Hi I'm Jennie

[JennieC]

I am very newly diagnosed, Wednesday 16th. Dr told me something about a whole load of numbers, think it was the different levels as in prediabetic etc, I was 68... guessing it's bad. I have no idea what I am doing other than been told to change all aspects of my lifestyle and take Metformin. The only thing I understand right now is I have to introduce a tablet a week until I am up to 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening. I have been referred to DESMOND and have to go back to Drs in just under 3 weeks time. I should be more knowledgeable than I am as my maternal grandmother had type 2 as did my mum and so does my dad but I guess all the time they were taking care of theirs I didn't need to know too much. Now I find myself in the horrible predicament of having the diagnosis, lots of different appointments and lots of unknowns. I have nothing to test blood sugar levels, I am assuming my Dr will talk to me about that when I go back in June.

 

[trophywench]

Hiya Jennie - from another Jen, but Type 1.

It's probably unlikely that your GP will advise testing or provide you with a meter and strips because now so very many are declining to supply these. It isn't because of the cost of the meters since the manufacturers largely provide them free in an effort to sell more test strips - because the strips themselves range in price to the NHS for a tub of 50 between around £10 and £15. However in the past when everyone automatically got them, so very many T2s accepted them, often having their pharmacy deliver automatic repeat prescriptions to them every 4 weeks, yet never used the strips or did the tests and just letting the ruddy things fill cupboards. It's an expensive way of filling people's cupboards when it goes on for years!

So - they restricted it - which in some CCGs has got watered down so much they now won't pay for em for anyone unless they are on insulin. This is quite ridiculous and completely false economy but the alternative is to teach people how to use them properly as an information tool, to find out what foods their body is OK with them eating and which it isn't and hence needs to be cut down on until they find how much of it is okay and what isn't. You might be able to tolerate bananas for instance, or oats. Others can't.

It's only carbohydrates our bodies don't tolerate well, if at all. Proteins and Fats are usually OK as long as we don't need to lose weight. The idea is we use a meter and strips to work out our own diet, which no GP or nurse can do for us.

We all highly recommend that T2s test and how to do it for the best is contained here - http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.co.uk/2006/10/test-review-adjust.html which explains it all really well.

 

[Bubbsie]

I am very newly diagnosed, Wednesday 16th. Dr told me something about a whole load of numbers, think it was the different levels as in prediabetic etc, I was 68... guessing it's bad. I have no idea what I am doing other than been told to change all aspects of my lifestyle and take Metformin. The only thing I understand right now is I have to introduce a tablet a week until I am up to 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening. I have been referred to DESMOND and have to go back to Drs in just under 3 weeks time. I should be more knowledgeable than I am as my maternal grandmother had type 2 as did my mum and so does my dad but I guess all the time they were taking care of theirs I didn't need to know too much. Now I find myself in the horrible predicament of having the diagnosis, lots of different appointments and lots of unknowns. I have nothing to test blood sugar levels, I am assuming my Dr will talk to me about that when I go back in June.

Hi Jennie the figure Dr has given you will be the result of your HbA1c test...that will give him your average blood glucose levels for the previous three months...under 42 is non-diabetic...42 to 47 is pre-diabetic...above 47 is in diabetic range...at 68 you are in diabetic range that figure is a little high but with some work you can reduce...most T2s with those levels would be prescribed Metformin that is a standard treatment...a small dose initially increasing over a period of several weeks...since you know little about your diabetes (the same for most of us at diagnosis) I can highly recommend a book that will answer many of the questions you must have...Type Two Diabetes The First Year by Gretchen Becker is an excellent resource for the newly diagnosed...the author is type 2 herself...who writes about her diabetes from diagnosis onwards month by month...she explains why/how it develops...how to manage it...testing your blood glucose...the benefits we derive from that...you can preview the book on Amazon before deciding whether to buy it...or possibly borrow it from your library...it is easy to read...well written & will help you make sense of your diagnosis & your diabetes...any specific questions ask them here...there are many experienced T2's who would be willing to give you the benefit of their own experience...there are so many myths about type 2's...pay no attention to them...try your best to get hold of a copy of the book...then come back to us for any further information you need...good luck.

 

[JennieC]

Thanks Jen, I will look into that link. Any help at the moment is appreciated. Having read an awful lot over the last couple of days I have given myself information overload and it's all muddled. Once I have got my head round my diagnosis and sorted out whatever plan I need I am sure it will become easier. One thing |I have noticed from my researching, I don't necessarily have to stop eating everything \i like, I have to moderate it but increase the healthier stuff and most importantly, learn portion control. I am looking forward to exploring the forum and picking up tips and ideas.

 

[Mark Parrott]

Hi Jennie. It's all carbs that we have to watch out for. Not just sugar. All carbs turn to glucose in our bodies & raise our blood sugars. So things like bread, pasta, rice & starchy veg (particularly potatoes) are the worse culprits (as well as cakes & biscuits). Most of us follow a LCHF diet (low carb high fat). Don't worry about the high fat bit, it's just about having natural healthy fats to keep hunger at bay, & this includes butter, cream, full fat Greek yoghurt & cheese. Low fat options such as spread or low fat yoghurt tend to contain sugars to make them more palatable, so not ideal for us. Hope this helps.

 

[Ralph-YK]

Welcome to the forum Jennie from a fellow T2.
As diabetics it's carbohydrates we have to manage. It's not food generally that sends our blood glucose levels up. It's carbs that does that. Self testing will help you see what effect different food have, and any changes your make.
Try keeping a food diary, along with a record of your levels before and 1 - 2 hour after eating. Hopefully, after a couple of weeks you should start seeing a pattern.

 

[Jeandp]

Hi Jennie and welcome. Be sure to ask if you have any questions.

 

[Vince_UK]

I am very newly diagnosed, Wednesday 16th. Dr told me something about a whole load of numbers, think it was the different levels as in prediabetic etc, I was 68... guessing it's bad. I have no idea what I am doing other than been told to change all aspects of my lifestyle and take Metformin. The only thing I understand right now is I have to introduce a tablet a week until I am up to 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening. I have been referred to DESMOND and have to go back to Drs in just under 3 weeks time. I should be more knowledgeable than I am as my maternal grandmother had type 2 as did my mum and so does my dad but I guess all the time they were taking care of theirs I didn't need to know too much. Now I find myself in the horrible predicament of having the diagnosis, lots of different appointments and lots of unknowns. I have nothing to test blood sugar levels, I am assuming my Dr will talk to me about that when I go back in June.

Hi Jennie
Firstly welcome to the forum a very vaulable source of information.
I am 67 years old and was diagnosed as T2 in September of last year 2017, my HbA1c was 78, higher than your own and I understand fully the emotions you are going through. By Jan 2 of this year I had put myself back into the non diabetic range at 33 and off meds. That is 3 months.
Firstly, it is not the end of the world by any stretch of the imagination. Yes, it means lifestyle change but that is positive.
Simple steps I took.
Cut out as many carbs as you can, that is foods such as bread, rice, pasta, cakes etc. No fruit juices.
Focus on a High FAt/High Protein/ Low Carb diet.
I eat very well now, much better than I did before diagnosis.
I eat lots, and I mean lots,of fish, meat, eggs,cheese, etc and I have cut out completely bread, rice, noodles, pasta, potatoes.
I check the carb level in foodstuff I buy.
I eat chocolate, dark 85% content and above preferably.
There are many ideas on the Food thread here.
No pizza or junk food.
https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/forums/food-carb-queries-recipes.4/
Start exercise,I just walk and try to every day.
Loose weight if you need to,I lost 15 kilos in 3 months on this diet regime.
I have now increased my carb intake a little but control it carefully.
Get yourself a meter and test pre and 2 hours post eating until you identify te foods that effect your BG levels, no need to test hem again once you establish the good and bad ones.
Finally, I view my T2 purely as an inconvenience now and live my life totally normally with that view.
Good luck and keep posting, we really like to know how tings go with you.

 

[Grannylorraine]

Welcome to the forum. It is a lot to get your head around.

 

[Maria Kennedy]

I am very newly diagnosed, Wednesday 16th. Dr told me something about a whole load of numbers, think it was the different levels as in prediabetic etc, I was 68... guessing it's bad. I have no idea what I am doing other than been told to change all aspects of my lifestyle and take Metformin. The only thing I understand right now is I have to introduce a tablet a week until I am up to 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening. I have been referred to DESMOND and have to go back to Drs in just under 3 weeks time. I should be more knowledgeable than I am as my maternal grandmother had type 2 as did my mum and so does my dad but I guess all the time they were taking care of theirs I didn't need to know too much. Now I find myself in the horrible predicament of having the diagnosis, lots of different appointments and lots of unknowns. I have nothing to test blood sugar levels, I am assuming my Dr will talk to me about that when I go back in June.

Welcome to the forum!! Jennie I know exactly how you feel as I was diagnosed last Monday. It was a shock even though both sets of grandparents, 6 uncles and my dad all have T2 diabetes. I just assumed it wouldn't happen to me and continued over eating. I got my diagnosis over the phone and have been given metformin. I got no advice from my GP whatsoever, so all I've learned has been from this forum. I bought the book carbs and cals( from Amazon) plus the app for my phone and its really helped me lower my intake of carbs. I'm already losing weight and feel so much better even though I've only been doing this for a week. I'm booked on a DESMOND course next week so hopefully I'll be a little better informed then. Good luck.

 

[CathyB]

Hi Jennie, welcome from another type 2,still fairly new to it but not finding it anywhere near as challenging as I thought thanks to the help on here. I’m not going to repeat what the others have said but I fully support it. For me testing was key to work out what foods worked best for me, this made me feel much more in control of it rather than it controlling me 🙄
I also started walking, I had to build it up slowly as I also have a dicky ticker, but Ive gone from 5 mins round the block to enjoying a 45 min wander around my local country park....must admit, I borrow a neighbours dog to do it as added incentive as otherwise I probably wouldn’t go!! The difference in my bg (blood glucose) levels on the evenings I walk to when I don’t is noticeable, an added incentive......and my weight is dropping nicely with little effort. I chose to cut as many carbs as possible, no rice, potatoes or pasta and the only bread I have is called Burgen, low carb, low sugar and seeded but tasty for sandwich Or toast when I’m in a rush. At the start my numbers were almost double yours and now I’m in normal range, you can definitely do this

 

[JennieC]

Thank you everyone for all your advice and tips. I am waiting for my glucose meter to arrive, I have gone for the SD Codefree, should be with me Wednesday. This week I haven't changed too much of what I am eating although, for the first time ever, both myself and my husband were looking at labels while shopping and not really knowing what we were looking for. I will be booking myself on the DESMOND course as I feel I will be more informed there than through the DRs. I have started walking, 10 minute brisk walk during my lunchbreak. I will be tweaking where I walk so I can work out a one mile route and then aim to walk it everyday during my lunch break and better my time. I will be digging out my exercise bike so I can build up the exercise with that too, half hour while Eastenders is on will help... sad I know hahaha. I come across this forum by accident and I have to say, it's the best accident I have ever had. I look forward to lots more information, advice and tips in the future. Thank you for making me feel welcome.

 

[Ralph-YK]

were looking at labels while shopping and not really knowing what we were looking for.

Look on the back for (total) carbohydrates. This figure includes sugar (which will be listed next as "of which is sugars"), so you don't have to look at that seperately.

 

[Slippylizard]

Hi Jennie. A little hint I read from a University study and I follow it whenever I can. Take a 10 min brisk walk after each meal rather than a 30 min walk all at once. They ran a study on this and found the levels on the 3 x 10 min walkers reduced more than the 1 x 30 min walkers. I have found this forum really useful and supportive when we all need it. Best of luck. 🙂