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Hi im new here

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Hi and welcome, glad to have you join us.
How are you doing? How long have you been diagnosed? Are you on any meds or diet and exercise only?
The more you can tell us, the easier it becomes to offer any advice or pointers you may need, though we are also here to listen, be a shoulder, share in your triumphs or offer a virtual hug....whatever it takes 🙂
I'm still fairly new but have found this site a blessing, with a wealth of knowledge and experience that can only come from fellow diabetics, it is the best place to be in my eyes.
 
Hi Jan I was diagnosed last February type 2 I'm on meds since last Feb for high blood pressure and cholesterol I was put on a nhs diet to which I lost 2 stone but gradually creeping up again I do try exercise walking but this time of year I just don't want to if its cold ..I don't know anything about diabetes I know its to do with sugar I don't even know if that makes a difference to my BP but I do know that isn't going down any info would b appreciated
Thank you Sandra
 
Welcome to the forum @Sarn 57. It’s not about sugar it’s about carbs.Have you been put on any medication in relation to your diabetes?
 
Hi lily oh right ok I always thought it was sugar related shows how much I know about this so am I allowed carbs or just watch what carbs I eat thank you for that info
Sandra
 
Have you got yourself a blood glucose monitor? This will allow you to see what foods your body can tolerate without making your BG go high.If you don’t have a BG monitor the most recommended on this forum are the Sprit Healthcare Tee2 and the GlucoNavii.For testing you will need to test before you eat and 2 hours after. A normal range of numbers is 4-7 and after 2 hours looking for no more than a 2-3 rise in numbers. ( Sorry if I have bombarded you with too much info at once)
 
Oh wow I've not even heard of this all I have is a BP machine which I have to send to doctors twice a week cos its still to high ...I will go look for a bg monitor never heard of it any info us good thank you so much for yr help
Sandra
 
The two I said above are currently the cheapest for glucose strips. Is there a diabetes nurse at your GP surgery you are able to speak to or what diabetes care are you under as they might not know much about Type 2 or diabetes in general
 
Hi @Sarn57 welcome to the forum
As you say you know very little about diabetes then it would be useful for you to look at the Learning zone (the orange tab at the top) so you will better understand the things people will advise.
A couple of questions about your diagnosis, what was your HbA1C, this will be a number above 48mmol/mol as that is the threshold for diagnosis. Are you on any medication for the diabetes for example metformin.
Yes exercise is important but reducing ALL carbohydrates in your diet will be the main thing which will bring down blood glucose levels. Even if taking metformin you still need to do that.
Watching your intake of things like potatoes, bread, cereals, rice, pasta, pastry as well as cakes, biscuits and sugary drinks and tropical fruits.
Sadly foods considered 'healthy' for non diabetics are not necessarily so if Type 2 diabetic.
Loosing weight will certainly help with blood glucose management and also your blood pressure.
Basing meals on meat. fish, eggs, cheese, dairy, nuts ,, vegetables and salads and fruits like berries with small portions of the high carb foods will still give you plenty of options for tasty meals.
How much you will need to do will depend on how far you are into the diabetes zone.
 
Lily123 said:
The two I said above are currently the cheapest for glucose strips. Is there a diabetes nurse at your GP surgery you are able to speak to or what diabetes care are you under as they might not know much about Type 2 or diabetes in general
Click to expand...
I dont have a diabetes nurse all I have is local pharmacy who deals with my blood pressure but she not a nurse or a doctor
 
Leadinglights said:
Hi @Sarn57 welcome to the forum
As you say you know very little about diabetes then it would be useful for you to look at the Learning zone (the orange tab at the top) so you will better understand the things people will advise.
A couple of questions about your diagnosis, what was your HbA1C, this will be a number above 48mmol/mol as that is the threshold for diagnosis. Are you on any medication for the diabetes for example metformin.
Yes exercise is important but reducing ALL carbohydrates in your diet will be the main thing which will bring down blood glucose levels. Even if taking metformin you still need to do that.
Watching your intake of things like potatoes, bread, cereals, rice, pasta, pastry as well as cakes, biscuits and sugary drinks and tropical fruits.
Sadly foods considered 'healthy' for non diabetics are not necessarily so if Type 2 diabetic.
Loosing weight will certainly help with blood glucose management and also your blood pressure.
Basing meals on meat. fish, eggs, cheese, dairy, nuts ,, vegetables and salads and fruits like berries with small portions of the high carb foods will still give you plenty of options for tasty meals.
How much you will need to do will depend on how far you are into the diabetes zone.
Click to expand...
Hi there I will have a look on that orange tab I dont do cereal as I don't like any milk at all and I've never liked pasta or rice bread I have done away with have crumpet instead cakes im not a lover of but chocolate is my down fall im afraid potato's I have the frozen where I can put small amount into dish im not sure if that is good or not but thank you for yr help and suggestions im taking notes
Sandra
 
As well as the BG meter, which is brilliant for seeing how food effects you - and taking charge when need be, keeping an online food diary(a free one is fine), then it will keep a tally of your carbs. BUT don't cut your carbs all at once, it is safer to do that bit by bit, start with one meal, ie breakfast, get a few options in place then move onto lunch or dinner. I hope we aren't smothering you with advice, but it is sad when you have been given no info of value to help you along this new pathway. Anything you are unsure about, just ask - we have all been beginners and understand how confusing this can be xx
 
janw said:
As well as the BG meter, which is brilliant for seeing how food effects you - and taking charge when need be, keeping an online food diary(a free one is fine), then it will keep a tally of your carbs. BUT don't cut your carbs all at once, it is safer to do that bit by bit, start with one meal, ie breakfast, get a few options in place then move onto lunch or dinner. I hope we aren't smothering you with advice, but it is sad when you have been given no info of value to help you along this new pathway. Anything you are unsure about, just ask - we have all been beginners and understand how confusing this can be xx
Click to expand...
Thank you honestly I have had more info in the last 10 mins then I've had in nearly a year and I'm so grateful
Ssndra
 
Are you under a GP surgery?How did you come about as being diagnosed with Type 2? And whatever you do don’t eat too many sweets and chocolate that claim to be sugar free as although they are low carb they have some unfortunate side effects
 
Sarn 57 said:
Hi there I will have a look on that orange tab I dont do cereal as I don't like any milk at all and I've never liked pasta or rice bread I have done away with have crumpet instead cakes im not a lover of but chocolate is my down fall im afraid potato's I have the frozen where I can put small amount into dish im not sure if that is good or not but thank you for yr help and suggestions im taking notes
Sandra
Click to expand...
There are a few things you can substitute for potatoes like celeriac and butternut squash, high cocoa solids chocolate is not too bad for the occasional treat. Crumpets are surprisingly high in carbohydrates despite being full of air. There are a few low carb breads that people have though sometimes hard to find in the supermarket.
What are typical meals that you have.
I highly recommend the book Carbs and Cals which give carb values of a whole range of foods and meals with pictures of portions. A good investment is a digital kitchen scales so you can weight foods as some things are very deceptive and have more arbs than you ever imagine.
Many people have success with a low carb dietary regime but have to find what suits them as an individual but it is usually between 50g and 130g TOTAL carbohydrate per day.
 
Lily123 said:
Are you under a GP surgery?How did you come about as being diagnosed with Type 2? And whatever you do don’t eat too many sweets and chocolate that claim to be sugar free as although they are low carb they have some unfortunate side effects
Click to expand...
No, never more than 3 s/f sweets plus watch what sweeteners may be in other foodstuffs, otherwise you will be sorry.... I have to admit I do love an occasional s/f Werther's buttered candy - a rare treat.
 
janw said:
No, never more than 3 s/f sweets plus watch what sweeteners may be in other foodstuffs, otherwise you will be sorry.... I have to admit I do love an occasional s/f Werther's buttered candy - a rare treat.
Click to expand...
I had high cholesterol and high BP that how I was diagnosed that was lady february and the nurse I was under left in the April of the first lockdown and my doctors have never been opened since ...I think I will get a bg monitor never knew that existed thank you
 
I though that you had to have a HbA1C of above 48mmol/mol for a diagnosis or a finger prick test using a BG monitor of out of normal range in mmol/L
 
Sarn 57 said:
Hi Jan I was diagnosed last February type 2 I'm on meds since last Feb for high blood pressure and cholesterol I was put on a nhs diet to which I lost 2 stone but gradually creeping up again I do try exercise walking but this time of year I just don't want to if its cold ..I don't know anything about diabetes
Click to expand...
A beginner's guide for you, based on my own experience over twenty years: Getting Started
 
Sarn 57 said:
I had high cholesterol and high BP that how I was diagnosed that was lady february and the nurse I was under left in the April of the first lockdown and my doctors have never been opened since ...I think I will get a bg monitor never knew that existed thank you
Click to expand...
Morning. I got diagnosed in November and this forum has been super helpful. Can you move GPs or complain - you need them to test you again and you need a diabetes nurse (an enlightened one hopefully). Kind regards Alison
 
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