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Hi im new T2

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Carpjacker

Carpjacker

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
You've probably had this questioned loads of times Was diagnosed last wensday put on metformin twice a day . What happens next as doctor just rang told me to take tablets and said I'd be contacted by nurse was bit scarey after phone call but I'm getting my head around it thank you
 
Hi Carpjacker, welcome to the forum.

It all depends on your doctor really. In general, they may give you some advice around reducing carbs and sugar and exercising more. You'll usually have a blood test which tells you your HbA1c levels about every 3-6 months where possible.

They may not advise to test your blood sugar levels at home but many find it really helpful so you can understand the impact your meals are having on you. Usually, you'd test in the morning before food and two hours after each meal.

It may also be helpful in the first month to keep a food diary so that you can assess your food choices.

The following pages are really helpful in gaining insight on what to eat and how to test your blood sugar levels.

How to check your blood sugar levels

Knowing your blood sugar levels helps you manage your diabetes and reduces your risk of having serious complications – now and in the future. On this page:
www.diabetes.org.uk www.diabetes.org.uk

I have type 2 diabetes – what can I eat?

If you've just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, one of the first things you might be worried about is food. You’re likely to be faced with what seems like an endless list of new tasks. Medical appointments, taking medication, stopping smoking, being more active and eating a healthy, balanced...
www.diabetes.org.uk www.diabetes.org.uk
 
Cherrelle DUK said:
Hi Carpjacker, welcome to the forum.

It all depends on your doctor really. In general, they may give you some back advice around reducing carbs and sugar and exercising more. You'll usually have a blood test which tells you your HbA1c levels about every 3-6 months where possible.

They may not advise to test your blood sugar levels at home but many find it really helpful so you can understand the impact your meals are having on you. Usually, you'd test in the morning before food and two hours after.

It may also be helpful in the first month to keep a food diary so that you can assess your food choices.

The following pages are really helpful in gaining insight on what to eat and how to test your blood sugar levels.

How to check your blood sugar levels

Knowing your blood sugar levels helps you manage your diabetes and reduces your risk of having serious complications – now and in the future. On this page:
www.diabetes.org.uk www.diabetes.org.uk

I have type 2 diabetes – what can I eat?

If you've just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, one of the first things you might be worried about is food. You’re likely to be faced with what seems like an endless list of new tasks. Medical appointments, taking medication, stopping smoking, being more active and eating a healthy, balanced...
www.diabetes.org.uk www.diabetes.org.uk
Click to expand...
Thank you
 
Welcome to the forum @Carpjacker

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

Unfortunately it’s not uncommon for people to feel a bit cut adrift at their diagnosis, and sent away without much information to go on.

It may be that your GP didn’t want to bombard you with information overload, but sometimes no information at all can feel just as worrying!

Hopefully you will get your nurse appointment through fairly quickly, and begin to find your feet.

Diabetes is generally pretty slow moving, so you have time to adjust and adapt.

Many new members find it can be really helpful to keep a food diary for a week or two. Be brutally honest! Note down everything you eat and drink. And include an estimate the amount of total carbohydrate (not just ‘of which sugars) in the meals and snacks. All carbohydrate gets converted to glucose, and reducing your overall intake of carbs, plus choosing the sources that suit your body best is a very powerful strategy alongside any medication you have beem given. A food diary can help to give you an idea of which foods are the main sources of carbs in your menu as a starting point, and which meals are your most ‘carb heavy’.
 
Hi @Carpjacker and welcome to the forum.

As others have said it can be overwhelming at first but take it slow.

Take the metformin you’ve been prescribed but if you have any side effects at all (it’s nicknamed “Metfartin” for reasons which may become apparent) just tell your GP and all that you’re switched to the modified release version. Some don’t get any side effects at all I hasten to add.

You will be contacted by a nurse who specialises in diabetes monitoring and care and they’ll become your main point of contact at your surgery for diabetes. So they’ll do the blood tests and talk with you about weight, blood glucose management etc. They may not be 100% up to date with the latest management ideas and may be against things like home monitoring of blood glucose levels however it’s your body and it’s your diabetes so sometimes it’s up to you to do the research and tell them what you’re going to do. But we’re getting way ahead of ourselves here so let’s wind the clock back a bit!

Can you tell us how you came to be diagnosed? Were you experiencing any problems etc? And if you’re comfortable telling us more about you then that will really help us get to know you better and be better able to support you and enable you to best manage your diabetes going forward.
 
Was walking my son home from school one day i had unbalanced feeling had to lean against wall it happened few times got in Dr's did all normal checks they said bppv had a bloodtest week later fone call off Dr saying I had high HbA1C and its T2
 
Do you know what your HbA1C was when you were diagnosed?

It’ll be repeated in either three or six months as a confirmatory thing.

How’s things like blood pressure and weight?
 
ColinUK said:
Do you know what your HbA1C was when you were diagnosed?

It’ll be repeated in either three or six months as a confirmatory thing.

How’s things like blood pressure and weight?
Click to expand...
The Dr did say on phone call what my HbA1C but I was all over the place can't remember I was 26 half stone before covid but lost 3 stone dr said I had high blood pressure at last appointment but wasn't concern at this point
 
Understandable that you were reeling a bit from the diagnosis.
When you see the nurse ask then what your HbA1C was so that you can keep a record yourself.

The doc and the nurse will keep a track of your blood pressure I’m sure. It’ll be no surprise to you that being 23 1/2 stone isn’t going to be good for blood pressure but you may find you decide to lose weight in order to get the diabetes under control and then your BP will likely fall.

As I said I know it’s early days but what initial thoughts, fears, concerns did you have and what seeds of possible positive steps popped into your thoughts?
 
I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks have for last 10 years I think that ramped up the diagnose fear but I'm slowly getting my head round it going forward more exercise and strict diet plan thanks for taking time to respond
 
I have bouts of depression, anxiety, agoraphobia etc so you’re not alone.

My gym membership unfreezes this weekend and I’m determined to get back into the habit of going.

We can be virtual gym buddies if you like. Posting on here that we’ve been. I do find accountability helps.
 
Also pop into the “general” thread and say hi when you feel like it.
It’s the 7 day waking average thread but really it’s backed a place where people give updates and share concerns and victories etc. People post daily BG levels in there but it’s much, much more than just that.
 
ColinUK said:
Also pop into the “general” thread and say hi when you feel like it.
It’s the 7 day waking average thread but really it’s backed a place where people give updates and share concerns and victories etc. People post daily BG levels in there but it’s much, much more than just that.
Click to expand...

Yes many people find the 7 Day Waking Average thread a really nice way to meet other forum folks and chat about the comings and goings of their day.

 
I found out that my hb1ac was 90 when I was diagnosed
Also I got an appointment with nurse next week 🙂
 
Last edited:
That’s pretty high but not unheard of at diagnosis.

If you decide to cut your carb intake then do so gradually otherwise you can experience worrying, albeit usually temporary, side effects with your vision.

Advice I heard elsewhere was to cut carb intake by 1/3rd for a couple of weeks aches then cut that by 1/3rd for a couple of weeks etc.
 
Hi @Carpjacker and welcome. I'm sure you have loads of questions. I know I did when I was diagnosed so please ask away. There is no such thing as a silly question on here. Nice fish by the way!
 
Carpjacker said:
I found out that my hb1ac was 90 when I was diagnosed
Also I got an appointment with nurse next week 🙂
Click to expand...
Mine was 125 so although high don't worry too much you can get that down by just making small changes it's all doable believe me and if you can get some weight off you will feel so much better and often BP will follow going down along with weight. Take your time my friend it will all slot into place once the shock is over.
 
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