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Just diagnosed with Type 2

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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Jen F

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi. I've just been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and have my first appointment with the healthcare team on 11th July. Both my parents were diabetics, although my dad wasn't in my life after the age of 5 I knew he took insulin. My mum took insulin I think, I remember her checking her blood levels, but as a teenager didn't take much notice. Now I have it, and am determined not to be dependent upon insulin if I can help it. I have a lot weight to lose, so have started on the Fast 800. But, to be honest, I don't have a clue what to look out for. I don't know what a low is or a hypo, no idea what symptoms to look out for. In my mum's day she had to eat regularly and snack in between meals, pretty sure that's not the best way nowadays. I'm reading stuff and quite frankly it's starting to scare me! Does that sound stupid? Any advice on how to spot symptoms for going low would be appreciated. Thanks
 
HI @Jen F and welcome to the forum. If you're not yet on medication and are type 2 it's unlikely you'll have a hypo. Also, if you're put on metformin, this medication doesn't cause hypos.
Did your GP tell you your hba1c? That is the reading from the last 3 months on your blood glucose. That may indicate whether or not you will be given more than just metformin. I was 76 on diagnosis and just put onto metformin. There are people on this forum who were in 3 figures, so don't panic if you are higher than 76!
The biggest help you can give yourself is to reduce the amount of carbs you eat. If you're on the Fast 800 this will clearly avoid carbs, but when you start eating "normally", make sure you only have small portions of potatoes, bread, rice and pasta as well as cutting out sugary snacks.
And no, being scared isn't stupid at all...it's a normal reaction on diagnosis! We have all been there and sometimes still are!
I can't give any advice on hypos other than the occasional time when I spike too high and then crash. Then I just feel wobbly and shaky with no energy at all. Getting a blood sugar monitor will help you identify when you are going out of range, although as a T2 you will be self funding. I personally use the Gluco Navii as it's fairly cheap and the strips aren't too expensive, but I think the Spirit Tee2 is similar in price. Others will be along soon I'm sure to let you know what other monitors are available
 
Welcome to the forum.
A diagnosis is a bit of a shock even though you may suspect something is amiss. I think things have changed in how diabetes whatever type is now managed, and the emphasis is on self management and therefore you need to tools to be able to do that, one being some knowledge of the condition.
The Learning Zone is a good start for explanation and some links.
You have already started on the Fast 800 and there are some people here who have had success with it so do ask any questions and I'm sure they will be able to help.
Do you know what your HbA1C is that had led to your diagnosis and have you been prescribed any medication as that will help people tailor their comments.
 
Leadinglights said:
Welcome to the forum.
A diagnosis is a bit of a shock even though you may suspect something is amiss. I think things have changed in how diabetes whatever type is now managed, and the emphasis is on self management and therefore you need to tools to be able to do that, one being some knowledge of the condition.
The Learning Zone is a good start for explanation and some links.
You have already started on the Fast 800 and there are some people here who have had success with it so do ask any questions and I'm sure they will be able to help.
Do you know what your HbA1C is that had led to your diagnosis and have you been prescribed any medication as that will help people tailor their comments.
Click to expand...
Thank you Leadinglights I will take a look at The Learning Zone. I've watched a couple of videos which have been useful. I must say that the Diabetes UK website is fantastic! I'm so pleased that there is a forum and helpline too. You will all laugh at me now when I tell you that my HbA1c was only 55!
 
Leadinglights said:
Welcome to the forum.
A diagnosis is a bit of a shock even though you may suspect something is amiss. I think things have changed in how diabetes whatever type is now managed, and the emphasis is on self management and therefore you need to tools to be able to do that, one being some knowledge of the condition.
The Learning Zone is a good start for explanation and some links.
You have already started on the Fast 800 and there are some people here who have had success with it so do ask any questions and I'm sure they will be able to help.
Do you know what your HbA1C is that had led to your diagnosis and have you been prescribed any medication as that will help people tailor their comments.
Click to expand...
Vonny said:
HI @Jen F and welcome to the forum. If you're not yet on medication and are type 2 it's unlikely you'll have a hypo. Also, if you're put on metformin, this medication doesn't cause hypos.
Did your GP tell you your hba1c? That is the reading from the last 3 months on your blood glucose. That may indicate whether or not you will be given more than just metformin. I was 76 on diagnosis and just put onto metformin. There are people on this forum who were in 3 figures, so don't panic if you are higher than 76!
The biggest help you can give yourself is to reduce the amount of carbs you eat. If you're on the Fast 800 this will clearly avoid carbs, but when you start eating "normally", make sure you only have small portions of potatoes, bread, rice and pasta as well as cutting out sugary snacks.
And no, being scared isn't stupid at all...it's a normal reaction on diagnosis! We have all been there and sometimes still are!
I can't give any advice on hypos other than the occasional time when I spike too high and then crash. Then I just feel wobbly and shaky with no energy at all. Getting a blood sugar monitor will help you identify when you are going out of range, although as a T2 you will be self funding. I personally use the Gluco Navii as it's fairly cheap and the strips aren't too expensive, but I think the Spirit Tee2 is similar in price. Others will be along soon I'm sure to let you know what other monitors are available
Click to expand...
Vonny said:
HI @Jen F and welcome to the forum. If you're not yet on medication and are type 2 it's unlikely you'll have a hypo. Also, if you're put on metformin, this medication doesn't cause hypos.
Did your GP tell you your hba1c? That is the reading from the last 3 months on your blood glucose. That may indicate whether or not you will be given more than just metformin. I was 76 on diagnosis and just put onto metformin. There are people on this forum who were in 3 figures, so don't panic if you are higher than 76!
The biggest help you can give yourself is to reduce the amount of carbs you eat. If you're on the Fast 800 this will clearly avoid carbs, but when you start eating "normally", make sure you only have small portions of potatoes, bread, rice and pasta as well as cutting out sugary snacks.
And no, being scared isn't stupid at all...it's a normal reaction on diagnosis! We have all been there and sometimes still are!
I can't give any advice on hypos other than the occasional time when I spike too high and then crash. Then I just feel wobbly and shaky with no energy at all. Getting a blood sugar monitor will help you identify when you are going out of range, although as a T2 you will be self funding. I personally use the Gluco Navii as it's fairly cheap and the strips aren't too expensive, but I think the Spirit Tee2 is similar in price. Others will be along soon I'm sure to let you know what other monitors are available
Click to expand...
Hi Vonny, thank you, you have put my mind at ease. My hba1c was only 55! Feel a bit daft now compared to everyone else lol!
 
My eyes did pop a bit but actually you are in a very good position to turn this around and the Fast 800 should give you a kick start but remember you then have to establish a sensible dietary regime to keep your level down so it is worth thinking about that now as you have to find an approach which is both enjoyable and sustainable long term.
 
Jen F said:
I've watched a couple of videos which have been useful. I must say that the Diabetes UK website is fantastic! I'm so pleased that there is a forum and helpline too. You will all laugh at me now when I tell you that my HbA1c was only 55!
Click to expand...

Not at all @Jen F !

A diagnosis with diabetes can be completely bamboozling, and all of a sudden there are all manner of numbers, complicated words, acronyms and the like - all thrown at you in double-quick time.

Plus it‘s an emotional time and you are also processing a change in your health status, and trying to work out what that actually means.

It’s no wonder people get knocked sideways!

Be kind to yourself, and never worry about a question you have being ‘silly’ here. If you don’t know - ask! We were all ‘beginners’ once, even after 30+ years I’m still learning new stuff all the time 🙂
 
Vonny said:
I personally use the Gluco Navii as it's fairly cheap and the strips aren't too expensive, but I think the Spirit Tee2 is similar in price.
Click to expand...
@Vonny I can't find where to buy the Tee2, it looks like it's not available any more.
Would you recommend the Gluco Navii? Does it have an phone app to record your results? Thanks
 
The Navii doesn't have a phone app (At least it didn't) but you can get a cable to connect it to some dreadful software for a PC and download the data. I prefer to use a Contour Next or Tru Metrix Air as I find they give more consistent results and both have phone apps. Unfortunately, the strips are expensive for these models, but I don't test much so it doesn't bother me.
 
I understand the Tee2+ is now available again direct from Spirit Healthcare.
Online at www.spirit-healthcare.co.uk or phone 0800 881 5423. worth a ring to check.
 
Greetings @Jen F
So your A1c is "only" 55
You have wiggle room with weight
You've already started the Newcastle Diet

This has all the ingredients of a great success.
You probably already know this but low carb is going to be your key when you return to normal eating.
If your lucky enough that the removal of the visceral fat will restart your beta cells you still need to tread easy for a few months.

The follow up to the Direct trial tested the insulin response of the successful candidates who achieved remission.
https://diabetesjournals.org/diabet...OR-Remission-of-Type-2-Diabetes-for-Two-Years
It took them 12 months for their 2nd phase insulin production to return to non-diabetic levels.

So, slow & steady, get a meter & eat to that meter.
Embrace your new lifestyle.
 
I just checked with Spirit Healthcare directly. They do still sell the Tee 2+. Try their web site or phone them
 
hikiwari said:
@Vonny I can't find where to buy the Tee2, it looks like it's not available any more.
Would you recommend the Gluco Navii? Does it have an phone app to record your results? Thanks
Click to expand...
As far as I know, the Gluco Navii doesn't have a phone app, but that may be because I'm a bit of a luddite and therefore just not aware of it! I use pen and paper to record my cals and carbs, blood sugars and weight.
 
You can of course use a phone app to track your levels and just manually input your BG readings from a non Bluetoothed meter like the Gluco Navii. It isn't an onerous task. I know because I did it for well over a year before I got Libre. At the end of the day, you either want a simple but reliable meter which is cheap to run or you want something more sophisticated which will cost you more.
 
Jen F said:
Hi Vonny, thank you, you have put my mind at ease. My hba1c was only 55! Feel a bit daft now compared to everyone else lol!
Click to expand...
Mine was 55 and I had some symptoms. not to be sniffed at. x
 
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