Hello i am new hope to find this forum helpful

[gwenda hughes]

Hello I am new hope to find this forum helpful

 

[Kopiert]

Hello and welcome. Very friendly here, so question away!

 

[Leadinglights]

Hello I am new hope to find this forum helpful

Welcome to the forum, would you like to say a bit about your diagnosis, how long, what is your HbA1C, are you on any medication and what dietary approach are you using to manage your condition.
If we know that then it is easier to post you appropriate links to information that might be helpful.

 

[gwenda hughes]

I have been diagnosed since November, I am on tablets for the diabetes 2 tablets a day, and blood pressure tablets once a day l have been diagnosed with problems in my foot neurology which can be very painful I have been told its to do with the sugar level any advice welcome

 

[Inka]

What’s the name of the tablets @gwenda hughes ? That sounds like diabetic neuropathy in your foot. It’s caused by high blood sugars. Hopefully if you can get your sugars under control, it might ease. You do say it’s very painful though, so it might be worth you asking your GP to try one of the medications that can help, as well as working on your blood sugars.

 

[Inka]

There are also supplements that might help the neuropathy but, as you’re on other medication, I’d check with your GP that they’re compatible just to be safe.

One is Alpha Lipoic Acid. You have to take a largish dose and it’s not cheap, but it’s prescribed for neuropathy in Germany. Also, benfotiamine (a special form of vitamin B1) and other B vitamins can help. For the Alpha Lipoic Acid, it’s best to build it up slowly - ie one 200mg tablet a day for a week or so, then two tablets, then 3. You’ll see they’re expensive but they do help. If you’re on insulin or other glucose-lowering medication, be careful because Alpha Lipoic Acid can increase your insulin sensitivity.

Also, it’s very important to try to keep your blood sugar in range. Some people recommend staying under 8.5, others say 7.8, which means paying close attention to any postprandial spikes.

 

[Leadinglights]

I have been diagnosed since November, I am on tablets for the diabetes 2 tablets a day, and blood pressure tablets once a day l have been diagnosed with problems in my foot neurology which can be very painful I have been told its to do with the sugar level any advice welcome

I would suspect those would be metformin which is usually the first medication given which will help your body deal with carbohydrates in your diet but it can only do so much and dietary changes are needed especially as you are already getting some effect from high blood glucose.
Many find a low carbohydrate approach successful and this link will give you a good explanation of that and there are some meal plans to suit various tastes and budgets.

Freshwell Low Carb Project - Home

lowcarbfreshwell.com

 

[gwenda hughes]

I would suspect those would be metformin which is usually the first medication given which will help your body deal with carbohydrates in your diet but it can only do so much and dietary changes are needed especially as you are already getting some effect from high blood glucose.
Many find a low carbohydrate approach successful and this link will give you a good explanation of that and there are some meal plans to suit various tastes and budgets.

Freshwell Low Carb Project - Home

lowcarbfreshwell.com

 

[gwenda hughes]

Thank you all for your advice yes its metaformin that I am on , I will follow up what you have all said

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @gwenda hughes

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, and about your foot pain. Keeping your glucose levels steady and as in-range as you can before and after meals does seem to help forum members who experience nerve pain.

Some find that getting a blood glucose meter to check immediately before and 2hrs after eating can help the, see how their body is reacting to different portion-sizes and sources of carb, so that they can make adjustments to their meals. While there are obvious things like cakes, biscuits, sweets and sugary drinks that you will want to cut out straight away, you might be surprised how much *all* carbohydrate affects your BG levels, including rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, pastry, grains, cereals and many fruits.

The really tricky thing is that blood glucose responses to various foods are highly individual, and it can be impossible to say which types and amounts of carbohydrate will ‘spike’ your BG without checking for yourself. There isn’t really such a thing as a list of ‘good’ foods that will work for everyone.

If your GP surgery are reluctant to prescribe a glucose meter for you (and many are) you can buy one for yourself. Many forum members here find the Contour Blue, Spirit Tee2 or Gluco Navii good at they are reliable, but their strips are a fraction of the cost of some other brands.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on 🙂

 

[RichardsUsername]

I have been diagnosed since November, I am on tablets for the diabetes 2 tablets a day, and blood pressure tablets once a day l have been diagnosed with problems in my foot neurology which can be very painful I have been told its to do with the sugar level any advice welcome

I've had foot problems for over 12 months. Diabetic Neuropathy turned out to be a mis-diagnosis. The symptoms were the same but a simple sensitivity test ruled Neuropathy out. Waiting for confirmation it's Vasculitis. But obviously having diabetes it was an easy mistake to make. Ultimately the pain is your feet telling your brain they need a rest. I am very restricted now in how far I can walk and how long I can go without having to sit down. Which has it's own problems. My feet need to be constantly elevated. So getting it checked out is a good idea. Good luck.

 

[Kopiert]

I've had foot problems for over 12 months. Diabetic Neuropathy turned out to be a mis-diagnosis. The symptoms were the same but a simple sensitivity test ruled Neuropathy out. Waiting for confirmation it's Vasculitis. But obviously having diabetes it was an easy mistake to make. Ultimately the pain is your feet telling your brain they need a rest. I am very restricted now in how far I can walk and how long I can go without having to sit down. Which has it's own problems. My feet need to be constantly elevated. So getting it checked out is a good idea. Good luck.

That sounds painful, and very inconvenient.

 

[RichardsUsername]

That sounds painful, and very inconvenient.

It is. But no-one seems to get it. Like talking to a brick wall. But then I've had mental health issues for over 30 years and social anxiety. Was forced into a job that was totally inappropriate and ended up having to resign. No-one is bothered as it's not them that have to live with it. At the end of the day. I'm amazed I've been able to remain positive. In recent weeks I've gotten to the stage of talking to myself saying you might as well kill yourself mate. If I can be completely honest.

 

[Kopiert]

It is. But no-one seems to get it. Like talking to a brick wall. But then I've had mental health issues for over 30 years and social anxiety. Was forced into a job that was totally inappropriate and ended up having to resign. No-one is bothered as it's not them that have to live with it. At the end of the day. I'm amazed I've been able to remain positive. In recent weeks I've gotten to the stage of talking to myself saying you might as well kill yourself mate. If I can be completely honest.

This is not a good place to be. I have just emerged from quite a few months of depression - having been made redundant and not able to find a new role. I was lucky as my local authority uses IESO Health to provide text-based therapy. If you are not already seeking help, maybe see if your local council uses this.

Remember the Samaritans 116 123. Stick it into your phone (I was told to do that).

You can always DM me if you want - does this site do DMs? But speaking out loud here will bring a lot of support. We sometimes trivialise it, but the impact of diabetes on your well-being can be dramatic. I get what I call diabetic moods - I get angry at silly things if my blood glucose gets too high. I am sure it played a role in my depression.

Don't be silent, mate - many of us have been there - and will be again.

 

[RichardsUsername]

This is not a good place to be. I have just emerged from quite a few months of depression - having been made redundant and not able to find a new role. I was lucky as my local authority uses IESO Health to provide text-based therapy. If you are not already seeking help, maybe see if your local council uses this.

Remember the Samaritans 116 123. Stick it into your phone (I was told to do that).

You can always DM me if you want - does this site do DMs? But speaking out loud here will bring a lot of support. We sometimes trivialise it, but the impact of diabetes on your well-being can be dramatic. I get what I call diabetic moods - I get angry at silly things if my blood glucose gets too high. I am sure it played a role in my depression.

Don't be silent, mate - many of us have been there - and will be again.

Thanks. I doubt I will commit suicide. I was reading the other day how overdosing on paracetamol is slow and painful and often just leaves you needing an organ transplant. Don't want to knock the Samaritans but I had a very bad experience with them once so won't be calling again.

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks. I doubt I will commit suicide. I was reading the other day how overdosing on paracetamol is slow and painful and often just leaves you needing an organ transplant. Don't want to knock the Samaritans but I had a very bad experience with them once so won't be calling again.

You can private message someone using the envelope by your user name at the top right (well it is on my screen)

 

[RichardsUsername]

You can private message someone using the envelope by your user name at the top right (well it is on my screen)

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear about the pain you are enduring @RichardsUsername - long term pain can be so exhausting and debilitating, mentally and physically.

Thanks for being so honest with us.

People here care about you, you are liked on the forum, and your contributions are helpful. You matter and you deserve to find contentment, and relief from the pain and mental health burdens you are carrying.

Suicidal thinking can be quite common during difficult periods in life, when facing illness, emotional extremes, hardship, or anything else that creates long term low mood and leads towards depression or a sense of being overwhelmed. Lots of people on the forum will recognise what you have described from periods in their own life. It’s good that you can recognise the difference between a suicidal thought, and moving to a ‘planning’ stage, but it’s also important to notice the frequency and intensity of your thinking. One rash action in a moment of intense desperation can be all it takes. Don’t become so used to occasional suicidal thoughts that you underestimate their significance.

Sorry to hear you had a difficult experience with someone at The Samaritans (though that doesn’t necessarily mean you wouldn’t speak to an understanding and helpful volunteer another time).

As an alternative, MIND have a number of links and resources

Using this tool

If you think that counselling or other talking therapies might be helpful, you can refer yourself to local provision using the link on this page

Counselling

Read about counselling, a talking therapy that can help with a range of mental and emotional problems, including stress, anxiety and depression.

www.nhs.uk

And remember there’s always the DUK Helpline too (number above). 9-6 Mon-Fri. The helpline team will have more understanding of diabetes, which may be helpful.

Wishing you well, do send me a message if I can help further.

 

[RichardsUsername]

Thanks @everydayupsanddowns. Yes I agree one bad experience shouldn't stop you using a service completely. However, as I've told many others everytime I seek help it normally makes things worse. But no-one is going to say don't get any help. And I can understsnd why. Catch22.