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Hello

Ian Robinson said:
These machines for checking your blood, how important are they? no one has told me to get one.

Just been told to change my diet, exercise as much as my disability allows and we will see you in three months
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Although HCPs in general are rather dismissive of self-testing when people aren't on glucose-lowering medication, and hence will not usually provide the kits, most of us find that self-testing is useful for keeping track of how we're managing our BG and, especially after diagnosis, sorting out our diets.

Random testing doesn't tell you anything meaningful and is best avoided. Testing on waking is a fasting test, and by testing just before eating and then again 2 hours later you can see what effect that meal had on your BG. Then, based on the results, you can make adjustments, eg reduce portion size if you got too big a rise.

If you do decide to go that route by self-funding, as many of us do (including me) then the thing to remember is that the meter is a one-off cost but the test strips are a running cost.

Hope this helps.
 
How much would I be looking at for the machine and the strips.

#I've had a look on line and they want you to sign up for free trials all the time
 
I got a BG machine because I didnt like not knowing what my BG was. The strips can be expensive so many of the machines suggested on here have more moderately priced strips. You can test first thing to gather whether your bg is reducing. I test when I try something new. You test before you eat then two hours after you start eating and want it to rise no more than 3. Eg 4 - 7 then no more than 8. I decided pasta raised my bg too much so now use an alternative. Remember all carbohydrates turn to sugar. Eggs meat fish above ground veg and berries fine other things smaller portions or cut.
 
Hi @Ian Robinson and a warm welcome from me 🙂 . The blood glucose monitors are really helpful to see what's happening with your blood sugar levels after eating; certain foods can make the levels rise more than others. You just need to do a simple finger prick with device and add a small amount of blood to a test strip. I'm sure there are some members here that have recommendations about which ones to get, some testing strips are very pricey. Let us know how you're getting on and ask as many questions as you like 🙂
 
The three meters that are well tried and tested by forum members for reliability and economy of use for those self funding are the Contour Plus Blue, the Gluco Navii and the Spirit Healthcare Tee2. You are probably looking at about £15-£20 for a meter with lancing device and usually 10 test strips and 10 lancets included in with the meter and then additional £10ish for each pot of 50 test strips after that. You tend to go through quite a lot of test strips in the early weeks and months of testing but once you establish a repertoire of meals that work well for you, then people tend to ease back on testing and just test new foods/meals and/or do a waking reading just to keep an eye on things.
 
Thanks for the help you are all very helpful on here 🙂

When I said it was like a wake up call when the nurse told me I was going on meds, I also feel like it is a dirty secret that I should keep to myself. I told a mate today and he said if you had taken it seriously when you was pre diabetic you wouldn't be on meds now, a bit taken back by that
 
I don't think that is the sort of mate I would want. We all make mistakes or ignore warning signs at different times of our lives for a variety of reasons. A friend is someone who supports you when you need it, not criticise you for past mistakes. I think his comment reflects more on him than you, so try not to take it to heart. No one wants to get diabetes and it is really tough to change your lifestyle especially when there is so much unhealthy food pushed at us from all sides.

I think that was the thing that shocked me most when I changed my diet. I suddenly became acutely aware of all the advertising for fast food and sweet stuff wherever I went. On the TV in every ad break as well as cooking programs, in the supermarket, shop window displays, social events and even bill boards that I had probably driven past hundreds of times and didn't even notice until I was actively trying to resist temptation and then it was jumping out at me!! Thankfully that phase didn't last too long.... maybe a couple of months and by then I was settled into a low carb way of eating and starting to enjoy new things, plus the cravings had eased, so it became progressively easier to ignore the temptation and avoid certain aisles of the supermarket and not watch TV ads etc.
 
Life has been a struggle for me ever since the stroke 20 years ago. Having a stroke means you can't exercise like you could before, as a result you put on weight, got medically retired from full time job, put on more weight, part time work till the pain got the better of me and retired at 57, put on more weight, Three years later and you are now three stone heavier and well done you are now diabetic, can't win
 
Nobody knows what life has in store for them. My brother in law had a stroke several years ago and like you he had to give up his job. It's been an ongoing battle since living with limited mobility and has affected his health and well being.
Your friend should not be so quick to judge. I empathise with anyone trying to manage more than one long term health issue. It takes up so much head space . Be kind to yourself. Do as much as you feel you can reasonably do. Use the forum to vent if you need to or share any worries. Nobody will judge you.
 
Another question. Is it alright to take vitamins with Dapagliflozin? I take Glucosamine with vitamin C for my joints and Multivitamins with iron
 
Ian Robinson said:
Another question. Is it alright to take vitamins with Dapagliflozin? I take Glucosamine with vitamin C for my joints and Multivitamins with iron
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Asking a pharmacist would be your best bet.
I found my joints improved following a low carb diet.... I am guessing there was inflammation which was aggravated by diet and reduced when I stopped eating the sugars and processed carbs.
 
I have been very tired since the stroke I sleep for hours, I normally take a nap during the day but since I've been on this pill I don't feel the least bit tired, Sunday night I stayed up till one in the morning watching the masters and was wide awake at eight. Can't remember when I last felt like this
 
My friend who has become a diabetes expert has said I must not eat any cheese absolutely none. Read on the traffic light food it is in the green section, full fat cheese, hmm
 
Cheese is OK - protein & calcium, low in carbs and good vitamins.

It's main drawbacks can be salt content, saturated fat and calories.

Pair it with other good stuff and it's fine - I use feta with avocado and tomatoes to make a nice salad.

How did you friend become a 'diabetes expert?'
 
Ian Robinson said:
My friend who has become a diabetes expert has said I must not eat any cheese absolutely none. Read on the traffic light food it is in the green section, full fat cheese, hmm
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My 'anti D' regime is probably high cheese, at least by todays standards - I am sure some 'health experts' would come over all faint if they looked at my fridges and freezer contents.
It has, however served me well for over 8 years now, and I am doing well for an 84 year old - so I am told.
I use butter, cream, full fat yoghurt and cheese. The amounts are quite modest though as I find that the foods I chose to eat seem very nutritious so I am not hungry. I certainly find an appetite when taking the lid off the pan in which I have cooked steak, mushrooms and onion - but only need to eat twice a day.
 
harbottle said:
Cheese is OK - protein & calcium, low in carbs and good vitamins.

It's main drawbacks can be salt content, saturated fat and calories.

Pair it with other good stuff and it's fine - I use feta with avocado and tomatoes to make a nice salad.

How did you friend become a 'diabetes expert?'
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Because I got diabetes lol
 
Do you lot spread your carbs out equally between you meals?

I don't have carbs for breakfast now I just have two hard boiled eggs and coffee, it lasts me well until lunch. So I have the carbs for lunch and dinner
 
Ian Robinson said:
Do you lot spread your carbs out equally between you meals?

I don't have carbs for breakfast now I just have two hard boiled eggs and coffee, it lasts me well until lunch. So I have the carbs for lunch and dinner
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It depends on the individual as to how your body copes with carbs, some people would get high levels if they have more than a certain amount at any one meal and therefore tend to have them more evenly during the day with perhaps slightly less at breakfast as people are often more sensitive to carbs in the morning.
That is the value of having a home testing monitor so you know what your tolerance is to carbs and you can tailor your meals accordingly.
 
Never have been a big one for breakfast
 
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