Just diagnosed with Type 2

[Trecker1247]

Hi,
Have been diagnosed with type 2 this week after a random blood test. Have been reading a lot about the problem and it would appear that a drastic change to diet may achieve a reduction in weight and thereby reversing the effects of diabetes. I have told my doc that i wish to use diet rather than statins - (she was shocked) - but i dont take tablets at the best of times. headaches only. I dont drink or smoke and at 70 am still very active and -(i thought) - healthy. Has anybody got any thoughts about where i should go from here or what i should do. I have already downloaded some recommended food lists. I have to go back to diabetic nurse in January for a foot check and an eye appointment. This is my first encounter with a medical condition for the best part of 60 years.

 

[Northerner]

Hi,
Have been diagnosed with type 2 this week after a random blood test. Have been reading a lot about the problem and it would appear that a drastic change to diet may achieve a reduction in weight and thereby reversing the effects of diabetes. I have told my doc that i wish to use diet rather than statins - (she was shocked) - but i dont take tablets at the best of times. headaches only. I dont drink or smoke and at 70 am still very active and -(i thought) - healthy. Has anybody got any thoughts about where i should go from here or what i should do. I have already downloaded some recommended food lists. I have to go back to diabetic nurse in January for a foot check and an eye appointment. This is my first encounter with a medical condition for the best part of 60 years.

Hi Trecker, welcome to the forum 🙂 Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but well done finding us so soon - hopefully we will be able to help you get things under good control 🙂

Despite the general message that is put out in the media that diabetes is due to being overweight and unfit, this is certainly not true in many cases, and a fifth of people with Type 2 are not overweight or unfit at diagnosis - there is a large genetic component involved as well. Do you have any family member with diabetes?

I would recommend reading the excellent Maggie Davey's letter, which is a very comprehensive overview of how to tackle things that has stood the test of time 🙂 Also, the book Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker has helped many of our members understand diabetes and how to approach these early months 🙂

Basically, you will need to monitor your carbohydrate consumption - things like rice, potatoes, bread, pasta, as well as the more obvious sugary and sweet items, will all raise your blood sugar levels to a greater and lesser degree. The trick is finding things that your body is able to tolerate well, in the quantities it can cope with. Ideally, this can be done by following a programme of testing your blood sugar levels before and after eating to assess the impact of your food choices. This is described very well in Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S. Once you have established what sort of food choices are fine for you then testing can be reduced, so it doesn't have to be forever, just whilst you are learning 🙂 If your GP hasn't given you a meter and prescription for test strips (many say you don't need to test unless you are on certain types of medication) then the cheapest option we have come across is the SD Codefree Meter which has test strips at around £8 for 50. It's worth testing, even for a short time, and many people find their GP will then prescribe the strips after seeing the improvements you will make 🙂

Please let us know if you have any questions - no question is considered 'silly', so if it confuses or concerns you, ask away 🙂

 

[Drummer]

I am 66 years old and am 13 months from diagnosis.
My type two diabetes is not a problem - I don't eat high carb foods and that is it, no tablets, my weight , gained by eating a 'healthy' high carb diet to reduce cholesterol is now dropping back towards normal, my clothes are dropping off, I have more energy and just decided to take a test to see what my BG level was, and got 5.6mmol/l - not fair to recommend a way of life without at least some testing. I eat very little which is over 10 percent carbs.

 

[khull]

been diagnosed today with type 2 only had blood test yesterday afternoon doctor phoned today to tell me I am now on METFORMIN 500MG I am a amputee [due to blood clots] and taking warfarin daily I am really at a loss as to what I need to do next I have a appointment with nurse on Thursday I know I have to inform my anti coagulant clinic tomorrow. please help me know what to do next please as I am on a lot of medication due to pain from amputation thank you for any help

 

[Trecker1247]

Hi Northerner and thanks for the great info. I am reading everything i can find - using a low carb diet and have ordered a good quality phone app monitor so am all geared up to get this thing under control. To date (11/01/18) i have lost 6 lbs short of a stone so something is obviously working. I am cooking all my own food so i know exactly what goes in it. I have more energy and am enjoying eating a better quality of food. Although i am now 70 years old - ( and yes the avatar was taken at one our Christmas gigs) - i am still a working semi pro musician although retired from (proper) daytime work.