Hello, Newbie here!

[Andy HB]

Hi Paula,

It sounds like you're getting the right idea! That is, it's up to you to 'sort yourself out'! Mind you, it would have been more helpful for you if the 'health care professionals' gave you a bit more support. They sound hopeless! 😡

Anyway, I was diagnosed in October 2009 and was given excellent support straight away. I was given a Blood Glucose meter and told how and when to use it, I was advised to go on the Diabetes Xpert course (6 afternoons over a period of six weeks and provides a very good grounding - ask about it the next time you see your GP or DSN and don't get fobbed off!!).

Another important fact is that if you're overweight, then losing weight can really improve your situation. It certainly has for me. Initially, I was put on to gliclazide and then on to metformin (2 x 500mg). After a couple of months, though, because I'd lost weight (about a stone), I was able to stop the metformin too. I have been off all medication since and my last HbA1c was 6.2 (down from 13.3 at diagnosis).

Above all, stay positive (no matter what!). The brain is a wonderful tool for self-healing (but that's getting a little meta-physical!!) 🙂

Andy

 

[RachelT]

Hello

Hi Paula, and welcome.

I was just 32 when i was diagnosed (i think, i've kind of lost count)with type two, so i know where you're coming from. You've made a good move to visit here and join us, i find this forum indispenable as it's one place i can come and find friendly people who know what i'm going through and how i feel.
Self education is always a good idea, i think it empowers you to make your own decisions and can make up for any gaps in the knowledge of healthcare professionals. It also shows your doctors and nurses (no matter how rubbish they are) that you're taking your diagnosis seriously and that's a good thing.

As for food advice, i can only say what works for me. I avoid all excessively sweet stuff. This isn't the only answer, if you've got a sweet tooth it could be tricky and some people find it easier or works better for them if they limit the ammount of carbohydrate they eat. One thing i've learnt is that i can give up sugars and fats (less fat is good for anybody) but i can't give up sugars, fats and carbs...i think my carb addiction could be worse than my percieved chocoholism. ;-D On the other hand some days i beat myself up about whatever i eat, so really, i can't win, i'm always gonna feel bad because i think i could do better...but that's just me. Sweeteners are ok, i drink diet pepsi like it's going out of fashion (god knows what it's doing to my insides but one problem at a time i think) and the best advice i've had is that the best thing to do is to rotate sweetener brands, so that you don't stick to one brand all the time.

Rachel

 

[paula78]

Hello Everyone

Thanks for all your lovely messages.

I've bought a meter so I can check my blood sugars, Its Accu-read compact plus. Its a real eye opener to see whats going on with my levels at what time of the day. I have written to the dr asking him to put the testing strips and needles on repeat for me, hopefully he will, i basically told him it was the only way that I can really get control of this. I was reading the information that came with the meter and I can't see anywhere where it says how often I need to change the needles, Any ideas?

My next big struggle is my weight, I know if I wasn't overweight I wouldn't have diabetes and its so frustrating to think if i'd just stopped stuffing my face this could of all been avoided. But i keep telling myself this is the situation i'm now in so deal with it, my wish is to loose the weight and control my diabetes with diet and exercise, no meds!!! A long way off probably, but its good to have something to aim for.

I'm defo going to ask about those classes that were mentioned, it still amazes me that Dr's just arn't interested in supporting us patients or giving us the tools to improve our conditions.

Oh before I forget, how often are people using there meters???? I've been testing when I wake up, 2 hours after breakfast, 2 hours after lunch and before bed. Anyone else got any other suggestions?

Anyone know why my blood sugar would be so high 1st thing in the morning?


Thanks
Paula

 

[RachelT]

I test about once daily, when i remember, but since none of the doctors in my area believe in precribing test strips for type 2s, this is at my own expense. If you do want to test, and it's a reasonable thing to do, no matter what the PCT says, you should probably test before each meal and then 2 hours after your meal. Becuase of the way my working day is set out i'd do: 7.30 am (having just gotten up and before breakfast) 10.30-11 ish (morning tea break), 1.15 ( before lunch) around 3.30 (afternoon teabreak) and at 5.00 (going home) then two hours after eating in the evening, probably around 9.30-10, but then again, i'd proabably forget that one. The once daily routine is supposed to rotate through these times, but i lose track and forget so i'm most likely to test just before lunch.
Everyone's blood sugar is high in the morning, even non-diabetics. The body releases a cocktail of hormones and steroids and other chemicals (including sugar) in an attempt to get it'self out of bed in the morning. This is known as the "dawn effect".
I'm on Metformin 500mg once daily, which i take after breakfast in order to counteract this and help process the slow relase carbohydrate i just added to my tummy in the form of porridge. This keeps me ticking till lunchtime nicely. Without the Metformin i'm in double figures by lunchtime, without the carbs i'm in the 4s and 5s. In both cases i'm dozy and spaced out. Diabetes is a fairly frustrating balancing act between energy production and useage. It frequently does my head in.

Hope this is of some help

Rachel