Hi

[joannetthomas]

Hi
I am new to the site and I found out a few weeks ago I have type 2 diabetes. I have been having a few tests all at once and I am finding the whole thing very overwhelming and I'm feeling very down. I also feel a bit alone, hence why I am here

 

[goodybags]

Hi
I am new to the site and I found out a few weeks ago I have type 2 diabetes. I have been having a few tests all at once and I am finding the whole thing very overwhelming and I'm feeling very down. I also feel a bit alone, hence why I am here

Welcome to the forum @joannetthomas … please don’t feel down or alone, but people do at first

you've already found the best place to come and find some information, and early on after diagnosis which is great.. you will cope ..lmany others have

how did you find you were T2D
were you unwell or something other that bought about the test ?
it’s quite usual for many to say they felt initially overwhelmed, it’s a lot to take in for some people, you will however find on here loads of information friendly people who will be able to advise.

 

[goodybags]

By the way @joannetthomas

for people to help are you happy to give us a clue..
what kind of advice, if any were you already given (on diagnosis)
kind of things are you currently eating
are you on any meds
were you told what your Hba1c score is
(you may or might not know, yet about this) but it will be a number above 48 that led to the diagnosis following a blood test
for some people considerably higher like into triple figures,
or it might just be a low 50’s maybe ?

If your happy to share any of the above, it can give people get an idea where you are,
you will find loads of info on here
plus there are many great websites full of great advice on a healthy diet etc,
REMEMBER anything you want to ask
Just pop along. AND. A S K we are a friendly lot on here, and there’s no such thing as a silly question
OK

TC

 

[PhoebeC]

Welcome to the forum. You are not alone. Well done on finding us

 

[joannetthomas]

Thanks ever so much for your replies and for reaching out.
In response, I pretty much avoided going to the GP as I have a real phobia and anxiety around anything medical. The last few months I just started feeling under the weather - excessive tiredness and fatigue, excessive thirst, going to the toilet constantly. I was self diagnosing and I thought it was my age (I am 56) or iron deficiency anaemia so I started taking iron tablets but I didnt feel any better and I just started to feel progressively worse. It all culminated in a staff conference I had to attend where I almost crashed and passed out so I literally dragged myself to the GP. As I had not been GP for such a long time they ordered a full set of blood tests and when the results came back thats when I found out I have Type 2 diabetes then everything made sense. I only found out a few weeks ago, and I only started metformin a few days ago but I have found the whole experience of having a full set of medical tests at once (when my anxiety is triggered by this) combined with just finding out I have diabetes very overwhelming. I dont drink or smoke and I am a foodie and socialising and eating out is a part of my life. I used to love coke and fizzy drinks (that the GP suspects caused the diabetes in the first place) and I have had to stop them. I am also trying to find what to eat that doesn't spike my blood sugar levels and so many things I loved and enjoyed are out. This in turn is really affecting my mood and I just feel so down and the prospect of having to monitor my blood sugar and not being free with my diet anymore and I have to change my lifestyle is stressing me out. I know its such a new diagnosis and I feel so so bad and so so guilty that my drinking coke may have got me here as my partner was constantly telling me not to drink the coke and fizzy drinks.

 

[joannetthomas]

sorry @goodybags I didnt respond to your questions. In response
what kind of advice, if any were you already given (on diagnosis)
I have only just started taking Metformin and I have only had 1 meeting with the diabetic nurse. She put me on the Metformin and we have set up an appointment for 2 weeks time to review. I was advised I have to stop the fizzy drinks immediately (that i have done) and that I need to make lifestyle changes to my diet and I have to start exercising more. I have already started making changes to my diet and I have started stopping eating white bread (have swapped for a slice of soda bread with advocados or a poached egg) and I threw away all white rice, white pasta and white bread and have swapped for wholemeal varieties that the nurse said I can eat in controlled portions. I am also eating more fish (salmon, white fish, prawns) berries, nuts, natural yoghurt, and more protein - I even bought tofu that I have not used as yet as I didnt realise you have to press it first LOL. And I have been buying coconut water (that is so expensive) when I fancy something other than the water, tea of coffee that appear to be the only things you can drink . Any ideas or recipes would be greatly appreciated. Oh I have also reduced the use of sauces - ie tomato ketchup, BBQ sauce,mayonnaise that I like on particular dishes.
are you on any meds
I am on the Metformin and also I have high blood pressure and I am on amlodopine and statins for high cholesterol.
were you told what your Hba1c score is
I was told what my Hba1c score is - I dont even know what this means and TBH I didnt even ask as I think I mentioned I have such a phobia over anything medical and when I was told I was in such shock I didnt want them to elaborate.
Hope this answers your questions.

 

[Withnail]

I won't be much help as I'm new to it myself, but I found the food with photos section in the forum quite helpful for things to eat, not being much of a cook i just pick the easy stuff to get ideas, it's in the recipe section

 

[Leadinglights]

sorry @goodybags I didnt respond to your questions. In response
what kind of advice, if any were you already given (on diagnosis)
I have only just started taking Metformin and I have only had 1 meeting with the diabetic nurse. She put me on the Metformin and we have set up an appointment for 2 weeks time to review. I was advised I have to stop the fizzy drinks immediately (that i have done) and that I need to make lifestyle changes to my diet and I have to start exercising more. I have already started making changes to my diet and I have started stopping eating white bread (have swapped for a slice of soda bread with advocados or a poached egg) and I threw away all white rice, white pasta and white bread and have swapped for wholemeal varieties that the nurse said I can eat in controlled portions. I am also eating more fish (salmon, white fish, prawns) berries, nuts, natural yoghurt, and more protein - I even bought tofu that I have not used as yet as I didnt realise you have to press it first LOL. And I have been buying coconut water (that is so expensive) when I fancy something other than the water, tea of coffee that appear to be the only things you can drink . Any ideas or recipes would be greatly appreciated. Oh I have also reduced the use of sauces - ie tomato ketchup, BBQ sauce,mayonnaise that I like on particular dishes.
are you on any meds
I am on the Metformin and also I have high blood pressure and I am on amlodopine and statins for high cholesterol.
were you told what your Hba1c score is
I was told what my Hba1c score is - I dont even know what this means and TBH I didnt even ask as I think I mentioned I have such a phobia over anything medical and when I was told I was in such shock I didnt want them to elaborate.
Hope this answers your questions.

I'm afraid some of those things you have been told are really going over the top. People always assume FIZZY drinks are BAD but choosing DIET version of Coke or sprite or sparkling flavoured water is OK as they are low or zero carbs.
Mayo is low carb, it is what people put the ketchup on which is not good rather than a small amount that you would normally have.
People are misled into thinking the wholemeal or brown versions of foods are better but they are just as many carbs as the white but maybe metabolise more slowly and do taste better if you are going to have them in small quantities.
Many find that reducing carb intake will help with reducing cholesterol even though people may have more healthy fats.
There are some menu plans and recipes in this link for a low carb approach which many have found successful. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
Finding your HbA1C result is important as it will indicate how much work you need to do.
You can still enjoy eating out by careful selection of meals, asking for extra veg or salad instead of the chips, potatoes, rice and avoiding the pasta dishes. Portion control is also important.

 

[joannetthomas]

I'm afraid some of those things you have been told are really going over the top. People always assume FIZZY drinks are BAD but choosing DIET version of Coke or sprite or sparkling flavoured water is OK as they are low or zero carbs.
Mayo is low carb, it is what people put the ketchup on which is not good rather than a small amount that you would normally have.
People are misled into thinking the wholemeal or brown versions of foods are better but they are just as many carbs as the white but maybe metabolise more slowly and do taste better if you are going to have them in small quantities.
Many find that reducing carb intake will help with reducing cholesterol even though people may have more healthy fats.
There are some menu plans and recipes in this link for a low carb approach which many have found successful. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
Finding your HbA1C result is important as it will indicate how much work you need to do.
You can still enjoy eating out by careful selection of meals, asking for extra veg or salad instead of the chips, potatoes, rice and avoiding the pasta dishes. Portion control is also important.

 

[saffron15]

@joannetthomas welcome to the forum. Do try and calm down. I was brought up not to bother Doctors but in my early fifties had high blood pressure and went on medication. I thought my annual blood test was tested for diabetes but they stopped ten years ago. Most of us can reflect on a diet or lifestyle that may have contributed to our diagnosis. With me eating too much and not enough exercise but others have a family history. I was diagnosed having asked for a test a year ago. I have lost 3 stone and wish I'd tackled my weight when first diagnosed with high blood pressure. I initially cut down on carbs and lost weight pre medication almost effortlessly. Most people who are type 2 are overweight or have belly fat. Your waist should be less than half your height. My bmi is now healthy but my waist needs to lose a bit more. I've never been a fan of sugary drinks nor fizzy water but there is a lot I have had to reduce the portion size of or stop eating. I've decided I'm better to stop eating pasta and use an alternative. When I first started metformin it blunted my appetite to the extent I often only had two meals. I would take the tablets with whatever meal I had eg breakfast then lunch or lunch then supper. Coincidentally my last blood test showed me low in ferretin never happened before and I am on course of iron tablets. I found when first put on metformin I stopped night time peeing and was having a good sleep. A month later a new drug was added and I started peeing more but not at the level before my diagnosis. Do drink water. You have probably been referred to the freshwell site/app which has lots of useful info. I still eat bread if i go to a cafe and may have a piece of cake once a month. Thanks to the forum I discovered the joys of full fat Greek style yoghurt with berries and nuts or seeds for breakfast ( occasionally I've had it for supper) otherwise I often have eggs. I don't know how high your hba1c is but dont panic change things gradually. Many people have eyesight changes ( temporary) as their body adjusts to less sugar.
I found this website helpful including on left handside under lower carb links to websites like freshwell and caldesi.
If you fancy something a bit sweet or high carb try to eat less the rest of the day and watch portion sizes. Eg open sandwiches are good as only one slice of bread. Wine has less carbs than cider or beer.

Diabetes & Metabolic Health | New Forest PCN

newforestpcn.co.uk

 

[joannetthomas]

Thanks ever so much @Leadinglights for your response that is greatly appreciated. I did join this website as although the nurse gave me the advice, I did think it would be more beneficial to hear peoples lived experiences and to get advice and suggestions and support from people living with the condition. Getting the initial diagnosis, did scare me but in time when I learn more about the condition including finding out what my HbA1C level is and can gauge what does/does not work, I may introduce some diet drinks into my diet. Also, the same with the food and the carbs I guess I will have to monitor my blood sugar and gauge what works/does not work and what spikes it. Thanks so much once again and for the recipes 🙂

 

[saffron15]

@joannetthomas I've seen @Leadinglights response about fizzy drinks. I've said I'm not keen but with the very hot weather I did buy some ( expensive) ones from my local farm shop. They were made by Breckland Orchard and are called ' posh pop' i picked out the zero sugar ones. However one day I bought a bottle drank it looked at ingredient list and realised I hadn't picked one of their zero sugar. I will probably buy another bottle as they have lovely flavours but look for zero sugar.
If you buy prepared food the carbs show under nutrition.

Good luck

 

[joannetthomas]

@joannetthomas I've seen @Leadinglights response about fizzy drinks. I've said I'm not keen but with the very hot weather I did buy some ( expensive) ones from my local farm shop. They were made by Breckland Orchard and are called ' posh pop' i picked out the zero sugar ones. However one day I bought a bottle drank it looked at ingredient list and realised I hadn't picked one of their zero sugar. I will probably buy another bottle as they have lovely flavours but look for zero sugar.
If you buy prepared food the carbs show under nutrition.

Good luck

 

[pjgtech]

Hi and welcome, lots of good advice, so I'll not repeat it.
You mention cutting out white bread, white rice, etc, but unfortunately the brown versions usually have just as many carbs, so when we talk about a low carb diet, it does include all food with carbs.
Yes you can eat carbs, and in fact our body does need carbs, but just try to eat less if you can.
Instead of rice, pasta and potato, try cauliflower rice, edamame pasta, swede or celeriac, etc.
You don't need to go hungry, just eat more of the healthy stuff and less of the unhealthy stuff. Also bear in mind that everyones relationship with diabetes and with food is different. So some can eat, say porridge without it affecting their BG too much, and others cannot as it sends their BG sky high.
I tend to eat lots of fish, poultry, meat, salads, nuts, above ground veg (lots of below ground veg can still be high carb), eggs, etc, etc.
Plus don't forget exercise, just increasing it by a even a small amount can help a lot (if you can).
Keep us updated, cheers

 

[goodybags]

I haven’t time to reply properly, as about to head out to work

but as others have said don’t stress yourself @joannetthomas

it’s great you found the forum
and already @Leadinglights has directed you to the great freshwell website, not something I used in the past myself but I’m aware of it and have myself directed other T2D’s & Pre Diabetics to freshwell sometimes a diet change is all that’s needed, but some of us D’s need meds also obviously they have started you on Metformin (a popular / standard med if diabetic T2)

if you don’t find out sooner
when you see your DSN in a fortnight then, what your Hba1c was
it is the result from a blood test, from that number people will be able to understand
you will know once you understand how much you will need to change
But great you are upping the excercise, which I think I saw ?

By the way if you have the nhs app
blood test results might be in there to see
they are usually

TC