Just Diagnosed with Type 2

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Iona

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Type 2
Hi All,

After what feels like endless blood tests, my two HB1AC tests came back as 54 then 55. So on Friday I was told I am definitely a type 2 diabetic.

I have been monitored yearly as I have PCOS & borderline gestational diabetes which my doctor always said could lead me to diabetes at some stage.

I don't have an appointment with the diabetic nurse for a while and I am going to receive an invite to a course on healthy eating.

At the moment, I feel very frightened and scared basically for the future. Added to which I am a single Mum and have been worrying that I am going to die young and leave my children without a parent. I know I am probably just being completely over-dramatic.

I just wondered if anyone else felt the same when they were diagnosed and what I should do now, to ensure I do the best I can to live with diabetes. I want to manage it the best I can.
 
Hi Iona, welcome to the forum 🙂 I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but please don't let if frighten you. Diabetes is a serious condition, but it is also something that can be well-controlled with the right knowledge and effort - it has been said that 'well-controlled diabetes is the major cause of...absolutely nothing!' Many people find that the modifications they make to their diet and activity levels actually lead to them feeling happier and healthier than they have for some time, whilst the diabetes was undiagnosed. And no, it is not unusual to have such fears, it is largely the fear of the unknown, or what you may have picked up from the various horror stories touted by the media.

I would start by reading the excellent Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter. I would also recommend getting a copy of Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker, which is a very well-written and positive approach to getting your blood glucose levels under control. Are you on any medication for your diabetes? Have you been given a blood glucose meter so that you can monitor the effects of different food on your blood glucose levels? If not, I would highly recommend asking for one. If your GP is reluctant to prescribe the test strips (many are, saying you don't need to test, but in reality it is because the strips are expensive), then it is worthwhile funding them yourself, particularly in these early days. The cheapest option we have come across here is the SD Codefree Meter with test strips at around £7 for 50. Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S is a good guide to testing efficiently.

It would also be worthwhile starting a food diary, writing down the amount of carbohydrate in everything you eat and drink. This will help you to look for areas where your diet may be made more diabetes-friendly.

There is no reason why you shouldn't live a long and happy life, despite diabetes. Please ask any questions you may have, someone is always here and all are happy to help 🙂
 
Welcome to the forum, Iona. I remember feeling very overwhelmed, but you gave found a great place here. Lots of friendly people who can give great advice and have a laugh as well. 🙂
 
Hi Iona. 🙂 If I've read your 'scores' right, your HBA1c is around 7% (bit like converting kilos back to pounds to understand better).

Last year my diagnosed HBA1c was 9.5%. Like you I found this forum within days, read all the links offered, bought books etc. Using the knowledge gained, three months later that 9.5% was down to 5.6% on re-bloods.

And so far I haven't had medication.

The definition of madness is repeating the same mistakes and expecting a better outcome. I decided not to believe the scare stories or even the NHS saying T2 is progressive and medication inevitable. I decided I had nothing to lose by instead believing those T2 diabetics who trail-blazed by their own experience and wider research that by self-testing and managing carbs and taking more exercise this would make a huge difference even without meds. So far I know who I trust. A type 2 who doesn't try is a self-fulfilling complication! (If T2 kills me anyway they can shoot me for my over-optimism in the meantime).

The catch 22 about worrying is that stress can elevate blood sugars irrespective of anything else. I've just recently found this with normal fasting level 5's going to mid 6's, luckily correctable by me not being stupid. I pinned the unwanted reading where I couldn't avoid seeing it. Definition of madness is repeating... 😡

I always recommend Jenny Ruhl's website and books. A one-stop shop for all you could ever need to know and tools to act on the knowledge.

http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/

Good luck. 🙂
 
Welcome to the forum 🙂

We all react differently to being diagnosed with Diabetes and I also remember my first post being almost devastated and in a panic!!

But when you start to learn have more knowledge about it you do become more postitve...well for me I did!

As for Lurch he has done very well but I must stress that it is not quite straight forward regards to medication, I was diagnosed through a random blood test and was started on metformin which is the normal drug they give you from go for T2, then one year later was put on insulin as other meds did not work for me, I am not over weight and try to live a active life and eat the right things, but this is not always enough, some of us just NEED those meds to help us regardless of how much you try and defy the big D!
 
Thanks

Thanks for all your good advice. I will start reading and get my head round it all a bit more.

I am a road cyclist, plus do other exercise already, so hopefully that will all help as well.

The GP did say he would probably start me on Metformin at some point in the next few months and maybe a statin - but that is up for discussion.

I already feel better, that I have found somewhere I can share my worries with people who understand.
 
Welcome to the forum Iona 🙂
 
Metformin is sposed to be cardiac protective.

Statins are claimed to be but actually there isn't any actual medical evidence to say they are, despite all the hype about them. No woman of child-bearing age should EVER be put on statins - if you accidentally (or deliberately LOL) got pregnant - because they cause foetal damage. Apart from various other side effects , including muscle damage.

If you cut down on carbohydrate, which is good for diabetics as our bodies now can't handle them very well - that should also sort out your cholesterol levels.
 
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