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Hi diagnosed last month

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Jan1ce

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I’m really confused, I didn’t get any information apart from recommending this site, and I was prescribed Metformin. The problem I’ve got is that I also have MS and I’m in a wheelchair permanently, I don’t get a lot of exercise. I’m overweight (13 stone and counting) and sometimes find myself comfort eating, which I know is not helping, I’m hoping that I’ll be able to get more information about Type2 and sort out a program for suitable meal plans. I’m really looking forward to talking to you all and getting advice which hopefully starts me on the right path. Thanks for reading.
 
Welcome to the forum. You will find a lot of helpful information here but it is a matter of picking out what is relevant to you as there are folk with various types of diabetes who may have a different approach to what may suit you.
As Type 2 then a regime that many people find successful is a low carbohydrate approach as it all carbohydrates not just sugar which convert to glucose.
Have a look at the Learning Zone (orange tab at the top) but also this link may help you to find a way with dietary changes.
https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/ this has been successful in reducing blood glucose and weight loss
The suggestion is to increase exercise but for some people that is not practical but the NHS have some seated exercises which may suit you.
What was your HbA1C that gave you your diagnosis as that will indicate how much work you need to do.
I hope the metformin is not causing you any stomach issues as it can in some people. A slow release version is available if it does which is gentler on the stomach.
 
Hi thanks for the welcome, as you recommended I’ve been using the Learning Zone and doing the quizzes. I have no idea what a HbA1C is, all I was told was that I had type 2 diabetes. I seem to be accepting the Metformin (I take so many pills for other ailments one more doesn’t count). I have an appointment with the nurse at the surgery in a fortnight so I’ve got a list of questions!!

i‘m 70 years old and I refuse to give in so you can be sure I’ll be fighting this thing !!!
 
Leadinglights said:
Welcome to the forum. You will find a lot of helpful information here but it is a matter of picking out what is relevant to you as there are folk with various types of diabetes who may have a different approach to what may suit you.
As Type 2 then a regime that many people find successful is a low carbohydrate approach as it all carbohydrates not just sugar which convert to glucose.
Have a look at the Learning Zone (orange tab at the top) but also this link may help you to find a way with dietary changes.
https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/ this has been successful in reducing blood glucose and weight loss
The suggestion is to increase exercise but for some people that is not practical but the NHS have some seated exercises which may suit you.
What was your HbA1C that gave you your diagnosis as that will indicate how much work you need to do.
I hope the metformin is not causing you any stomach issues as it can in some people. A slow release version is available if it does which is gentler on the stomach.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the Freshwell link, I've been struggling and hope to use some of these resources.
 
Jan1ce said:
Hi thanks for the welcome, as you recommended I’ve been using the Learning Zone and doing the quizzes. I have no idea what a HbA1C is, all I was told was that I had type 2 diabetes. I seem to be accepting the Metformin (I take so many pills for other ailments one more doesn’t count). I have an appointment with the nurse at the surgery in a fortnight so I’ve got a list of questions!!

i‘m 70 years old and I refuse to give in so you can be sure I’ll be fighting this thing !!!
Click to expand...
The HbA1C is the test used to diagnose diabetes and is done from a blood sample taken from your arm and sent to the lab. It is an average of your blood glucose over the previous 3 months. A result of 48mmol/mol gives you a diabetes diagnosis. Knowing what the result is will indicate how much work you have to do to get to normal level of below 42mmol/mol, you should ask for the result from your surgery so you have a starting point.
I hope you are getting a better understanding from your reading but do ask any questions that you have.
 
Hi @Jan1ce, if you can manage metformin, it can actually help with weight loss, in conjunction with a lower carb diet. Obviously your other medications may counteract that, so eating a lower carb diet would help enormously. Best of luck at your next appointment and please let us know how you are getting on
 
Hi all, thanks for the welcome. I’ve just been to my GP, actually one of the nurses. She took my blood sample to go to the lab.

i asked her for the results of my previous test. She looked through my notes and my HbA1C was 102 Seems I have a lot of work to do.
 
Hi @Jan1ce, 102 is high, but there are others on here who have been much higher and managed to reduce it to "normal" levels. And yes, you have a lot of work to do but it will be worth it, honest! I couldn't look at the big picture, just took one day at a time because if I'd thought about the 4.5 stones I had to lose I really couldn't have done it. Also the support on here really helped me stay focused. Hopefully it will be lower than 102 when your new test comes in 🙂
 
Jan1ce said:
i‘m 70 years old and I refuse to give in so you can be sure I’ll be fighting this thing !!!
Click to expand...

That’s the spirit @Jan1ce - glad to hear you are so determined.

One of the biggest questions when trying to get to grips with your diabetes is often ‘what can I eat’ and while there are obvious things like cakes, biscuits, sweets and sugary drinks that you will want to cut out straight away, you might be surprised how much *all* carbohydrate affects your BG levels, including rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, pastry, grains, cereals and many fruits. It’s not that you have to avoid all these things entirely, but a little portion control and some swaps and tweaks can make a huge difference, and really help your metabolism cope better with the food you are eating 🙂

When it comes to managing your diabetes, it’s best to make changes to your menu gradually - partly because they need to be sustainable long term, but also because very rapid and sudden changes to blood glucose levels are harder on the fine blood vessels, and changing things more gently will give your body time to adapt.

Diabetes is a serious condition, but it’s also one that can usually be managed well with a few changes and adaptations - it’s something that you can learn to live well with, and it shouldn’t stop you doing things you enjoy. Try not to be disheartened, many people on the forum later reflect that their diagnosis became a sort of catalyst which prompted them to make positive changes towards a healthier lifestyle. Perhaps changes that they had been intending to make for years.
 
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