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Hellooooo

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Shelly-K

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Ive just been diagnosed with Diabetes 2 and high cholesterol, I haven't even been to my first clinic yet - but I do have all the appointments in the diary for the beginning of Feb.🙂
 
Hi Shelly
The initial diagnosis can be a bit of a shock, I know it was for me.
Good luck with all your appointments. You will learn a lot on these boards. I am learning every day.
 
Thanks BobbyH - it was a bit of a shock even though I new myself it probably was there is still that bit in the back on your head saying 'don't be daft'. I think its the getting over the 'for the rest of your life' part. Ive had health issues in the past - but they have always been temporary.

I see you are new on here yourself- how is it going with you.
 
Welcome to the forum Shelly-K 🙂

Lots of friendly people on here to answer questions!
 
I don't know who it was said on here that its the fact that this is the rest of your life. Its not just a 2 week thing then its back to normal. This is the new normal. Its relentless. An Absolute minefield when you start looking at ingredient listings.
Its sounds silly but I find myself wanting to eat things I would not normally have wanted. Why is that?
On the whole I do ok. I have lost interest in cooking at the moment though.
I console myself with the fact we could all have got a much worse diagnosis than diabetes.
 
Welcome to the forum 🙂. Good luck with all of your appointments. I would recommend writing down things you want to say/ask about. 🙂
 
Shelly-K said:
Ive just been diagnosed with Diabetes 2 and high cholesterol, I haven't even been to my first clinic yet - but I do have all the appointments in the diary for the beginning of Feb.🙂
Click to expand...

Hi Shelly-K, welcome to the forum 🙂 It's great that you have found us so quickly, hopefully we can help you get to grips with things and understand what it all means. I would say two things right from the start - diabetes is a condition that can be controlled well with the right knowledge and effort, and if you achieve this then the chances are you will end up feeling happier and healthier than you may have done for some time. The thing to bear in mind is that a diet which is healthy for people with diabetes is a diet which would be healthy for all those without it. You may have to adjust things, but usually, the changes you make will be better for you. The main thing you need to be aware of is carbohydrate - things such as bread, rice, potato, pasta etc. People have different tolerances for these, so you need to discover your own particular tolerances. I would suggest starting a food diary, noting down the amount of carbohydrate in everything you eat and drink. You can then use this to identify areas that you might be able to improve e.g. less potato and more green veg.

I would recommend having a read of Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter, and getting a copy of Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker - highly recommended by many of our members. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have - nothing is considered 'silly'! - so whatever may be confusing or troubling you, please let us know 🙂
 
Thanks for the tip stephnits - I've already started a folder with all the info that Ive been given so far - will also set aside a bit for notes and questions.

Thanks for the info Northerner - I got myself an Up24 from Jawbone at Christmas so have been logging what I eat for the last couple of weeks. That's the first Ive heard about the carbohydrates though (sooo much to learn!). I thought it would be useful to start now so I can have a more informed discussion with the dietician next month.

Any other tips will be gratefully received - the only thing that's making me anxious at the moment (ignorance is bliss 🙂 ) is that I am going on holiday, and if I am being naïve in thinking it wont change my hols too much?
 
Many people find that following the principles of a low GI/GL (Glycaemic Index/Glycaemic Load) diet helps, as this is a method of selecting food combinations which have a slow and steady impact on their blood glucose levels. The GL Diet for Dummies is a good introduction 🙂

The main thing to bear in mind is to try and keep things in moderation on your holiday - treats are OK, but just don't go over the top. Learning about diabetes takes time, so think of it more as a marathon than a sprint, giving you time to make the changes you need to and make them stick 🙂
 
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