Newly diagnosed need answers!

[Itsalwaysme!]

Hi,
I have been diagnosed with type 2, and have worrying symptoms. Firstly the tip of my tongue feels odd in the fact it’s tingly and feeling dry. Second is more embarrassing, at the very top of my legs in my groins I itch like crazy. Not been given medication yet but feel sick a lot and very tired. Weight is an issue as I don’t seem to lose it despite upping my activity and eating better. Feeling very low at present. Question is, is this normal??

 

[Ljc]

Hello @Itsalwaysme! Welcome to the forum. High blood glucose levels can cause thrush , you might have it orally as well . Best to see your gp/ practice nurse to get it properly diagnosed as I am not a medic.

Their is a lot of misinformation out there about diabetes so it’s good you have come here where you will get info from the horses mouth and lots of cyber support.

With diabetes it is carbohydrates we can no longer handle too well, sugar is just another carbohydrate .
Those of us with diabetes become avid label readers, but we turn to the nutritional label usually on the back of packs, tins etc rather than the traffic light system on the front as it doesn’t contain the carbohydrate info we need.

A quick guide just to get you started.
Some things that are considered healthy are not good for us, fruit juice, many breakfast cereals, some fruit, potatoes, rice, pasta and bread to name but a few .

We are fine with protein and usually good fats. So if you eat meat , it’s fine as are high meat content sausages and burgers , dairy , eggs, anything with berry in its name is often tolerated better than other fruit, fish but not in breadcrumbs or batter.

Ask all the questions you need to about diabetes, we’ll do our best to help.

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome from me too.

High blood glucose levels provide a breeding ground for bacteria and fungal infections so as diabetics, these are things we have to be observant for and seek treatment much more promptly than perhaps other people. I would agree with Lin that your itchiness may well be an infection like thrush which is very common when diabetes is first diagnosed and BG levels have not been brought under control. I myself had the same problem at diagnosis but I was already treating it with Canesten bought over the counter. The dry tingling in your tongue might also be thrush or neuropathy or perhaps even simply thirst due to your kidneys possibly working overtime to remove excess glucose from your system.... are you weeing a lot more than usual too? Either way, it is important to discuss all your symptoms with your practise nurse who manages the diabetics. You also need to keep a particularly close eye on your feet and make a point of washing them and checking them daily for any problems and you will get annual foot checks from the nurse as a result of your diabetic diagnosis.

As regards weight loss, the thing with diabetes is to find a way of eating which is sustainable long term which reduces your carbohydrate intake.... not just sugar and sweet stuff like cakes sweets and biscuits but also fruit and fruit juice and just as importantly, bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, couscous. breakfast cereals and even sometimes the likes of porridge. The trade off is that it is best to eat a little more fat when you cur down on carbs, so avoid buying low fat products and go for full fat dairy, like milk butter cheese and creamy Greek Natural yoghurt. Fat keeps you fuller for longer because they are digested slowly, so you are less likely to want to overeat, whereas the body breaks down carbohydrates very quickly and you get a sugar high and then you want more.
Eggs meat fish and nuts are all good and mushrooms. I eat massive plates of salad with a good dollop of creamy cheese coleslaw and a couple of boiled eggs or a frittata... avoid quiche as the pasty is carbohydrate. Cauliflower is a wonderful veg for us diabetics as it can be cooked and mashed with a dollop of cream cheese and a spoon of mustard and served with bangers or gammon and other veg or used to top a cottage pie and does not contain the carbs that potatoes do.
Imagine being on a diet and having a fry up for breakfast.... that is possible with low carb eating, but you need to avoid the backed beans, hash browns and fried bread/toast etc. Omelettes are also great for breakfast. I have mine with mushrooms, onions and cheese and a side salad and chopped avocado or coleslaw, but again no bread. By removing most of the carbs from your diet, you reduce the glucose going into your blood stream and remove the major source of calories from your diet, so you are also likely to lose weight, but most importantly, it is an enjoyable way to eat once you learn how to do it and that makes it a lifestyle change rather than a weight loss diet.
Good luck with your diabetes journey. The forum is here to support you through the difficult times and share your achievements. It is a community of friendly, helpful and most importantly, experienced people who live with diabetes and have lots of knowledge, advice and tips on how to help you manage your diabetes and it's associated problems.

 

[rebrascora]

I would also like to say that some of even see our diabetes diagnosis as a blessing as it has given us the impetus to make positive changes in our lives which we knew needed addressing but were so easy to put off pre-diagnosis. Things like eating healthier, increasing our activity/exercise/fitness and losing weight and you feel a lot better once your BG levels are more stable. There are members here who have lost 4 stone in a matter of a few months and feel great for it.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hello @Itsalwaysme!

Welcome to the forum!

In answer to your question I would say that it is perfectly natural and normal to feel low after a diagnosis of diabetes. For one thing, it probably means you have elevated blood glucose, which in itself can cause lower mood and increased tetchiness/irritation. For another thing, it’s a diagnosis with a lifelong medical condition. Some people go through a period very like grieving after their diagnosis.

But looking on the bright side, as @rebrascora says, after the initial shock has passed many people reflect and realise that their diagnosis became a real catalyst for positive change for them. Plus now they get many more regular healthcare checks, so are able to navigate around any potential future issues more easily.

The other thing that I wondered about your itchiness, was whether part of your activity/fitness involved going to a gym. I’ve not been for a few years, but occasionally picked up ‘jock itch’ from changing rooms (which is rather like athletes foot, but in a different location). You should discuss with your nurse, but a bit of cream can clear that up in no time if it’s that.

Hope you begin to feel better soon. 🙂

 

[trophywench]

Mens 'jock itch' is in fact Thrush, same as Ladies get! It is exactly the same strain of fungus that causes Athlete's Foot and it simply attacks anywhere that tends to get hot, sweaty and not exposed constantly to fresh air.

TMI but I have been known in the past to dress in a skirt and omit my knickers - it all helps esp if the skirt is loose and it's breezy!

 

[rebrascora]

@trophywench .... gotta love your no nonsense approach! 🙂

Whilst on this delicate subject it is possible I believe to pass thrush to your partner and then get reinfected after treatment so may be best to both use the treatment if you are in a relationship.

 

[trophywench]

Yes absolutely Barbara - back and forth it goes.

In my Real Life when I'm not being A Diabetic I'm a Trustee of a local Prostate Cancer Support charity cos my husband had it - hence I'm VERY keen on getting as many middle aged blokes to ruddy well GO AND GET TESTED! Us ladies regularly and voluntarily go and get ourselves tested for female cancers - sometimes the standard tests for those couldn't be described as comfortable either, frankly! All better than being dead though.

 

[Itsalwaysme!]

Hi and welcome from me too.

High blood glucose levels provide a breeding ground for bacteria and fungal infections so as diabetics, these are things we have to be observant for and seek treatment much more promptly than perhaps other people. I would agree with Lin that your itchiness may well be an infection like thrush which is very common when diabetes is first diagnosed and BG levels have not been brought under control. I myself had the same problem at diagnosis but I was already treating it with Canesten bought over the counter. The dry tingling in your tongue might also be thrush or neuropathy or perhaps even simply thirst due to your kidneys possibly working overtime to remove excess glucose from your system.... are you weeing a lot more than usual too? Either way, it is important to discuss all your symptoms with your practise nurse who manages the diabetics. You also need to keep a particularly close eye on your feet and make a point of washing them and checking them daily for any problems and you will get annual foot checks from the nurse as a result of your diabetic diagnosis.

As regards weight loss, the thing with diabetes is to find a way of eating which is sustainable long term which reduces your carbohydrate intake.... not just sugar and sweet stuff like cakes sweets and biscuits but also fruit and fruit juice and just as importantly, bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, couscous. breakfast cereals and even sometimes the likes of porridge. The trade off is that it is best to eat a little more fat when you cur down on carbs, so avoid buying low fat products and go for full fat dairy, like milk butter cheese and creamy Greek Natural yoghurt. Fat keeps you fuller for longer because they are digested slowly, so you are less likely to want to overeat, whereas the body breaks down carbohydrates very quickly and you get a sugar high and then you want more.
Eggs meat fish and nuts are all good and mushrooms. I eat massive plates of salad with a good dollop of creamy cheese coleslaw and a couple of boiled eggs or a frittata... avoid quiche as the pasty is carbohydrate. Cauliflower is a wonderful veg for us diabetics as it can be cooked and mashed with a dollop of cream cheese and a spoon of mustard and served with bangers or gammon and other veg or used to top a cottage pie and does not contain the carbs that potatoes do.
Imagine being on a diet and having a fry up for breakfast.... that is possible with low carb eating, but you need to avoid the backed beans, hash browns and fried bread/toast etc. Omelettes are also great for breakfast. I have mine with mushrooms, onions and cheese and a side salad and chopped avocado or coleslaw, but again no bread. By removing most of the carbs from your diet, you reduce the glucose going into your blood stream and remove the major source of calories from your diet, so you are also likely to lose weight, but most importantly, it is an enjoyable way to eat once you learn how to do it and that makes it a lifestyle change rather than a weight loss diet.
Good luck with your diabetes journey. The forum is here to support you through the difficult times and share your achievements. It is a community of friendly, helpful and most importantly, experienced people who live with diabetes and have lots of knowledge, advice and tips on how to help you manage your diabetes and it's associated problems.

Thank you, this is informative information I can use to start my journey. I just feel like a fish out of water at present and am concerned about where to start, but when it sinks in that it’s not a temporary situation I feel I will be firing on all fours with it.

 

[Itsalwaysme!]

Hello @Itsalwaysme! Welcome to the forum. High blood glucose levels can cause thrush , you might have it orally as well . Best to see your gp/ practice nurse to get it properly diagnosed as I am not a medic.

Their is a lot of misinformation out there about diabetes so it’s good you have come here where you will get info from the horses mouth and lots of cyber support.

With diabetes it is carbohydrates we can no longer handle too well, sugar is just another carbohydrate .
Those of us with diabetes become avid label readers, but we turn to the nutritional label usually on the back of packs, tins etc rather than the traffic light system on the front as it doesn’t contain the carbohydrate info we need.

A quick guide just to get you started.
Some things that are considered healthy are not good for us, fruit juice, many breakfast cereals, some fruit, potatoes, rice, pasta and bread to name but a few .

We are fine with protein and usually good fats. So if you eat meat , it’s fine as are high meat content sausages and burgers , dairy , eggs, anything with berry in its name is often tolerated better than other fruit, fish but not in breadcrumbs or batter.

Ask all the questions you need to about diabetes, we’ll do our best to help.

Thanks Lin, it’s a good start for me what you put.x

 

[Itsalwaysme!]

Hi and welcome from me too.

High blood glucose levels provide a breeding ground for bacteria and fungal infections so as diabetics, these are things we have to be observant for and seek treatment much more promptly than perhaps other people. I would agree with Lin that your itchiness may well be an infection like thrush which is very common when diabetes is first diagnosed and BG levels have not been brought under control. I myself had the same problem at diagnosis but I was already treating it with Canesten bought over the counter. The dry tingling in your tongue might also be thrush or neuropathy or perhaps even simply thirst due to your kidneys possibly working overtime to remove excess glucose from your system.... are you weeing a lot more than usual too? Either way, it is important to discuss all your symptoms with your practise nurse who manages the diabetics. You also need to keep a particularly close eye on your feet and make a point of washing them and checking them daily for any problems and you will get annual foot checks from the nurse as a result of your diabetic diagnosis.

As regards weight loss, the thing with diabetes is to find a way of eating which is sustainable long term which reduces your carbohydrate intake.... not just sugar and sweet stuff like cakes sweets and biscuits but also fruit and fruit juice and just as importantly, bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, couscous. breakfast cereals and even sometimes the likes of porridge. The trade off is that it is best to eat a little more fat when you cur down on carbs, so avoid buying low fat products and go for full fat dairy, like milk butter cheese and creamy Greek Natural yoghurt. Fat keeps you fuller for longer because they are digested slowly, so you are less likely to want to overeat, whereas the body breaks down carbohydrates very quickly and you get a sugar high and then you want more.
Eggs meat fish and nuts are all good and mushrooms. I eat massive plates of salad with a good dollop of creamy cheese coleslaw and a couple of boiled eggs or a frittata... avoid quiche as the pasty is carbohydrate. Cauliflower is a wonderful veg for us diabetics as it can be cooked and mashed with a dollop of cream cheese and a spoon of mustard and served with bangers or gammon and other veg or used to top a cottage pie and does not contain the carbs that potatoes do.
Imagine being on a diet and having a fry up for breakfast.... that is possible with low carb eating, but you need to avoid the backed beans, hash browns and fried bread/toast etc. Omelettes are also great for breakfast. I have mine with mushrooms, onions and cheese and a side salad and chopped avocado or coleslaw, but again no bread. By removing most of the carbs from your diet, you reduce the glucose going into your blood stream and remove the major source of calories from your diet, so you are also likely to lose weight, but most importantly, it is an enjoyable way to eat once you learn how to do it and that makes it a lifestyle change rather than a weight loss diet.
Good luck with your diabetes journey. The forum is here to support you through the difficult times and share your achievements. It is a community of friendly, helpful and most importantly, experienced people who live with diabetes and have lots of knowledge, advice and tips on how to help you manage your diabetes and it's associated problems.

Thank you Barbara, I will take on board what you have said. Very helpful.x

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Mens 'jock itch' is in fact Thrush, same as Ladies get! It is exactly the same strain of fungus that causes Athlete's Foot

I thought thrush was yeast, and athletes foot was fungal - are they the same thing? I used athletes foot cream when I had jock itch (rightly or wrongly!) and it worked for me.

 

[trophywench]

What the hell IS yeast if not a ruddy fungus, Mike? LOL

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

What the hell IS yeast if not a ruddy fungus, Mike? LOL

D’you know I’ve never thought there was an overlap! I just thought yeast was um... yeast 😛😛

Every day is a school day!

 

[trophywench]

I can only assume that you never did O level Biology at school! LOL

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I can only assume that you never did O level Biology at school! LOL

was my highest scoring subject in 3rd year (no idea what that’s called nowadays). But didn’t fit into the options grid with other things I definitely wanted, so I had to drop it.

 

[Drummer]

A good basic grounding in the various aspects of Biology, Chemistry Physics, Geology and Palaeontology can lead to sleepless nights and a concerned frown - each year I go out into the garden on my birthday - mid April, and do a bit of Ecology - and wander about in a dark study until Mayday. I am not at all sure that it is a good thing to be in the know - after living in the same place for 40 years and watching how things change - it is worrying.

 

[Neens]

Hi @Itsalwaysme! Lots of good advice here and I hope it has put your mind at rest.