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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
K

Kensb

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi everyone I’m Ken and just want to introduce myself, I am new to forum and website just found out I have diabetes this week, they found out because a blood test trying to find out why I was so sleepy and why a foot infection was still getting worse after 14 weeks, I have an appointment with diabetes nurse tomorrow so hope to find more then. Look forward to using the forum. Ken
 
Hello @Kensb . Welcome to the forum. I know this must have come as a shock to you, but at least now you know and with the right info their is much you can do yourself to control this condition. We can help with the info, so please ask all the questions you need to.

I hope you are getting 1st class care for your foot. I have had a few foot problems in the past and am now under the care of NHS podiatrists, who are brilliant.

Have they put you on any meds yet ?

As I am sure you already know, to aid healing you need to get your blood glucose down, so I am going to dispel Some myths give you a few tips to get you started and lots of links to helpful info.

Here goes.
Myths
Diabetes is not so much t to do with eating / drinking sugary things , it is Carbohydrates we can’t handle too well esp the starchy carbs and often fruit, sugar is a simple carb and in the UK itis already included in the carbohydrate content on the back of tins , packs etc.

Unless we have other health conditions we usually have no problems good fats.
Many foods that are made to be low fat , ie diet yogurts , often are higher darb than the full fat version and imo don’t taste as nice.

We certainly don’t live on salad leaves and fresh air. We do eat good tasty food, some of which is going to surprise you.

Here are a few ideas for meals.
If you eat meat, all meat is fine including high meat content sausages and burgers, , eggs cooked anyway you like, mushrooms , veg esp the leafy green ones, ,cream, milk, butter,
Their is honestly much more we can eat . Until you find suitable substitutes for the starchy carbs , ie bread potatos , rice, pasta, and things made with flour, cut the portion size right down/ out and fill up with veg. We often need to be carful with fruit, berries are often tolerated better grapes are little sugar bombs.

Links
maggie-daveys-letter-to-newly-diagnosed-type-2s

test-review-adjust bu Alan S

If you gp practice refuses to supply a glucose meter and test strips, most assay no unless you’re on meds that can cause hypo’s ( low blood glucose) this meter is the cheapest one we know of to self fund the ongoing cost of the test strips, a pot of 50 is £8 , high street brands are usually in excess of £15

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Codefree-Glucose-Monitor-Monitoring-Testing/dp/B0068JAJFS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=drugstore&ie=UTF8&qid=1506485682&sr=1-1&keywords=sd+codefree+meter+mmol/l&linkCode=sl1&tag=xfm-21&linkId=f39210144fdc26c27738e45b6d957003&th=1

You will find the above and loads more
In this thread useful-links-for-people-new-to-diabetes. For future reference it’s at the top of the newbies forum.

I hope you find the above helpful.

Please let us know how you get on.
 
Last edited:
Hi Ken and welcome from me too. Hope they get your foot infection sorted soon but reducing your Blood Glucose (BG) will certainly help that and increasing your exercise level if you are able. It doesn't have to be anything really exertive, in fact a brisk walk or some gardening is actually better in many respects than running or going to the gym, unless you are already very fit and doing those things.
As @Ljc has said, it is not just the obvious sweet stuff that you need to cut out of your diet but also significantly reduce the starchy carbs like bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, grains and breakfast cereals including porridge. An omelette is often a good way to start the day with a variety of fillings including mushrooms, ham, cheese, onions, peppers, courgette and aubergine or a kipper but try to have it without bread.... or get some low carb protein bread and just have one small slice with butter. Or a cooked breakfast of bacon and eggs and mushrooms. I usually have a salad with my omelette or bacon and eggs and a bit of cheese coleslaw or avocado.... so as you can see it is not all sack cloth and ashes when it comes to the things we can eat. It takes a bit of getting your head around, both for planning your meals and shopping but after the first few months you will start to find your new normal. After all, you have most likely spent your whole life bulking out your meals with carbs like potatoes and pasta and rice and eaten bread with at least one meal a day, so it is unreasonable to expect to change overnight and find it easy. I find it helpful to keep low carb treats at home to stave off any cravings. Things like a chunk of good quality cheese, or some nuts.... unsalted brazils or walnuts or a bag of mixed nuts, or a pot of olives if you like them.
Anyway, let us know how you get on with the Diabetes Nurse. You might want to ask her what your HbA1c is.... this is the level of glucose attached to your haemoglobin molecules in the blood. Haemoglobin breaks down after 2-3 months so this reading gives you an idea of your average BG reading over the past 3 months and is used to give you an idea of where on the diabetic scale you are and a starting point for your diabetic journey. For reference below 42 is normal, 42-47 is pre-diabetic and 48+ is diabetic but that can be anywhere from 48-150 or possibly even higher although you could expect to be extremely ill with readings at those upper levels. Hopefully you will be nearer the bottom end of the scale and with a bit of effort with diet and exercise you will be able to push it back into the normal range.
 
Welcome @Kensb . Glad that you have found the forum.

I don’t think there is anything that I can add to the advice you have received above.
I will just encourage you to ask any questions that you have.
No questions are considered silly on here and there are plenty of people
happy to help you in any way that they can.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ljc
Hello Ken and welcome. The advice given above is good advice - just wanted to say hello. I would add that sleepiness was the worst thing for me, it was always a joke that I was having a nana nap but I was sleeping my life away, I can’t believe that I am able to stay awake all day now without the overwhelming tiredness that I used to feel. I do occasionally get this but I have noticed it is if I’ve had a ‘heavy’ carb day so be careful. I hope things settl for you soon and look forward to your posts x
 
Ljc said:
Hello @Kensb . Welcome to the forum. I know this must have come as a shock to you, but at least now you know and with the right info their is much you can do yourself to control this condition. We can help with the info, so please ask all the questions you need to.
Ljc said:
Hello @Kensb . Welcome to the forum. I know this must have come as a shock to you, but at least now you know and with the right info their is much you can do yourself to control this condition. We can help with the info, so please ask all the questions you need to.
Ljc said:
Hello @Kensb . Welcome to the forum. I know this must have come as a shock to you, but at least now you know and with the right info their is much you can do yourself to control this condition. We can help with the info, so please ask all the questions you need to.

I hope you are getting 1st class care for your foot. I have had a few foot problems in the past and am now under the care of NHS podiatrists, who are brilliant.

Have they put you on any meds yet ?

As I am sure you already know, to aid healing you need to get your blood glucose down, so I am going to dispel Some myths give you a few tips to get you started and lots of links to helpful info.

Here goes.
Myths
Diabetes is not so much t to do with eating / drinking sugary things , it is Carbohydrates we can’t handle too well esp the starchy carbs and often fruit, sugar is a simple carb and in the UK itis already included in the carbohydrate content on the back of tins , packs etc.

Unless we have other health conditions we usually have no problems good fats.
Many foods that are made to be low fat , ie diet yogurts , often are higher darb than the full fat version and imo don’t taste as nice.

We certainly don’t live on salad leaves and fresh air. We do eat good tasty food, some of which is going to surprise you.

Here are a few ideas for meals.
If you eat meat, all meat is fine including high meat content sausages and burgers, , eggs cooked anyway you like, mushrooms , veg esp the leafy green ones, ,cream, milk, butter,
Their is honestly much more we can eat . Until you find suitable substitutes for the starchy carbs , ie bread potatos , rice, pasta, and things made with flour, cut the portion size right down/ out and fill up with veg. We often need to be carful with fruit, berries are often tolerated better grapes are little sugar bombs.

Links
maggie-daveys-letter-to-newly-diagnosed-type-2s

test-review-adjust bu Alan S

If you gp practice refuses to supply a glucose meter and test strips, most assay no unless you’re on meds that can cause hypo’s ( low blood glucose) this meter is the cheapest one we know of to self fund the ongoing cost of the test strips, a pot of 50 is £8 , high street brands are usually in excess of £15

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Codefree-Glucose-Monitor-Monitoring-Testing/dp/B0068JAJFS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=drugstore&ie=UTF8&qid=1506485682&sr=1-1&keywords=sd+codefree+meter+mmol/l&linkCode=sl1&tag=xfm-21&linkId=f39210144fdc26c27738e45b6d957003&th=1

You will find the above and loads more
In this thread useful-links-for-people-new-to-diabetes. For future reference it’s at the top of the newbies forum.

I hope you find the above helpful.

Please let us know how you get on.
Click to expand...


I hope you are getting 1st class care for your foot. I have had a few foot problems in the past and am now under the care of NHS podiatrists, who are brilliant.

Have they put you on any meds yet ?

As I am sure you already know, to aid healing you need to get your blood glucose down, so I am going to dispel Some myths give you a few tips to get you started and lots of links to helpful info.

Here goes.
Myths
Diabetes is not so much t to do with eating / drinking sugary things , it is Carbohydrates we can’t handle too well esp the starchy carbs and often fruit, sugar is a simple carb and in the UK itis already included in the carbohydrate content on the back of tins , packs etc.

Unless we have other health conditions we usually have no problems good fats.
Many foods that are made to be low fat , ie diet yogurts , often are higher darb than the full fat version and imo don’t taste as nice.

We certainly don’t live on salad leaves and fresh air. We do eat good tasty food, some of which is going to surprise you.

Here are a few ideas for meals.
If you eat meat, all meat is fine including high meat content sausages and burgers, , eggs cooked anyway you like, mushrooms , veg esp the leafy green ones, ,cream, milk, butter,
Their is honestly much more we can eat . Until you find suitable substitutes for the starchy carbs , ie bread potatos , rice, pasta, and things made with flour, cut the portion size right down/ out and fill up with veg. We often need to be carful with fruit, berries are often tolerated better grapes are little sugar bombs.

Links
maggie-daveys-letter-to-newly-diagnosed-type-2s

test-review-adjust bu Alan S

If you gp practice refuses to supply a glucose meter and test strips, most assay no unless you’re on meds that can cause hypo’s ( low blood glucose) this meter is the cheapest one we know of to self fund the ongoing cost of the test strips, a pot of 50 is £8 , high street brands are usually in excess of £15

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Codefree-Glucose-Monitor-Monitoring-Testing/dp/B0068JAJFS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=drugstore&ie=UTF8&qid=1506485682&sr=1-1&keywords=sd+codefree+meter+mmol/l&linkCode=sl1&tag=xfm-21&linkId=f39210144fdc26c27738e45b6d957003&th=1

You will find the above and loads more
In this thread useful-links-for-people-new-to-diabetes. For future reference it’s at the top of the newbies forum.

I hope you find the above helpful.

Please let us know how you get on.
Click to expand...


I hope you are getting 1st class care for your foot. I have had a few foot problems in the past and am now under the care of NHS podiatrists, who are brilliant.

Have they put you on any meds yet ?

As I am sure you already know, to aid healing you need to get your blood glucose down, so I am going to dispel Some myths give you a few tips to get you started and lots of links to helpful info.

Here goes.
Myths
Diabetes is not so much t to do with eating / drinking sugary things , it is Carbohydrates we can’t handle too well esp the starchy carbs and often fruit, sugar is a simple carb and in the UK itis already included in the carbohydrate content on the back of tins , packs etc.

Unless we have other health conditions we usually have no problems good fats.
Many foods that are made to be low fat , ie diet yogurts , often are higher darb than the full fat version and imo don’t taste as nice.

We certainly don’t live on salad leaves and fresh air. We do eat good tasty food, some of which is going to surprise you.

Here are a few ideas for meals.
If you eat meat, all meat is fine including high meat content sausages and burgers, , eggs cooked anyway you like, mushrooms , veg esp the leafy green ones, ,cream, milk, butter,
Their is honestly much more we can eat . Until you find suitable substitutes for the starchy carbs , ie bread potatos , rice, pasta, and things made with flour, cut the portion size right down/ out and fill up with veg. We often need to be carful with fruit, berries are often tolerated better grapes are little sugar bombs.

Links
maggie-daveys-letter-to-newly-diagnosed-type-2s

test-review-adjust bu Alan S

If you gp practice refuses to supply a glucose meter and test strips, most assay no unless you’re on meds that can cause hypo’s ( low blood glucose) this meter is the cheapest one we know of to self fund the ongoing cost of the test strips, a pot of 50 is £8 , high street brands are usually in excess of £15

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Codefree-Glucose-Monitor-Monitoring-Testing/dp/B0068JAJFS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=drugstore&ie=UTF8&qid=1506485682&sr=1-1&keywords=sd+codefree+meter+mmol/l&linkCode=sl1&tag=xfm-21&linkId=f39210144fdc26c27738e45b6d957003&th=1

You will find the above and loads more
In this thread useful-links-for-people-new-to-diabetes. For future reference it’s at the top of the newbies forum.

I hope you find the above helpful.

Please let us know how you get on.
Click to expand...
Ljc said:
Hello @Kensb . Welcome to the forum. I know this must have come as a shock to you, but at least now you know and with the right info their is much you can do yourself to control this condition. We can help with the info, so please ask all the questions you need to.

I hope you are getting 1st class care for your foot. I have had a few foot problems in the past and am now under the care of NHS podiatrists, who are brilliant.

Have they put you on any meds yet ?

As I am sure you already know, to aid healing you need to get your blood glucose down, so I am going to dispel Some myths give you a few tips to get you started and lots of links to helpful info.

Here goes.
Myths
Diabetes is not so much t to do with eating / drinking sugary things , it is Carbohydrates we can’t handle too well esp the starchy carbs and often fruit, sugar is a simple carb and in the UK itis already included in the carbohydrate content on the back of tins , packs etc.

Unless we have other health conditions we usually have no problems good fats.
Many foods that are made to be low fat , ie diet yogurts , often are higher darb than the full fat version and imo don’t taste as nice.

We certainly don’t live on salad leaves and fresh air. We do eat good tasty food, some of which is going to surprise you.

Here are a few ideas for meals.
If you eat meat, all meat is fine including high meat content sausages and burgers, , eggs cooked anyway you like, mushrooms , veg esp the leafy green ones, ,cream, milk, butter,
Their is honestly much more we can eat . Until you find suitable substitutes for the starchy carbs , ie bread potatos , rice, pasta, and things made with flour, cut the portion size right down/ out and fill up with veg. We often need to be carful with fruit, berries are often tolerated better grapes are little sugar bombs.

Links
maggie-daveys-letter-to-newly-diagnosed-type-2s

test-review-adjust bu Alan S

If you gp practice refuses to supply a glucose meter and test strips, most assay no unless you’re on meds that can cause hypo’s ( low blood glucose) this meter is the cheapest one we know of to self fund the ongoing cost of the test strips, a pot of 50 is £8 , high street brands are usually in excess of £15

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Codefree-Glucose-Monitor-Monitoring-Testing/dp/B0068JAJFS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=drugstore&ie=UTF8&qid=1506485682&sr=1-1&keywords=sd+codefree+meter+mmol/l&linkCode=sl1&tag=xfm-21&linkId=f39210144fdc26c27738e45b6d957003&th=1

You will find the above and loads more
In this thread useful-links-for-people-new-to-diabetes. For future reference it’s at the top of the newbies forum.

I hope you find the above helpful.

Please let us know how you get on.
Click to expand...
Hi Lin

thank you for all the info I do appreciate it, gradually working my way through your links. Best regards Ken
Ljc said:
Hello @Kensb . Welcome to the forum. I know this must have come as a shock to you, but at least now you know and with the right info their is much you can do yourself to control this condition. We can help with the info, so please ask all the questions you need to.

I hope you are getting 1st class care for your foot. I have had a few foot problems in the past and am now under the care of NHS podiatrists, who are brilliant.

Have they put you on any meds yet ?

As I am sure you already know, to aid healing you need to get your blood glucose down, so I am going to dispel Some myths give you a few tips to get you started and lots of links to helpful info.

Here goes.
Myths
Diabetes is not so much t to do with eating / drinking sugary things , it is Carbohydrates we can’t handle too well esp the starchy carbs and often fruit, sugar is a simple carb and in the UK itis already included in the carbohydrate content on the back of tins , packs etc.

Unless we have other health conditions we usually have no problems good fats.
Many foods that are made to be low fat , ie diet yogurts , often are higher darb than the full fat version and imo don’t taste as nice.

We certainly don’t live on salad leaves and fresh air. We do eat good tasty food, some of which is going to surprise you.

Here are a few ideas for meals.
If you eat meat, all meat is fine including high meat content sausages and burgers, , eggs cooked anyway you like, mushrooms , veg esp the leafy green ones, ,cream, milk, butter,
Their is honestly much more we can eat . Until you find suitable substitutes for the starchy carbs , ie bread potatos , rice, pasta, and things made with flour, cut the portion size right down/ out and fill up with veg. We often need to be carful with fruit, berries are often tolerated better grapes are little sugar bombs.

Links
maggie-daveys-letter-to-newly-diagnosed-type-2s

test-review-adjust bu Alan S

If you gp practice refuses to supply a glucose meter and test strips, most assay no unless you’re on meds that can cause hypo’s ( low blood glucose) this meter is the cheapest one we know of to self fund the ongoing cost of the test strips, a pot of 50 is £8 , high street brands are usually in excess of £15

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Codefree-Glucose-Monitor-Monitoring-Testing/dp/B0068JAJFS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=drugstore&ie=UTF8&qid=1506485682&sr=1-1&keywords=sd+codefree+meter+mmol/l&linkCode=sl1&tag=xfm-21&linkId=f39210144fdc26c27738e45b6d957003&th=1

You will find the above and loads more
In this thread useful-links-for-people-new-to-diabetes. For future reference it’s at the top of the newbies forum.

I hope you find the above helpful.

Please let us know how you get on.
Click to expand...
Hi Lin, Thank you for the info and links I’m working trough the links. My foot is going the right way now thank goodness the medical team start talking about amputation 6 weeks ago but they decided to give antibiotics another go and this time it looks like it worked, I had mri scan on foot last week so waiting for results. Thank you again Ken
 
rebrascora said:
Hi Ken and welcome from me too. Hope they get your foot infection sorted soon but reducing your Blood Glucose (BG) will certainly help that and increasing your exercise level if you are able. It doesn't have to be anything really exertive, in fact a brisk walk or some gardening is actually better in many respects than running or going to the gym, unless you are already very fit and doing those things.
As @Ljc has said, it is not just the obvious sweet stuff that you need to cut out of your diet but also significantly reduce the starchy carbs like bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, grains and breakfast cereals including porridge. An omelette is often a good way to start the day with a variety of fillings including mushrooms, ham, cheese, onions, peppers, courgette and aubergine or a kipper but try to have it without bread.... or get some low carb protein bread and just have one small slice with butter. Or a cooked breakfast of bacon and eggs and mushrooms. I usually have a salad with my omelette or bacon and eggs and a bit of cheese coleslaw or avocado.... so as you can see it is not all sack cloth and ashes when it comes to the things we can eat. It takes a bit of getting your head around, both for planning your meals and shopping but after the first few months you will start to find your new normal. After all, you have most likely spent your whole life bulking out your meals with carbs like potatoes and pasta and rice and eaten bread with at least one meal a day, so it is unreasonable to expect to change overnight and find it easy. I find it helpful to keep low carb treats at home to stave off any cravings. Things like a chunk of good quality cheese, or some nuts.... unsalted brazils or walnuts or a bag of mixed nuts, or a pot of olives if you like them.
Anyway, let us know how you get on with the Diabetes Nurse. You might want to ask her what your HbA1c is.... this is the level of glucose attached to your haemoglobin molecules in the blood. Haemoglobin breaks down after 2-3 months so this reading gives you an idea of your average BG reading over the past 3 months and is used to give you an idea of where on the diabetic scale you are and a starting point for your diabetic journey. For reference below 42 is normal, 42-47 is pre-diabetic and 48+ is diabetic but that can be anywhere from 48-150 or possibly even higher although you could expect to be extremely ill with readings at those upper levels. Hopefully you will be nearer the bottom end of the scale and with a bit of effort with diet and exercise you will be able to push it back into the normal range.
Click to expand...
Hi Barbara, thank you also for all the info, I am trying hard to do all I can, unfortunately exercise is a little difficult as I’m in a wheelchair and have a few other health conditions, however, I am losing weight and hopefully that will help, I will update after visit to nurse thank you Ken
 
SB2015 said:
Welcome @Kensb . Glad that you have found the forum.

I don’t think there is anything that I can add to the advice you have received above.
I will just encourage you to ask any questions that you have.
No questions are considered silly on here and there are plenty of people
happy to help you in any way that they can.
Click to expand...
Thank you Ken
 
SueEK said:
Hello Ken and welcome. The advice given above is good advice - just wanted to say hello. I would add that sleepiness was the worst thing for me, it was always a joke that I was having a nana nap but I was sleeping my life away, I can’t believe that I am able to stay awake all day now without the overwhelming tiredness that I used to feel. I do occasionally get this but I have noticed it is if I’ve had a ‘heavy’ carb day so be careful. I hope things settl for you soon and look forward to your posts x
Click to expand...
Hi
SueEK said:
Hello Ken and welcome. The advice given above is good advice - just wanted to say hello. I would add that sleepiness was the worst thing for me, it was always a joke that I was having a nana nap but I was sleeping my life away, I can’t believe that I am able to stay awake all day now without the overwhelming tiredness that I used to feel. I do occasionally get this but I have noticed it is if I’ve had a ‘heavy’ carb day so be careful. I hope things settl for you soon and look forward to your posts x
Click to expand...
Hi, Thank you for your support, my sleep has been awful I fall asleep eating dinner, even in supermarket I find myself looking at something and suddenly waking up very embarrassing, I have everything crossed and hope once I get my diet sorted the sleep will improve I will update with any news. Thanks Ken
 
Hi Ken, thank goodness the antibiotics have started to work, you must have been so worried. You don’t mention your blood results but I’m assuming they were very high as were mine and as you can see it is possible to get them right down with some good changes particularly to your diet. It won’t happen straight away but it is absolutely worthwhile so do put every effort it. We are all here to support you and ask anything you want to as no question is too small or ‘silly’. Good luck and take care of yourself xx
(PS Ken was my dads name so I won’t forget you)
 
Hi Sue, I am not sure what my blood results are, it was strange the way I found out we see the doc on Wednesday and he concluded that I needed iron medication because of my sleeping to much, but due to my ileostomy I had to have liquid because tablets would go right through me, so that was the end to docs appointment, and he has not mentioned diabetes. That night around 9pm I had a phone call from the doc and he told me I was diabetic and he said did that surprise me, I told him it did and then he started to talk about what it was and waffled on about all sorts of things to do with being diabetic, both Jan (my lovely wife) and myself where flabbergasted and found it hard to take in all he said, so at the moment we do not know but after seeing the diabetic nurse tomorrow we hope to know more. Thankfully the doc who did this is not my own doc. My diet dose include a lot oh fruit and potatoes and bread most days but I will do what ever is needed to get my weight down, I do have a special exercise bike suited for wheelchair users and I do use this at least 5 times a week, having all the info from the posts has been so helpful. Best wishes Ken
 
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