Anxious Newbie here

[Windy]

You asked in your original question "Anyone have any advice on what to expect in the short term, things I should ask on Tuesday, how to cope?", and hopefully we've covered the sorts of questions, but for the rest, you'll find the NHS will contact you with appointments.
Your dad will probably be the best person to ask, but off the top of my head:

• Eye screening programme - I went to the local hospital and had my eyes photographed with drops in.
• Foot checks - surgery nurse checks to see what your sensation and circulation are like in your feet
• Diabetes course (DESMOND) - I got a referral for this and went on two half day courses.
• Height/weight/blood pressure check at GPs
• Heart trace - not sure if this was a diabetes thing, or part of my over 50s health check.
• referral for a liver scan - I have a fatty liver and am on the waiting list for this.
• Urine tests - think they tested for protein and blood in the urine, to check kidney function.
• Given diet advice by the surgery nurse (I showed her my diabetes cookery book, and she seemed pleased that I was looking into my diet)
• you should be able to ask for a referral to a dietician.
• three month review appointment at GPs after diagnosis, followed by 6 monthly or yearly ones after that.
• Free eye tests at the optician (not sure if you have to pay in Wales or not for these)

There might be other stuff too that I've forgotten.

 

[Inka]

Thanks for your support and well done - it's sounds like you've got a handle on things really quickly!

To be honest though those food examples are the sort of thing that's freaking me out... do you actually feel full after meal with no bread, toast, potatoes, chips, pasta etc? Even with GD I had some of that stuff, just smaller amounts, but as I say i think I was quite a borderline case. The idea of counting out 3 raspberries only for the rest of my life is so depressing! Also I get migraines sometimes and usually find the best way to stave them off at first signs of a headache is to get some carbs or sugar into me so not sure how I'll handle that. And my kids favourite meals I cook mostly involve pasta and sauce eg lasagne and macaroni cheese. Sorry that's not to criticise your suggestions - I know that's what I need to do, just keep getting into panics because it seems too big at the moment.

You most certainly don’t need to cut all carbs! Firstly, Type 1s don’t need to at all, secondly, even Type 2s can eat some carbs. There are plenty of people with eating disorders and diabetes. Be wary of extreme diets.

Migraines are often associated with hormones. I know mine are. My doctor says they’ll ease off at the menopause. That might be some way away for you, but it shows the influence of hormones. I too find carbs very good for migraines. Just don’t eat excessive amounts.

There’s nothing wrong with pasta as part of a healthy diet. If you’re Type 2 you might have to limit it, but there’s no reason for children to avoid or limit carbs. Limiting junk carbs is sensible, but pasta is not one of those.

 

[Leadinglights]

You asked in your original question "Anyone have any advice on what to expect in the short term, things I should ask on Tuesday, how to cope?", and hopefully we've covered the sorts of questions, but for the rest, you'll find the NHS will contact you with appointments.
Your dad will probably be the best person to ask, but off the top of my head:

• Eye screening programme - I went to the local hospital and had my eyes photographed with drops in.
• Foot checks - surgery nurse checks to see what your sensation and circulation are like in your feet
• Diabetes course (DESMOND) - I got a referral for this and went on two half day courses.
• Height/weight/blood pressure check at GPs
• Heart trace - not sure if this was a diabetes thing, or part of my over 50s health check.
• referral for a liver scan - I have a fatty liver and am on the waiting list for this.
• Urine tests - think they tested for protein and blood in the urine, to check kidney function.
• Given diet advice by the surgery nurse (I showed her my diabetes cookery book, and she seemed pleased that I was looking into my diet)
• you should be able to ask for a referral to a dietician.
• three month review appointment at GPs after diagnosis, followed by 6 monthly or yearly ones after that.
• Free eye tests at the optician (not sure if you have to pay in Wales or not for these)

There might be other stuff too that I've forgotten.

I think it does depend what test you might get, the blood tests I had were quite a comprehensive screen for kidney function, B12, folate, Full blood count.
Strangely after 3 months of low carb, my folate came back as low and I was prescribed folic acid. I think I sussed it out as by cutting cereals and bread which are fortified with folic acid even though I was eating lots of veg which contain it, it was not enough.

 

[Jacen017]

Thanks for your support and well done - it's sounds like you've got a handle on things really quickly!

To be honest though those food examples are the sort of thing that's freaking me out... do you actually feel full after meal with no bread, toast, potatoes, chips, pasta etc? Even with GD I had some of that stuff, just smaller amounts, but as I say i think I was quite a borderline case. The idea of counting out 3 raspberries only for the rest of my life is so depressing! Also I get migraines sometimes and usually find the best way to stave them off at first signs of a headache is to get some carbs or sugar into me so not sure how I'll handle that. And my kids favourite meals I cook mostly involve pasta and sauce eg lasagne and macaroni cheese. Sorry that's not to criticise your suggestions - I know that's what I need to do, just keep getting into panics because it seems too big at the moment.

Hi Cat!

I was just diagnosed on Christmas Eve and am going through all the same things you are in regards to food. All my favourite things are on my naughty list now. I've just started experimenting with swaps and alternatives this week and I've been pleasantly surprised.

I tried chickpea pasta with pesto and cheese last night. Tastes almost identical, I don't even think I would have known if I wasn't actively looking for a difference.

I had quite a generous portion and it barely raised my levels when I tested 2 hours after meal!

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi Cat!

I was just diagnosed on Christmas Eve and am going through all the same things you are in regards to food. All my favourite things are on my naughty list now. I've just started experimenting with swaps and alternatives this week and I've been pleasantly surprised.

I tried chickpea pasta with pesto and cheese last night. Tastes almost identical, I don't even think I would have known if I wasn't actively looking for a difference.

I had quite a generous portion and it barely raised my levels when I tested 2 hours after meal!

The important thing is for people to test their tolerance to certain foods as it is a very individual thing as well as depending on whether people are managing their levels by diet alone or on oral meds or insulin as you are.
I like the black bean or edamame bean pasta usually 25g dry wt which I think is even lower carb than the chickpea pasta if that is what you are looking for. I usually add some mushrooms and spinach in as well or chicken for protein.

 

[Cat2]

Thank you everyone. Too many responses since I last looked to reply to all now but I will certainly re read them all and note the useful tips! Great to have somewhere to go for support
Although I will talk to my dad this week, I suspect I'm probably type 2 so my experience is likely to be different from him - I certainly found it was when I had GD.
Im feeling a bit calmer now - done things with the kids to take my mind off it and good to hear from others in the same boat.

 

[Cat2]

Hi Cat!

I was just diagnosed on Christmas Eve and am going through all the same things you are in regards to food. All my favourite things are on my naughty list now. I've just started experimenting with swaps and alternatives this week and I've been pleasantly surprised.

I tried chickpea pasta with pesto and cheese last night. Tastes almost identical, I don't even think I would have known if I wasn't actively looking for a difference.

I had quite a generous portion and it barely raised my levels when I tested 2 hours after meal!

I don't envy you being diagnosed on Christmas day - that must have put a strange mood to Christmas! I've been complaining they took so long to give me my results, but I think in a way I'm glad I could put off dealing with it until now!

Hope the food swaps continue to go well!

 

[Drummer]

At least half the population will be on diets at the moment, so you don't even need to tell those who are not close to you that you have been diagnosed as diabetic, or even explain changes in your diet as anything other than one of your new year resolutions.
If you are type two then - well I found it easy to get rid of it - I still have to limit my carbs, but that is due to my lifelong tendency to gain weight when eating a so called healthy diet.
On the GPs diet sheet of high carb foods I was just about spherical, and as a side effect of low carb my clothes began sliding south - luckily in private.
As lactose is a sugar then avoiding it is going to be easy - I use cream instead, I buy the very thick stuff and add water if I need it thinner.
I really enjoyed Christmas, even though I decided not to eat sugary things and only had Yorkshire puddings as an extra indulgence. There are options - such as chopped nuts laid in a tray and drizzled with high cocoa chocolate. I get the 95percent cocoa chocolate from Lidl. I made a trifle with sugar free jelly, gelatine, berries, cream, real custard - delicious but low carb.
For breakfast I use leftover boiled swede to make bubble and squeak, rather than potato.
I was diagnosed in 2016, was back to normal by mid 2017 and have stuck to eating low carb ever since. I don't eat high carb foods as I find them bland and uninteresting. I could eat them - but my weight would go up rapidly, just as it always did.

 

[Deleted member 21371]

Yes, I'm back on a diet as well.
When I was diagnosed I was overweight, so I did a low fat diet, and then the Newcastle diet to lose 5 stone and reverse my diabetes.
But I decided to have a binge at Christmas, (who can resist the Greggs Festive Bake?) so I'm back on diet shakes to recover now, and no alcohol for a while until I'm back down to the weight I want to be.

(And, I had no issue telling people I was type 2)

 

[Lucyr]

Remember that you don’t have to cut carbs out. You can eat low carb, or moderate carb, or a normal diet, whatever works for you. If you eat more carbs than your body can handle alone though you’ll need to balance it with exercise and/or medications. And that’s fine, it’s your choice how to manage your diabetes.

 

[sarahb83]

Hi everyone,

I was told by my doctor in a phone call yesterday that I have diabetes. It was quite a shock as I only had the test as a routine thing because I had gestational diabetes nearly 7 years ago. It took weeks to get the results due to Xmas and surgery staffing but I'd been reassured by the receptionist this was because it was just routine so not a priority, so I'd stupidly assumed this meant the results were fine. The GP will see me in person on Tuesday but said my fasting blood sugar was 9 and I think he said 60 something for the long term one, so he thinks definitely diabetes.

He didn't say which type but I'm assuming 2 as I'm overweight and in my 40s, although my dad has type 1 and wasn't disguised until his 30s so I guess I should ask the question.

I've been an emotional wreck since. I'm so cross with myself because I knew I was at higher risk yet my eating and drinking have been terrible. I'm so scared about what will happen and so daunted by managing it.

I've had no advice yet - was too shocked to talk properly to gp on phone about it! So no idea really what I should and shouldn't be eating- I mean I know low sugar / carbs but how strict do i need to be, and how to people cope eating like that for the rest of their lives!? I know that sounds silly but I enjoy chocolate, wine, cake, chips, crisps etc so much and eating tends to be a big part of my life. I've got 2 kids who are fairly fussy (and who I don't want to give food issues by banning certain things) and a lactose intolerant husband- how are we going to cook meals that suit all of us? Everything seems to have sugar in! How will we have time for all the cooking from scratch and different meals for different people when we have jobs and kids? How will i ever eat out or grab something quickly on the go? I feel like the rest of my life is going to be all about meal planning and carb counting, or alternatively serious health issues because I've failed to do it. I know I managed when i had gestational diabetes but that was only for a few months and my blood sugar wasn't as high I don't think, so I only had to make smaller changes.

I haven't told anyone apart from my husband yet as I want to see the gp and have more info before I tell my kids and parents, and also want to get to the point I can talk about I without crying so I don't worry them too much. I'm really struggling to keep it in though- i keep starting crying again and having to hide from the kids so I don't know how to get through this weekend. I know my parents could tell something was up yesterday on the phone as I couldn't really think of anything to say!

I think I'm going to be embarrassed to tell friends, colleagues, in laws etc. Although I know they'll be nice, I know this is self inflicted and I feel like the skinnier ones will be secretly thinking that too. There's a couple of possibilities of going away with people in the summer that I really need to commit to in the next week or two if I'm going and i feel like I can't because I don't know how I'll feel then and at the moment just want to hide away.

Anyone have any advice on what to expect in the short term, things I should ask on Tuesday, how to cope?

Sorry that's a really long post but I think it's helping me to write down my worries and feelings! I know people have much worse diagnosis than this and i feel bad for coping so badly but I'm naturally an anxious person (and I usually deal with stress by stuffing chocolate into me which isn't really an option!)

Hiya!! I am in such a similar position to you! It’s so good to speak to someone in such a similar situation, I’m 38 and was diagnosed in September with type 2 because I’ve always been overweight I was tested with all 3 of my pregnancy’s with glucose tolerance tests to really push your body to check for gestational diabetes but I was fine with each of them but I’ve still ended up in this position. Exactly like you my dad also has diabetes but he is type 2 also, he was diagnosed in his 40’s and wasn’t overweight but I am, and exactly like you I was overwhelmed with the stigma and shame feeling like this is all my fault but my diabetic nurse has really helped me through as she is also type 2 diabetic from her mid 30’s and has always been a size 10 and she said to me that my genetic pull towards this is something I can’t do anything about and that there’s no point in beating yourself up. My hba1c came back at 89 and I knew how bad that was the nurse and gp both agreed that I was ready to change and understood and grasped what to do so I was told to go for it without any meds for 12 weeks and then they’d see what I’m managed to do before making any more decisions. I won’t lie I cried at least once a day every day for the first few weeks and still have the odd wobble now but at the same time i for my head down and read everything I could find to learn as much as I could and from the day I was diagnosed for the next 12 weeks I started eating low calorie low carb 800 calories a day and under 120g carb per day - I didn’t do meal replacement shakes or anything I ate normal food but everything was cooked from scratch (apart from the things I don’t cook like fat free Greek yogurt with strawberries is a fave of mine) when I had my bloods repeated end of November my hba1c was down to 45 and I’m now almost 4 stone lighter and 5 dress sizes smaller (now a 14) I still have another 3 stone to lose so I’m on this journey with you too! Still very daunted because like you still relatively young and this is something for the rest of my life. The most important thing my husband said to me when he knew when I mess I was in mentally at diagnosis was hang in there Sarah, I need you to hang in there we can do this. David is the worst eater in the world he’s so fussy but from that moment he has ate all the same evening meals with me along side me. I eat slightly differently now but I can manage a lot to eat the same meals with small adjustments I now cook spag Bol from scratch (not from a jar) and instead of pasta like the rest of my family I have veg, Sundays dinners are great I just don’t have the potatoes (sometimes have some sweet potato instead), stir fry is also great I have extra bean sprouts instead of noodles. Also keep in mind it’s low carb not no carb my house is very chaotic aswell I have an 18 year son with special needs, and 2 daughters age 14 and 10. If there is anything I can help with just give me a shout, you’re not on your own x

 

[Deleted member 21371]

Hiya!! I am in such a similar position to you! It’s so good to speak to someone in such a similar situation, I’m 38 and was diagnosed in September with type 2 because I’ve always been overweight I was tested with all 3 of my pregnancy’s with glucose tolerance tests to really push your body to check for gestational diabetes but I was fine with each of them but I’ve still ended up in this position. Exactly like you my dad also has diabetes but he is type 2 also, he was diagnosed in his 40’s and wasn’t overweight but I am, and exactly like you I was overwhelmed with the stigma and shame feeling like this is all my fault but my diabetic nurse has really helped me through as she is also type 2 diabetic from her mid 30’s and has always been a size 10 and she said to me that my genetic pull towards this is something I can’t do anything about and that there’s no point in beating yourself up. My hba1c came back at 89 and I knew how bad that was the nurse and gp both agreed that I was ready to change and understood and grasped what to do so I was told to go for it without any meds for 12 weeks and then they’d see what I’m managed to do before making any more decisions. I won’t lie I cried at least once a day every day for the first few weeks and still have the odd wobble now but at the same time i for my head down and read everything I could find to learn as much as I could and from the day I was diagnosed for the next 12 weeks I started eating low calorie low carb 800 calories a day and under 120g carb per day - I didn’t do meal replacement shakes or anything I ate normal food but everything was cooked from scratch (apart from the things I don’t cook like fat free Greek yogurt with strawberries is a fave of mine) when I had my bloods repeated end of November my hba1c was down to 45 and I’m now almost 4 stone lighter and 5 dress sizes smaller (now a 14) I still have another 3 stone to lose so I’m on this journey with you too! Still very daunted because like you still relatively young and this is something for the rest of my life. The most important thing my husband said to me when he knew when I mess I was in mentally at diagnosis was hang in there Sarah, I need you to hang in there we can do this. David is the worst eater in the world he’s so fussy but from that moment he has ate all the same evening meals with me along side me. I eat slightly differently now but I can manage a lot to eat the same meals with small adjustments I now cook spag Bol from scratch (not from a jar) and instead of pasta like the rest of my family I have veg, Sundays dinners are great I just don’t have the potatoes (sometimes have some sweet potato instead), stir fry is also great I have extra bean sprouts instead of noodles. Also keep in mind it’s low carb not no carb my house is very chaotic aswell I have an 18 year son with special needs, and 2 daughters age 14 and 10. If there is anything I can help with just give me a shout, you’re not on your own x

I'm glad it's worked out well for you.
We all have our own carb level, there can be a tendency to promote the lowest, rather than an individual target at times on here, checking with a meter is the best option, and certainly the 800 calorie diet can lead to a high bar rather than a low one as some of us have proved.

 

[Cat2]

Thank you all so much for the support and advice. It's a lot to take in but uts all helpful and good to knowsome of you have felt the same.

A question to help me in the short term, can anyone give me some ideas for what you eat for breakfast, and also for packed lunches for work, that won't be too high carb but won't leave me feeling hungry or take too long to prepare. Main meals seem easier to adapt andwe mostly cook them from scratch do used to taking some time over them. I'd usually be on quick toast or cereal for breakfast and sandwiches or pasta salad for work lunches, so really struggling for ideas. So far I've had porridge with peanut butter for breakfast last 2 days, thinking that will be slower release carbs at least, but i know its probably still too much carbs.

Have an awful headache and feeling queasy today, probably a combination of stress and eating less than usual yesterday, and I cried when I realised I couldn't stave it off with toast and maybe a can of coke later like I usually would! I know people will tell me that's the sugar addiction and my body will adapt, but how do I cope in the meantime without cracking and reaching for the stuff I know will make me feel better!?

 

[Leadinglights]

Full fat Greek yoghurt, with berries, you can add about 10g of a low sugar granola, I have Lizi's but there are some own brands as well. Scrambled egg or omelette, cooked meat and cheese. A small slice of toast with some protein like the eggs will be better than just toast on it's own.
For lunch: salad with cooked meat or cheese, boiled egg, tuna, coleslaw, home made soups (better than bought which can be higher carb),
Nature Valley or KIND, Kellogs or shop own Protein bars are about 10g carb per bar and quite filling. Also Kvarg deserts, low carb, low fat, high protein with some berries are nice and filling.

 

[Windy]

Oh, Cat, it does get easier, honestly. The worst bit for me was the bit between knowing I was diabetic, and seeing the GP to find out what the treatment would be. In my mind, with my vivid, unrealistic imagination, I was going to be in hospital, with wires and pipes coming out of me, and nurses busying round me. What actually happened was I was told to cut back on sugary bad food, and given a prescription for metformin, and they'd see me in three months.
Foodwise:
I love a mushroom and cheese omelette for breakfast with a tiny bit of cheese (as I'm trying to lose weight) and a little bit of ketchup. Or as leading lights says, yogurt and blueberries/raspberries. For lunch, I bulk cook soup and have a bowl of that. Or have Nairn's cheese oatcakes with cream cheese, a few cherry tomatoes and slices of cucumber (I only have 3 oatcakes, and have to stop there, as I could eat the whole box). If I get the nibbles later on, I have a few cherry tomatoes, or a palm sized portion of blueberries as they're nice to nibble on and top your sugar levels up and distract me from eating a big chunk of cheese, like I want to. Hummus (or peanut butter) with carrot/cucumber/celery sticks is nice to have for a light lunch too.
I also bought a bag of root chips (frozen, like regular oven chips), which I have with hummus. Also bulk cook chick pea curry and have that with an omelette as a "wrap" and some salad. I'm a vegetarian btw, but you can add cooked chicken, tuna etc and have a little portion of that to take the edge of your eating if you really need to eat.
I'm a comfort eater and can distract myself with some blueberries etc, though some days, I go back for a low fat babybel. I ask myself when I'm looking in the fridge - are you really hungry, or do you just want to eat? If it's the latter, I make a cup of tea and distract myself by drinking that and then doing the hoovering or something!
Sarah

 

[Cat2]

Thank you both. Lots of good ideas there. I guess I'm struggling with the idea that salad without any bread, pasta or potato, or yoghurt and berries will fill me up until the next meal, but I guess I can experiment with having one but of toast or some oatcakes and see how my sugars react. I hadn't thought of oatcakes as a slightly better option.

I hope I get a blood sugar monitor provided, as that was useful when I had GD but that was 7 years ago and I dont think I kept it.

 

[Leadinglights]

Thank you both. Lots of good ideas there. I guess I'm struggling with the idea that salad without any bread, pasta or potato, or yoghurt and berries will fill me up until the next meal, but I guess I can experiment with having one but of toast or some oatcakes and see how my sugars react. I hadn't thought of oatcakes as a slightly better option.

I hope I get a blood sugar monitor provided, as that was useful when I had GD but that was 7 years ago and I dont think I kept it.

I have the yoghurt, berries and granola for breakfast usually about 9am and other than a cup of coffee have nothing until 1-30pm and don't feel hungry.
The more you reduce the carbs you realise you actually didn't really need them and don't miss them.

 

[Docb]

My take on your questions is....

Breakfast... Home made granola (toasted oats, toasted mixed nuts and mixed seeds) with plain Greek yoghourt. Slice of low carb toast with butter and, currently, home made damson jam. Home made jams have more fruit, have much more flavour and a little goes a long way.

Eat out lunch... I have a plastic lidded box 20cmx12cmx6cm into which I put things from the fridge (salad, lump of cheese, cooked meat or anything else that might be in there), with a couple of slices of my low carb bread or some crackers/oat biscuits and maybe a small orange. I eat it out of the box with my fingers. Might put the ham in the bread to make a sandwich, handy if I want to include some beetroot or coleslaw. Eating beetroot or coleslaw with your fingers can be a bit messy.

Once you get past the idea that there are no rules, it's your meal and you can do what you want rather than doing something that other people expect you to do, it gets easier.

 

[Leadinglights]

In the food forum there are lots of ideas for salads, they don't have to be just boring lettuce, tomato, cucumber. People used to tease me about my salads as they had all sorts of odd leaves in there which I grew on my allotment, so they said Oh Sue has got weed salad again.
I add seeds, peppers, nuts in fact anything goes.

 

[Windy]

Thank you both. Lots of good ideas there. I guess I'm struggling with the idea that salad without any bread, pasta or potato, or yoghurt and berries will fill me up until the next meal, but I guess I can experiment with having one but of toast or some oatcakes and see how my sugars react. I hadn't thought of oatcakes as a slightly better option.

I hope I get a blood sugar monitor provided, as that was useful when I had GD but that was 7 years ago and I dont think I kept it.

Nairn's cheese oatcakes are delicious and I recommend them. Or Burgen bread is meant to be nice (and lower carb), but I haven't tried it yet. I've seen it in Waitrose (when I was in there looking for yellow stickered bargains), Sainsbury's do it too.
I like Docb's buffet of finger foods in a lunchbox idea and may steal that for myself!