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Confused newly diagnosed Type 2

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
gwalmsley said:
So.... back from the appointment. First some numbers:

BP 120/80 so the 7.5mg of Ramipril per day is working
Blood test results
Normal 16
Fasting 9.7​
Lost about 6kg since the last appointment.

Chatted about increased irritability and dizzy spells and she said that was my body getting used to the new 'normal' so would level out.

I mentioned using Carbs & Cals and she looked horrified. Said it was designed for Type 1 people to count carbs for insulin dose and was over the top for me. Also thought my full food diary was too much as well.

I said I had bought a meter and got the same look. The local commissioning group doesn't support the use of meters for unmedicated Type 2s, and doesn't normally supply them to initial users of Metformin either so won't fund them.

Normal diet advice and first hba1c scheduled for the end of September.
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I'm envious of your BP.
O how I know that look many of us here do.
One day the NICE , CCGs and NHS will wise up to what we've been saying for years re testing our BG levels.
We see first hand the benefits of self testing and also from newbies who start testing often against professional advise.
I also hope that one day soon they will catch on to what people on here have been saying about carbohydrates for years .
 
I did get the 'old school' impression and the immediate jump to 'we won't pay for it' when I mentioned the meter told me all I needed to know.

I am in the lucky position I can just pay for the meter and strips myself without any issues, so all good. I know Diabetes is a progressive disease, but the longer I can put off having to go on meds the better I think.

Northerner said:
She sounds a bit 'old school', unfortunately :( Being 'carb-aware' is of just as much importance to Type 2 as Type 1 - or whatever Type of diabetes you may have (there are several more!). Your diary and using a meter are the perfect tools for you to understand your diabetes and how it affects you as an individual - I honestly don't understand this reaction to people who want to take an active role in managing their diabetes instead of blind faith in vague advice - why can't they just be supportive of your commitment and efforts? It's beyond me! 🙄

Fortunately, you'll get lots of support and encouragement here 🙂 I have been on this forum since it started in 2008 and everyone who has followed the principles you are now following has hugely improved their blood glucose management. It's not difficult, wouldn't cost the NHS much to provide motivated people with the tools they need i.e. test strips, and results in a great improvement in quality of life for the patient, and greatly reduced risk of expensive complications in the future 🙂
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gwalmsley said:
I mentioned using Carbs & Cals and she looked horrified. Said it was designed for Type 1 people to count carbs for insulin dose and was over the top for me. Also thought my full food diary was too much as well.
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You're trying to lose some weight, isn't it? A food diary and calorie countin I think is essential in a calorie-reduced slimming diet. When you're it why not to control the macronutriens ratio?
I said I had bought a meter and got the same look. The local commissioning group doesn't support the use of meters for unmedicated Type 2s, and doesn't normally supply them to initial users of Metformin either so won't fund them.
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Same here (in Turin) Bought my meter and diverted the bus pass money to buy test strips.
Normal diet advice and first hba1c scheduled for the end of September.
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What is normal diet advice?
 
MikeTurin said:
...What is normal diet advice?
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Switch from white things to wholegrain or wholemeal things, cut out refined sugar, no full fat fizzy drinks, potatoes with the skin on so the fibre slows down the digestion etc. etc. The normal healthy eating instructions.
 
gwalmsley said:
Switch from white things to wholegrain or wholemeal things, cut out refined sugar, no full fat fizzy drinks, potatoes with the skin on so the fibre slows down the digestion etc. etc. The normal healthy eating instructions.
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I'd recommend Burgen Soya and Linseed bread - the use of soya flour in the recipe means that it is relatively low in carbohydrates 🙂 Sweet potatoes are a good alternative to ordinary ones, plus you can substitute cauliflower rice for ordinary rice, courgetti-spaghetti for ordinary spaghetti etc. 🙂 Worth having a browse of the food and recipes section for some ideas 🙂
 
Caveat emptor. (literally)
About wholegrain bread I've watched a TV transmission that explained that not all what is marketed ad whole wheat is made only with whole wheat.
The packaged bread is full of preservatives, and also a lot of freshly baked bread is made with added ingredients, in dome case sugar and glucose.
Some bread is made with refined wheat and some rye added.
Because I don't eat a lot of bread, actually, I prefer to go to a posh bakery and buy their whole what bread instead to go to the supermarket, even if the price is more than double.

One of my pet peeves is about full fat fizzy drink.
I sometimes drink something full fat
Milk-and-jug-cropped-400x424.jpg

And it's an healthy drink, provided you count the calories (500 kCal/litre by the way)

On the other hand fizzy drinks with added sugar are to avoid, especially because they're a non-food.
 
Thanks for all the comments and advice, it is most appreciated.
 
It's a shame that the nurse is stuck in the old ways and not testing friendly, one day these people will wake up that it costs less to test than pay the price of complications at a later date.

It's also good you are in a position that you can self fund, hopefully with the meter, carbs and cal book, and your food diary you will be off to a great start. Strange thing is some DN's say a food diary is not important and yet when I went to the hospital DN the first thing they asked for was a food diary.
 
This forum has made me aware of the widespread variation in attitudes within the NHS, and that I am extremely fortunate to get test strips for the Glucomen Areo on prescription, as one GP accepted that it was of value. This seems to be contrary to the opinion of the surgery DSN, who was uninterested in any discussion, and considers that I do not need to test "so often", although the information has been invaluable to me in identifying foods to avoid, and circumstances in which BGs may be unexpectedly higher or lower. I have been able to reduce Metformin, and may be able to do without.
The Glucomen Areo was given to me at the Diabetes Clinic without any question... perhaps it is policy there. (The HBa1c of 125 may have been a factor.) A year later, and the HBa1c of 43 did not persuade the surgery DSN that I may have some understanding of the value of lchf, and is as patronising as ever. (A dietitian who has specialised for four years was entirely different in attitude, and is aware of the disparity in advice now given.)
 
the blue wildebeest said:
This forum has made me aware of the widespread variation in attitudes within the NHS, and that I am extremely fortunate to get test strips for the Glucomen Areo on prescription, as one GP accepted that it was of value. This seems to be contrary to the opinion of the surgery DSN, who was uninterested in any discussion, and considers that I do not need to test "so often", although the information has been invaluable to me in identifying foods to avoid, and circumstances in which BGs may be unexpectedly higher or lower. I have been able to reduce Metformin, and may be able to do without.
The Glucomen Areo was given to me at the Diabetes Clinic without any question... perhaps it is policy there. (The HBa1c of 125 may have been a factor.) A year later, and the HBa1c of 43 did not persuade the surgery DSN that I may have some understanding of the value of lchf, and is as patronising as ever. (A dietitian who has specialised for four years was entirely different in attitude, and is aware of the disparity in advice now given.)
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I got the same nonsense from the DSN at my surgery...saw her once...she said I was obsessive for testing my blood sugar...although happy to accept my control was 'excellent'...lord knows how she thought I'd achieved that...tiresome...outdated...archaic attitude.
 
gwalmsley said:
Maybe they think the 'average' member of the public won't use the meter, or won't do it right so it would be wasted money, or just can't cope with the complexity of it. Who knows.

Or maybe we are just the 'difficult' ones who won't do as we are told 😉
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Um .... when you joined us .... did .. you realise you'd just .... joined a shhh such a band of rebels . :D


 
Bubbsie said:
Lin...just had a look at the link to refresh my memory...if I'd stuck with that guidance...sure I'd be in big trouble by now😱.
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I know it's awful isn't it. I hope it didn't make you pass out with shock.
 
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For me to keep my blood glucose in the normal range I find that I need to avoid all grain, potatoes, sugars of all kinds - when I wanted to lose weight I had to keep below 100gm of carb per day even when I was exercising every day.
Now I can eat the Lidl protein rolls, but no other bread or baked goods - and nothing high carb no matter what the colour or lack of processing, it all converts to glucose
 
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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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