Just been diagnosed but not sure if type 1 or 2 yet :-(

[Owen]

The carbs thing has surprised me the most. I genuinely thought it was all about sugar reduction. Well my doctor gave me the wee contraption to take blood readings several times a day in the mean time till I see him again on Wednesday. My readings tend to be around 18-20 an hour after meals and first thing in the morning around 12/13. I'm not sure what the actual terminology for the reading is?

I've reduced sugar massively. No fizzy drinks or chocolate. The carbs are more difficult to reduce i'm finding. I still have been eating weetabix for breakfast along with blueberries. For main meals i've started eating more fish with veg like spinach, tomatoes and mushrooms. For snacks i'm eating things like Avocado on wholemeal bread with a poached egg or maybe raw carrot sticks with houmous. I admit I do still have green tea and would eat a single rich tea or nice biscuit with it. I've been eating nuts too (Walnuts, Almonds, Cashews, hazelnuts). Am i on the right track here? Do I have to cut chocolate out completely or is it still ok to have the odd bit here and there?

Thank you all very much for your comments and feedback! Its great to have people who have experienced what i'm going through be able to offer advice like this! Generally i've been feeling ok. I actually want to get exercising again asap (I am moderately fit anyway) but the doc has said not to do anything till we get a 100% diagnosis.

Go for the darkest chocolate you can tolerate. Try not change things all in one go.

 

[Marsbartoastie]

You could try LIDL protein rolls instead of regular bread. They contain significantly fewer carbs, but still give you a 'bready' experience. I learned about them on this forum and now have them in the freezer at all times.

 

[Simon Workman]

Will definitely check out the protein rolls and see how they go. Thanks!

 

[HOBIE]

Go for the darkest chocolate you can tolerate. Try not change things all in one go.

I would chuck the stuff in the bin. Very low carbs & exercise more. That's not bad for anyone. Good luck with seeing Dr.

 

[nomore_Col_Blimp]

Will definitely check out the protein rolls and see how they go. Thanks!

The Lidl rolls are OK, but don't look that attractive! and they are very filling. They are also quite calorie heavy - when they have them in they tend to go very quickly! The other alternative I have found in the main supermarkets is Burgen bread. Slightly higher per slice carb wise, but still better than white / whole meal bread etc.
I don't check my levels as I know you have been (quite rightly) advised to Simon, and currently I don't feel a need to do so - I seem to be doing ok without, maybe I may change in the future.
Reference the exercise, good call by the GP - wait to see where you go before going at it. This is one area of my life that has been transformed recently. Historically I was VERY fit (an aerobics teaching rugby player - and yes (laughably) I did have the Lycra suits back in the day!) but in recent years had become the architypal couch potato! If only I'd kept doing the exercise etc (which I'm now loving again) maybe I wouldn't have ended up here - hey ho!

 

[HOBIE]

Don't wait get on with it EXERSISE. Go for a walk, its a nice day. I am a Risk Assauer for Duk. The sooner you find out & the sooner you do something about whatever condition you are the better you will be later on in life 🙂

 

[SB2015]

The carbs thing has surprised me the most. I genuinely thought it was all about sugar reduction. Well my doctor gave me the wee contraption to take blood readings several times a day in the mean time till I see him again on Wednesday. My readings tend to be around 18-20 an hour after meals and first thing in the morning around 12/13. I'm not sure what the actual terminology for the reading is?

I think the term for these levels is 'high'. I am pleased that you have another appointment. I will be very surprised if they do not declare you to Be T1.

Either way lower carbs and more exercise is going to be good now and in the long run.

Let us know how the appointment goes. Be warned that the GPs often misdiagnose adults who have developed T1 because any individual GP has often not come across this situation. Keep a watch on your levels and keep a record for before meals and 2 hours after. That will give them and you a good idea of what is happening.

 

[Mini-Vicki]

Hi Simon,
Welcome to the forum 🙂
Sorry to hear I you've been feeling so unwell. Before I was started on insulin, I felt so lethargic, and couldn't do exercise at all, as my muscles just hurt so much, it will definitely improve for you once you start on medication, probably insulin I'm guessing, as you sound type 1.
As for carbs, lowering them, and generally eating healthily, is definitely a good idea for anyone, even people without diabetes. All carbohydrates convert to glucose, at different rates, which is why eating, say a slice of white bread can raise your BG more than a square of dairy milk. If and when you start on insulin, you can lead a pretty normal life with regards to food. I still have the occasional kinder Bueno (my weakness) but some things I do avoid, as they raise my blood glucose too quickly or for too long of a time, but insulin allows you to lead a pretty normal life. I was absolutely terrified of starting insulin, for various reasons, however for my health, and life in general it has been amazing for me 🙂 The pact has been all positive for me rather than the negatives I thought it would have 🙂

 

[Greyhound Gal]

Hi Simon. I had a similar time when I was diagnosed in May. My BG was well over 100 (fasting test). I was put straight onto Insulin, injecting twice a day and testing BG 4 times a day. I've still not had it confirmed whether I'm T1 or T2, although due to the quick onset of it, they are treating as T1. I seem to be OK with carbs, and have porridge, cereal or toast for breakfast. I do then however watch my carbs for the rest of the day as unfortunately the insulin has made me put on some weight. The only thing I've found that "spikes" me very quickly is, surprise, surprise, sugar. I try to avoid sweets, cakes etc but do have naughty days which I am trying to cut out. I do however always carry a full fat fizzy drink in the car, along with a small flapjack / fudge bar and some biscuits. I also have a sweet bar of something in my handbag. These are in addition to the glucose tablets I keep everywhere. I sometimes feel like a secret hoarder 🙄.
A couple of good food alternatives I've found are bread - rye bread or soy and linseed bread. These both convert much slower so you get less of or no spike. The second is Hartley's sugar free jelly. (in supermarkets with powdered custard).This is a revelation if you want a sweet fix - no sugar or carbs . I add some blueberries and/or diced strawberries to it which although may very slightly add some sugar, doesn't cause a rise in my BG. I usually have some in the fridge for when the need arises, although I have to hide it at the back to stop my partner from nabbing it...... I'm still working on getting my BG lower - my readings are usually between 6.5 and 8.5, although given they were over 123 in May, I think I'm doing OK so far.