Just diagnosed

[Pixie27]

I have just been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, had no idea and was only found as I was having blood tests for something else. Still a bit shocked by the news. At the moment still struggling to get my head around the news.

 

[Maria Kennedy]

Welcome to the forum! I was diagnosed 2 weeks and to be honest I'm still trying to get my head round it all. Joining this forum was the best thing I've done as I've got so much support and advice. Don’t change your diet too quickly but cut out the sugars right away. I've also reduced my intake of carbs as that causes my blood glucose reading to rise. I'm still learning a lot but the first thing I did was buy a code free testing kit and also bought a copy of Type 2 diabetes the first year by Gretchen Becker.

 

[Bubbsie]

I have just been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, had no idea and was only found as I was having blood tests for something else. Still a bit shocked by the news. At the moment still struggling to get my head around the news.

Hi Pixie it's often the way it happens...a 'surprise' diagnosis followed by disbelief & shock...it may seem difficult to accept now but there is a positive side to your diagnosis...firstly you have been diagnosed...secondly you've arrived on the forum fairly quickly...I'm sure we can help you can set about managing your diabetes...type 2 is perfectly manageable once you understand how to address it...work out the best diet for you...possibly increase your activity...if you could tell us a little more about yourself that would help the members offer the right advice...make appropriate suggestions...do you know what your HbA1c result was...this would be the test done to give you your diagnosis...have you been prescribed any medication...been referred to an education course...since my diagnosis I'm fitter & more active than I have been for years...look after myself better than done I have for a long time...there are a few questions there you may prefer not to answer...there isn't any rush...if you'd prefer not to answer those yet that's perfectly understandable.

 

[Pixie27]

I just got my blood test results on Friday, have a follow up appointment with my Dr next week to discuss what the next steps are. I was also diagnosed as menopausal which I half expected the bloods to show, I am 42. My Dr just threw in the blood sugar test whilst she was testing for various other things not expecting anything. I also have chronic fatigue syndrome so would have put down any symptons of fatigue to that. I have already reduced my coffee intake this year and have been working on cutting out fizzy drinks over the last few months. My aim for the next couple of mths was to increase my activity levels. Ironically I had decided that this year was the year to take better care of myself after years of putting myself last.

 

[CathyB]

Welcome Pixie, you will find loads of information here so take your time to read through some of the posts. Testing is key, it’s how you will learn what foods do or don’t work for you, we are all different in this so test before your meal and again 2 hours later, maybe keep a food diary and a note of your readings? Remember it’s not just the obvious sugars, carbs are the enemy so be careful how many you have. I chose the low carb option so I don’t eat rice, pasta or potatoes and the only bread I have is Burgen, a seeded low carb bread you can get from most supermarkets.

 

[Ljc]

Hi Pixie27 welcome to the forum. Way Back in 94/95 I had a supprise Diagnosis too, it does come as a shock doesn’t it.
It’s good to hear your gp was on the ball and checked your Hb1ac.
I am guessing that atm you are rather worried about what to eat. As has already been said don’t do anything too drastic till you have learned more ok, as you don’t want to cut out anything you enjoy that you body handles well. Sugar is a good place to start, but it’s only a part, a small part of the story Sweeteners are ok.
You’ll find links to the book and the SD Codefree meter that @Maria Kennedy mentioned in this thread, don’t go buying a glucose meter till you see if your gp practice is willing to supply one and the testing strips.
useful-links-for-people-new-to-diabetes
Scroll down to the T2 section
Their is lots more info there, I suggest you take your time as Rome wasn’t built in a day . A good place to start with is,
Jennifer’s Advise.
Maggie Davies letter.
Test review adjust by Alan S
and if you fund your own glucose test strips.
Testing on a budget also by Alan S.
Have a read through this thread to see what we eat
what-did-you-eat-yesterday
I think we are going to give you a lovely supprise.

Ask us as many questions about diabetes as you need to , we’ll do our best to help.

 

[Brando77]

You're in the right place. I wasn't badly shocked, just getting over the Aussie flu all Jan, had a check-up at the clinic and blood test was 20.7! I felt so tired and lethargic I thought it was either the dregs of the flu or something really bad. I changed my life, it's not too bad, just a lot of thinking n edjumacation involved.
You'll get there, this forum sorted me out when I stalked it and then joined.
Good luck and ask questions 🙂

 

[Pixie27]

Thanks for the reassuring comments, still feeling a bit shocked but trying to turn it round to see a positive in it.

 

[Bubbsie]

Thanks for the reassuring comments, still feeling a bit shocked but trying to turn it round to see a positive in it.

Pixie you can make a difference to your long term outcome...you have to give yourself a little leeway here...time to think about how you want to approach & manage your diabetes...once you have more information you'll be able to get started...I would highly recommend reading Type 2 Diabetes The First Year by Gretchen Becker...the author is type 2 & writes about her own diabetes from diagnosis onwards month by month...she explains what diabetes is...how/why it develops...how we can manage it best...there is a chapter on testing our own blood sugars...diet...the benefit of activity...it will answer all those questions you must have...you can preview it on Amazon before deciding whether to buy it...or borrow it from your library...for me it helped me to get things in perspective...it is well written & easy to follow do try & get hold of a copy.

 

[Jeandp]

Welcome @Pixie27. The best thing you can do is try to cut back on carbs of all types and colours, and exercise, every little helps. It's funny but being diabetic has done wonders for my health 🙂
Let us know how you go on and if you have any questions please ask. We have all been newbies so we understand what it is like.

 

[Slippylizard]

I have just been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, had no idea and was only found as I was having blood tests for something else. Still a bit shocked by the news. At the moment still struggling to get my head around the news.

You've come to the right place. Sorry to hear your news but let me assure you there are loads of people on here who know how to help you. Welcome. 🙂

 

[Bubbsie]

I just got my blood test results on Friday, have a follow up appointment with my Dr next week to discuss what the next steps are. I was also diagnosed as menopausal which I half expected the bloods to show, I am 42. My Dr just threw in the blood sugar test whilst she was testing for various other things not expecting anything. I also have chronic fatigue syndrome so would have put down any symptons of fatigue to that. I have already reduced my coffee intake this year and have been working on cutting out fizzy drinks over the last few months. My aim for the next couple of mths was to increase my activity levels. Ironically I had decided that this year was the year to take better care of myself after years of putting myself last.

Pixie this is the ideal time to take better care of yourself...and FYI I still have coffee & fizzy drinks (sugar free)… you will be surprised what is suitable for T2s...things will improve honestly...at the start is difficult to see that...in a couple of months or so (some have done it even sooner) you are likely to be amazed at the difference you can make with just a few changes.

 

[Zillah]

Welcome Pixie.......all you need to know is on this site.....take it slowly it will sink in eventually I promise X

 

[Ralph-YK]

Welcome to the forum Pixie from a fellow T2.

 

[HOBIE]

I have just been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, had no idea and was only found as I was having blood tests for something else. Still a bit shocked by the news. At the moment still struggling to get my head around the news.

Good luck Pixie27 & Welcome🙂

 

[Maz2]

Welcome Pixie. You are certainly in the right place. I was diagnosed pre-diabetic a couple of years ago and that was bad enough. Total shock to me as no idea anything was wrong with my diet until I came here. Had very good advice and lots of help. Got results back to normal but, unfortunately, gone back up again despite my being underweight now. GP thinks I may be more insulin resistant as getting older (I am 65) but he is not 100% certain. He does not pretend to have all the answers to this as it is all very complex.

 

[Drummer]

I was diagnosed 18 months ago as full blown diabetic, and cut out a lot of carbs - I was eating 'cholesterol lowering' diet with oats and baked potatoes, fruit, wholemeal bread - I went back to bacon and eggs for breakfast and only 50 gm of carbs a day maximum - and also went back to normal results in 6 months.
Its a funny old world.

 

[Maz2]

I was doing the same Drummer and was horrified when I joined here to find that it was not a "healthy" diet at all!! I was having more than 50g carbs a day but did cut out lots of the carbs you have mentioned. Mine went back to normal too. Unfortunately, they have gone back up again to 42 which is disappointing as am underweight too. My GP thinks I may be becoming more insulin resistant as I am getting older, not sure. Chatting to my GP about it this morning on the phone as I asked for call back about some more bloods they have taken. Am iron deficient at present and they were re-checking that and also ESR. They are going to continue supplements but everything else seems OK. I mentioned the hba1c again as I hoped for one before another year. He told me that they don't do it less than a year unless diabetic or very borderline.

I will continue self-testing from time to time. I am keeping to foods I know don't cause too many problems and checking if I introduce new foods.

I am grateful to have such good GPs when I read some of the stories on here.

 

[Pixie27]

Getting my head around it a bit more now. Have to have some more bloods taken and depending on what they say I should be able to manage it through diet & exercise. Thanks for all the positive comments.

 

[Drummer]

I was doing the same Drummer and was horrified when I joined here to find that it was not a "healthy" diet at all!! I was having more than 50g carbs a day but did cut out lots of the carbs you have mentioned. Mine went back to normal too. Unfortunately, they have gone back up again to 42 which is disappointing as am underweight too. My GP thinks I may be becoming more insulin resistant as I am getting older, not sure. Chatting to my GP about it this morning on the phone as I asked for call back about some more bloods they have taken. Am iron deficient at present and they were re-checking that and also ESR. They are going to continue supplements but everything else seems OK. I mentioned the hba1c again as I hoped for one before another year. He told me that they don't do it less than a year unless diabetic or very borderline.

I will continue self-testing from time to time. I am keeping to foods I know don't cause too many problems and checking if I introduce new foods.

I am grateful to have such good GPs when I read some of the stories on here.

The iron deficiency could be skewing your Hba1c - they are supposed to be inaccurate in the face anaemia, so you might not need to feel too disappointed in the long run.