Diagnosed today breastfeeding mum feeling very scared and overwhelmed

[Theplantpoweredmum]

Hi everyone, really hoping someone can give me some advice. I had gestational diabetes and had my blood tests this week, was told today I’m diabetic. Saw the dr who told me I have “permenant diabetes” and he wasn’t sure if type 1 or 2, the consultant will tell me that (my glucose reading was 18 and I’m not having any symptoms so fairly sure it’s type 2!!) I questioned him saying permenant as I thought it was reversible but he said he’d be surprised if I managed to reverse it. He prescribed metformin which I took in pregnancy too and referred to consultant. Didn’t give any advice re: diet etc. I just feel so upset and scared, what are the long term issues likely to be? I’m a mum to two young kids and I want to be healthy and not a burden to them. As mentioned I’m breastfeeding my 5 month old baby so that means I can’t fast or do anything too drastic diet wise. Also I’m vegetarian. I don’t really eat white carbs and certainly won’t again, we buy burgen bread and I eat lots of nut butters, avocados etc. I feel so worried overwhelmed I’d really appreciate some advice. Thanks.

 

[Bronco Billy]

Hi Veggiemummy. Welcome to the forum. Diagnosis always comes as a shock, but not knowing which type you are must add to everything else you are going through. It’s easy to say, I know, but try to think of the visit to the consultant as a positive. You will find out which you are and will then be able to plan the management of the diabetes. Everything you are going through now is perfectly normal, but I can promise that this is the hardest time. Once you get used to the changes, it will all seem normal and be a part of your everyday life that you don’t worry about.

I don’t blame you for thinking it’s reversible, the media is full of stories of people who claim to have reversed their type 2 diabetes. No-one has reversed it, it’s simply being managed, even if it’s to the extent that they no longer have to take medication. All those who claim to have reversed it will soon find it returns if they stop the lifestyle and/or diet that has got them to that point.

With good control achieved by making the right choices and being sensible, there is no reason you should be unhealthy or be a burden to anyone. My dad was diagnosed in his forties, and recently celebrated his 78th birthday. Yes, it takes discipline and will-power, but it can be done, as many on this forum will testify with their personal experience.

You may find this letter a lady called Maggie wrote for newly diagnosed people useful https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/maggie-daveys-letter-to-newly-diagnosed-type-2s.61307/

If you need to talk to someone about diabetes or how it’s making you feel, DUK has a helpline. You can contact it via https://www.diabetes.org.uk/how_we_help/helpline

There is more advice on type 2 at

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Newly-d...042.49874977.1539634871-1952945137.1508440247

As for diets, this can be a bit of a minefield, but you need to discover what works for you, even if someone else has told you it doesn’t work for them. Below are some links which I hope will give you some clarity. In the meantime, I wish you well. Don’t be afraid to ask about anything here, there is no such thing as a silly question. Take care.


https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/food-and-diabetes/i-have-type-2-diabetes

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/healthy-eating

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-2-diabetes/food-and-keeping-active/

 

[Theplantpoweredmum]

Thank you so much for this, it’s really helped put my mind at rest and answered a lot of questions. I got my blood sugar monitor out today and my sugars are really high despite starting metformin again yesterday and having minimal carbs, so will chase up referral to consultant on Monday. If anyone has any ideas for veggie low carb recipes please let me know!

 

[eggyg]

Welcome @Veggiemummy to the club no one wants to join. The metformin won’t “ kick” in for at least a couple of weeks, unfortunately it isn’t instant. I am interested in the fact you had gestational diabetes and you mentioned metformin, did you inject insulin as well? As for your diet, as a breastfeeding mum you will know you need extra calories so you are correct in saying you can’t do any dieting, I am not a veggie but love cooking and one of my favourite veggie dishes is ratatouille, ( aubergine, courgettes, peppers, onion, garlic or not if it upsets baby’s tummy, tin tomatoes, oregano/basil) now I would normally have it with a piece of meat but also like it with a jacket potato. I know potatoes are carbs but a jacket potato has more fibre than say mash, chips ,roasts and will release the carbs a bit slower. It’s not a good idea to completely eliminate carbs. I also make a crustless quiche, you could use any filling you like, cheese, broccoli, tomatoes, use eggs, full fat milk and cream for the filling. I use ready made short crust pastry rolled out very thin, in a square tin as it’s then easier to cut off all the edges and you are left with just a thin crust on the bottom, serve with loads of your favourite salad things. It’s a good time of year for making soup too, a nice thick lentil or vegetable soup can be a meal in its self. Just chuck in all your spare veg, add a tin of tomatoes and herbs and a few strands of wholewheat spaghetti and it can be made into a minestrone. Don’t get too disheartened for now, the baby is more important. Good luck and if you need more detail on the above recipes just ask! Elaine.

 

[Theplantpoweredmum]

Hi Elaine thank you for your reply and recipe suggestions, I’ll be trying them out this week for sure! Yes I was on insulin while pregnant both novorapid and humilin I. That’s good to know the metformin takes a while to kick in, I’m keeping a note of my sugars as I still have testing strips leftover from my pregnancy, they’re quite high but I’d imagine the consultant will want to know. I lost quite a bit of weight between my pregnancies so it’s disappointing that I’ve ended up diabetic, but I just need to get on with it now I’m trying to make sure I get 30 mins of exercise a day (easier said than done with a baby and toddler!!!) and once I’ve stopped breastfeeding I think I’ll try intermittent fasting but that’s a good few months away yet. Thanks

 

[Drummer]

Metformin doesn't do much anyway - and it can be really nasty if you react to it.
I am two years from diagnosis and have normal numbers by not eating high carb foods - I could do for a little while, but then I would expect to see my weight increasing and my BG levels rising, and having spent so long reducing them I am really not going to risk my health and well being just for the sake of a more 'normal' diet. I prefer the low carb foods anyway.