Just diagnosed today

[Forgetful55]

Hello All


Just got diagnosed today..knew it was coming since age 19 when I had gestational diabetes in pregnancy and the doctors at that time said " you will get type two Diabetes when you are over 40.". had it in three of my four pregnancies and also knew of a family history of Diabetes. So here I am at 55 and a half diagnosed today in spite of my best efforts. I am not overweight.. (9 stone 10) walk about 5 miles a week swim and go to two gym classes.. I like cake twice a week and prosecco (4 glasses) at the weekend.. otherwise eating a fairly healthy diet so a bit cheesed off to say the least that this has still happened .

Guess I am going to have to cut out all the nice stuff. How low carb do I have to go to sort this as have been put off Metformin by my MIL who had problems with it and hate taking meds already taking Nexium and Nortriptyline for Hiatus Hernia.

Advice appreciated thanks.

 

[Martin Canty]

Welcome to the group.....

Don't beat yourself up about it as there is a history of D in your family so, although not inevitable, there was a strong chance that you would develop D.

One of the first things is to cut or reduce Carb sources like Bread, Pasta, Rice, Cereals & starchy vegetables, replacing them with green leafy vegetables.
Another thing which is invaluable in taking control of D is to obtain a test meter, as it's unlikely that you will be issued one then the cheapest option is the SD Codefree from Amazon along with a few hundred test strips.

I wouldn't fear Metformin, many people have no problems with it & others may have issues in the first few weeks.

 

[Bubbsie]

Hello All


Just got diagnosed today..knew it was coming since age 19 when I had gestational diabetes in pregnancy and the doctors at that time said " you will get type two Diabetes when you are over 40.". had it in three of my four pregnancies and also knew of a family history of Diabetes. So here I am at 55 and a half diagnosed today in spite of my best efforts. I am not overweight.. (9 stone 10) walk about 5 miles a week swim and go to two gym classes.. I like cake twice a week and prosecco (4 glasses) at the weekend.. otherwise eating a fairly healthy diet so a bit cheesed off to say the least that this has still happened .

Guess I am going to have to cut out all the nice stuff. How low carb do I have to go to sort this as have been put off Metformin by my MIL who had problems with it and hate taking meds already taking Nexium and Nortriptyline for Hiatus Hernia.

Advice appreciated thanks.

Hi Forgetful55...I agree with Martin...better to concentrate your energy on managing your diabetes rather than why/how...as for the Metformin...I've been using it now for the last eight months...initially I had problems with it...however once my system got used to it...the symptoms subsided and I have had no problems with it since...for those that can't manage the standard Metformin there is an extended release one which I understand is gentler on the system...for the moment are you managing on diet/exercise only...did you have an HbA1c test...know what your BG levels were?...as for diet its not quite as bad as some would believe...plenty of advice here on foods to eat...have a look at the 'what I've eaten today' thread...how low carb is very much individual choice...many of us find that what some can tolerate reasonably well...causes problems for others...as Martin says that's the advantage of testing...will show what effect the food you eat has on those BG's...no doubt other members will be along soon with more advice...good luck...keep us up updated.

 

[grovesy]

Welcome.
You have to find what works for you and you can maintain most of the time.

 

[Ljc]

Hi @Forgetful55 , Welcome. Sorry you've joined our select club but glad you have found us. Unlike the media would have us believe the majority of us T2s are not over weight. its often down to our genes.
Tbph unless they are very enlightened at your GP practice, you are unlikely to be prescribed a glucose meter and test strips. Many reasons are given, like you don't need to, the Hb1ac is the best test etc etc.
If this is the case and you can afford to self fund the ongoing cost of the test strips the SD Codefree meter is the cheapest one to self fund strips cost around £8 for 50 , other brands are up to £25 for 50.
It's available from Amazon or directly from Homehealth .
We use the mmol/ measurement in uk
https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/
If you give us a typical days meals and snacks etc , we'll be able to give you suggestions on what if anything needs changing .

 

[Northerner]

Hello All


Just got diagnosed today..knew it was coming since age 19 when I had gestational diabetes in pregnancy and the doctors at that time said " you will get type two Diabetes when you are over 40.". had it in three of my four pregnancies and also knew of a family history of Diabetes. So here I am at 55 and a half diagnosed today in spite of my best efforts. I am not overweight.. (9 stone 10) walk about 5 miles a week swim and go to two gym classes.. I like cake twice a week and prosecco (4 glasses) at the weekend.. otherwise eating a fairly healthy diet so a bit cheesed off to say the least that this has still happened .

Guess I am going to have to cut out all the nice stuff. How low carb do I have to go to sort this as have been put off Metformin by my MIL who had problems with it and hate taking meds already taking Nexium and Nortriptyline for Hiatus Hernia.

Advice appreciated thanks.

Hi Forgetful55, welcome to the forum 🙂 Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but you really shouldn't blame yourself - despite the simplistic message we are always hearing about how Type 2 diabetes is caused by overeating and not being active enough, you do need to have a genetic propensity in the first place, so it makes more sense to blame your parents 😱 😉

Not everyone suffers side effects from metformin, and if they do then they often subside after a week or two, so your experience may not be the same as your MIL's. However, I can understand you not wanting to take them if you can manage things without them 🙂

I would suggest starting by reading Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter and getting a copy of the excellent Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker - these will really help to put you in the picture and get you off to a good start 🙂 As @lljc has said, testing to discover your tolerances is the best method available for discovering how to tailor your diet so that you can retain flexibility but maintain good blood glucose levels 🙂 Read Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S for an explanation of how and why this works 🙂

In terms of diet, the aim is to eat things that have a slow, steady impact on blood glucose levels, and The GL Diet for Dummies is a very helpful explanation of the best sorts of food combinations to go for 🙂

What about exercise? Regular exercise will make you more sensitive to the insulin your body is producing, making it easier to manage your blood glucose levels. What do you enjoy? Even a daily walk, particularly after eating, can be a real help - why not set yourself a goal? 🙂

Please let us know if you have any questions and we will do our best to help! 🙂

 

[Forgetful55]

Hi

Thanks so much everyone for the good advice.. my Hba1c was 47 in August and has now jumped to 49 which has just crossed into D.. I had already been hovering on here and bought the Gretchen Becker book .. am about half way through it.. I just like my carbs and not sure how low I can go on that. Also have no willpower.. so will have to get rid of marmalade and get stevia instead of sugar etc.. decided to start on Monday with new diet .. need a few days to get my head around it.. I had been going crazy with excersise in the hope that I could get away with it but sadly cant without changing diet.

 

[grovesy]

Hi

Thanks so much everyone for the good advice.. my Hba1c was 47 in August and has now jumped to 49 which has just crossed into D.. I had already been hovering on here and bought the Gretchen Becker book .. am about half way through it.. I just like my carbs and not sure how low I can go on that. Also have no willpower.. so will have to get rid of marmalade and get stevia instead of sugar etc.. decided to start on Monday with new diet .. need a few days to get my head around it.. I had been going crazy with excersise in the hope that I could get away with it but sadly cant without changing diet.

Why don't you just try with reducing your Carbs gradually and see how you go.
Although the 47 to 49 is a rise it is not a huge one.

 

[Forgetful55]

Forgot to say my fasting blood was 6.7 up from 6.5 in August.. but doctor said they go on Hba1c and I have to go to the Diabetic Clinic at my doc surgery in a months time to discuss meds and diet.. I would like to have a go at the diet first.
Thanks again.
Forgetful

 

[grovesy]

Forgot to say my fasting blood was 6.7 up from 6.5 in August.. but doctor said they go on Hba1c and I have to go to the Diabetic Clinic at my doc surgery in a months time to discuss meds and diet.. I would like to have a go at the diet first.
Thanks again.
Forgetful

Again although it is a rise it is only is only a small one.

 

[Northerner]

You're just teetering on the edge, so I'd guess that the changes you make will succeed 🙂 Remember, it's not necessarily the amount of carbs, but how well you tolerate different things 🙂 By all means ditch and replace the unnecessary things, but make sure your changes are not too abrupt and unsustainable 🙂

 

[Martin Canty]

I had been going crazy with excersise in the hope that I could get away with it but sadly cant without changing diet

Alas, the issue is carbs so exercise, although good, will not cut it without dietary changes.

On the question of diet, it's not only how many carbs you have but how quickly they spike your BG, we all have different tolerances for foods, for example some people can tolerate oatmeal where as others cannot. That's why testing is so important.

 

[Forgetful55]

Thanks again everyone.. will start by cutting down and switching to wholemeal bread and pasta .. went over the top today only had crackers and soup for lunch and by the evening was really really hungry .. I do quite a lot of walking as I don't drive and I exercise a lot.. one week I managed 19 miles in one week (not all at once) normally I average about five to seven miles a week walking (not counting usual walking to shops or in town) these are actual walks.. I also swim and do 2 or 3 classes at the gym each week.. so I need some carbs for energy. I will wait until after seeing the diabetic nurse before buying the meter as my friend told me today that her friend was given one.. but if they don't give me one I will get one as I agree it sounds like a good idea to see what foods I can and cant tolerate.

 

[Northerner]

Thanks again everyone.. will start by cutting down and switching to wholemeal bread and pasta .. went over the top today only had crackers and soup for lunch and by the evening was really really hungry .. I do quite a lot of walking as I don't drive and I exercise a lot.. one week I managed 19 miles in one week (not all at once) normally I average about five to seven miles a week walking (not counting usual walking to shops or in town) these are actual walks.. I also swim and do 2 or 3 classes at the gym each week.. so I need some carbs for energy. I will wait until after seeing the diabetic nurse before buying the meter as my friend told me today that her friend was given one.. but if they don't give me one I will get one as I agree it sounds like a good idea to see what foods I can and cant tolerate.

Sounds like you have the regular exercise sorted! 🙂 Many of us find that Burgen Soya and Linseed bread is good - 11g carbs a slice, lower than most because some of the flour used is soya flour - also seeded, which lowers the rate of digestion. If you have a Lidl near you, apparently the high protein rolls are nice, low carb and very filling 🙂

Good call on the meter, I hope they give you one 🙂 Read the links so you can convince them of the value of testing if they are hesitant 🙂

 

[Forgetful55]

Thanks will try the burgen and linseed perhaps it will help with hot flushes too!

 

[grovesy]

Thanks will try the burgen and linseed perhaps it will help with hot flushes too!

I belive when it first hit the market it was said to help hot flushes.

 

[Poppy460]

Hi Forgetful55...I agree with Martin...better to concentrate your energy on managing your diabetes rather than why/how...as for the Metformin...I've been using it now for the last eight months...initially I had problems with it...however once my system got used to it...the symptoms subsided and I have had no problems with it since...for those that can't manage the standard Metformin there is an extended release one which I understand is gentler on the system...for the moment are you managing on diet/exercise only...did you have an HbA1c test...know what your BG levels were?...as for diet its not quite as bad as some would believe...plenty of advice here on foods to eat...have a look at the 'what I've eaten today' thread...how low carb is very much individual choice...many of us find that what some can tolerate reasonably well...causes problems for others...as Martin says that's the advantage of testing...will show what effect the food you eat has on those BG's...no doubt other members will be along soon with more advice...good luck...keep us up updated.

Thanks again everyone.. will start by cutting down and switching to wholemeal bread and pasta .. went over the top today only had crackers and soup for lunch and by the evening was really really hungry .. I do quite a lot of walking as I don't drive and I exercise a lot.. one week I managed 19 miles in one week (not all at once) normally I average about five to seven miles a week walking (not counting usual walking to shops or in town) these are actual walks.. I also swim and do 2 or 3 classes at the gym each week.. so I need some carbs for energy. I will wait until after seeing the diabetic nurse before buying the meter as my friend told me today that her friend was given one.. but if they don't give me one I will get one as I agree it sounds like a good idea to see what foods I can and cant tolerate.

Hi, I was diagnosed last July and it was a shock, I too was not overweight, spent time exercising with the dog and thought I was quite healthy, I hadn't connected at all the high probability that I would get diabetes as my mum was diagnosed about five years ago.