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diagnosed last week

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Spangle0581

Active Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi

Am so pleased i have found this forum . So last week I got Covid, went to a best friends funeral and got diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes
As well as having high blood pressure
Its time to kick Diabetes to the curb . I am taking Metformin -2 tabs at 500 mg. I so want to lose the weight and am so determined. My eating habits have been rubbish lately but even so getting the diagnosis was a shock !
Hoping to get lots of advice from this site

take care all xx
 
Hi there, well that has to go down as one of the worst weeks ever! So sorry for your loss and diagnosis and I hope you didn’t get a terrible dose of covid? There are so many people on here that will be able to give you some great tips and advice. This time of day is pretty quiet on here but I’m sure they will be out in their droves tonight! Do you know what your hba1c number was ? This just helps us to guide you in the best way possible. You sound very determined and joining this group I’m sure will make your journey a lot easier xx
 
Hi @Spangle0581 I'm also T2, with high blood pressure and on metformin. You sound like you've had a really bad patch. I hope as ok as you can be.
Have you had any support from your GP or nurse? Or diet advice, or any help? The first bit after you've been diagnosed is the worst, as it's all new and a bit daunting. Must be doubly so as you've got covid and a bereavement to deal with.
Let us know if there's anything you'd like to know specifically and I'll try and help,
Regards, Sarah
 
Windy said:
Hi @Spangle0581 I'm also T2, with high blood pressure and on metformin. You sound like you've had a really bad patch. I hope as ok as you can be.
Have you had any support from your GP or nurse? Or diet advice, or any help? The first bit after you've been diagnosed is the worst, as it's all new and a bit daunting. Must be doubly so as you've got covid and a bereavement to deal with.
Let us know if there's anything you'd like to know specifically and I'll try and help,
Regards, Sarah
Click to expand...
Hi Sarah.
Thanks for the reply. I have seen the go and nurse but there is so much to take in. Defo need diet advice . What to eat and to avoid ? What dose of BP tabs are you on. I also suffer with anxiety which doesn’t help. X
 
Hi, I'm on Ramipril 10mg for my blood pressure. At diagnosis, it was 200/110 in the doctors surgery, which is bad. On ramipril, I get 132/78 ish most days, so that's loads better. My heart used to thunder in my chest, and I thought wrongly it was just the menopause.
There's a forum discussing food here which people put what they've had to eat on.
The things that will put up your blood sugar are things like cakes, chocolate, sweets etc, so I've given them up for the moment. I have the odd Nairn's cheese oatcake as a treat, but I'm trying to be good as I used to scoff crisps and kitkats like they were going out of fashion.
Bread, potatoes, pasta etc will also raise your blood glucose, so try and cut down on them. Still have some, but be mindful of portion size. I've gone low carb as I'm trying to lose weight, but other T2s eat moderate amounts of carbs. There's some recommended books here, some of which are recipe books, which may be of some help.

I can recommend making a list of questions to take to the nurse to ask, as it's easy to forget the key question if you're anxious at the surgery. I have a fear of going to the doctors and forget everything I meant to say when I'm there.
The sort of stuff I'd be asking:
  • what diet advice can you give me?
  • Can I get a referral to a diabetes course?
  • What other tests will I need?
  • Can I see a dietitian?
  • Plus any other questions you can think of.
Can you take someone with you to the appointment to support you (family member, friend etc)? They could have the questions and a notepad to take notes of what was said on there and be there to support you also. If you let the nurse know if you're anxious when you get there, and that the person is there to take notes and support you, they should be understanding.
Best wishes, Sarah
 
Windy said:
Hi, I'm on Ramipril 10mg for my blood pressure. At diagnosis, it was 200/110 in the doctors surgery, which is bad. On ramipril, I get 132/78 ish most days, so that's loads better. My heart used to thunder in my chest, and I thought wrongly it was just the menopause.
There's a forum discussing food here which people put what they've had to eat on.
The things that will put up your blood sugar are things like cakes, chocolate, sweets etc, so I've given them up for the moment. I have the odd Nairn's cheese oatcake as a treat, but I'm trying to be good as I used to scoff crisps and kitkats like they were going out of fashion.
Bread, potatoes, pasta etc will also raise your blood glucose, so try and cut down on them. Still have some, but be mindful of portion size. I've gone low carb as I'm trying to lose weight, but other T2s eat moderate amounts of carbs. There's some recommended books here, some of which are recipe books, which may be of some help.

I can recommend making a list of questions to take to the nurse to ask, as it's easy to forget the key question if you're anxious at the surgery. I have a fear of going to the doctors and forget everything I meant to say when I'm there.
The sort of stuff I'd be asking:
  • what diet advice can you give me?
  • Can I get a referral to a diabetes course?
  • What other tests will I need?
  • Can I see a dietitian?
  • Plus any other questions you can think of.
Can you take someone with you to the appointment to support you (family member, friend etc)? They could have the questions and a notepad to take notes of what was said on there and be there to support you also. If you let the nurse know if you're anxious when you get there, and that the person is there to take notes and support you, they should be understanding.
Best wishes, Sarah
Click to expand...
Windy said:
Hi, I'm on Ramipril 10mg for my blood pressure. At diagnosis, it was 200/110 in the doctors surgery, which is bad. On ramipril, I get 132/78 ish most days, so that's loads better. My heart used to thunder in my chest, and I thought wrongly it was just the menopause.
There's a forum discussing food here which people put what they've had to eat on.
The things that will put up your blood sugar are things like cakes, chocolate, sweets etc, so I've given them up for the moment. I have the odd Nairn's cheese oatcake as a treat, but I'm trying to be good as I used to scoff crisps and kitkats like they were going out of fashion.
Bread, potatoes, pasta etc will also raise your blood glucose, so try and cut down on them. Still have some, but be mindful of portion size. I've gone low carb as I'm trying to lose weight, but other T2s eat moderate amounts of carbs. There's some recommended books here, some of which are recipe books, which may be of some help.

I can recommend making a list of questions to take to the nurse to ask, as it's easy to forget the key question if you're anxious at the surgery. I have a fear of going to the doctors and forget everything I meant to say when I'm there.
The sort of stuff I'd be asking:
  • what diet advice can you give me?
  • Can I get a referral to a diabetes course?
  • What other tests will I need?
  • Can I see a dietitian?
  • Plus any other questions you can think of.
Can you take someone with you to the appointment to support you (family member, friend etc)? They could have the questions and a notepad to take notes of what was said on there and be there to support you also. If you let the nurse know if you're anxious when you get there, and that the person is there to take notes and support you, they should be understanding.
Best wishes, Sarah
Click to expand...
Hi Sarah
Thanks so much for all the advice. Your readings and medication is exactly what I am on . I will definitely go on the food forum as right now I could eat a large cake ! But am so determined to get this in remission and feel better about myself x
 
Spangle0581 said:
Hi Sarah
Thanks so much for all the advice. Your readings and medication is exactly what I am on . I will definitely go on the food forum as right now I could eat a large cake ! But am so determined to get this in remission and feel better about myself x
Click to expand...
I can recommend getting something in the fridge that's nice to eat like a little portion of refreshing blueberries/raspberries/blackberries - something to have a snack on that's sweet, but better for you than cake. I love cake, but I know I need to keep away from it unless I bake something lower carb for myself as I have no self control once I've got started.
Also, low fat babybel are good to have in the fridge, I think they have 45ish calories, if you cut it up into tiny little chunks and put that in a bowl, you can distract yourself from more tempting food if you eat it slowly.
If you're trying for remission, I can recommend the Professor Roy Taylor book in the recommended books forum.
Let us know how you're getting on. It's a nice community and everyone's been very supportive.
If you've got questions, ask away and I'm sure more knowledgable people than me will have the answer,
Sarah
 
Windy said:
I can recommend getting something in the fridge that's nice to eat like a little portion of refreshing blueberries/raspberries/blackberries - something to have a snack on that's sweet, but better for you than cake. I love cake, but I know I need to keep away from it unless I bake something lower carb for myself as I have no self control once I've got started.
Also, low fat babybel are good to have in the fridge, I think they have 45ish calories, if you cut it up into tiny little chunks and put that in a bowl, you can distract yourself from more tempting food if you eat it slowly.
If you're trying for remission, I can recommend the Professor Roy Taylor book in the recommended books forum.
Let us know how you're getting on. It's a nice community and everyone's been very supportive.
If you've got questions, ask away and I'm sure more knowledgable people than me will have the answer,
Sarah
Click to expand...
Sarah you’ve been a star ⭐️ I will definitely do the babybel . I think evenings are the hardest as I want to snack. You sound like you’re doing really well especially as you were only diagnosed in October x
 
Spangle0581 said:
Sarah you’ve been a star ⭐️ I will definitely do the babybel . I think evenings are the hardest as I want to snack. You sound like you’re doing really well especially as you were only diagnosed in October x
Click to expand...
If you have an evening meal with enough protein and healthy fats with vegetables but not full of high carb foods then you will feel less need to snack.
Having a refreshing no sugar drink instead or a few nuts, snacking can be habit rather because you are actually hungry.
 
Cheers Spangle, I've surprised myself by keeping on my diet, but knowing I have diabetes has made me realise I need to take it seriously. Get my diabetes review next month and I'm hoping that everythings looking a bit better than it was in October.
You need to find something to distract you from the evening snacking - take up a hobby of some sort, dancing, learn a language, jigsaws, learn to paint, take up tai chi or crochet etc. Just needs to be something to keep your mind busy so you forget the snacks!
Fingers crossed for you too, that things get better, as you've not had an easy start to the year.
Cheers, Sarah 🙂
 
Windy said:
Cheers Spangle, I've surprised myself by keeping on my diet, but knowing I have diabetes has made me realise I need to take it seriously. Get my diabetes review next month and I'm hoping that everythings looking a bit better than it was in October.
You need to find something to distract you from the evening snacking - take up a hobby of some sort, dancing, learn a language, jigsaws, learn to paint, take up tai chi or crochet etc. Just needs to be something to keep your mind busy so you forget the snacks!
Fingers crossed for you too, that things get better, as you've not had an easy start to the year.
Cheers, Sarah 🙂
Click to expand...
Thanks Sarah . Things will get easier. I am glad I went to the GP and had an Mot as he said . Positive vibes sent your way. X
 
I use gelatine, sugar free jelly or squash, frozen berries and often yoghurt or any cream that needs using to make a large bowl of dessert. I make a jelly mixture with far less water than would be normal, cool it with ice, whip in the yoghurt or cream, stir in the frozen berries and it will usually set in minutes. Even if you could eat the whole bowl full it would not be as many carbs as ordinary high carb cake.
For Christmas I make gelatine strips with almond flour and or coconut flour mixed in, to use instead of trifle sponges, and add a layer of real custard. It takes a bit of experimentation to get the strips just right but they are a good substitute. If they turn out too stiff they can be melted with a little warm water added and then stirred over a bowl of hot water, too limp, remelt and add a little more gelatine.
 
Spangle0581 said:
Sarah you’ve been a star ⭐️ I will definitely do the babybel . I think evenings are the hardest as I want to snack. You sound like you’re doing really well especially as you were only diagnosed in October x
Click to expand...
I am a lite babybel fan. I am on the newcastle diet and I have lost 9.5kg since mid november. It works! You can do it!
If I get hungry I have a glass of water first to see if I am actually hungry. If I am, its a babybel, two spoons of greek yoghurt, or few walnuts. Job done.
 
I feel that this thread has moved through a load of plot twists, from diagnosis shock... to the logical* conclusion of delicious lower fat cheese products!
Best of luck with your diet changes @Spangle0581. Let us know how you do.
It does get easier.
Sarah


*kind of
 
Spangle0581 said:
Sarah you’ve been a star ⭐️ I will definitely do the babybel . I think evenings are the hardest as I want to snack. You sound like you’re doing really well especially as you were only diagnosed in October x
Click to expand...

Wife likes those babybels, taste wise not much difference to full fat ones.

About 4 years ago she was told she was pre diabetic, might have tipped over to type 2, she had weight to lose so joined Slimming world & lost 5 stone in weight, it reversed the diabetes & all results since have been normal. At time told her about Prof Taylor work & Newcastle Diet so that give her motivation to lose weight.

You might find when you lose weight your bp may reduce as being overweight can cause high bp.
 
Think I might have a science crush on prof. Taylor. He's my health hero!
 
Drummer said:
I use gelatine, sugar free jelly or squash, frozen berries and often yoghurt or any cream that needs using to make a large bowl of dessert. I make a jelly mixture with far less water than would be normal, cool it with ice, whip in the yoghurt or cream, stir in the frozen berries and it will usually set in minutes. Even if you could eat the whole bowl full it would not be as many carbs as ordinary high carb cake.
For Christmas I make gelatine strips with almond flour and or coconut flour mixed in, to use instead of trifle sponges, and add a layer of real custard. It takes a bit of experimentation to get the strips just right but they are a good substitute. If they turn out too stiff they can be melted with a little warm water added and then stirred over a bowl of hot water, too limp, remelt and add a little more gelatine.
Click to expand...
thanks for all your information - will be trying those recipes xx
 
Glad you have found us @Spangle0581 and good to see you engaging so enthusiastically with the forum, and your determination to tackle your diabetes diagnosis head-on. It really can be a shock, and it’s not something that anyone would ask for.

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. 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 but never quite found the motivation for.

Often you don’t realise how weary, worn down and lethargic you had been feeling. Erratic and elevated blood glucose levels can be exhausting and are linked with low mood, but this may have come on quite gradually so you may not have spotted it. Making a few positive changes to your menu and level of activity 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.

Good luck, and let us know how you are getting on 🙂
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
Glad you have found us @Spangle0581 and good to see you engaging so enthusiastically with the forum, and your determination to tackle your diabetes diagnosis head-on. It really can be a shock, and it’s not something that anyone would ask for.

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. 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 but never quite found the motivation for.

Often you don’t realise how weary, worn down and lethargic you had been feeling. Erratic and elevated blood glucose levels can be exhausting and are linked with low mood, but this may have come on quite gradually so you may not have spotted it. Making a few positive changes to your menu and level of activity 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.

Good luck, and let us know how you are getting on 🙂
Click to expand...
Thanks so much for your response . I am so determined to get this under control. I have also been diagnosed with low mood and anxiety. This diagnosis has given me the kick i need to make positive lifestyle changes . I will keep you updated. thx x
 
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