Diagnosed 3 hours ago - please help!

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JoJoBoo

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Type 2
Hello, My name is Jo, I'm 33 years old and I was diagnosed with Diabetes (Type 2) this morning. It came completely out of the blue as I hadn't had any symptoms. I had a routine blood test a couple of weeks ago which picked up high glucose and a follow up test and an HbA1c test confirmed it.
I'm scared, confused, anxious, upset and nervous all at the same time. I've got to go back to the doctor next week to discuss treatment and diet. I don't know how I'll be able to live a life without chocolate. I'm really worried that people will judge me and think that I've brought this on myself because I am a bit overweight and I've had high BP for a while. I've only been diagnosed for a matter of hours and already I'm getting myself in a bit of a state. Does anybody have any advice that might calm me down? Please help! xx
 
Hi and wecome to the forum Jojo well done on finding us so quickly thats
brill, sorry you have had to come here though , im sure after you see the gp next week things will become alot clearer, we have all been in your shoes and our heads are in a mess thinking why me what could i of done diffirently, you just gotta think now you know you have to do the best you can,it is very difficult for most of us to give up the choccie but it does not have to be completely cut from your life you just have to moderate the amount you eat.If you wanted next week before your appointment you could write a list of questions down you would like to ask, sometimes when you go in there your mind goes like jelly and you come out wishing you had asked alot more.
The people that matter to you wont judge you and will go out of there way to help and support you anyone that judges you is not worth your time. xxx
 
Hi Jo and welcome to the forum. Firstly - don't panic! (Says me - I did when I was diagnosed....) It doesn't have to be the end of the world and as Steff says you can still eat chocolate, just in moderation. Please don't think anyone will judge you either - or think you 'brought it on yourself'. Try and stay calm - have a hunt around the site and arm yourself with a list of questions to ask your doctor, ask us anything you need to know - most people here will have an army of answers for you and will offer all the support you need. I know it's a shock and its scary - but armed with the knowledge you need, it will become less so. Donlt be afraid to ask anything you like......and try and stay calm. Take care. x
 
Hi Jo, welcome to the forum🙂 Although it might not feel like it at the moment, things will get better. Whilst it will probably mean some changes in diet and lifestyle, these will all be good and you may be surprised to hear that often people end up being much healthier generally because of the diagnosis! Just try to stay calm, diabetes is a manageable condition if you are prepared to put in a bit of work, and we're all here to help you along the way.

Ask any questions you might have and it will give you some idea of what to expect when you see the doctor again. Until then, just try and eat a normal healthy diet, and if possible take a little exercise each day - just a 30 minute walk will be good.

There is a good book we recommend: Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker (amazon link)

This will give you a good starting point to begin understanding diabetes and the way forward.
 
Thanks Steff for replying to me. Good advice. I am overwhlemed with it all at the moment but I know in a day or two I'll have some perspective on the situation. It's a good idea to write a list of questions down, I'll do that. The Diabetes org website is brilliant and reading more about it all is already helping. I notice that you take Metformin which my doctor has suggested I may be started on next week. Do you find there are any unbearable side effects Metformin?
 
Hi Jo, welcome to the forum.

Try not to worry too much, I know it can be a bit scary when first diagnosed, most of us knew little or nothing about diabetes when diagnosed.

Once you have seen the Doctor and had everything explained to you things will seem much clearer and less confusing.

Regarding eating chocolate, as Steff says as long as you do it in moderation there is no reason why you can't indulge yourself from time to time.

Best of luck at the Doctor's and let us know how you get on.
 
Thanks Corrine, Northerner and PhilT too for replying to me. I didn't know what to expect by writing on here but I feel very welcomed and supported by you all already. I'm pleased you don't think I'm over-reacting and understand exactly how I feel. Thanks for the tip about the book, I'll definitely read it. Everything I've read about diet seems to point towards eating a low GI diet. Is that right? If I stick to a low GI diet will that control my diabetes or do I have to actually count the grams of sugar I eat too? I'm sure this varies from person to person but as a rule of thumb, how does the diet control work?
 
JoJoBoo said:
Thanks Corrine, Northerner and PhilT too for replying to me. I didn't know what to expect by writing on here but I feel very welcomed and supported by you all already. I'm pleased you don't think I'm over-reacting and understand exactly how I feel. Thanks for the tip about the book, I'll definitely read it. Everything I've read about diet seems to point towards eating a low GI diet. Is that right? If I stick to a low GI diet will that control my diabetes or do I have to actually count the grams of sugar I eat too? I'm sure this varies from person to person but as a rule of thumb, how does the diet control work?
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Hi there,

Don't beat yourself up over the weight issue - you've probably had Insulin Resistance for years. The pancreas pours out insulin which can't be used but is converted to fat. Radical thinkers would now say you didn't get Type 2 diabetes because you were overweight but that you got fat because you effectively had silent diabetes for years.

T2 is largely genetic - you mostly have to have the genes for it. You made a poor choice of grandparents.🙂

As a starter read Maggie Davey's Open Letter to Newly Diagnosed T2s....
http://www.sequin.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Downloads/openlet.pdf
 
JoJoBoo said:
Thanks Corrine, Northerner and PhilT too for replying to me. I didn't know what to expect by writing on here but I feel very welcomed and supported by you all already. I'm pleased you don't think I'm over-reacting and understand exactly how I feel. Thanks for the tip about the book, I'll definitely read it. Everything I've read about diet seems to point towards eating a low GI diet. Is that right? If I stick to a low GI diet will that control my diabetes or do I have to actually count the grams of sugar I eat too? I'm sure this varies from person to person but as a rule of thumb, how does the diet control work?
Click to expand...

Low GI is good, because it is food that converts to glucose slowly. As you surmise though, different foods can affect people in different ways - I like porridge, but for some it's a no-no! Type 2 diabetes is generally due to insulin resistance - your body can't use the insulin you are producing efficiently so your blood sugar levels rise. They will not rise as high with low GI food, so this is why it is better. Learning how certain foods affect you is important so that you can avoid those foods that have a bad effect on you - for this reason persuade your doctor that you need a blood glucose meter and test strips. He/she might be reluctant to provide this as strips are expensive, but tell him that you need them in order to modify your diet.
 
JoJoBoo said:
towards eating a low GI diet. Is that right? If I stick to a low GI diet will that control my diabetes or do I have to actually count the grams of sugar I eat too? I'm sure this varies from person to person but as a rule of thumb, how does the diet control work?
Click to expand...

Hello again,

just noticed your reference to sugar. Type 2 Diabetes isn't about sugar it's about carbohydrates. Sugar is only involved because it is a simple, fast acting carbohydrate. Bread, pasta, rice, pasta are the areas to cut down on and be wary of fruit as well.

__________________________________________
I'm a Recovering Breadoholic.
 
Thank you Peter. Your note has made me feel quite a bit better and maybe those radical thinkers are right. Thanks for the recommendation, I'm going to get a cup of sugar-free tea right now and have a read.
 
Hi Jo and welcome. Can't add any more than what's been said by the excellent crew. Only thing I will say is don't overload your head by reading everything you lay your hands on regarding D.

Steve
 
thanks again Northerner and Peter for your insight into diet. It sounds like a bit of a minefield but I'll just have to get educated. Thanks to everyone for all your support, everyone's been brilliant. 🙂 xx
 
Thanks Steve, good advice. I can't believe how supportive everyone here is. I'm so grateful and feel much calmer than I did an hour ago.

x
 
JoJoBoo said:
Thanks Steve, good advice. I can't believe how supportive everyone here is. I'm so grateful and feel much calmer than I did an hour ago.

x
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Glad you feel calmer Jo and always happy to help. We've all been there and although it may seem like a minefield at the moment, believe me it does get easier.
 
diagnosed 4 hours ago

JoJoBoo said:
Hello, My name is Jo, I'm 33 years old and I was diagnosed with Diabetes (Type 2) this morning. It came completely out of the blue as I hadn't had any symptoms. I had a routine blood test a couple of weeks ago which picked up high glucose and a follow up test and an HbA1c test confirmed it.
I'm scared, confused, anxious, upset and nervous all at the same time. I've got to go back to the doctor next week to discuss treatment and diet. I don't know how I'll be able to live a life without chocolate. I'm really worried that people will judge me and think that I've brought this on myself because I am a bit overweight and I've had high BP for a while. I've only been diagnosed for a matter of hours and already I'm getting myself in a bit of a state. Does anybody have any advice that might calm me down? Please help! xx
Click to expand...

Hi jojo, I feel exactly the same as you after been diagnosed this morning I am older than you at 48 but the feelings I have right now is shock, shaking and can't concentrate on anything.My mum was diagnosed in her early 40s and sadly passed away 13 years ago I feel this is going to repeat for me it is all I can think about. Sorry for been so negative but I can't stop crying after been told this news today. take care xx
 
lanzlady said:
Hi jojo, I feel exactly the same as you after been diagnosed this morning I am older than you at 48 but the feelings I have right now is shock, shaking and can't concentrate on anything.My mum was diagnosed in her early 40s and sadly passed away 13 years ago I feel this is going to repeat for me it is all I can think about. Sorry for been so negative but I can't stop crying after been told this news today. take care xx
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Hi Lanzlady, sorry you got the news you were dreading, but please don't let your mother's experience make you feel that the same is in store for you. Things will have really moved on since she was diagnosed - treatments and knowledge are progressing all the time, and we now have some great tools like blood testing meters that can help to keep much better control than used to be the case even ten years ago. Hopefully, when the dust has settled you will be able to pick yourself up, grit your teeth and get to grips with this new thing in your life - and we are here to support you all the way🙂
 
JoJoBoo said:
Thanks Steff for replying to me. Good advice. I am overwhlemed with it all at the moment but I know in a day or two I'll have some perspective on the situation. It's a good idea to write a list of questions down, I'll do that. The Diabetes org website is brilliant and reading more about it all is already helping. I notice that you take Metformin which my doctor has suggested I may be started on next week. Do you find there are any unbearable side effects Metformin?
Click to expand...


hi i sometimes get bad wind and it causes me to become tired
 
Peter C said:
..............just noticed your reference to sugar. Type 2 Diabetes isn't about sugar it's about carbohydrates. Sugar is only involved because it is a simple, fast acting carbohydrate. Bread, pasta, rice, pasta are the areas to cut down on and be wary of fruit as well..........
Click to expand...
Hi JoJoboo,

I agree entirely with Peter on this matter apart from I'd be very wary of cereals too - another starchy carbohydrate. Personally, I find that fruit does hardly anything to me. However, you will need to test to find out how different foods affect you.

Best wishes - John
 
Hi Lanzlady, Sounds like we're in the same boat. Why don't we make a pact that neither of us will freak out until we have all the facts and information we need to deal with this? I have had a really really good cry too because it's all so overwhelming but now I feel a bit better. I know people too who have passed away from complications from Diabetes (including family members) but there are millions of people who haven't and that's what you and I have to remember. This forum is brilliant, the people are really welcoming and very supportive and I know that you and I and everyone else who is diagnosed tomorrow and the next day and the day after that are going to be fine because of this incredibly strong support network. I know how scared I feel at the moment and you must feel the same. What I've realised this morning is that the people who I've known that passed away due to Diabetes complications didn't have access to this kind of help, this kind of instant support. I have no idea how to manage with this disease but I do know that there are lots of people here who are willing to help and that has already made a difference. Please try not to worry. Feel free to message me if you'd like to. I don't think I'll be able to offer you and Diabetic advice as I don't know what I'm talking about but I am more than happy to lend a friendly ear. Big hugs xxx
 
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