Hello everyone

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

susiemar

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I live in Cyprus rather than the UK so I hope it's ok to join you here. I was diagnosed with type 2 about a month ago, and I still feel very lost, confused and depressed.

I am trying to increase exercise I have a treadmill at home. I have had 2 lots of major spinal surgery in the past 4 years therefore have limits on what I can do.

I would be pleased to hear how others have coped especially with the depression

Thanks

Susiemar
 
Hi Susiemar, you are more than welcome to join our forum! 🙂 I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis, there can be a lot to take in as diabetes affects us in many different ways. Try to take things one step at a time and not to get too overwhelmed. Part of your low mood will be down to the situation you now find yourself in, and part will also be due to the higher than normal blood sugar levels that have resulted in your diagnosis - high levels affect mood. The good news is that, as your levels improve you will begin to feel much better - many, many people have discovered that their diagnosis and the subsequent diet and activity changes they have implemented to manage it, have resulted in them feeling much happeir and healthier than before!

Have a look at the 'Useful links' thread at the beginning of this Newbies section. I'd particularly recommend the Gretchen Becker book mentioned there as a good way of getting to grips with what diabetes may mean to you, and how you can approach it in your first year.

Please feel free to ask any questions you may have - nothing is considered 'silly'! - there is usually someone here who can answer them and relate similar experiences. One of the hard things about diabetes can be the sense of isolation, but you've already solved that problem by finding us! 🙂
 
Hi there Susie and welcome to the forum.x
 
Hi Susiemar,

I am a non-insulin-dependent Type 2 (they call us NIDDs) and I'll give you the same quite simple advice that I give to anyone in a similar situation to me.

Firstly, start testing even if your healthcare professionals tell you not to, because that is the only way that you learn what different foods do to your blood glucose levels.

Secondly, cut back on any starchy carbohydrate that you are eating (e.g. cereals, bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, pizza etc) because that usually leads to a very big improvement in blood glucose levels - and quickly too.

I got worse for eight years before I learnt those lessons. However, over the last two years I have normalised my blood glucose levels. These days, the medical people - by using any of the standard tests so often used to diagnose diabetes -i.e. fasting blood glucose levels or HbA1c - would say that I wasn't diabetic unless either they had access to my medical records or I told them that I was.

Good luck and best wishes - John
 
Welcome to the forum Susiemar.

I'm not sure what the health care set up is like in Cyprus, so don't know whether you'd have access to a blood glucose meter or not (hopefully you do!).

When I was diagnosed, I was given one by the hospital and the first pot or two of test strips for it were on prescription. Since then I have funded my own strips because I know how different foods affect me now and I no longer need to test that often (that isn't the case for every one though, especially if they're on insulin).

Understanding how different carbohydrates affect you is key to controlling diabetes and as Northerner says you should start feeling better as your levels improve and if you can maintain some level of exercise each day. Personally, I'm feeling so much better since diagnosis and haven't felt this good for over 10 years (possibly more!).

Good luck with everything,

Andy 🙂
 
thank you for the welcome and the good advice, I am just finding it all a bit scary, not sure yet what my levels should be. Here in Cyprus the help does appear to be good but I am not used to the laid back attitude of the doctors, they just say be careful, monitor your fasting levels each day and try and lose the weight, come back in 2 months, then they pat you on the shoulder and send you on your way.

(Mind you all the sunshine and hot weather makes up for it)

I can get the strips free as I am retired

How often to you suggest I test?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top