A bit shell shocked

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ashovelfullofsugar

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Hi
After recently reading up on 'diabetes' on Doctor Google, I got so confused and disheartened, so I decided to join this trusted UK site.

My Type 2 diabetes downfall begins with 'c' as most of my unhealthy foods are chips, crisps, chocolate, cheese, cream - to name a few.
I live on my own and have no close support. Saw Diabetes Nurse for the first time 2 weeks ago for (10mins) and came away bewildered, with little, well, no information that sunk in.

I've no obvious symptoms, apart from this overpowering tiredness/fatigue, which makes life more miserable than ever. I was offered the usual medication (to start off with) but declined as I'm on quite a lot of medication already BUT 2 weeks in, trying to magic up interesting meals with none of the above c words in them and not being interested in cooking, I'm thinking maybe I should start on the tablets offered after all.

I'd like to ask you about the pros and cons of taking the medication.
I must seem so naive, but as I said, I'm very new to diabetes (well, being aware I have it) and it's going to be a hard and lonely road.
 
Cheese and cream aren't unhealthy, at least not in moderation (They are highly calorific!) and they won't raise blood glucose.

Crisps, chocolate and chips are worse for someone with T2D, unless the chocolate is > 75% cocoa, in which case it's fine to have a small amount (It's highly calorific)

Most of the anti-diabetic medication only makes a modest difference and really needs to be used alongside a lifestyle change which can be far more effective. You can't carry on eating high-carb foods and expect something like Metformin to keep levels normal.

Why do you have no interest in cooking? This book has a lot of recipes in it that can put together in a short time with a few ingredients:


For example, throw some Salmon, onion, orange, fennel, olive oil, wine and seasoning in a baking tray and in 20 minutes you have a delicious meal.

After two weeks of using the recipes that book, all my symptoms went away and I lost a lot of weight.

What was your hba1c upon diagnosis?
Some people find that losing weight can help.
 
Welcome to the forum
It sounds as if you do have 1 of the common symptoms of high blood glucose which is tiredness and fatigue so taking some action to reduce it should make you feel a whole lot better.
It is all the high carb foods which need to be reduced as it is those which will push up blood glucose levels but by making some changes it should be possible without the medication.
There are lots of options for tasty filling meals without lots of cooking but even if you make batches of things like chilli or curries they can be frozen for future home made ready meals. But very simple things like cooked meats, tinned tuna eggs, cheese with salad or stirfry or tray bakes where you can just throw things in with some herbs and spices and have with veg.
The Caldesi diabetes cook book for weight loss has simple recipes.
Have a look at this link as you may be surprised just how many options you have for meals which are low carb https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
 
Hello @ashovelfullofsugar and welcome to the forum.

Being confused and disheartened is quite normal for people recently diagnosed with diabetes as it can sound quite complicated to understand and get to grips with.

Assuming T2 there are 3 area's to consider

1) Weight
2) Diet
3) exercise

So depending on what your hba1c numbers are, it may just require a small change in life style without medication to get you back on the right path, normally all three go hand in hand.

So, no need to panic, there are many well informed people here who can help and guide you through with personal experiences of what has helped them, which indeed may help you, just ask as many questions as you wish and someone will pop along with some suggestions.

What I would add, is you do now have a close support group only willing to help, so you are not alone.

Take care

Alan 😉
 
Welcome to the forum @ashovelfullofsugar

Sorry to hear you were bewildered and disappointed after your meeting with the nurse :(

Hopefully comparing notes with others who are facing the same challenges each day will provide you with a little inspiration, and some ideas.

We have lots of members who have managed to find satisfying, varied, and interesting ways of eating that suit their diabetes.

The fatigue you are feeling could be associated with elevated glucose levels, which can bring on a real sense of weariness, and brain fog.

Hope you can find a way of adjusting your diet to begin to get your levels back into range and make it a sustainable way of eating.
 
Hi and welcome, as above check out the resources section on here, lots of great info.
This website (Sugar free Londoner) has lots of good diabetic friendly recipes, see linky:
sugarfreelondoner.com

Recipe Index

Browse hundreds of sugar free, low carb and keto recipes in our recipe index! From breakfast to mains to dessert, we've got you covered.
sugarfreelondoner.com sugarfreelondoner.com
There's also a recipe section on the Diabetes UK website.
Also as advised above, check out the freshwell website for great diabetes friendly recipes and advice.
Cheers
 
harbottle said:
Cheese and cream aren't unhealthy, at least not in moderation (They are highly calorific!) and they won't raise blood glucose.

Crisps, chocolate and chips are worse for someone with T2D, unless the chocolate is > 75% cocoa, in which case it's fine to have a small amount (It's highly calorific)

Most of the anti-diabetic medication only makes a modest difference and really needs to be used alongside a lifestyle change which can be far more effective. You can't carry on eating high-carb foods and expect something like Metformin to keep levels normal.

Why do you have no interest in cooking? This book has a lot of recipes in it that can put together in a short time with a few ingredients:


For example, throw some Salmon, onion, orange, fennel, olive oil, wine and seasoning in a baking tray and in 20 minutes you have a delicious meal.

After two weeks of using the recipes that book, all my symptoms went away and I lost a lot of weight.

What was your hba1c upon diagnosis?
Some people find that losing weight can help.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your response. It's uplifting to learn cream and cheese aren't too unhealthy and on more reading I've discovered butter's not as bad as I thought (though I visualize it as thick chunks being spread on hot toast!). I think a lot of my problems stem from spending years yo-yoing in diets, always looking at calorific values of food, but it's hit me that the diabetic approach is very different, something I need to concentrate on.

My dislike of cooking has been with me for years, I'm happier bashing together a cheese'n'tomato sarnie than whizzing around the kitchen producing wonderful pots of food that I may or may not end up liking!

I'm planning to see how I do without the Metformin.

Co-incidentally a trip to the library had me hauling back the Caldesi book but a look through it has left me uninspired. I will persevere. Thank you again for taking the time to give me your supportive advice, which I will follow.
 
pjgtech said:
Hi and welcome, as above check out the resources section on here, lots of great info.
This website (Sugar free Londoner) has lots of good diabetic friendly recipes, see linky:
sugarfreelondoner.com

Recipe Index

Browse hundreds of sugar free, low carb and keto recipes in our recipe index! From breakfast to mains to dessert, we've got you covered.
sugarfreelondoner.com sugarfreelondoner.com
There's also a recipe section on the Diabetes UK website.
Also as advised above, check out the freshwell website for great diabetes friendly recipes and advice.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Thank you. I've been browsing the freshwell site, it's informative and there are some ideas I'll follow up on there. I'm not an enthusiastic cook and I'm vegetarian (which for me excludes a lot of recipes).

In my previous cooking life I used Quorn a lot, but can't find any reference to it in most low carb diet books, so am hoping it's okay to continue using it.

From browsing the 'traffic light' section, it'll be a good helpful guide to this new eating regime.

Thanks again for taking the trouble to respond.
 
I make a dhal which is vegetarian and low in carbs, and also a tray bake with paneer cheese and brocolli/cauliflower. Both very quick to make and very tasty.

Quorn is low in carbs, but high in protein, so it's good.
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
Welcome to the forum @ashovelfullofsugar

Sorry to hear you were bewildered and disappointed after your meeting with the nurse :(

Hopefully comparing notes with others who are facing the same challenges each day will provide you with a little inspiration, and some ideas.

We have lots of members who have managed to find satisfying, varied, and interesting ways of eating that suit their diabetes.

The fatigue you are feeling could be associated with elevated glucose levels, which can bring on a real sense of weariness, and brain fog.

Hope you can find a way of adjusting your diet to begin to get your levels back into range and make it a sustainable way of eating.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your response.

I've read that the number of new diabetes diagnosis has rocketed over the last few years, so probably the Diabetes nurse I saw had another 10 people to see after me.

I need to get cracking on eating less carbs, this is all down to me. It's easy to stuff lots of chocolate in my mouth, but not so easy to get enthusiastic about boiled cabbage (in a manner of speaking🙂 It's a bit like looking into a black tunnel, especially with 25th December coming up - I love my family Christmas dinner. Hey ho.

Thank you again
 
ashovelfullofsugar said:
In my previous cooking life I used Quorn a lot, but can't find any reference to it in most low carb diet books, so am hoping it's okay to continue using it.
Click to expand...

Quorn mince has about 2g of carbs per 100g so shouldn’t worry your BGs as an ingredient 🙂

I think the other chunks and fillets are similar.

You’d have to check the packs while shopping I guess?
 
Alan44 said:
Hello @ashovelfullofsugar and welcome to the forum.

Being confused and disheartened is quite normal for people recently diagnosed with diabetes as it can sound quite complicated to understand and get to grips with.

Assuming T2 there are 3 area's to consider

1) Weight
2) Diet
3) exercise

So depending on what your hba1c numbers are, it may just require a small change in life style without medication to get you back on the right path, normally all three go hand in hand.

So, no need to panic, there are many well informed people here who can help and guide you through with personal experiences of what has helped them, which indeed may help you, just ask as many questions as you wish and someone will pop along with some suggestions.

What I would add, is you do now have a close support group only willing to help, so you are not alone.

Take care

Alan 😉
Click to expand...
Hello, thank you for your supportive response.

My hba1c number is a mystery at the moment, I don't remember my diabetic nurse telling me what it is, but I plan to ring my surgery today to see if I can get that information and get a contact number for my nurse. It's been suggested my local pharmacy may be able to do a thumbprick test (sorry, don't know the formal name) that can give the hba1c number. I'll pop in and ask them today.

Thank you again

The road of taking the medication is, I admit, beckoning as it seems (with the little information I've got) that if I take the medication I won't need to diet! (honestly, this is what a couple of friends have confessed to me).
 
ashovelfullofsugar said:
Hello, thank you for your supportive response.

My hba1c number is a mystery at the moment, I don't remember my diabetic nurse telling me what it is, but I plan to ring my surgery today to see if I can get that information and get a contact number for my nurse. It's been suggested my local pharmacy may be able to do a thumbprick test (sorry, don't know the formal name) that can give the hba1c number. I'll pop in and ask them today.

Thank you again

The road of taking the medication is, I admit, beckoning as it seems (with the little information I've got) that if I take the medication I won't need to diet! (honestly, this is what a couple of friends have confessed to me).
Click to expand...
You should be able to get access to your medical records from home, if not the surgery should be able to print them off for you.

TBH, I would ignore your friends, losing weight will improve your health no end and may reduce the need for medication, it could also help with reducing high BP and give you a healthy lifestyle.

You joined this forum because, I think, you want to do what's right and give it a good go.

You will get all the support you want and more, just ask

Alan 😉
 
Hi , I'm no medical expert, but my understanding is that if you have the Patient Access app on your phone or access their website, you can see any recent test results on there. (as well as other stuff, meds, etc) .NB: You need your NHS number to sign in to the app/webpage.
It is also my understanding that a finger prick test gives you your current blood glucose reading, whereas a HbA1c sort of gives an average of your previous three months blood glucose, so its more accurate, but they use different numbers and there is no direct comparison as far as I can see, although there are rough conversions.

An HbA1c of 42 to 47 is pre diabetic, and an HbA1c of above 47 (so 48 or higher) is when they diagnose you as diabetic.
I think they would need to see two three monthly test results showing you in the diabetic range before diagnosing you.
So if you've not had a HbA1c test or only one, you need to get one done.
Cheers
 
Hello, @ashovelfullofsugar,
That's obviously a tantalising thought (meds without dieting); but (slightly bluntly) nonsense.

The very word "diet" conjures up memories of discomfort. Really it should be about each individual finding a somewhat different lifestyle, with that revised lifestyle enjoyable, repeatable and beneficial to each individuals better health and longevity. @harbottle makes this point clearly in his initial response at post #2 in this thread
Most of the anti-diabetic medication only makes a modest difference and really needs to be used alongside a lifestyle change which can be far more effective. You can't carry on eating high-carb foods and expect something like Metformin to keep levels normal.
​
But before even thinking about medication it is very important for YOU to know what your HbA1c is, because that will be a huge factor in whether you have a hill to climb or just a gentle slope to walk along. Also as you transition from middle age to becoming a true senior there is a certain amount of leeway on the diagnosis threshold for Diabetes. That defined threshold is anything above 47 mmol/L = Diabetes. That is certainly applicable to those even 10 yrs younger than you or I. However the natural risks of degradation to nerve endings and arteries from neglected or poor management of our Diabetes has to be seen in relation to degradation that inevitably occurs as we just get older. Your Surgery should be discussing that sort of strategy with you.

When you saw your Nurse was medication even discussed or have you just assumed it is inevitable? If you can't get a straight answer about what your HbA1c was, (and you ought to be able to get that - it's your body, your result and at the very least patronising when Health Care Practicioners (HCPs) think you don't need to know!) then setup the NHS app on a phone, tablet, laptop or PC and look at your recent results.

However, in almost the same breath, as @Leadinglights says at her response #3, your symptoms are there and making inroads into finding a healthier lifestyle without too much "pain or angst" should leave you feeling so much better both physically and mentally, making it easier for you to manage those aches, pains and little "stressers" that getting older brings to many of us.

I agree with @Alan44 don't be misled by your friends. Their bravado and banter (or stupidity?) won't help you.

Good luck.
 
Here's one of the BG conversion charts/indicators....
To see how daily fingerprint BG readings compare to three monthly HbA1c results.
But not 100% accurate conversions apparently? so just a rough guide....
Cheers
BG Converter.jpg
 
Although a finger prick will be a vague indicator of your HbA1C it measures something different and is influenced by many things, mostly what you have eaten so is not used for diagnosis as it is just a moment in time and blood glucose goes up and down throughout the day and night.
There are plenty of veggie meals but you just need to be cautious of those with pasta though there are low carb pastas made from edamame beans or black beans, rice and potatoes.
The Freshwell has a veggie meal plan but you can easily adapt other recipes to substitute Quorn or the things you normally have or halloumi, paneer or the veggie sausages which are low carb if you choose the right ones.
 
pjgtech said:
Hi , I'm no medical expert, but my understanding is that if you have the Patient Access app on your phone or access their website, you can see any recent test results on there. (as well as other stuff, meds, etc) .NB: You need your NHS number to sign in to the app/webpage.
It is also my understanding that a finger prick test gives you your current blood glucose reading, whereas a HbA1c sort of gives an average of your previous three months blood glucose, so its more accurate, but they use different numbers and there is no direct comparison as far as I can see, although there are rough conversions.

An HbA1c of 42 to 47 is pre diabetic, and an HbA1c of above 47 (so 48 or higher) is when they diagnose you as diabetic.
I think they would need to see two three monthly test results showing you in the diabetic range before diagnosing you.
So if you've not had a HbA1c test or only one, you need to get one done.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Hi. I've just phoned my surgery to get the missing information on my hba1c and was told it's 6.8...which doesn't fit in with the numbers others give on here, somewhere between 50-70 something. So I'm getting even more muddled...what with the foggy brain and empty stomach, it's not going too well.
 
pjgtech said:
Here's one of the BG conversion charts/indicators....
To see how daily fingerprint BG readings compare to three monthly HbA1c results.
But not 100% accurate conversions apparently? so just a rough guide....
Cheers
View attachment 32445
Click to expand...
Thank you for that. After contacting my surgery I was told my HbA1C level is 6.8...but I see from looking at the above chart that must be the blood glucose level. I have so much I need to learn about this illness :-(
 
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