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Ange55

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Hi everyone, I have recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Looking for support and advice on how to manage this condition
 
Ange55 said:
Hi everyone, I have recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Looking for support and advice on how to manage this condition
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Welcome to the forum @Ange55

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but glad you have found us. You’ve come to the right place for support, suggestions, shared experiences of life juggling diabetes.

Were you told the result of your HbA1c that gave you your diagnosis? Did it come out of the blue as part of a regular checkup? Or had you been feeling a little off-colour for some time?

There are two main approaches to diabetes management that are popular on the forum (with many variants among them). One is to focus on weight loss, particularly weight around the abdomen which can indicate visceral fat built up around organs like the liver and pancreas, stopping them working properly. Many members using this approach find that glucose levels improve naturally as their weight reduces - particularly if using a short term intervention such as the Newcastle Diet.

The other approach is to focus on blood glucose management with a lower carbohydrate way of eating (typically less than 130g of carbohydrates a day). Reducing portions of all carbohydrates, not just the obvious sweet and sugary things, but bread, pasta, potatoes, grains, rice, and many fruits. Many members using this approach find that weight reduces naturally as their glucose levels improve.

Of course there are some that use a combination approach too!

One of the things about diabetes is that it can be very individual. And the same approach may not appeal, or work as successfully for two different people - so it’s really a question of experimentation, and developing a ‘diabetes toolkit’ of strategies and approaches that work for you, and which you can sustain long-term 🙂
 
Hi @Ange55 and welcome to the forum. I'm sorry to hear that you've recently been diagnosed, but as said above, glad you have found us here!

Were there any certain aspects of diabetes that you'd like advice to begin with?

The "Newly diagnosed with diabetes" booklet from our online shop (free to download or order) has advice and some top tips with a recent diagnosis, which may be helpful: https://shop.diabetes.org.uk/products/diagnosed-with-diabetes-what-next

Please feel free to reach out with any specific Q's you may have 🙂
 
Thank you I was diagnosed at a GP HRT check up. My blood pressure was high and I was put on blood pressure lowering treatment (which I have now stopped due to side effects and hypotension) . Blood tests showed HbA1c of 50 and then 48.
Where can I find information on the Newcastle diet please? I am overweight mainly around the middle so would like to focus on losing weight from my middle.
I have also started to have pins and needles in my feet and a burning sensation in my feet especially at night. Can I get some advice on that. Thanks again
 
Hi and welcome from me too.

Someone else recently posted that they were having similar problems with their feet and another member suggested that wearing compression socks had greatly helped it for them, so that is a simple thing to try. Do you tend to be quite sedentary during the day? If so, it may be that blood flow is limited during the day and then the improved blood flow when lying down stimulates the nerves. Getting up and doing some regular activity between periods of sitting can also help if that is the issue.
 
Ange55 said:
Thank you I was diagnosed at a GP HRT check up. My blood pressure was high and I was put on blood pressure lowering treatment (which I have now stopped due to side effects and hypotension) . Blood tests showed HbA1c of 50 and then 48.
Where can I find information on the Newcastle diet please? I am overweight mainly around the middle so would like to focus on losing weight from my middle.
I have also started to have pins and needles in my feet and a burning sensation in my feet especially at night. Can I get some advice on that. Thanks again
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Hi @Ange55 - just tried a google search on "Newcastle Diet" and there are quite a few results. I'm guessing you've tried that so are looking for something more specific.

There are specific Newcastle Diet threads on this forum e.g.: https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/newcastle-diet.93831/

Central to my approach to managing type 2 is lowering carbohydrates.
 
rebrascora said:
Hi and welcome from me too.

Someone else recently posted that they were having similar problems with their feet and another member suggested that wearing compression socks had greatly helped it for them, so that is a simple thing to try. Do you tend to be quite sedentary during the day? If so, it may be that blood flow is limited during the day and then the improved blood flow when lying down stimulates the nerves. Getting up and doing some regular activity between periods of sitting can also help if that is the issue.
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Oh that’s interesting thank you I will try that!
 
Hi @Ange55. Welcome to the forum. There is a lot to take on board when you have a diagnosis of diabetes. Fortunately, there is a lot of good advice and peer support on the forum to help you through a challenging time. You might want to register for the Diabetes Learning Zone (orange tab at top of forum) which has lots of bite sized information, videos and quizzes. I’m working my way through it at the moment.
As @everydayupsanddowns says everyone’s experience of diabetes is individual and you have to find an approach that works for you. I lost weight and lowered my hba1 c levels using a low carb approach and walking more. My waist measurement is still too high, but it is coming down. For example, trousers I wore in the summer are now too big for me.
Wishing you all the best.
 
Hello thank you so much for your help. Yes, there’s so much to take on board. I have registered for the learning zone. I think a low carb diet is the best way forward for me. I also need to increase my physical activity. I now have Dr Roy Taylor’s book which has advice on losing weight quickly. I’m feeling much more optimistic about it now. At first I was quite down and blaming myself for getting in this condition but now I can see a way forward. Good luck with your journey it sounds as if you are doing amazingly well
 
Ange55 said:
Hello thank you so much for your help. Yes, there’s so much to take on board. I have registered for the learning zone. I think a low carb diet is the best way forward for me. I also need to increase my physical activity. I now have Dr Roy Taylor’s book which has advice on losing weight quickly. I’m feeling much more optimistic about it now. At first I was quite down and blaming myself for getting in this condition but now I can see a way forward. Good luck with your journey it sounds as if you are doing amazingly well
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If you are interested in trying a low carb approach then you may find this link helpful.
https://www.freshwell.co.uk/
 
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