Hi guys - newbie type2

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Modingle

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Type 2
I have just been diagnosed today as having type2 - from previous borderline blood tests I was not totally surprised by this as I also fall into the 'at risk' category of being almost 50 and overweight. I wasn't really given much info. I have an appointment with nurse tomorrow and she is to take bloods for further tests and also to test my cholesterol level, and also have my blood pressure taken. I have to speak to her about my diet (I was doing this anyway as she is monitoring my weight) I then have to return in 2 weeks to find out if I need medication.

I was handed some printed sheets with an explanation of what type 2 is but I feel I haven't a clue what I am meant to be doing.

Should I buy a blood monitor and start taking readings or is this not necessary yet - I have read various threads on here and I am now confused. I want to manage my condition as best I can - what is the general advice ?
 
Modingle said:
I have just been diagnosed today as having type2 - from previous borderline blood tests I was not totally surprised by this as I also fall into the 'at risk' category of being almost 50 and overweight. I wasn't really given much info. I have an appointment with nurse tomorrow and she is to take bloods for further tests and also to test my cholesterol level, and also have my blood pressure taken. I have to speak to her about my diet (I was doing this anyway as she is monitoring my weight) I then have to return in 2 weeks to find out if I need medication.

I was handed some printed sheets with an explanation of what type 2 is but I feel I haven't a clue what I am meant to be doing.

Should I buy a blood monitor and start taking readings or is this not necessary yet - I have read various threads on here and I am now confused. I want to manage my condition as best I can - what is the general advice ?
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Hi Modingle, are we twins?? I'm also in the same age range and overweight, but have had the big D for about 10-ish years (unlike others, I really can't remember when I got the verdict). For about 8 years, diet and exercise were enough to keep it under control. The kick up the backside for me came last year when I had to go on Metformin. That, plus weight loss (almost 5 st) has brought my blood glucose to non-diabetic levels. I tell you this to give you hope!
 
Thanks for that - not really sure how I'm feeling - I think I'm relieved as I have not been feeling well for the last few months - very tired but none of the 'classic' symptoms like thirst or weeing a lot - I'm going through the menopause so I was putting the way I was feeling down to that. As I said before I was expecting it but it's still something to 'get the head around' Am sure things will become clearer.
 
Hi Modingle, welcome to the forum 🙂 There is a lot to take in at first, so much of it can be confusing. Diabetes is a complex condition that can affect people in many different ways, with many different treatment regimes in use, so it's not surprising that you feel a bit lost amongst it all to start with!

I would suggest reading Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter and getting a copy of Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker - these should help to put you in the picture.

It's quite likely that your doctor or nurse will tell you that you don't need to test, but really it is the best (and only good) method of finding out what elements of your diet you tolerate well, and what things you should consider replacing, substituting or reducing in portion size. Diabetes is all about carbohydrates and how well your body copes with their consumption, so you will no doubt become very familiar with this food type in the months and years to come! Basically, bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, cakes, sweets, pastries will all have an impact on your blood sugar levels, so the aim is to minimise this impact by selecting the right types and quantities that suit you.

Please ask any questions you may have - there are lots of friendly, knowledgeable people here who will do their best to help out, and no question is considered 'silly' 🙂

Let us know how your appointment goes tomorrow, and try not to worry - many people find that their diagnosis is the spur to improving their diet and activity levels and they end up feeling much happier and healthier than they may have done for quite some time! 🙂
 
Welcome to the forum Modingle 🙂
 
Should I ask for a blood monitor tomorrow - am I entitled to one from my Dr or do I need to buy my own - I want to start right and get on top of this and would be happy to test and find out what does what to my body. Maybe I am getting ahead of myself ?
 
Hi modingle and a warm welcome to the forum
 
Modingle said:
Should I ask for a blood monitor tomorrow - am I entitled to one from my Dr or do I need to buy my own - I want to start right and get on top of this and would be happy to test and find out what does what to my body. Maybe I am getting ahead of myself ?
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You could ask, but be prepared for them to tell you that you don't need to test. The reason they may say this is primarily one of cost - the test strips are very expensive (around ?15 for 50 to the NHS, ?25 retail). Meters are actually quite cheap because the manufacturers want you to use their strips which is where they make their money. If they do say this then tell them that you want to be able to test whilst you are learning how different foods affect you, so that you can make modifications where necessary to improve your diet whilst retaining flexibility. They may argue that you will become concerned if you see high numbers when you test - tell them that you will feel more in control if you can test, and more anxious if you can't.

If they still refuse, and you can fund them yourself then the SD Codefree Meter has test strips that are around ?7 for 50. Alternatively, you can get a free meter from Abbott at http://www.abbottdiabetescare.co.uk/free-meter-signup and I believe you can buy strips directly from them for around ?12-13 for 50.
 
Just visited nurse for more blood tests and to get my flu jab - have phone appointment tomorrow with DN and have been advised I will probably be able to get monitor free from her and that test strips will be on prescription which means I will get them free as I live in Scotland. I have proper appointment in 2 weeks with DN when today's tests will be back and they will then decide what course of action needs to be followed. So all in all am quite happy with all that - am going to be interested in seeing which foods are going to cause me problems as I have been following Slimming World and eating lots of pasta, potatoes etc - am going to find restricting potatoes harder than giving up chocolate lol Thanks for your help (so far) guys - no doubt I'll become a pain with my questions but I want to get in control of this and not let it control me !!!
 
Hi Mo, there are quite a few of us SW devotees out here. For those who really need to keep a lid on the carbs, Original is best - the portions in the Healthy Bs are really quite small. If you want any tips/swaps/inspiration, post a question in the Weight Loss or Carbs thread and one of us will get right back to you.
 
As you live in the civilized part of the world 🙄 You might be interested in the Mydiabetes website run by Dundee hospital, which will give you on-line access to some of your medical records (hba, cholesterol, foot check, retinopathy etc), you can request an application form here: http://www.mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/diabetes/default.asp
 
Sounds like you have a good team behind you Modingle - good to hear that there was no opposition to your request for a meter and strips on prescription! 🙂
 
Vicsetter said:
As you live in the civilized part of the world 🙄 You might be interested in the Mydiabetes website run by Dundee hospital, which will give you on-line access to some of your medical records (hba, cholesterol, foot check, retinopathy etc), you can request an application form here: http://www.mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/diabetes/default.asp
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Thank you - have registered but it doesn't seem to like my Chrome browser lol 🙄
 
Well nurse thinks I don't need to start testing and wouldn't give me monitor at the moment. I bought my own and used yesterday as I was curious to see what was going on - had lunch at 2pm and tested at 4pm & it was 5.0, I had dinner at 6pm and tested again at 8pm it was 8.6 I thought these seemed ok This morning at 11am I had slice toast 2 slices bacon & egg & cup of tea - I tested at 1 and reading was 10.5 - I have done couple of miles on my exercise bike but as I have limited strips at the moment I am not going to test again till after dinner tonight - am I doing the right thing - should I rethink the breakfast or are levels usually higher in the morning (I was very late to bed that's why breakfast was at 11am) Thank you
 
Modingle said:
Well nurse thinks I don't need to start testing and wouldn't give me monitor at the moment. I bought my own and used yesterday as I was curious to see what was going on - had lunch at 2pm and tested at 4pm & it was 5.0, I had dinner at 6pm and tested again at 8pm it was 8.6 I thought these seemed ok This morning at 11am I had slice toast 2 slices bacon & egg & cup of tea - I tested at 1 and reading was 10.5 - I have done couple of miles on my exercise bike but as I have limited strips at the moment I am not going to test again till after dinner tonight - am I doing the right thing - should I rethink the breakfast or are levels usually higher in the morning (I was very late to bed that's why breakfast was at 11am) Thank you
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Sounds like you are doing well from the numbers you give 🙂 A lot of people do have to watch what carbs they have for breakfast - some have to ditch the carbs altogether and go for something like scrambled eggs and mushrooms/bacon/tomatoes etc. (so try without the toast) This is because people are often more insulin-resistant in the mornings, so adding in the carbs can push your levels higher than they might later on in the day when you've been up and active for a while. It's also much better if you can test before you eat as well as afterwards so that you know what the exact rise is - if you started at 9.0 and rose to 10.5 then that means you tolerated your meal well, but if you started at 5.0 then it would represent quite a big 'spike' to be avoided 🙂

If you have the strips then test before dinner and again a couple of hours after - this will be more useful than just the after test which doesn't really tell you anything about how the meal affected you.
 
Did as suggested last night took reading before dinner it was 6.1 - then had fish and chips - mostly fish but it was a biggie, cup of tea and a small cake for dessert - took reading 2 hours later at it was 5.2 - confused .com lol
 
Modingle said:
Did as suggested last night took reading before dinner it was 6.1 - then had fish and chips - mostly fish but it was a biggie, cup of tea and a small cake for dessert - took reading 2 hours later at it was 5.2 - confused .com lol
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There are a couple of possibilities - did the fish have a lot of batter on it? If so, then the fat in the batter (and the chips!) would have slowed the digestion, so slowed the impact on your blood sugar levels. Your pancreas would have started producing insulin in response to the food, but the food would not be digesting too quickly so you could more or less keep pace and stay at a good level. Alternatively, your pancreas coped very well with the meal and had brought your levels down to a good level, pretty close to your pre-meal level, by two hours later 🙂 Make a note of your findings for this particular meal and then check back the next time you eat it so you can compare. In time you will build up a good knowledge about how different meals are likely to affect you 🙂

You might be interested in hearing how others got on eating fish and chips in Bev's Food Experiments:

http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=6081

http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=8233

🙂
 
New to Diabiteslike you Modingle

Hi I was diagnosed as diabetic Type 2 last week also over 50 and over weight with a reading of 12.2. I have access to a meter and have been testing with readings as high as 17 and no lower than 13.9 . I see the nurse again on Tuesday but I am worried about the readings. Am I eating the wrong foods, cereals or toast for breakfast, salads for lunch and veg/potatoes and fish for dinner.
 
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