Hello and all help welcome!

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MrsMonty

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Type 2
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Hi, I have just been diagnosed with T2D a couple of days ago. I'm generally fit & well with no symptoms apart from a couple trips to the loo during the night, which I put down to my age. I also had a fairly large tattoo done on my foot in June, which took much longer to heal than I would have expected (I have other tattoos, so understand how they heal). When I Googled this, high blood sugar was mentioned.
My last blood test was 5 years ago and Hba1c was 42. This time it was in 3 figures, which kind of freaked me out. GP did finger prick test in surgery & it was 17. He has started me on Metformin, made me an appt in 2 weeks for another Hba1c test & made appt with nurse, which is not for a month.

I am very overweight, so obviously I'm going to aim get this down, but in a way that I can sustain, as I guess this needs to be for life. I sit at a desk for work (I work from home), so need to get more active (I am not really at the moment).

I appreciate that folk can't give me medical advice, but any tips/tricks etc that might help me at this point? I'm willing to do whatever I can to get on top of this.

Thanks
 
Welcome aboard your not alone !! , tips mmm where to start there are many , try keeping some kind of diary and do you test your glucose levels ? try to minimize carbs where possible look at the low carb fresh well app for ideas and the learning zone up above for information .If you want to be more active try something simple to start with like dancing to the radio or check out some of these exercises https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/get-active/home-workout-videos/ or go for small walks after a meal no need to do a marathon just try to do a little bit more one step at a time .
Try not to get too overwhelmed i know its hard at first ive been there and there's so much to take in , just try to absorb as much info as you can about diabetes and how it affects glucose control and to make better choices when it comes to meals etc so the levels start to drop .
Anyway welcome aboard try to learn as much as you can , there's a vast amount of experience on here so ask any questions !!!!
Good luck on your journey .
 
Welcome @MrsMonty 🙂 Start where you are. You’ve already identified you need to do more exercise, so look at how you can slot it into your day, eg a walk in your lunch break, a walk after your evening meal, swimming in the evenings or at the weekend, etc.

You’ll also need to look at your diet. See your starting place by writing down an average day’s food for you pre-diagnosis, then look at ways to reduce the carbs and calories and add more green veg. If you’re very overweight, you might want to look into the NHS soups and shakes diet to help you shift some of that weight quickly.
 
I was diagnosed in July. I haven't seen a Doctor just a health care professional and later a DN. Although you say you are fit and well being very overweight has an effect on your body. I was not surprised when I was diagnosed as I didn't move enough and ate too much. I can eat if hungry sad happy or celebrating. I was surprised how high it had got 69 and having peed at night and had numb toes that I took till June to ask for a test. The good bit I was shocked into taking action. Initially having been told my cholesteral had crept up I gave up meat and all the naughties increased veg and fish. One key is smaller portions. I think if it hadn't been for those two weeks my numbers would have been higher. I still ate eggs and cheese and very very occasionally bread. The weight started dropping off me at just under a kilo a week and my trousers fell down! I almost forgot this was the result of taking control as I was diabetic. I'd never tried low carb. When I was in my twenties the F Plan diet was the thing especially jacket potatoes. I now eat a lot of fish but do eat meat about once a week.

I started walking more often only short walks of 10 to 15 mins. Before or after food. I'm now going to start exercising to build muscle. There is an app site called Freshwell with some really good infographics. I used to look at calories and salt carbs is different. Don't rush it. Your tastes will change but there is no point trying to eat things you hate. I gave up sugar in drinks and cereal in my teens but any sugar you add is an obvious dropper. I know people who have a problem with no sugar in coffee. Drop the amount slowly and your palate will change. I've learned from other members that you should go slowly but steadily so your body isn't in complete shock at the change. Can you do some of your work standing? If not can you have a short break every hour and perhaps walk up a d down stairs or go in another room a d get a glass of water

There are exercises you can do whilst sitting even just pulling your tummy in or flexing your feet. It all helps.

Good luck.
My Internet connection dropped off. I see you have had some of the stars now reply.
 
I started on metformin fortunately slow release. After four weeks got to 4 x 500gms then following week dapaglifozin was added and metformin reduced to two tablets. My bowels are still a bit loose. I've had conflicting advice with dapaglifozin. It needs carbs to work effectively so no keto diet. I varied between 80 and 130 gms of carbs. Everyone has different advice but I am now aiming for 110 to 130. Please don't stress but check with pharmacist or doctor if medication is changed. Some to varying degrees require some carbs. Metformin is what everyone starts with. I suggest you keep a food and motion diary - motion meaning exercise taken and motions. When I first started metformin it bunged me up but that changed
At some point you need to work out if side effects are reducing and manageable or if you should seek other medication.
 
If you are just taking metformin then a low carb approach is very suitable and many have found that successful at losing weight and reducing blood glucose, there is a lot to learn but the sooner the better. This link points you to the Freshwell program which has been mentioned https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/, it is based on the suggested no more than 130g carbohydrates (not just sugar) per day.
People find it useful to keep a food diary of everything you eat and drink with an estimate of the carbs to give you an idea of where you are at and where you can make some savings. It is better to reduce your carbs slowly by cutting down by a third for a couple of weeks, then another third etc, until you get to where you need to be.
I am surprised you were not getting symptoms with an HbA1C in 3 figures.
There are other approaches low calorie or shakes and soups regime which you may qualify to be referred to by your GP depending on your BMI if that is something you think may suit for 12 weeks to give you a kick start.
But whatever you choose has to be enjoyable otherwise it will not be sustainable, it need to become your new normal way of eating.
Low carb is now my new way and it has kept my Hba1C normal for 3 years and I don't feel as if I am missing anything.
 
Sorry you've had to join us but welcome. I can't add to what others have posted as they've covered all the bases, except to say that many of us have also started from an HbA1c in 3 figures but through a combination of diet, being more active, losing weight and taking medication have been able to turn things around and in many cases get back into normal numbers and even off the meds. Hopefully you'll be successful too. Please keep us posted on your progress.
 
Welcome to the forum @MrsMonty

Glad you have joined us! Sorrybto hear about your diagnosis. Must have been something of a shock given you didn't have many signs or symptoms troubling you

There are two main approaches to diabetes management that are popular on the forum (with many variants among them). One is to focus on weight loss, particularly weight around the abdomen which can indicate visceral fat built up around organs like the liver and pancreas, stopping them working properly. Many members using this approach find that glucose levels improve naturally as their weight reduces - particularly if using a short term intervention such as the Newcastle Diet (which is available as the NHS “Path to Remission”.

The other approach is to focus on blood glucose management with a lower carbohydrate way of eating (typically less than 130g of carbohydrates a day). Reducing portions of all carbohydrates, not just the obvious sweet and sugary things, but bread, pasta, potatoes, grains, rice, and many fruits. Many members using this approach find that weight reduces naturally as their glucose levels improve.

Of course there are some that use a combination approach too!

One of the things about diabetes is that it can be very individual. And the same approach may not appeal, or work as successfully for two different people - so it’s really a question of experimentation, and developing a ‘diabetes toolkit’ of strategies and approaches that work for you, and as you point out, which you can maintain and sustain long-term

Good luck finding a system that works for you 🙂
 
Hello @MrsMonty and welcome to the forum. I can't add any more exercise and diet tips that have already been mentioned. Like you my HbA1c was in 3 digits and it scared the hell out of me. Joining this forum was one of the best things I did. I have found everyone helpful and supportive, providing so much information about living with diabetes. While my doctors practice staff have been proactive with medical checks etc. They don't really have the time to do more than the basics. Within 7 months I have managed to halve my HbA1c numbers through a combination of medication, carbs reduction, regular exercise and the amazing knowledge and experience from people on this forum.
 
Hello @MrsMonty - welcome.
I was diagnosed 12 days ago with a hba1c of 127 and a finger prick of 23.4. I also need to lose weight.
Was prescribed metformin (x4 a day) and glicazide.
After some research I decided to go low carb and not take the glicazide. Am currently on 1 x metformin a day about to increase to x2.
I am determined to put this in remission.
I have eaten low carb since diagnosis (under 70g carb a day generally). I am also using weight watchers to lose weight.
I am averaging BG finger prick readings of 10 - 12 now- with 2 fasting readings of 9.6 / 9.7 in the last 2 days.
You'll get there - it's a lot to take om but it is absolutely do-able xx
 
Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to answer. Good to know that others have been in similar situations and have managed to get on top of things.

I have started a food diary - reducing calories and carbs (I ate a lot of bread, pasta & rice) and am fitting in a 10 minute walk each day - not much, but it's a start. I'm intending on walking for longer on my days off.

I'll keep you posted as my journey progresses.
 
Hi @MrsMonty and welcome to the forum and rest assured you are not alone and have come to the right place for help and advice. We are all fighting the same thing to a greater or lesser degree and all have different ways of doing it as our bodies are all different, you just have to find what's best for you.

When I was diagnosed, I set myself 3 targets until I understood diabetes better, yes I love targets.

1) Weight
2) Diet
3) Exercise

I bought myself a finger prick tester, just to measure my BG in the mornings, as guide to progress (in 3 months it has come down from 7.5 to the mid to low 5's
I have lost just over 1 and a half stone in 3 months (my target was 2lb per week, but works out at about 1.7 lbs per week)
I do a briskish walk every day for at least 30 mins.

I'm pretty sure my next blood test will show an improvement (jeez I hope so).

Please ask as many questions as you want, there are so many people here with a vast experience of diabetes and how best to tackle it.

Alan 😉
 
Just a quick update. I had my HbA1c checked on Wed - exactly 3 weeks after the initial routine test that triggered my T2D diagnosis. This new test was exactly 2 weeks after starting Metformin (started at 500mg, now up to 750mg). Two weeks of being very careful about what and how much I eat and fitting in some sort of exercise most days.
Still early days & I have a long way to go, but new HbA1c has come down from 119 to 101 & I have lost over a stone. Glad both are heading in the right direction.
Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to answer my various questions.
 
MrsMonty said:
Just a quick update. I had my HbA1c checked on Wed - exactly 3 weeks after the initial routine test that triggered my T2D diagnosis. This new test was exactly 2 weeks after starting Metformin (started at 500mg, now up to 750mg). Two weeks of being very careful about what and how much I eat and fitting in some sort of exercise most days.
Still early days & I have a long way to go, but new HbA1c has come down from 119 to 101 & I have lost over a stone. Glad both are heading in the right direction.
Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to answer my various questions.
Click to expand...
Obviously my Metformin is now 1500mg & not 750mg!
 
@MrsMonty that is a very good reduction. Don't push it too hard. Just keep steady. Depending on the state of your health you may be offered other medication. After four weeks of metformin I was put on a SGLT1 inhibitor and metformin reduced to two tablets. I was told this was because it was protective of my cardiovascular system. However, I haven't worked out how many carbs I need with it so feel slightly blown off course. After a few weeks they added a statin.

Hopefully you are going to reap the health benefits of now taking control of your life.
 
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