Newbie

[Holly Marie]

Hiya, recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Really struggling at the moment with it all and feel a bit stuck then I found myself here at 2am! That’s about it.. 😛

 

[Northerner]

Hiya, recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Really struggling at the moment with it all and feel a bit stuck then I found myself here at 2am! That’s about it.. 😛

Hi Holly Marie, welcome to the forum 🙂 Very sorry to hear about your diagnosis How did it come about? Sorry to hear you are struggling - hopefully we can help you to understand things a bit better and set about tackling things so you can feel much more positive about things! 🙂 Are you on any medication for your diabetes?

Diabetes is a serious condition, but fortunately for us it's one that there is a great deal known about, so it is one that can be managed very successfully without having to negatively affect your life. Indeed, many people find that the adaptations they make can result in them feeling much happier and healthier than they have for some time 🙂 I'll try not to overload you with information, because I know there is a lot to take in, but take things at your own pace - nothing drastic is going to happen overnight, this is more of a marathon than a sprint 🙂

I would suggest starting by reading the excellent Maggie Davey's letter, which will give you a very solid overview of what it's all about and strategies for dealing with it. I'd also suggest getting a copy of the highly recommended Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker, which is written in a very positive, non-judgemental way and will guide you through the early weeks and months. Diabetes, as you are no doubt aware by now, is chiefly about the food you eat, in particular the carbohydrate content. However, it's a little more complicated than that as we all have our own individual tolerances for those carbs (the differences are thought to be due, in part, to the gut bacteria which process the food - this is unique to every individual). Ideally, therefore, you need to learn your own body's tolerances for your different food choices so that you can find out what things you tolerate well, and which you may need to either reduce in your diet or exclude entirely. By learning this you will be able to tailor your diet so it retains maximum flexibility whilst maintaining good blood sugar levels - you could just go extremely low-carb, as some people do, but I always think it is better to start off by learning about yourself first - why cut out the things you enjoy and which don't have a significant impact on you? 🙂

How do you monitor the effects of food? Really, the only way is by testing your blood sugar levels before and after eating, as described in Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S. If you do decide to get a meter then the cheapest option we have come across is the SD Codefree Meter which has test strips at around £8 for 50 (you can pay as much as £30 for 50 test strips for other brands, but they all do the same job with the same degree of accuracy!). Keep a Food Diary, recording what you eat each day, and include the amount of carbs in each meal (use the information on packaging or a book like Carbs and Cals ), alongside the before and after meal blood sugar levels. This way you will build up a very useful record that will help you to spot patterns and make decidsions on what changes you may need to make to improve things further 🙂

Finally, if you are able, do try and get into a routine of regular daily exercise - a brisk walk after eating is particularly beneficial, but whatever you can do and enjoy is fine, as it makes your body more sensitive to the insulin it is producing and will really help with your blood sugar management 🙂

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns - nothing is considered 'silly'! 🙂 We're here to help, and happy to do it 🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hello @Holly Marie

Welcome to the forum, though sorry you have to be here.

Northie has given you some great pointers above, so get stuck into those links and sources of support.

There are centuries of lived experience on the forum, so fire away with any questions you have, and post away with rants, moans and raging - folks here will instinctively ‘get it’ and no questions will be thought of as too obvious or ‘silly’

Keep us posted with your progress. We will be with you every step of the way 🙂

 

[Toucan]

Hello Maria, and welcome from me as well.
So good that you have joined the forum, there is plenty of help and support here.

I can still remember that big shock of first diagnosis although it was over 8 years ago, it really knocked me off my feet
Please try to stay positive as there are many good solutions, but there is no ‘one size fits all’ and you need to find what right for you.
I'm sure you will find your answers in the information Northerner has given you.
For me it was low-carb eating, more exercise, supported by some medication. Took a while to sort it out and there were ups and downs, but I now feel healthier and have more energy than I ever had before diagnosis.
Please let us know how it goes for you and ask any questions you have. There is plenty of experience and help here.

 

[Ralph-YK]

Welcome to the forum Holly from a fellow T2.

 

[SueEK]

Hi and welcome. Well done for joining this forum, it’s going to be a real benefit to you. Don’t worry too much as we have all been on your position and know how scary it can be but with the advice and support you will get here you will soon have things clearer in your head in what to do and most importantly what is best for you. Have a good look round the site and ask us any questions you have, nothing is too big or small so please do join in.

 

[trophywench]

Err, in view of your age is it 100% certain you are Type 2? What tests have been/are being done?

 

[Holly Marie]

Thank you ALL for the warm welcome. To answer a few of your questions I went to the doctors for another reason (hba1c depending I will be having an operation in February) they took bloods and I was called back the next morning and asked to come in. That’s when they told me they thought I had diabetes were weren’t sure whether it was type 1 or 2 (because of my age), I then had 2 more blood tests and they confirmed it was type 2, my hba1c was 86 and I have a family history of type 1 and 2. I think the biggest struggle for me is I have literally NO self control. I have a history of mental health since age 11 and I binge a lot. As well as this diagnosis there’s a lot more going on in my life and everything just feels too much!! I just can’t quite figure out the food situation I find it very confusing. Uh I don’t know lol. I was put on 500 metformin once a day which they then put up to twice a day with the plan to increase to 3 times a day soon. The thing is since I was diagnosed I haven’t been checked since. Anyway I am sorry for ranting and probably not making much sense but it kind of feels good to just type it all out. I have a lot more to say but don’t want to be too annoying. Anyway thank you all again for the warm welcome it’s feels very reassuring knowing there’s a whole community out there who can support and help each other. Hope you’re all having a lovely Sunday. Holly xxx

 

[Holly Marie]

Just to add I know what my BMI and weight and all that is and have lost 1st 5.6lb dice diagnosing but don’t know what I should be for my height etc

 

[grovesy]

Just to add I know what my BMI and weight and all that is and have lost 1st 5.6lb dice diagnosing but don’t know what I should be for my height etc

The weight loss would point more to Type1, how did they confirm Type 2.

 

[Toucan]

Thank you ALL for the warm welcome. To answer a few of your questions I went to the doctors for another reason (hba1c depending I will be having an operation in February) they took bloods and I was called back the next morning and asked to come in. That’s when they told me they thought I had diabetes were weren’t sure whether it was type 1 or 2 (because of my age), I then had 2 more blood tests and they confirmed it was type 2, my hba1c was 86 and I have a family history of type 1 and 2. I think the biggest struggle for me is I have literally NO self control. I have a history of mental health since age 11 and I binge a lot. As well as this diagnosis there’s a lot more going on in my life and everything just feels too much!! I just can’t quite figure out the food situation I find it very confusing. Uh I don’t know lol. I was put on 500 metformin once a day which they then put up to twice a day with the plan to increase to 3 times a day soon. The thing is since I was diagnosed I haven’t been checked since. Anyway I am sorry for ranting and probably not making much sense but it kind of feels good to just type it all out. I have a lot more to say but don’t want to be too annoying. Anyway thank you all again for the warm welcome it’s feels very reassuring knowing there’s a whole community out there who can support and help each other. Hope you’re all having a lovely Sunday. Holly xxx

Hello again Holly Marie, you certainly have a lot to cope with at present. Please keep typing if it help to tell us about it, and yes it does make sense.
It's difficult to focus on what to eat when there are a lot of stressful things going on, but if you feel you are able to cope with changing this at present, we can try and help.
As Northerner says a good place to start is by reading Maggie Davey's letter, and see if you can start to follow some of the ideas in that. If that doesn't fit to well with your current situation, then let us know what sort of eating pattern you follow and we may be able to suggest some changes.
Best wishes for a better nights sleep tonight!

 

[Northerner]

Just to add I know what my BMI and weight and all that is and have lost 1st 5.6lb dice diagnosing but don’t know what I should be for my height etc

Like @trophywench has suggested, it's possible that it may be Type 1, given your age, family history and rapid weight loss. If you feel at all unwell, do go straight back to the doctors and let them know, as things can progress quickly - the metformin will do little for you if it does turn out to be Type 1 - possibly in the early stages - and you need to be sure you are on the correct treatment. Keep an eye on your weight and try not to worry, you will get through this and we can totally understand how you are feeling {{{HUGS}}}

 

[Ralph-YK]

To help figuring what to eat you could self test. Test before and 1 - 2 hours after eating. This will show you what affect food has on your blood glucose (BG), along with any changes you make. Keep a food diary, along with a record of your levels. After a couple of weeks you should start to see a pattern.
It isn't food what affects BG. It's carbohydrates in particular. It's possible to have some. Which, how much, and what with is the question. Self testing will help find that out.

 

[ianf0ster]

Hi Holly Marie, Was that weight loss unexpected or were you trying to lose some weight?
Although most Type 2 diabetics are over-weight, around 10% of us are normal weight (like me) or even under-weight.

I think you understand that you ned to control your eating much more. Which foods do you tend to binge on? Most find it is ones with a combination of both high carbs (either sugars or starches) and high fats. Eat until you feel full, but only eat things that will help you feel full - then you won't be bingeing.

For a Type 2 diabetic, carbohydrates of any description can be a major problem since when they are eaten they can all turn into glucose in your bloodstream so quickly and keep you feeling hungry. On the other hand fats particularly full fat dairy, fatty meat , fatty fish are not a big problem because at least (without high carbs) they tend to make you feel full and they have the least effect on your blood glucose.

The combination of Protein and Fat is really good for many Type 2 diabetics. So fatty fish is good and eggs are almost the perfect food.
I ignore '5 A Day', but try to eat salad leaves and above ground vegetables rather than fruit/fruit juice.

 

[Holly Marie]

The weight loss would point more to Type1, how did they confirm Type 2.

3 blood tests, they originally tested for type 1 because of my age then said it was type 2 and I think BMI and family history

 

[Holly Marie]

Thank

Hello again Holly Marie, you certainly have a lot to cope with at present. Please keep typing if it help to tell us about it, and yes it does make sense.
It's difficult to focus on what to eat when there are a lot of stressful things going on, but if you feel you are able to cope with changing this at present, we can try and help.
As Northerner says a good place to start is by reading Maggie Davey's letter, and see if you can start to follow some of the ideas in that. If that doesn't fit to well with your current situation, then let us know what sort of eating pattern you follow and we may be able to suggest some changes.
Best wishes for a better nights sleep tonight!

thank you so so much. I will take some time out now and read through the post thank you again

 

[Holly Marie]

Like @trophywench has suggested, it's possible that it may be Type 1, given your age, family history and rapid weight loss. If you feel at all unwell, do go straight back to the doctors and let them know, as things can progress quickly - the metformin will do little for you if it does turn out to be Type 1 - possibly in the early stages - and you need to be sure you are on the correct treatment. Keep an eye on your weight and try not to worry, you will get through this and we can totally understand how you are feeling {{{HUGS}}}

Thank you so much, you’re all so kind and lovely. I think due to my weight, family history and my hba1c was 86? They did test for type 1 originally but then confirmed it was type 2. I also test with the finger prick occasionally, I was 14 to start and recently it has been 6-7 x

 

[Holly Marie]

The

To help figuring what to eat you could self test. Test before and 1 - 2 hours after eating. This will show you what affect food has on your blood glucose (BG), along with any changes you make. Keep a food diary, along with a record of your levels. After a couple of weeks you should start to see a pattern.
It isn't food what affects BG. It's carbohydrates in particular. It's possible to have some. Which, how much, and what with is the question. Self testing will help find that out.

thank you kindly, I will be getting a new machine soon as I have the contour next but the strips are ridiculous. I did see up the top someone suggested another one so I will look into that instead and I did do the food diary etc but I just didn’t stick to it and it’s frustrating because I know I HAVE to. I recently moved out as well and obviously cook all my own things now and it’s expensive to get all the right things for us all x

 

[Holly Marie]

Hi Holly Marie, Was that weight loss unexpected or were you trying to lose some weight?
Although most Type 2 diabetics are over-weight, around 10% of us are normal weight (like me) or even under-weight.

I think you understand that you ned to control your eating much more. Which foods do you tend to binge on? Most find it is ones with a combination of both high carbs (either sugars or starches) and high fats. Eat until you feel full, but only eat things that will help you feel full - then you won't be bingeing.

For a Type 2 diabetic, carbohydrates of any description can be a major problem since when they are eaten they can all turn into glucose in your bloodstream so quickly and keep you feeling hungry. On the other hand fats particularly full fat dairy, fatty meat , fatty fish are not a big problem because at least (without high carbs) they tend to make you feel full and they have the least effect on your blood glucose.

The combination of Protein and Fat is really good for many Type 2 diabetics. So fatty fish is good and eggs are almost the perfect food.
I ignore '5 A Day', but try to eat salad leaves and above ground vegetables rather than fruit/fruit juice.

I was trying to lose the weight but had lost a little unexpected weight before diagnosed but I have an operation coming up and think it may have been stress related that caused all of that? I really don’t know. Thank you so much for your advice, it’s annoying for me because I do know all of these things but I just don’t do it I comfort eat a lot and it’s really anything that’s here.. I have swapped out biscuit for Gallun sugar free and swapped out my milk for red and basically everything I eat normally I have swapped out to a healthier and sugar free alternative where possible but Christmas I think may have pushed back a few steps

 

[Drummer]

It seems that you have been eating biscuits, and drinking milk and things which are 'sugar free' and 'healthy'?
That might be the problem, as type two diabetes isn't about sugar, it is an inability to deal with carbohydrate, which means starches and sugars. They can make you feel hungry, maintain a need for sweet things, and many high carb foods are lacking in nutrients.