Diagnosed today- Type 2. How to tell family.

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Dianadiabeats2

Dianadiabeats2

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi all. Feel terrified and don’t want to tell my folks. Am 40’ish female. Start metaformin in the morning. Can’t sleep.
 
Dianadiabeats2 said:
Hi all. Feel terrified and don’t want to tell my folks. Am 40’ish female. Start metaformin in the morning. Can’t sleep.
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Hopefully you can reverse things and get back to normal.
Diet is usually very helpful - though lots of people will be horrified at the things which type 2s in particular tend to eat.
 
Oh bless you. Take a breath and just know that things will seem far worse right now than they will in a few months time when your into the swing of this. Plus things always feel worse at 1am in the morning when you can’t sleep! Is there any particular reason you are dreading telling family? Judgement ? Fear of worrying people ? Does type 2 run in the family? You don’t have to tell anybody till you are ready. Maybe wait until you have got all your information and a plan of attack and then you can say look… I have type 2, but I’m going to do this, this and this to deal with it. Plus you can tell them you have made an amazing group of friends online who know everything there is to know about diabetes, who can help you get your BG in check and be happier and healthier for the rest of your life. If you choose to own this and deal with it then your family will be proud. Ask anything… anytime xx
 
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Hi @Dianadiabeats2 and welcome to the forum.
Probably most Type 2 diabetics in this forum are healthier and happier than they were before diagnosis - so why should anybody be terrified at the prospect of a longer, healthier, happier life.
For many like me, diagnosis was what taught us that we had been given inappropriate dietary advice for decades and until we learned what actually worked for us we were never going to be living our best life.

True that T2 Diabetes is a wake up call that all that highly processed food isn't actually good for us. There are some who struggle to give it up, but most find that the incentives of possible diabetic side effects are enough to give them enough will power to tide them over until the beneficial effects start to show.
Get a Blood Glucose meter that uses cheaper test strips (such as a Gluco Navii or a Tee). That will give you an impartial opinion of which food your body can handle least well and which ones are best for you. Unfortunately those aren't quite the same for each of us, since we have different genes and gut biomes, as well as different tastes in food.
 
Hello and welcome to the forum!

I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis and how you're feeling in regards to telling your family.

As others have said, is there a particular reason for this?

It is worth remembering that whilst a diagnosis is scary, it doesn't necessarily mean that things will get worse! For some, a diagnosis has meant that a healthier and happier lifestyle has been implemented - it is also possible to put it into remission! It's worth staying positive in my opinion 🙂

There is also no shame in it and you should be judged for your bravery and willingness to get help and get happier as opposed to judged by your diagnosis.

I hope this helps! Keep us updated on how you're doing and how telling your family went and remember that there is an online community here who are more than willing to give you information and support.
 
I do hope you are feeling a bit better now. I'm t1 so can't help too much with practicalities but i do remember being in tears at my diagnosis, but now, well, my diabetes is just part of my life. It gets easier
 
Diabetes can run in family’s so it’s important to tell them so they can get checked. Just tell them you’ve been diagnosed T2 and that they should look up the symptoms and see their GP if they have any of them.
 
Thank you all I did not expect to get so many replies. My parents love giving out health advice. They are judgey about people who are fat and commented on my weight gain in my teen years. I’m 5”2 so weight shows. I am not a fan of chocolate or sugary things so I was surprised. However I like crisps, carbs and red wine. I have had other health issues over the years too and had an op in December. Since then I was on painkillers.
 
Dianadiabeats2 said:
Thank you all I did not expect to get so many replies. My parents love giving out health advice. They are judgey about people who are fat and commented on my weight gain in my teen years. I’m 5”2 so weight shows. I am not a fan of chocolate or sugary things so I was surprised. However I like crisps, carbs and red wine. I have had other health issues over the years too and had an op in December. Since then I was on painkillers.
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Often people think it is only the 'sugary' things which are the problem and that they are eating a healthy diet of wholemeal bread, pasta, rice and potatoes which are the staples of most meals but sadly those are the high carb food which are not the friend of people with Type 2 diabetes.
Red wine is one of the better drinks rather than beer or cider which is much higher carb and dark chocolate as a treat is the better option.
 
Drummer said:
Hopefully you can reverse things and get back to normal.
Diet is usually very helpful - though lots of people will be horrified at the things which type 2s in particular tend to eat.
Click to expand...
Thank you
Lucyr said:
Diabetes can run in family’s so it’s important to tell them so they can get checked. Just tell them you’ve been diagnosed T2 and that they should look up the symptoms and see their GP if they have any of them.
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It is difficult to discuss these things with my family. They would not go for this. My Dad was pre diabetic and managed to control through diet. They are in their 70’s.
 
Dianadiabeats2 said:
Thank you all I did not expect to get so many replies. My parents love giving out health advice. They are judgey about people who are fat and commented on my weight gain in my teen years. I’m 5”2 so weight shows. I am not a fan of chocolate or sugary things so I was surprised. However I like crisps, carbs and red wine. I have had other health issues over the years too and had an op in December. Since then I was on painkillers.
Click to expand...
I feel for you. I was diagnosed just a couple of months ago, and it was such a shock! I was so distressed, but people on this forum really helped me, it also helped to learn more about what a good diet is for a diabetic. Like you I don't eat many sweet things / sugar and I thought I had a super healthy diet, but didn't know about the carbs and the effect they have on blood sugar. I ate brown rice and brown pasta, brown bread. Join the learning zone, that has been brilliant. I worked in the food industry for most of my life and am surprised buy how much I still don't know. Seek out people you know will be supportive, friends or family. I was also surprised by how many friends were also touched by diabetes and were able to give me support and not be judgmental. Deep breaths also helped. Wishing you all the very best. Now that I'm a few months along this journey, I am starting to feel it can be manageable in time with more learning about what works for me.
 
Dianadiabeats2 said:
Thank you

It is difficult to discuss these things with my family. They would not go for this. My Dad was pre diabetic and managed to control through diet. They are in their 70’s.
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Unless you live at home, I can't see why you have to tell them.

I am nearing 10 years into my T2 diagnosis and still haven't told many folks. Obviously, my cohabitting partner knows, but other family members don't need to know. It isn't any of their business and generally, folks aren't all that interested.

In fairness, my parents are no longer with us, but I doubt I'd have been in a hurry to share my news.

Once you've got your own head around it, you will be better placed to explain whatever you feel you need to to your parents, if you still feel you want to.
 
Dianadiabeats2 said:
Thank you

It is difficult to discuss these things with my family. They would not go for this. My Dad was pre diabetic and managed to control through diet. They are in their 70’s.
Click to expand...
I bore all my family, friends and acquaintances with how eating to the NHS guideline for around 20yrs (5 a Day, Low Fat, Whole Gains) gave me Type 2 Diabetes. And how turning (back) to a Low Carb way of eating put my Type 2 diabetes in remission and took my weight back down by almost 1/6th in just a few months.

Also how relatively thing people can get T2D if their body type has few subcutaneous fat cells and more visceral fat cells (round the waist and the internal organ). These are known a TOFI ( Thin Outside, Fat Inside).
 
Dianadiabeats2 said:
I have decided not to tell them. My Father love’s giving out unsolicited health advice especially to diabetics!
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I would agree with that, and what @AndBreathe said… do you have to tell them? I’ve certainly been very selective with who I’ve told about my t2, and I’m determined to get healthier through diet and exercise - and hopefully get into remission. Good luck on your ‘journey’, I’m sure you will do fine!
 
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Dianadiabeats2 said:
I have decided not to tell them. My Father love’s giving out unsolicited health advice especially to diabetics!
Click to expand...

If you intend to change your diet (most of us find that helps enormously), you may be faced with questions around,..... "No pudding?",........."No chips?", or whatever.

In those situations, my response was I'd had a bit of a health MOT, including some blood tests, which showed me that some of the things I had been eating weren't doing me any favours, so I'd decided to swerve them for the time being. My response was always upbeat, not a mourning response.

That "for the time being" has been 10 years for some things is neither here nor there. People quickly get used to the new you, and your new ways.

The next stage is when you probably trim up a bit and they get curious how you've done that, but you've already explained,...... "some foods weren't doing you any favours....."

Massive, generalisation,........... people don't care what you eat, provided you don't make them adopt the same ways, unless they want to.

Don't stress over it.
 
Dianadiabeats2 said:
You too. There is such stigma around diabetes. Am sure I have given unsolicited health advice. Karma’s a bitch
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Diabetes UK have reducing stigma as a key focus for work in the current 5 year plan. It’s such an important topic.

It is completely up to you as to who you decide to tell (or not tell) about your diagnosis.

@AndBreathe has suggested some nifty workarounds for negotiating changes in food choices you may decide to make.

Only you will know what is right for your situation and circumstances with the characters involved. And how to gently broach the topic at a later date if you decide to (without anyone feeling you have ‘kept things from them’).

Hopefully, by then you will have turned the challenge to a positive, and will have some health benefits to focus on. Some forum members have experienced various long-running ailments showing improvement as their menu has changed and their blood glucose levels come back more into range. 🙂
 
Dianadiabeats2 said:
Hi all. Feel terrified and don’t want to tell my folks. Am 40’ish female. Start metaformin in the morning. Can’t sleep.
Click to expand...
I have told very few people because I simply can't be bothered with any comments.5 years down the road and still only a handful know. Although interestingly more friends have recently been diagnoised Type 2 I might tell them about me one day!!!

Good luck with any decision you make.
 
ianf0ster said:
Hi @Dianadiabeats2 and welcome to the forum.
Probably most Type 2 diabetics in this forum are healthier and happier than they were before diagnosis - so why should anybody be terrified at the prospect of a longer, healthier, happier life.
For many like me, diagnosis was what taught us that we had been given inappropriate dietary advice for decades and until we learned what actually worked for us we were never going to be living our best life.

True that T2 Diabetes is a wake up call that all that highly processed food isn't actually good for us. There are some who struggle to give it up, but most find that the incentives of possible diabetic side effects are enough to give them enough will power to tide them over until the beneficial effects start to show.
Get a Blood Glucose meter that uses cheaper test strips (such as a Gluco Navii or a Tee). That will give you an impartial opinion of which food your body can handle least well and which ones are best for you. Unfortunately those aren't quite the same for each of us, since we have different genes and gut biomes, as well as different tastes in food.
Click to expand...
i am now AWARE of what i eat and that it has an affect on my health. by eating low carb i'm now in remission from Type 2, but the lack of wholegrain has pushed up my triglycerides.... so on a statin but im in a much better place now
 
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