adjusting slowly to a diagnosis of diabetes

Status
Not open for further replies.
R

retired teacher

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
hi
im new to this site and fairly new to being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. im also struggling with the fact that my doctor put me straight on metformin tablets without giving me chance to try controlling it with diet first.
any advice or help would be gratefully accepted
 
Hi, and welcome to the forum 🙂 What were your levels like when you were diagnosed? As there can be a whole spectrum of presentations GPs may immediately prescribe meds to some, but not to others. Of course, it may also be down to them simply always putting people on meds. Whatever the case in your situation it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that, by making any necessary adjustments to your diet and activity levels, you may be in a position to stop the medication at some point - there have been a number of our members who have been able to do this. However, not everyone can, so you shouldn't feel you have failed if you need the support of the medication - much will depend on how well your pancreas can support you, and how much it improves in that support as you begin to make changes and improve your insulin sensitivity.

I'd suggest having a look at our Useful links thread. There are some good book recommendations there, plus some excellent links to online articles (particularly Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter).

I'd also recommend keeping a food diary for a couple of weeks so that you can get a clear picture of what you are eating and where you might be able to make more diabetes-friendly adjustments. The GL Diet for Dummies is a good introduction to an eating plan that will be kind to your blood sugar levels.

There will always be someone here who can answer your questions, so if you have anything you're not sure about, do please ask 🙂
 
Welcome retired teacher.

Without knowing your medical history like your GP does, it's difficult to comment on your situation. However, many people have found that combining medication, diet AND exercise means they may later no longer need medication for a while. If you are currently overweight, then reducing will also have a postive effect on your blood sugar levels. So, do ask for guidance here about how to modify your diet and exercise levels for best effects, although strategies that are best for one person are not necessarily best for another.
 
welcome to the forum retired teacher 🙂
 
Hiya !

What they said, and furthermore if there's insulin resitance Met can help a bit with that, plus it's sposed to be cardio protective.

It's never too late or too early to take control of your diabetes, but the sooner you start the less probs you will set up to happen in the future (you know - all the dire complications they tell us we'll definitely get, and we say Over my dead body I will LOL)

TBH if Met can help you get a sprint start, there's no prob is there?
 
thankyou for your supportive replies - i am going on holiday today but when i get back i will certainly be back on this forum and look at the advice on my glucose levels. i do seem to be really struggling to lose weight despite doing weight watchers on line - lost half a stone in 4 months - i dread to think how much i would have put on if i hadnt started the diet!
thankyou again
 
retired teacher said:
thankyou for your supportive replies - i am going on holiday today but when i get back i will certainly be back on this forum and look at the advice on my glucose levels. i do seem to be really struggling to lose weight despite doing weight watchers on line - lost half a stone in 4 months - i dread to think how much i would have put on if i hadnt started the diet!
thankyou again
Click to expand...

Hope you have a lovely, relaxing holiday! 🙂
 
retired teacher said:
hi
im new to this site and fairly new to being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. im also struggling with the fact that my doctor put me straight on metformin tablets without giving me chance to try controlling it with diet first.
any advice or help would be gratefully accepted
Click to expand...

Hiya retired teacher :D my doctor put me straight on metforim as well after being diagnoesed as stated everyone has different needs for controlling your diabetes, i stopped taking my tabs after the first month then for the last 3 weeks taking just one a day that was the deal with the diabetes nurse, completey changed my diet and have lost 2 stone in 3 months and at my ideal weight now, this makes a huge differance for me and the way i feel, it,s not all doom and gloom like they make out it to be, and hopefully your diabetes nurse will be there to help you as all of us are :D
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top