fruit so I’m just going to see how it goes. This morning I tested and was 7.4 so I had 2 scrambled eggs for breakfast at break time I had carrot sticks then tuna salad for lunch. I checked again before my evening meal and was 5.7. We had chilli tonight with a little rice and cheese went for a long walk (with that and work today I’m at 17,500 steps) and did 20 mins cardio workout just checked again 2 hours later and I’m at 5.8
 
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