I am a 50 yo male with a wife and teenage daughter , I had a heart attack 10 years ago and have just found out I have type 2 diabetes . I feel scared , angry , confused and feel as if I am in a big dark hole and also that I have been selfish with my health and now those I love have to suffer because of me . Not a nice feeling .
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Hi everyone
- Thread starter Armswood
- Start date
- Status
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Welcome to the forum
Sorry the hear about your heart attack but by making some lifestyle changes now it will be overall benefit to your health.
Your diagnosis will have come about as a result of an Hba1C test which if over 47mmol/mol would give you a diabetes diagnosis but how far above that will indicate how much work you will have to do. If substantially high you may have already been prescribed medication but dietary changes are also going to be needed. Losing weight if you need to will also help.
Reduction in carbohydrates will be key to managing to reduce your blood glucose levels.
Have a look at this link which is a low carb approach but based on real food so should fit in with family meals. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
If you give a bit more information then people can make more appropriate suggestions.
Sorry the hear about your heart attack but by making some lifestyle changes now it will be overall benefit to your health.
Your diagnosis will have come about as a result of an Hba1C test which if over 47mmol/mol would give you a diabetes diagnosis but how far above that will indicate how much work you will have to do. If substantially high you may have already been prescribed medication but dietary changes are also going to be needed. Losing weight if you need to will also help.
Reduction in carbohydrates will be key to managing to reduce your blood glucose levels.
Have a look at this link which is a low carb approach but based on real food so should fit in with family meals. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
If you give a bit more information then people can make more appropriate suggestions.
Thank you leadinglights yes it was diagnosed through a blood test my figure was 52. I have went on a more healthy eating regime less bread , swap white rice for brown , stopped eating crisps , biscuits and have cut down my alcohol intake , I am lucky as I love cooking . However that being said it’s a minefield what is good what isn’t as good and what is bad , I’m basing that on fats . I should say I’m only 5 foot 6 and was 16 stone .
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
With the changes you are making you should be able to reduce your HbA1C but it is worth remembering that it is all carbohydrates that convert to glucose so watching your intake of potatoes, bread, rice, pasta regardless of colour, breakfast cereals and tropical fruits as those are the big hitters.
Many who go low carb avoid low fat but you may have to consider what fats you have with regard to your heart situation.
Losing weight is a good way of helping but a low carb regime should help with that.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Welcome to the forum @Armswood
Sorry to hear how overwhelming you are finding your diabetes diagnosis. It’s not an uncommon reaction at all - so be kind to yourself and give yourself time to adjust and adapt.
Try not to get too caught up with feelings of regret and guilt - there’s enough unfair and unjustified stigma surrounding diabetes already, and you don’t need to be part of it. 🙂
What matters most is what you are doing now, which is actively making changes, learning about your condition and conducting n=1 experiments with your own diabetes to see how you can best manage your levels in a way that works for you and fits into your life - rather than your life having to be fit into diabetes.
Sounds like you are making some really positive changes already - keep it up 🙂
Sorry to hear how overwhelming you are finding your diabetes diagnosis. It’s not an uncommon reaction at all - so be kind to yourself and give yourself time to adjust and adapt.
Try not to get too caught up with feelings of regret and guilt - there’s enough unfair and unjustified stigma surrounding diabetes already, and you don’t need to be part of it. 🙂
What matters most is what you are doing now, which is actively making changes, learning about your condition and conducting n=1 experiments with your own diabetes to see how you can best manage your levels in a way that works for you and fits into your life - rather than your life having to be fit into diabetes.
Sounds like you are making some really positive changes already - keep it up 🙂
Maria DUK
Supporter Care Advisor
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Welcome to the forum @Armswood.
I just want to second what @everydayupsanddowns has said, you're doing the right thing by making positive changes and by opening up about your diagnosis. Your feelings are completely valid as a new diagnosis can feel scary but those feelings will subside with time, education and figuring out what works for you 🙂.
How are you feeling now? Do let us know how you're doing and if you have any questions!
Wishing you all the best!
I just want to second what @everydayupsanddowns has said, you're doing the right thing by making positive changes and by opening up about your diagnosis. Your feelings are completely valid as a new diagnosis can feel scary but those feelings will subside with time, education and figuring out what works for you 🙂.
How are you feeling now? Do let us know how you're doing and if you have any questions!
Wishing you all the best!
Hi all, it’s now 2 weeks since being told of having diabetes, after initially feeling sorry and scared I am now ( mostly ) of the mindset of replacing foods when I can with better choices , now looking at food labels for carbs and sugars ( so confusing ) and have bought some new cook books for ideas . I guess in a better place than 2 weeks ago , my medication is now ready for collection, so I will get it this week ( currently away ) and start that as well. I will also start exercising regularly on top of my daily dog walks . I have found my little girl asks if I can eat certain foods as she worries , which isn’t nice . Thank you all for the help , it really did help and made me realise this was something lots of people have learnt to live successfully with. Thank you .
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
To make things easier, just ignore the 'sugar' and look at the total carbohydrates.
The book or app Carbs and Cals is really useful for making better choices and substitutions as it gives carb value for a whole range of foods and portion sizes.
Deb_l
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
One thing that has stuck with me recently is:
All food nutrients are listed per 100g, this is to make it easier to make comparisons of one food to another. Low carb is considered to be less than 10g per 100g. Bread for example (white or brown) is upwards of 38g per 100g so is therefore considered as high carb.
Also, the more ingredients listed on a tin or packet, the more processed it will be and will often contain bulking agents which are notoriously high in carbs.
It's a minefield but I'm finding it does get easier.
Don't ever feel guilty about your diagnosis. It is what it is, no-one (on here definitely) will judge you. You now just need to crack on and move forward. There's loads of food you can still eat as a family but you may just sometimes need to adjust your meal to suit you.
Good luck and keep coming back on this forum for support - it's very good 🙂
All food nutrients are listed per 100g, this is to make it easier to make comparisons of one food to another. Low carb is considered to be less than 10g per 100g. Bread for example (white or brown) is upwards of 38g per 100g so is therefore considered as high carb.
Also, the more ingredients listed on a tin or packet, the more processed it will be and will often contain bulking agents which are notoriously high in carbs.
It's a minefield but I'm finding it does get easier.
Don't ever feel guilty about your diagnosis. It is what it is, no-one (on here definitely) will judge you. You now just need to crack on and move forward. There's loads of food you can still eat as a family but you may just sometimes need to adjust your meal to suit you.
Good luck and keep coming back on this forum for support - it's very good 🙂
Thanks Deb
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