Frightened and Confused

[Newtothis]

Hi there, I know this is a common feeling but after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes today I'm so scared and confused. I've not been prescribed any medication and have a follow-up blood test in 2 weeks, but my random and fasting blood test have indicated diabetes, both were outside the guidelines. I'm not really sure what to do; or feel. I'd be really grateful if you could tell me how I just accept it...I know its because I've scared myself with some of the articles I've read...please help

 

[Natalie123]

Hi there, you've come to a great place for support, its a bit quiet at the moment, but we are usually a chatty group I'm sure a type 2 will be along shortly but in the mean time, welcome and please don't panic (((hugs))) You will need to look at your diet and most likely make a few changes and try to do regular exercise. If diet and exercise don't work, there is medication you can try but usually diet and exercise is tried first. There are some links for newly diagnosed people on here, I will try to dig them out for you!

 

[Natalie123]

Just realised the link is at the top of the newbies page. I know a lot of people recommend the book: Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker

 

[Northerner]

Hi and welcome to the forum 🙂 First thing - try not to concentrate too much on the dire warnings you read. Diabetes is serious, no doubting that, but it is also something that people can learn to manage and live with - in many cases people find that the discipline and lifestyle/diet changes that a diagnosis brings results in the m feeling happeir and healthier than they may have felt for some considerable time - especially when they were undiagnosed and not aware that they needed to control things.

There are many, many examples from people here who have transformed their lives. If you want a good book to read and learn about Type 2 diabetes, I would highly recommend Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker - only a few pounds, but very well spent! The best way to remove the fear is to gain understanding, and you can do that by reading the book and coming here to express your concerns or ask questions - nothing is considered 'silly' and you will always get a friendly response.

 

[mcdonagh47]

Hi there, I know this is a common feeling but after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes today I'm so scared and confused. I've not been prescribed any medication and have a follow-up blood test in 2 weeks, but my random and fasting blood test have indicated diabetes, both were outside the guidelines. I'm not really sure what to do; or feel. I'd be really grateful if you could tell me how I just accept it...I know its because I've scared myself with some of the articles I've read...please help

You might like to start with Maggie Davey's Open Letter to a Newly Dxed T2.
It is specifically aimed at folks like you....

http://www.sequin.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Downloads/openlet.pdf

It is important for you to grasp that this condition is not about Sugar as such, it is about Carbohydrates ( Bread, potatoes,rice,pasta, breakfast cereals). You have lost the ability to process them properly. You have to be careful with those carbs and watch portion sizes of them. You should also be careful with fruit because it contains a fast acting glucose called Fructose.

I don't know what weight you are ( not wishing to be rude -you might need more food than this) but a typical diet idea might run something like ...
Breakfast ....protein ( bacon and egg - NO toast, NO cereal, NO fruit juice)
Lunch .... a sandwich with protein ( ham, cheese, sardines etc) and some salad. ONE slice of bread only
Dinner/tea .... a decent portion of protein ( especially chicken or fish) with good servings of vegetables. Potatoes or whatever only a moderate portion.

Snacks in the day ... a fistful of nuts or a bit of fruit.

It would also pay to explore the GI (Glycemic Index) diet principles and the GL Diet (Glycemic Load).

Exercise is vital and you need to assess what you can do and work up the levels of that. It used to be said that a two mile walk a day or equivalent exercise was a minimum.

Losing weight is also very important, losing just 10% of your body weight can improve Insulin Resistance markedly ( IR is one of your big problems at the moment).

And of course, smoking is an absolute no-no.

JMHO

 

[Mark T]

Welcome to the forums Newtothis 🙂

 

[Newtothis]

Help and Confused

Thanks guys, don't feel so alone now. I was earlier diagnosed with fatty liver so cut out all saturated fats; sugars etc.. and eat plenty of fresh veg, fruit and fish, I'm hoping my liver will repair itself gradually.

I have started losing weight, 1lb per week and walking at least an hour a day. I need to lose about a stone and a half. I'm confused about what I can and can't eat - can I eat; potatoes, bread etc....

Thank you x

 

[Northerner]

Thanks guys, don't feel so alone now. I was earlier diagnosed with fatty liver so cut out all saturated fats; sugars etc.. and eat plenty of fresh veg, fruit and fish, I'm hoping my liver will repair itself gradually.

I have started losing weight, 1lb per week and walking at least an hour a day. I need to lose about a stone and a half. I'm confused about what I can and can't eat - can I eat; potatoes, bread etc....

Thank you x

Well done on your weight loss! 🙂

My best recommendation would be to follow a GL Diet (Glycaemic Load). Diabetes is all about carbohydrates which get converted to glucose in the blood and raise levels - the trick is to do this slowly and steadily to spread the impact. Two very good books on the subject that I read are in the following links:

http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=7719
http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=7337

Ideally, you should get a meter so you can monitor the effect of different food on your levels, there is a link to a free meter in our 'Useful Links' thread, but the strips are quite expensive so ideally you will be able to persuade your doctor to prescribe them for you.

 

[Newtothis]

Well done on your weight loss! 🙂

My best recommendation would be to follow a GL Diet (Glycaemic Load). Diabetes is all about carbohydrates which get converted to glucose in the blood and raise levels - the trick is to do this slowly and steadily to spread the impact. Two very good books on the subject that I read are in the following links:

http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=7719
http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=7337

Ideally, you should get a meter so you can monitor the effect of different food on your levels, there is a link to a free meter in our 'Useful Links' thread, but the strips are quite expensive so ideally you will be able to persuade your doctor to prescribe them for you.

Really appreciate your support - Thank you.

 

[Mark T]

Thanks guys, don't feel so alone now. I was earlier diagnosed with fatty liver so cut out all saturated fats; sugars etc.. and eat plenty of fresh veg, fruit and fish, I'm hoping my liver will repair itself gradually.

I have started losing weight, 1lb per week and walking at least an hour a day. I need to lose about a stone and a half. I'm confused about what I can and can't eat - can I eat; potatoes, bread etc....

Thank you x

Sounds like you are starting along the right lines with the weight loss and exercise.

I tend to stick to new potatoes as they are low gi and many of us have replaced white bread with Burgen Linseed and Soya bread, also low gi. Although the trick is also the portion size as well as the types of food.

Nuts are also very good, low gi, low in carbohydrates and packed with nutrients. But watch the calories when you want to loose weight!

 

[Steff]

Hi and a warm welome to the forum, your amongst genuine people here who will gi ve you all the help you need.x

 

[Salinda]

Hi there Newtothis, I am also newly diagnosed and feeling my way but the support on this forum is phenomenal. I have found it is the place to ask questions and be taken seriously. Hope your adjustment doesn't take too long and you start to feel a whole lot better.

 

[Andy HB]

Thanks guys, don't feel so alone now. I was earlier diagnosed with fatty liver so cut out all saturated fats; sugars etc.. and eat plenty of fresh veg, fruit and fish, I'm hoping my liver will repair itself gradually.

Been there done that. I too had a fatty liver on diagnosis (almost 2 years ago now). I'm pleased to report that my last scan was completely normal. So it is possible for the liver to recover.

I also believe (but can't remember where I read it now) that such reversal is best done slowly to avoid scarring.

Andy 🙂

 

[Silkman_Bob]

Hello! You have made a great step forward by joining here. I was in exactly the same situation as you are now so can 100% empathise in what you are going through. There is so much to learn, so much to do etc but if I was to say just one thing to you it would be don?t panic, take things at your own pace and even though it seems rather strange to say, try and enjoy the challenge. This way you control your diabetes and don?t let the diabetes control you.

Feel free to message me any time 🙂

 

[Newtothis]

Thank you

Thanks guys for your support; I haven't been given any medication but my GP has recommended I continue with the weight loss and exercise and have another blood test in a few weeks time. I know it's a condition that can be managed.

Can I ask a really silly question - I spoke to my GP about this but since I've cut out saturated fats and sugar I belch all the time...sorry to sound so disgusting. My Gp has told me not to worry its to do with my change of diet but its worrying me because I'm scared it might be something more serious which hasn't been picked up. I know I'm being paranoid but is this common??

 

[Steff]

Thanks guys for your support; I haven't been given any medication but my GP has recommended I continue with the weight loss and exercise and have another blood test in a few weeks time. I know it's a condition that can be managed.

Can I ask a really silly question - I spoke to my GP about this but since I've cut out saturated fats and sugar I belch all the time...sorry to sound so disgusting. My Gp has told me not to worry its to do with my change of diet but its worrying me because I'm scared it might be something more serious which hasn't been picked up. I know I'm being paranoid but is this common??

Hi New do you eat your food quick or chew it thoroughly?
sometimes the speed in which you eat your food can cause accsessive belching.Also if you chew alot of chewing gum that cause an increase.

 

[Northerner]

Can I ask a really silly question - I spoke to my GP about this but since I've cut out saturated fats and sugar I belch all the time...sorry to sound so disgusting. My Gp has told me not to worry its to do with my change of diet but its worrying me because I'm scared it might be something more serious which hasn't been picked up. I know I'm being paranoid but is this common??

I would agree with your doctor (although I'm not a doctor!) - a change of diet often produces such symptoms, I've experienced similar when I have lived abroad - hopefully it will ease before long. 🙂

 

[Newtothis]

Newto this

Hi New do you eat your food quick or chew it thoroughly?
sometimes the speed in which you eat your food can cause accsessive belching.Also if you chew alot of chewing gum that cause an increase.

Can this just be an symptom of diabetis?

 

[Northerner]

Can this just be an symptom of diabetis?

In the absence of any medication that may produce this as a side effect, I haven't heard of it as being related to diabetes. It might also depend on how you have changed your diet - are you eating more pulses (beans, lentils etc.), as this can also have an effect.

 

[Steff]

Can this just be an symptom of diabetis?

I think what your doctor said is right changes in diet can cause this, I was just throwing out other reasons as to why you may be belching alot but if you eat slowly and dont chew gum regular then that rules those out