Hello, newly diagnosed and worried!

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ChrisOT61

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Type 2
Hi to everyone,
I was officially diagnosed with type 11 yesterday after two high blood sugar results. I am 52 years old and am also experiencing post menopausal bleeding which is being investigated. I have been reading that insulin resistance can cause the body to produce more oestrogen and am wondering if this could be the cause of my bleeding? Does anyone have any experience of this or know anything about it? It was very worrying as all my health problems seem to be coming together at the same time. I am also under a lot of stress and grief as my mum died a few months ago and my brother has terminal cancer.
I have already been prescribed metformin. I need to lose a lot of weight and am very confused abut what I should and should not be eating. I have been referred to the diabetic clinic but they cannot fit me in until 30th August so I really need some advice before then.
Thank you
Christine :confused:
 
Hi Christine, welcome to the forum 🙂 Very sorry to hear what a tough time you are going through at the moment :(

I can't answer all your questions, but as far as diabetes is concerned try not to let it overwhelm you. There is a lot to learn, but you will get there. I would recommend starting by reading Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter to give you a good grounding in what it is all about. Also, many of our members have found Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker very helpful, so try and get a copy if you can - your local library may have a copy.

Have a look in our Weight Loss section for advice and tips - you will get lots of encouragement and friendly support. Regarding suitable food choices, diabetes is all about carbohydrates (things like bread, potatoes, rice, pasta etc.), since this is what raises you blood sugar levels. The best option is to eat meals that will release their energy slowly and steadily - the GI/GL diet works on this principle, and a good introduction is The GL Diet for Dummies.

Please ask any questions you may have, there is a wealth of experience here from people who know just what it feels like.
 
Hi Christine, welcome. Don't panic! There are lots of us who have been where you are now, so can offer plenty of hints and tips. Once you've done the suggested reading, post any questions you have. 🙂
 
Thank you both. I have just got the Gretchen Becker book on kindle so will start reading it. I will definitely look at the GI diet book for dummies! :D
I feel really stupid really because I know that I should be losing weight and have known for a long time but I think I have been in denial that it would happen to me!
Oh well, I cant undo the past, only start here from day one and go from there.
I think that I thought that as I dont eat a lot of chocolate and sweets, I would manage to stay away from diabetes but i was fooling myself as I love pastry, potato, rice and pasta!
Thanks Again, its a comfort to know that there are lots of people out there who have gone through this process and are leading full, healthy and happy lives :D
 
Don't blame yourself Christine. Although weight is a risk factor, it also depends a lot on your genes. The good news is that, once you get things under control, you should find yourself feeling much brighter and healthier than you have for some time - many people find that the diagnosis is the spur to changing many things that they are unhappy or dissatisfied with in their lives. If you can also get some regular, daily exercise in this will also help enormously, both with your weight loss and in keeping good blood sugar control 🙂
 
Hi Christine, the foods to cut out straight away are things that have a high sugar content like cakes, sugar in tea / coffee and normal pops, switch over to diet versions.

The next bit unfortunately is down to the post code lottery with us type 2's. Its well worth getting a meter to test what foods and what effect they have on you. Getting a meter is not a problem as you can normally get these free from the suppliers in the likes of Bayer (contour next usb is a very good meter), Abbott medisense (strips are cheaper buying direct from them if self funding strips), Accu Check (the mobile one every thing is in one), Lifescan, Glucomen etc.

The problem is getting the strips on repeat, as you are newly diagnosed you could use the very good reason to test is the need to identify what foods effect you. Some GP's won't provide them on prescription or if they do may limit the strips you can have.

For me food made with white floor are a major problem with me, and even granary bread has a bad effect on raising my BS. Others have problems with bananas (I am ok with these), potatoes can effect people. This is why its important to me and a lot of others to use a meter and have stips on repeat as we are all individuals and what effects one might not effect someone else.
 
The good news is that for some of us, just losing the excess lbs, exercising a bit more and eating a lower carb diet can have a dramatic effect on insulin resistance and blood sugar levels. After losing the first 4 stone, my levels were close to normal. You can do it too!
 
Welcome Christine.

Make sure you mention T2D diagnosis to those investigating your post menopausal bleeding.

Others have already covered food and diet, so I'll just mention that cutting down portion sizes is OK - the good news is that cutting out pasta, potatoes, carbohydrate in all forms is not essential.

I'd also add a bit more about exercise / physical activity, which is also vital in weight control and improving / lessening insulin resistance. The key is to find some activity you enjoy and fits in to your lifestyle eg walking / cycling instead more of the journeys you'd do by car / public transport. Once you're happy walking / cycling a couple of miles, then increase chances to walk / cycle by adding interest eg photography / geocaching / orienteering, which can lead you into running, if that's what you'd like.
 
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