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Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
Hello, just diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and based in Glasgow area. My Hba1c was in the 80’s and have initially been put on 40mg gliplizide.
- Thread starter Johngi12
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Felinia
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I would strongly recommend getting a monitor. At your age and with an HbA1c of 80, plus the need for medication, it would be best to get on top of your blood glucose as soon as possible. I'm sure someone will come along and recommend the best monitor and test strips. When I was diagnosed, I monitored first thing in the morning, immediately before eating, 2 hours after eating, and last thing at night. I kept comprehensive records of the results and a food diary, so I could show the results to medical people, plus see which carbohydrates caused a spike in the glucose levels. Now I have worked out what I can and can't eat, and just test for new foods. For me cereal, rice, pasta, apples and bananas are out, but I can have a small amount of wholemeal bread or a couple of new potatoes.
On the assumption you have not been given much information, or you have not been able to take it all in, I suggest you follow the Learning Zone here. I did one section a day so it did have time to sink in. Food intake is most important, for portion control and reduction of carbohydrates. Diabetes UK recommends less than 130gm carbs a day and most people find that does help to bring down the glucose levels in Type 2. But it's very much trial and error, as everyone is different. I got an app (NutraCheck) which measures calories, carbs, of which sugar, fats, of which sat, protein, fibre, salt. It records by meal, day and week. So if you plan your day in advance you know exactly where you are. As one person put it, you don't end up with nothing left for dinner!! I aim for around 90gm carbs a day now.
The other important thing to take on board is exercise, if you are not doing any - it does make a difference. It might just be a walk each day, you don't need to be pounding it out in a gym (assuming they stay open!). For me, it is the swimming pool, where I do three 60 minute workout classes a week. I appreciate Glasgow might be a tricky area. As a backup I have a mini exercise bike in my kitchen, so even in full lockdown I could do some exercise.
This Forum and site is simply the best for information and help, and we've all asked lots of questions in our time. Best wishes
On the assumption you have not been given much information, or you have not been able to take it all in, I suggest you follow the Learning Zone here. I did one section a day so it did have time to sink in. Food intake is most important, for portion control and reduction of carbohydrates. Diabetes UK recommends less than 130gm carbs a day and most people find that does help to bring down the glucose levels in Type 2. But it's very much trial and error, as everyone is different. I got an app (NutraCheck) which measures calories, carbs, of which sugar, fats, of which sat, protein, fibre, salt. It records by meal, day and week. So if you plan your day in advance you know exactly where you are. As one person put it, you don't end up with nothing left for dinner!! I aim for around 90gm carbs a day now.
The other important thing to take on board is exercise, if you are not doing any - it does make a difference. It might just be a walk each day, you don't need to be pounding it out in a gym (assuming they stay open!). For me, it is the swimming pool, where I do three 60 minute workout classes a week. I appreciate Glasgow might be a tricky area. As a backup I have a mini exercise bike in my kitchen, so even in full lockdown I could do some exercise.
This Forum and site is simply the best for information and help, and we've all asked lots of questions in our time. Best wishes
BlueArmy
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I think the Doctor's say this stuff as they don't want to freak you out, they just landed some pretty poor news on you and are probably being compassionate by not wanting to crush you further. But I would (did) buy a monitor - I think the earlier you can engage with it the better.
When i was diagnoised my Hba1c was 74 and the GP told me not to test. Coincidentally I was seeing another Dr for other stuff and when I told him I was diabetic and advised not to test. He was horrified and said 'How will you know what good is ok for you?" I later on saw the DN who was also very unimpressed by the advice not to test. Needless to say I bought a monitor. That, and keeping a food diary was (and still is) essential to managing my Diabetes.
Thanks all, whilst i wont reply to individual posts , i will take it all in.
I used to be a territory manager for J&J and Roche in the diabetes sector so that will help.
After visiting the pharmacist this morning he referred me straight back to gp surgery to collect a meter as im on sulphunylureas.
Just done a before meal test and its 6 .
Seems good as ive only had 1 40 mg tablet.
How bizzarre
I used to be a territory manager for J&J and Roche in the diabetes sector so that will help.
After visiting the pharmacist this morning he referred me straight back to gp surgery to collect a meter as im on sulphunylureas.
Just done a before meal test and its 6 .
Seems good as ive only had 1 40 mg tablet.
How bizzarre
BlueArmy
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
probably what you've eaten and the exercise of being out and about may help. Check it in the morning and 90 mins after the meal, see how you get on.
Thanks, great advice.
Will do
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Reading your first post I did think you should have been given a monitor and test strips so good on the pharmacist. That medication is one that can cause hypos so most people advise to go easy on cutting carbs too quickly.
grovesy
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I was going to say you should be testing before driving on Gliplizide.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Welcome to the forum @Johngi12
Glad you were eventually given the means to check your blood glucose levels.
You’ve been given some really useful pointers already. Two other popular resources on the forum are Maggie Davey’s Letter and Gretchen Becker’s book T2 Diabetes, the first year, which are written in clear and accessible language, and can give you a really good grounding and solid starting point for your T2 management.
As has been suggested, the Learning Zone is also very helpful and packed full of modules which you can work through at your own pace.
Keep asking any questions on the forum as they arise too. 🙂
Glad you were eventually given the means to check your blood glucose levels.
You’ve been given some really useful pointers already. Two other popular resources on the forum are Maggie Davey’s Letter and Gretchen Becker’s book T2 Diabetes, the first year, which are written in clear and accessible language, and can give you a really good grounding and solid starting point for your T2 management.
As has been suggested, the Learning Zone is also very helpful and packed full of modules which you can work through at your own pace.
Keep asking any questions on the forum as they arise too. 🙂
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