Diagnosed and in denial - new year, new me?

[Kate8890]

Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed in April 2015. After struggling to come to terms with the diagnosis for years and seeking treatment for anxiety and depression last year (most probably a result of my t2 diagnosis) I am trying to take control of the condition, instead of letting it control me. I have always loved my food and used it to comfort eat with all emotions. Right now, it seems like an uphill battle but I have embraced a couple of Live Well courses, have joined the gym (and have actually gone!) and I am taking SR metformin as the original metformin played havoc with me! I am on a more positive streak at the moment.

I am here really to look for support as I am the only one in my family/friendship groups/work with this condition and at 30, I am struggling to get my head around the fact that this is a lifelong condition. I also have periods of time where I want to face this head on but there are other, more overwhelming, times where I feel like there is no hope and I want to eat everything in sight and put my face in a vat of chocolate. Anyway, enough rambling! It’s great to have a community here to share stories and experiences.

 

[CathyB]

Hi Kate, welcome to the forum, you will get loads of support and information here, everyone is really friendly and we have all been where you are now
Best advice I could give is to go make a cuppa, get comfy and read as much as you can, then ask questions, then read some more 🙄
Taking control of your diet is the first step, understanding what foods do or don’t work for you. Like you I also used food as a comfort, I have spent my life bouncing from one diet to another but I can honestly say this is the first time I have found something that not only works for my diabetes but is easy to follow, doesn’t leave me feeling hungry and is tasty 😛
Carbohydrates are our enemy, especially potatoes, pasta, rice and breads although many of us do eat Burgen bread which is a soy and linseed low carb option that’s great for sandwiches or toast. On the up side, going low carb means we can be high good fats, so butter, bacon, eggs, cheese, meat...
I kept a food diary for the first few weeks, mapping my blood results to my meals to see what worked or didn’t.
I’m never likely to go to the gym, so I borrow a neighbours dog and walk most evenings, I’m just under 4 stone lighter than when I started 8 months ago

 

[Carolg]

Hi Kate and welcome to forum.

 

[becca19962014]

I just want to say that the only real way to work out what works (or doesn't) is to buy a monitor and test. Every patient is different. What works for one doesn't always work for another, yes there are general rules but I urge you to get to know your diabetes.

I struggle with depression and anxiety as well and I find they both effect my blood sugar. I've other conditions as well which also effect it. I've also found that my period seriously effects it as well (that was a recent realisation!) and exercise can effect it too. For me it can make it go up as well as down - my other condition is why.

Monitors can be expensive and not always funded for type 2s but it's worth it.

 

[Sharron1]

Hi,
Well you have certainly come to the right place. I was diagnosed in July T2 and thenot given prescription for Metformin and a wave goodbye.😱 From this website I have learnt to keep a food diary and in the finstructions few months I would check sugar levels. I don't do that anymore as I have worked out the correct foods for me. From day 1 I always ate a couple of squares of dark chocolate. I keepisode to a low carb diet but my sugars have consistently been between 5-6, so I allow myself smaller portions of forbidden foods and do far that has been OK. It is a bore but doable. Keep on posting your news and good luck. I have found people really supportive.🙂