Anothet new T2

[ShropshireWomble]

Evening

A 52 year old woman here, very overweight and unfit woman here. My blood pressure is also up and I'm off work with stress (secretary at a go practice, enough said!) I also have osteoarthritis of the knee and a meniscus tear in my left knee which limits exercise to an extent. I also have anxiety and depression which I am on medication for.

The diabetes came to light after I made a self referral for counselling. They asked me to get some blood tests to check if there could be any physical cause for my depression and found diabetes! I have my new diabetic nurse appointment in a week and a half when I will probably be started on medication and probably something for my blood pressure.

I do feel rather overwhelmed and am glad to have found you all

 

[Christy]

Welcome @ShropshireWomble , I'm singing the Womble song in my head! Lots of us were overwhelmed like you. It's a lot to take in but there's lots of friendly help and advice here. What was your HbA1c? Have a read here and plan some baby steps.

 

[taylormade]

Welcome I’m new too and diagnosed only last week. It is all very overwhelming and a lot to take in but there’s loads of support and advice on here.

 

[trophywench]

Hi - so, where in Salop do you womble I wonder - round the Wellington Wrekin or maybe Wem? 🙂 Hopefully you'll get some good dietary advice too to cut down on carbohydrate, which should have the welcome side effects of weight loss and thus a reduction in BP. It's not only a matter of taking the tablets .... you need to help yourself too - but just not to biscuits!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @ShropshireWomble

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis

Elevated and erratic BG can be associated with low mood (and stress is associated with elevated BG!), which is a kicker really, because depression and low mood can make self-care more challenging. Hopefully the medication will help alongside some tweaks and changes to your menu. Any additional activity you can manage will help too, but food is usually a bigger part of the puzzle.

Try not to be disheartened about your diagnosis, many people on the forum later reflect that their diagnosis became a catalyst which prompted them to make positive changes towards a healthier and more active life. Perhaps changes that they had been intending to make for years.

Diabetes is a serious condition, but it’s also one that can usually be managed well with a few changes and adaptations - it’s something that you can learn to live well with, and it shouldn’t stop you doing things you enjoy. Making a few positive changes can give you more energy, a clearer mind, and a brighter outlook. Plus the regular checks you get after a diagnosis with diabetes mean that any potential problems may be spotted earlier, and can be sorted out sooner.

You might find it helpful to keep a food diary for a few weeks. Note down everything you eat and drink, including snacks and nibbles (be honest!). And keep a note of the total carbohydrate content of everything, rather than just ‘of which sugars’. All carbohydrate gets converted to glucose in the body, so you will ultimately be looking for a balance between what your metabolism can happily process alongside any meds you may take, and the level of activity you can manage.

Totting up carb counts can seem like a faff, but it’s a good way to spot which meals, snacks and drinks are carb-heavy, which in turn can suggest where some easy swaps and reductions can be made.

Sharing some general meals here can get you some suggestions for swaps and alternatives from our experienced T2s if you get stuck with the ole ‘what can I eat’ question!

 

[Pine Marten]

Hi @ShropshireWomble, welcome to the forum. We are a friendly bunch, so ask any questions you like and someone's bound to know the answer 🙂

 

[ShropshireWomble]

Welcome @ShropshireWomble , I'm singing the Womble song in my head! Lots of us were overwhelmed like you. It's a lot to take in but there's lots of friendly help and advice here. What was your HbA1c? Have a read here and plan some baby steps.

They were on Countyfile last night as well!

HbA1C was 51 and my blood pressure is also raised as well as my BMI being high. I am gradually working my way through all the information.

 

[ShropshireWomble]

Hi - so, where in Salop do you womble I wonder - round the Wellington Wrekin or maybe Wem? 🙂 Hopefully you'll get some good dietary advice too to cut down on carbohydrate, which should have the welcome side effects of weight loss and thus a reduction in BP. It's not only a matter of taking the tablets .... you need to help yourself too - but just not to biscuits!

Other side of the Wrekin to Wellington, just up the hill from Ironbridge 🙂

I'm already working on improving my eating so fingers crossed on that front

 

[ShropshireWomble]

Welcome to the forum @ShropshireWomble

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis

Elevated and erratic BG can be associated with low mood (and stress is associated with elevated BG!), which is a kicker really, because depression and low mood can make self-care more challenging. Hopefully the medication will help alongside some tweaks and changes to your menu. Any additional activity you can manage will help too, but food is usually a bigger part of the puzzle.

Try not to be disheartened about your diagnosis, many people on the forum later reflect that their diagnosis became a catalyst which prompted them to make positive changes towards a healthier and more active life. Perhaps changes that they had been intending to make for years.

Diabetes is a serious condition, but it’s also one that can usually be managed well with a few changes and adaptations - it’s something that you can learn to live well with, and it shouldn’t stop you doing things you enjoy. Making a few positive changes can give you more energy, a clearer mind, and a brighter outlook. Plus the regular checks you get after a diagnosis with diabetes mean that any potential problems may be spotted earlier, and can be sorted out sooner.

You might find it helpful to keep a food diary for a few weeks. Note down everything you eat and drink, including snacks and nibbles (be honest!). And keep a note of the total carbohydrate content of everything, rather than just ‘of which sugars’. All carbohydrate gets converted to glucose in the body, so you will ultimately be looking for a balance between what your metabolism can happily process alongside any meds you may take, and the level of activity you can manage.

Totting up carb counts can seem like a faff, but it’s a good way to spot which meals, snacks and drinks are carb-heavy, which in turn can suggest where some easy swaps and reductions can be made.

Sharing some general meals here can get you some suggestions for swaps and alternatives from our experienced T2s if you get stuck with the ole ‘what can I eat’ question!

Thanks Mike. I've had anxiety and depression since before the pandemic and am on medication for that. I have had a habit of stress/comfort eating so that is changing.

I very between feeling it's a kick up the behind to make necessary changes and experiencing information overload but I know I will get there

 

[Felinia]

Hi and welcome. The good news is that with an HbA1c of 51 you are only just in the diabetic range. I would hope you are given the opportunity to reduce that with just a change to a more healthy eating plan without the need for medication. I don't know if you enjoy cooking, but if you do, now is the chance to try out some new lower carb recipes and meals. There are plenty of suggestions here on the Forum. I too have osteoarthritis in the spine, hip, knees and feet which also make exercise difficult, as I can't stand or walk far. But instead I go to the pool 3 times a week for a water workout class, which has helped tremendously. Slowly losing weight and gentle exercise will hopefully help your medical issues. Best wishes

 

[adrian1der]

Hi from me as well. Given your knee problems have you thought of sitting yoga? A quick google will bring up lots of YouTube videos.

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi from me. With an HbA1C of 51 you are in a good position to bring it down with some dietary changes, this may only mean you need to reduce the portion size of some of the higher carbohydrate foods. Perhaps you can be given the opportunity to try by dietary changes for say 3 months before going onto any medication, as you would have to also make some dietary changes anyway. I hope you will feel better once your blood pressure is more normal.

 

[Drummer]

Changing your diet could alter a lot of things for the better - at times of stress in my life I have always found that eating a low fat diet just made things all the less faceable.
When reading Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution I recognised why.
These days I have no bother from my type two - as a very ordinary sort of diabetes it responds well to my eating low carb and doesn't cause any trouble.
On the low carb forum I am on it has been mentioned several times that eating low carb can lower blood pressure, and some people have had falls as they did not get their medication adjusted to suit. One person had quite a bad fall on a flight of stairs.