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Tim19662

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I'm a newly diagnosed type 2. I feel a bit scared because although I've stopped all cakes, crisps and sweet things I'm finding it very hard to keep my sugar down. I've been prescribed gliclazide and I'm walking daily for excercise. I'm hoping to see the dietician soon. I've lost 2 stone in a quick time because of my body burning fat to get what it needs. It's good in a way because I was very overweight.
I've googled a few things to eat and I'm waiting to see the practice diabetes nurse.
My readings are horrendous at times and I can always tell if I've got it wrong because if peeing was an Olympic sport I'd win Gold. I make sure I drink plenty of water but I'm becoming frightened to eat. Breakfast I eat an egg on wholegrain toast or some Weetabix and fruit. (Strawberries, raspberries or a banana. ) Lunch is a sandwich maybe tuna or a bit of peanut butter and tonight for dinner I had chicken cooked in the oven and greens and carrots and a tiny amount of potato because I know it's not good.
If I've got it wrong blame Dr Google. I check everything and every food. My goto snack is celery when I get cravings for things I can't have any more.
I'm going to have my heart checked tomorrow but the Doctor thinks it's anxiety and isn't worried.
I feel like I'm turning into a rabbit food wise.
It's ruined my plans. I have a condo in Thailand and was going for a month later this year. Trying to find out what to eat there.
Sorry for the long depressing post but I wish there was a way to eat the food I like (eg Bacon sandwich) without fear.
Anyway I'll shut up
 
Welcome to the forum
It is disappointing when the things you are doing don't seem to be working but the medication encourages the body to produce more insulin so it should be helping.
You have said the foods you are having and some are things that quite a few people would struggle to tolerate, the banana, cereal and bread but otherwise it doesn't look too bad.
When you say your levels are high I assume you have a home monitor so some strategic testing before you eat and after 2 hours to check if your meal is tolerated, no more than 2-3mmol/l increase would be OK.
It may be if your carb intake is low and you are still seeing high glucose levels you may need additional medication and by keeping a record you can provide evidence to your GP.
This link may help you with some ideas and you may glean some info which will be useful. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
 
Thank you very much. See that's what I mean, I read bananas and wholegrain bread were OK. But of course some may disagree. I think you're right. I hope I don't have to have insulin because that opens a whole can of worms with driving. My readings would give controlled diabetics kittens so I'm not going to post them but my GP says not to worry.
I'm really very pleased today because my night time reading after a nice dinner was considerably lower than yesterday.
 
Tim19662 said:
Thank you very much. See that's what I mean, I read bananas and wholegrain bread were OK. But of course some may disagree. I think you're right. I hope I don't have to have insulin because that opens a whole can of worms with driving. My readings would give controlled diabetics kittens so I'm not going to post them but my GP says not to worry.
I'm really very pleased today because my night time reading after a nice dinner was considerably lower than yesterday.
Click to expand...
Don't fret about posting results as that can be very helpful to point to things which are indicative of something you may be missing so a comment from somebody who had 'seen it all' may be of use.
 
Hi Tim19662, welcome to the forum.

I can feel the stress through your post so and I know it's a lot to take in but deeps breaths, we're in this together!

As mentioned, some of the food you're having can cause high numbers in some people so might be worth keeping a food diary including your readings 2 hours after each meal to see how they're impacting you.

There's also the possibility of your 'type' being incorrect or needing to change medication so it's worth investigating early on so you can get the best solution possible.

Feel free to post your numbers as that can sometimes flag an issue. We've got a wealth of info on the site so feel free to post as much as you like and we'll do our best to help.
 
As a non medicated type 2 I would not be eating high carb foods such as bananas or Weetabix as anything made from grain is 2/3fds carbs by weight.
 
Please don't feel awkward or embarrassed about posting your readings. You are clearly doing your best to manage your diabetes so the numbers are not a reflection of your effort, they are just numbers that give you and us a bit of an insight into what is happening. Have your levels reduced at all since you made changes to your diet and lost all that weight..... Well done by the way! If not then it would suggest that you may not be a straightforward Type 2 and it might be important to put pressure on your GP to refer you to a specialist diabetes clinic. Having very high levels for too long can put you at risk of diabetes complications. Don't let concern over insulin use deter you. Your health is more important than worrying about the consequences of complying with DVLA regulations. If your sight is damaged by persistently high BG levels you will not be able to drive anyway, so you have to put things into perspective and be sensible.
Are you an HGV or PSV driver or a train driver? If not then then there are rules to follow as regards insulin use and driving but it is not difficult and not what I would call "a can of worms". If the former then you need to supply 3 months worth of testing results before they will authorize you to drive commercially and there are significant delays at DVL:A at the moment but I think they are giving priority to commercial drivers' applications. It is certainly still perfectly possible to continue in these roles but yes you do have to give it some extra thought and attention.
I don't have any difficulty driving and being insulin dependent and following the rules around testing, so I would like to reassure you that insulin does not preclude you from driving.

As others have said, there is still room in your current diet to reduce carbs if you wanted to and there is absolutely no need to go hungry, so we can help you with that if you want some suggestions. Eggs are low carb and filling and versatile but the breakfast cereal and bread/toast and banana may be problematic. Bananas are probably the highest carb fruit, so they can spike your levels quite high. Berries like rasps and strawberries and blackcurrants and blackberries are a better choice as they are pretty much the lowest carb fruits. Rhubarb isn't strictly a fruit but it is very low carb and can be stewed with a little artificial sweetener and works well with natural yoghurt and seeds as a breakfast option or bacon and eggs is low carb.
 
Thank you. I'm waiting for an appointment with the diabetes nurse and dietician. Please bear in mind I'm checking everything on Google which is telling me that shredded wheat is good fibre etc. I'm also a carer and have to drive for my very elderly parents. My previous dealings with DVLA over cataract surgery got me so wound up I vowed to pay the £1000 fine rather than deal with them again, however I'm going to get my eyes checked anyway (Retinopathy?)
Ok back to diabetes...my highest reading was 27.5 however the last 3 days they have dropped below 20 and stayed there. Way too high I know, but my Doctor reassured me I'm just starting out on my journey and they will find out what's right for me.
I'll post more when I know. Today I have an ecg to check for heart irregularities. I was hoping to see the diabetes nurse too.
 
Hello and welcome. The start of this journey is always scary, but please remember, it takes time to slowly reduce your levels. As others have said - it's a marathon, not a sprint, and a lifestyle change for life. I suggest when you are in Thailand, you look at making lots of veggie stir frys with some protein like chicken. At home, I make a big batch of veggie pasta sauce which I batch up and have with soy bean spaghetti (it's lower carb). I can throw in some tinned tuna for protein. In winter I have loads of home made veggie soup, and salads in summer.
 
Yes I'm sorry for being so panicky. My Thai is awful so I'm trying to learn it so I can read the labels. Not easy. I note the advice given about carbs and will make the changes.
There seems to be a few different types of diabetes, I know I'm not type 1. The Doctor will decide I guess. I'm trying to be positive, my acid reflux and irritable bowel seem to have gone which I had when I was overweight, though the sudden change in diet has made me a bit constipated. Still eating Berry fruits and Greek yoghurt very low fat.
 
There are specific tests for Type 1 so unless you have had those it cannot be ruled out, there is also LADA or Type 1.5 as a possibility.
If you are feeling hungry then Full fat Greek yoghurt with the berries would be a better option. Unless you have other medical conditions requiring low fat then Full fat dairy is no problem for blood glucose management as fat does not convert to glucose.
As your glucose levels are pretty high you should ask for ketone urine test strips to check especially if you feel unwell.
Some people use fibrogel to help with constipation and plenty fluids
 
I agree that some people use fibrogel to help with constipation, however others just eat plenty of traditional fats like Olive Oil or even a little 90% cocoa chocolate.

Personally I tend in the other direction on Low Carb High Protein and discovered that Chia seed 'porridge' helps , indeed according to Dr Google it can also work for constipation.

Note that unless of the hard uncomfortable stool type, constipation means going less than 3 times per week since the 'normal' frequency range goes from 3 times per day to 3 times per week!
 
ianf0ster said:
I agree that some people use fibrogel to help with constipation, however others just eat plenty of traditional fats like Olive Oil or even a little 90% cocoa chocolate.

Personally I tend in the other direction on Low Carb High Protein and discovered that Chia seed 'porridge' helps , indeed according to Dr Google it can also work for constipation.

Note that unless of the hard uncomfortable stool type, constipation means going less than 3 times per week since the 'normal' frequency range goes from 3 times per day to 3 times per week!
Click to expand...
Yes, I think it is more to do with consistency rather than frequency. But a change to lower carbs can change bowel habits.
However if people are worried then they should get things checked out - a stark reminder this morning about bowel cancer.
 
Relieved to hear your levels have now dropped below 20. Persistent upper 20s or into the 30s and you need to be seeking urgent medical advice especially if you feel unwell....stomach pains, nausea and breathing difficulties. As @Leadinglights has mentioned, acquiring some Ketostix to test your urine for ketones might be a good idea, either requesting them from the doctor or buying them over the counter at a pharmacy (about £5 for a pot of 50) so that you can test for ketones when your levels are above 14 and particularly if you start to feel unwell.

How long have you been diagnosed? You say you know you are not Type 1 but without specific testing, I would not rule that out, especially with levels that high and your other symptoms.
Tim19662 said:
I've lost 2 stone in a quick time because of my body burning fat to get what it needs.
Click to expand...
This comment is particularly telling. Type 2 diabetics at diagnosis are usually gaining weight because they are producing extra insulin to overcome insulin resistance. Sudden and dramatic weight loss is a red flag for Type 1 because your body is not producing enough insulin to use the glucose and therefore starts burning fat. Did your symptoms come on suddenly or have you been peeing for England and drinking water like a fish for months? I remember that so well myself.... that unquenchable thirst and drinking gallons of water and pit stops 5-6 times a night as well as through the day. I was like a zombie!
 
For the constipation, I started using a mixture of chia seeds and psyllium husk in a morning drink, similar to Fibogel but of my own making. Psyllium is the main ingredient in Fibogel and chia seeds have a similar effect as both are high in soluble fibre. My bowel movements are the best they have been in my life now, but the initial constipation when I started reducing my carbs was tough, so do look at a fibre supplement to help things and make sure to continue to drink plenty of water.... Once the "compulsive thirst" eases a bit I think you may find you drop back a bit too much from the fluid intake.
 
If you eat low carb then there is less to get rid of - unless you start to add in all sorts of fibre to make up the difference - but as long as when you do 'go' there is nothing amiss - that is fine.
Quite a few people who need treatment for an impacted bowel are full of things they have eaten to bulk up the contents of their gut - if they do that, then take powerful laxatives it can be dangerous and damaging to the bowel.
 
Yes I've been peeing for months. I put a lot of it down to anxiety. I'm surprised you can simply get type 1....Anyway medical tests will determine it.
Where is the best place to check bloods? My fingers are full of holes already. Sometimes I can't even get blood. I've invested in a librelink but the sensors are so expensive.
 
Tim19662 said:
Where is the best place to check bloods?
Click to expand...
The sides of your fingers, I'm afraid. Shouldn't really be a problem so long as you do everything recommended (use a lancet device set to the minimum depth that'll work, wash your hands in hot water before testing to encourage blood to the fingers).
 
Sorry but the Agamatrix I have is awful. I've got sore fingers and no readings. I'll try again later. It just won't read it half the time or gives an error message. Any recommendations to a good tester I'll be very grateful for. Can't wait for my sensor at least it's 14 days comfort for my fingers
 
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