I'm new and scared

[Caz85]

Hello,

I'm Carys, I was diagnosed a week ago, as T2 and given tablets to take. I'm scared and don't know what to do. What happens? What happens if I have too much sugar? Can it turn to T1? I have a lot of other let's say 'health conditions' that can be life threatening, so I'm scared if this is another one that is? Is it an auto immune disorder?

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome

Firstly whether you are Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes is a condition which can be well managed with the right knowledge, support and medication if necessary and a bit of effort. There are some of us who actually feel that our diagnosis prompted changes which actually make us healthier and likely to live longer and with a better quality of life than we were before because we knew that we needed to lose a few lbs or stones and needed to improve our diet and the diagnosis precipitated those changes that we had been putting off. It also isn't all "sack cloth and ashes". I enjoy my new way of eating although I admit it took a good few months to adjust and figure it out, but diabetes is a marathon not a sprint as we say, so there is time to make steady sustainable changes and find out what works for us and our individual body. It isn't a one size fits all and my diabetes will differ from some other people although there are basic principles which roughly apply to us all.
What I am trying to say is "Don't panic!" We are here to support and guide you and offer advice and information when you need it. You just have to ask ..... and please do ask because that is how you will learn. Don't be worried if it is a really simple question or a really obscure one, it is unlikely that it will be one we haven't come across.

As regards Type 2 turning into Type 1 that isn't possible as such provided that the Type 2 diagnosis is correct, but some people are assumed to be Type 2 when they develop diabetes later in life, particularly if they are carrying a little surplus weight when they may in fact be Type 1, so some people like myself, start out with a Type 2 diagnosis but after further investigation, turn out to be Type 1. One is not worse than the other, just different. The little bit of hope with Type 2 is that with the right lifestyle choices you may be able to push it into remission. but it will likely need some work throughout your life to maintain that either through weight loss and maintenance of that loss or through dietary changes. With Type 1 you will need insulin but that enables you to perhaps eat a more varied diet than a Type 2 but the insulin comes with it's own challenges. Some people are Type 2 and still need insulin and then there are Type 3c diabetics who have damage or have had surgery to their pancreas and again their medication needs can vary. The forum covers a broad spectrum of these various scenarios.

In answer to your question about autoimmune, Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition and if you have other autoimmune related illness then you might want to prompt your doctor for further tests to see if you may be Type 1. These are C-peptide test which shows how much insulin you are currently able to produce and GAD antibody test which will indicate if your immune system has attacked your insulin producing Beta cells in your pancreas.

Would you like to tell us a bit more about your circumstances and how you came to be diagnosed so that we can get a better picture of your situation. Things like, was it a routine blood test or did you develop symptoms and if so, which symptoms. Did they come on suddenly or gradually over a long period. Do you kow your hbA1c result? This is the blood test which diagnoses you as diabetic and will usually be a number in excess of 47.... 48 being the diagnostic level but can be up into 3 figures if things have gone significantly awry. What if any medication have you been prescribed for your diabetes and have you been given any dietary advice?

Hopefully, if you can give us a bit more info we can start to steer you in the right direction. I can assure you, it does all get easier and less frightening once you learn more and start to understand how your body works.

 

[Caz85]

I had a health check blood test as some of my other medications for other conditions do have the ability to damage my body in some way shape or form. My number thing from the blood test was 53. I was put on metformin in the morning. My dietician appointment is next month when there was availability. There's a few people with diabetes in my family, mainly T1.

 

[Ian68]

Hi Carys welcome to the forum, it’s perfectly normal to worry when first diagnosed, but you have done the first step by joining the forum. You hbA1c isn’t to bad so with some lifestyle changes you you will be able to get it back in the normal range.

 

[Dave_Z1a]

Yes Carys, you can! Mine was the same as yours, 3 months on now 41 mmol/mol. That's without any medicine.

 

[Leadinglights]

I had a health check blood test as some of my other medications for other conditions do have the ability to damage my body in some way shape or form. My number thing from the blood test was 53. I was put on metformin in the morning. My dietician appointment is next month when there was availability. There's a few people with diabetes in my family, mainly T1.

There is a lot you can do in the meantime while you wait for your appointment, but I would keep it in mind with your family history of Type 1 that it might apply to you.
Your HbA1C at 53mmol/mol is not desperately high and at that level many people would be given the opportunity to make dietary changes before going onto medication as it is something you will have to do anyway and it is something that will have the most impact.
You do not say if your other conditions will make it hard and restrict the food you can eat but adopting a low carbohydrate approach works for many people.
As well as looking at the Learning Zone here this link may help you with a way forward to making some changes to your dietary regime as well as explaining the basics of diabetes. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Many people have success with a low carb regime and keep to below 130g per day total carbs not just 'sugars' as it is ALL carbs that convert to glucose.

 

[TheClockworkDodo]

If you have other autoimmune conditions and a family history of type 1 I would definitely be asking your GP to test you for for type 1, if I were you. It's not worse than type 2, just different, so try not to worry about it one way or the other, just push to get those tests done so you can be sure. Neither type is life-threatening if it's managed properly, but if you turn out to have type 1 it will, sooner or later, need to be treated with insulin so it doesn't become life-threatening. An HbA1c of 53 is barely into the diabetic range though, so you shouldn't be at risk of anything at the moment - mine was 103 when I was diagnosed and I am still here 11 years later, with no complications or major issues.

Diabetes management is a long-term thing, so don't worry about accidentally having a bit more sugar than you should be having while you wait for your dietician appointment. Just try to cut down on all carbs (that's starchy foods like pasta and potatoes as well as sugary foods), as this is what you'll need to do if you're type 2, and will also help as a temporary measure if you turn out to be type 1.

 

[ElStew]

I'm just past the month mark that I've been T2 diagnosed. I stopped eating and drinking immediately that what was obviously laced with sugar such as cakes, pies, biscuits, fizzy/cordial drinks etc. Then I started looking at what is good for me such as fish, Staffordshire oatcakes, Pro Activ spread etc. I'm learning how to read the labels on food and drink. If I'm in doubt, I don't eat/drink it. I've used the guide to eating & drinking on this site. It really does help although I ignore the menus because I can't cook (yet!). I've settled on three cereals I can eat and enjoy - thanks to this site - which sets me up first thing in the morning (only one a day!) and have also settled on lunches. Evening meals are more difficult because all three of the family sit down together.

I know I still eat/drink the wrong things. I accept this and also that as I gain experience, I will eat/drink more of the good stuff and less, if any, of the bad stuff. I walk six days a week now.

My first telephone call with the Dietetics is scheduled next week. My big question will be, "How do I know how well the diet is going without any evidence until the next blood test?" My goal is to get my bad cholesterol under control in the first three months.

I have a 'journal' on the computer to record what's going on and how I feel. It helps me learn, understand and cope. Actually I have two as I haven't decided which approach I prefer. I learned how to learn by watching YouTube on how students do it. I've also had the (mis)fortune of having and beating numerous big health issues. I am managing my Balance, Diabetes, and my fluttering heart in that order.

Look to your life experience. By the way, my diabetes is 109.

 

[Leadinglights]

I'm just past the month mark that I've been T2 diagnosed. I stopped eating and drinking immediately that what was obviously laced with sugar such as cakes, pies, biscuits, fizzy/cordial drinks etc. Then I started looking at what is good for me such as fish, Staffordshire oatcakes, Pro Activ spread etc. I'm learning how to read the labels on food and drink. If I'm in doubt, I don't eat/drink it. I've used the guide to eating & drinking on this site. It really does help although I ignore the menus because I can't cook (yet!). I've settled on three cereals I can eat and enjoy - thanks to this site - which sets me up first thing in the morning (only one a day!) and have also settled on lunches. Evening meals are more difficult because all three of the family sit down together.

I know I still eat/drink the wrong things. I accept this and also that as I gain experience, I will eat/drink more of the good stuff and less, if any, of the bad stuff. I walk six days a week now.

My first telephone call with the Dietetics is scheduled next week. My big question will be, "How do I know how well the diet is going without any evidence until the next blood test?" My goal is to get my bad cholesterol under control in the first three months.

I have a 'journal' on the computer to record what's going on and how I feel. It helps me learn, understand and cope. Actually I have two as I haven't decided which approach I prefer. I learned how to learn by watching YouTube on how students do it. I've also had the (mis)fortune of having and beating numerous big health issues. I am managing my Balance, Diabetes, and my fluttering heart in that order.

Look to your life experience. By the way, my diabetes is 109.

It sound as if you have made a good start in making some changes to your diet, you may find that sorting out your blood glucose levels will also help reduce cholesterol. Your HbA1C at 109mmol/mol is quite high so have you been started on any medication or are you being left with making dietary changes to see how it goes.

It is a good idea to make gradual reduction in carb intake over a few weeks as you will be less likely to get issues with your eyes and nerves which some people get by a rapid reduction in blood glucose level. Keeping a food diary will help you see where savings can be made. Note everything you eat and drink with an estimate of the amount of TOTAL carbs.
Many people find that a low carb approach of less than 130g per day, some do do much less, is successful.
This link may help you with that approach and fit with family meals as it is a low carb way with real food.

Freshwell Low Carb Project - Home

lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk

You can monitor your progress by getting a home blood glucose test kit, these can be bought on line as being cheaper than ones from a pharmacy. The GlucoNavil or Spirit TEE2 are monitors with the cheapest test strips, you get a few strips and lancets in the kit but should buy more at the outset as you will initially use quite a lot if you want to test the efffect of foods and meals as you would need to test before you eat and after 2 hours and see the difference. You would aim at no more than a 2-3mmol/l increase.
Some of the things you mention may not be good choices, cereals in particular are high carb and I believe Staffordshire oat cakes are quite high carb too. There are some low carb breads around which suit some people so that might be a good substitute.

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

Hi Caz85, welcome to the forum.

It's natural to be scared at first, I think most people who join the forum are initially so you're in the right place. You're HbA1C number isn't too bad so if they have diagnosed you as the correct type ( I echo having that double checked just due to family history) then you should be able to make some positive progress with the medication and lifestyle changes.

You've been given some great info above so I'll just point you in the direction of additional support.

We've got a really helpful space called the Learning Zone where you can learn more comprehensively about diabetes and how you can go about managing things https://learningzone.diabetes.org.uk/.

We also have some quick guides on everything from managing your emotions to what to eat which is really handy to refer to if in doubt of anything https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes.

You're also welcome to give us a call on 0345 123 2399 for more tailored advice and support.

There's a wealth of info on the forum so do have a look around and keep asking as many questions as you'd like as we're right here beside you along this journey.

 

[trophywench]

Some of the things you mention may not be good choices, cereals in particular are high carb and I believe Staffordshire oat cakes are quite high carb too. There are some low carb breads around which suit some people so that might be a good substitute.

No way Pedro is a Staffordshire oatcake a good choice with diabetes - practically anything with flour of any kind in it, will be high carbohydrate.

The Pro-activ spread will do nothing to help your blood glucose - yes it's olive oil spread rather than animal fat spread, but fat's still fat and only ever gets converted to glucose if there is neither carb nor protein on offer, since it's far easier for the body to convert either of them to glucose than it is fat.

 

[ElStew]

Well that's me shot out of the water. Shame, I was recommended to eat these items. I'll get my coat because it is too complex to sort all this out. The dietician will put me on the straight and narrow. Start again!

 

[ElStew]

Taken from the forum

Mar 21, 2022

Hmm, I agree that the jacket potato is a bad idea - as you say, quite carby. I’d have something less carby with a few carbs in an easily measurable form eg a couple or so of oatcakes at 5g carbs each.

Taken from the web site

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-t...iabetes/diabetes-food-myths/breakfast-cereals

Recommended cereals Shredded Wheat, Weetabix, and Ready Brek.

We've used the government colour coding system used by many companies to help consumers make informed choices about what they eat and drink (green = low; amber = medium; red = high).

Two of the breakfast cereals - Nestle Shredded Wheat and Weetabix - were all green, meaning they're low in sugar, fat, saturated fat and salt.

Taken from the web site

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-t...r-medical-conditions/cholesterol-and-diabetes

Flora pro.activ

This contains plant sterols that help to lower cholesterol when consumed daily, for example one serving of milk (250ml) and/or three servings of spread, or just one mini drink.

 

[silentsquirrel]

Taken from the forum

Mar 21, 2022

Hmm, I agree that the jacket potato is a bad idea - as you say, quite carby. I’d have something less carby with a few carbs in an easily measurable form eg a couple or so of oatcakes at 5g carbs each.

Taken from the web site

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-t...iabetes/diabetes-food-myths/breakfast-cereals

Recommended cereals Shredded Wheat, Weetabix, and Ready Brek.

We've used the government colour coding system used by many companies to help consumers make informed choices about what they eat and drink (green = low; amber = medium; red = high).

Two of the breakfast cereals - Nestle Shredded Wheat and Weetabix - were all green, meaning they're low in sugar, fat, saturated fat and salt.

Taken from the web site

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-t...r-medical-conditions/cholesterol-and-diabetes

Flora pro.activ

This contains plant sterols that help to lower cholesterol when consumed daily, for example one serving of milk (250ml) and/or three servings of spread, or just one mini drink.

Although the forum has been funded by the charity (web site) for some time, it used to be much, much more separate. The web site is wedded to the NHS dietary advice, which is only very slowly moving towards low carb. Many forum members with T2 (but not all) find they need to go much lower carb than the main web site would suggest. Many, many members, including some T1s as well as T2s, find cereals, even the non-sugary ones, are too carby to deal with for breakfast.

I think the oatcakes in your quote would be the hard type, so maybe as low as 5g carb each - not sure what the count would be for the softer Staffordshire ones? You may find after testing that you can cope with one, but don't assume that they are fine. You will be looking to restrict carbs, not eliminate them, but unless you use a BG meter to test what you as an individual can tolerate, you will be guessing.

I hope that your meeting with the dietician goes well.

 

[silentsquirrel]

Taken from the web site

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-t...iabetes/diabetes-food-myths/breakfast-cereals

Recommended cereals Shredded Wheat, Weetabix, and Ready Brek.

We've used the government colour coding system used by many companies to help consumers make informed choices about what they eat and drink (green = low; amber = medium; red = high).

Two of the breakfast cereals - Nestle Shredded Wheat and Weetabix - were all green, meaning they're low in sugar, fat, saturated fat and salt

This is very poor advice, website or not, time it was changed.
The traffic light system tells you nothing about total carbohydrates, so should not be the guide for what you can eat.

 

[Leadinglights]

The 'traffic light' system may be good for non diabetics to make healthier food choices but sadly for anybody who is diabetic it is about as much use as a chocolate teapot. It only gives the sugar not TOTAL carbohydrates and it is not only sugar that is the problem for any one diabetic but all carbohydrates. An extreme example is the cereal puffed wheat which is green on traffic light as it has only 0.6g sugar per 100g but has a whopping 66.9 g carbohydrate per 100g, so you might be lulled into thinking it a good choice when clearly it isn't.
You and many others have the misconception that it is just sugar which is a problem whereas it is all carb that convert to glucose.
You need to look at the nutritional information usually found on the back of packets or The book Carbs and Cals is a good resource or people use a variety of apps free or otherwise for making better food choices.

 

[Drummer]

Well that's me shot out of the water. Shame, I was recommended to eat these items. I'll get my coat because it is too complex to sort all this out. The dietician will put me on the straight and narrow. Start again!

What the problem is, is very simple - carbohydrate.
For a type two the advice about eating 'healthy' starch rather than sugar is just wrong - we can't deal with carbohydrate.
Luckily there are meters to test the glucose in our blood, so it soon becomes obvious what to eat and drink.
Personally I have a low tolerance for carbs, so I eat meat, fish seafood eggs and cheese, and full fat dairy. Carbs come from low carb veges and berries.

 

[Dave_Z1a]

As @Drummer said in a short, to the point post, sums it up perfectly. I wish I could eat cereal in the morning tried, can't touch ANY type, unless its a teaspoon full. Weird though, at dinner time I can munch on poppadoms and have a beer with almost no effect, not complaining, its a welcome upside!

 

[Drummer]

I eat twice a day and can have a steak or chop first thing - along with mushrooms and stirfry, or in the warmer weather fish and salad, - plus a coffee with cream.
Twelve hours later I have a meal higher in carbs - many people find the cope with carbs better in the evening, and a couple of times a week I have dessert. I'd far rather have berries than grain based foods.