Another Newbie!

[Kez102]

Hello! Keith here from Scotland. Not much to say other than I just received my diagnosis this afternoon - Type 2. In some ways, not a shock, yet I’m still shocked!! I think there’s a steep learning curve ahead of me, however will just take each day at a time and see how things go! Back to the GP next week, then an appointment with the Diabetic Dietician … after that, who knows, but I suspect I won’t be long in finding out. K

 

[Leadinglights]

Welcome to the forum.
When we read about the process in Scotland there are some differences in what people might get in terms of support.
Were you told what your HbA1C is as that will indicate how much work you will need to do. Have you been prescribed any medication as that may also influence how you approach getting your blood glucose down.
Many find a low carbohydrate approach is successful at both reducing blood glucose and losing weight if they need to. This link may help with some explanation and some ideas for modifying your diet as that will be needed what ever meds you may have been prescribed. If your HbA1C is not too high then many manage with diet alone. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/

 

[Kez102]

Hi, and thank you. My HbA1C was 96. I was given general diet advice over the phone, but it was just a quick call to let me know the blood results. I'm back next week and then being referred to the dietician. At the moment, I'm just getting my head around the diagnosis and waiting to see what the next steps are with a move to getting the 96 considerably lower! Thanks for the link 🙂

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi, and thank you. My HbA1C was 96. I was given general diet advice over the phone, but it was just a quick call to let me know the blood results. I'm back next week and then being referred to the dietician. At the moment, I'm just getting my head around the diagnosis and waiting to see what the next steps are with a move to getting the 96 considerably lower! Thanks for the link 🙂

Yes that is quite a high level and I suspect you will be prescribed some medication.
It is a good idea to have a list of questions as it is easy to forget what you wanted to ask.
It is not too soon to be making some changes to your diet, reducing your carbohydrates gradually is kinder on your eyes and nerves. Keeping a food diary of everything you eat and drink with an estimate of the amount of carbs in what you are having will help you see where you are and how much you need to be cutting down .

 

[Kez102]

I've been prescribed Metformin and Atorvastatin and will start those in the next day or so. As you say, I've been advised to keep a list of the questions that pop into my head and take them along to the GP next week. The food diary is a good idea, so will start that now. Much to learn I suspect, but one day at a time, and I'll get there.

 

[Leadinglights]

I've been prescribed Metformin and Atorvastatin and will start those in the next day or so. As you say, I've been advised to keep a list of the questions that pop into my head and take them along to the GP next week. The food diary is a good idea, so will start that now. Much to learn I suspect, but one day at a time, and I'll get there.

I hope you have been advised to take the metformin with food and build up the dose gradually over a few weeks as some people can get stomach issues but not all and you may be fine.
The statin is presumably because your cholesterol is a bit too high though reducing carbs can also help reduce cholesterol.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I've been prescribed Metformin and Atorvastatin and will start those in the next day or so. As you say, I've been advised to keep a list of the questions that pop into my head and take them along to the GP next week. The food diary is a good idea, so will start that now. Much to learn I suspect, but one day at a time, and I'll get there.

Welcome to the forum @Kez102

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

Sounds like you have a very sensible and pragmatic approach - this will serve you well with your diabetes management. Along with an inquisitve spirit, and a little dogged determination!

If you would like a good overview of T2 diabetes, to add to the knowledge you’ve already picked up, you might want to register for an account with the Learning Zone (the orange tab in the main menu) which is packed full of informative bite-sized modules.

Additionally, for a more personal take, members here frequently recommend Maggie Davey’s Letter to the Newly Diagnosed and Gretchen Becker’s book T2 Diabetes, the first year, which you can work through gradually and will give you a solid starting point.

Hope you get on well with the meds, and they add to the changes you are making to your menu, to begin making some positive changes to your levels 🙂

 

[Kez102]

Sounds like you have a very sensible and pragmatic approach - this will serve you well with your diabetes management. Along with an inquisitve spirit, and a little dogged determination!

Hi, and thanks for your message ... and support!

I'll be starting the meds in the next day or so, and hopefully they will be OK, though I have been advised to potentially expect some side effects to begin with.

Right now, I think the diet will be my biggest challenge (after accepting the diagnosis), but like everything, it's just going to take a bit of time.

I might be wrong, but I suspect that I'll be reaching out to other forum members for the odd bit of advice and support.

Thanks for the links as well, I'm sure they will be of benefit in the coming weeks and months. K