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Just diagnosed

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
MandyW81

MandyW81

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi all,
I was diagnosed a couple of days ago with type 2 I am so overwhelmed with it all atm, I feel afraid to eat as I have no idea on what I should and shouldn’t eat. I mean I had blueberry wheats with semi skimmed milk for breakfast but now I’ve seen cereal is bad. I have no idea what to eat!
My DN didn’t really tell me what to do when I got the call other than sending me for checks on Friday for my feet and blood pressure. She wants me to control it with diet but hasn’t gave me any ideas on what foods are good or bad for a diabetic.
My mums funeral was yesterday so I couldn’t take much in and it feels like I have just been left to it. Any advice would be welcome x
 
So sorry to hear of your bereavement. as well as your diagnosis. I think you need to take a breath and as your nurse is willing for you to try by diet then I suspect you are not far into the diabetes zone. But it would be helpful to know what your HbA1C is (that is the test that would have been done to give you a diagnosis and will be somewhere above 48mmol/mol) as this will indicate how much you will need to change your food choices. The foods to watch are all carbohydrates that is potatoes, cereals, bread, rice, pasta, starchy veg, some fruits as well as cakes and biscuits and snacks. If you are only just in the diabetic zone then reducing portion size of those thing will go a long way.
It will be really useful if you kept a food diary to see what you are eating and drinking so you can see where savings can be made.
The book Carbs and Cals is really useful for guidance of the carb content in a whole range of foods and also the information on food packaging not just the traffic light system but the total carbohydrate on the back.
Have a look at the learning zone when you get a chance and I'm sure some people will be along with some links to some useful information.
But just take it day by day and you will get your head around it, please ask any questions you have.
 
Hi MandyW81, welcome to the forum.

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of you mum, such a challenging time on top of having to deal with your diagnosis.

I felt the same re being afraid to eat at first but please don't worry as you'll soon understand what's right for you.

Do you have a glucose monitor at home you can use? It's helpful to test in the morning before food then two hours after each meal. This page will help to shed more light on testing and the numbers you'll need to understand. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/testing

Essentially, most people find that carbs and sugar raise their blood glucose levels so reducing those can help to keep your numbers within range. You can find more info here https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes
 
This is so frustrating. So many are not given the information they need to manage this condition nor the reassurance that it can be managed. You have come to the right place here to get information and support. I have found it invaluable and joined in a state of total confusion, despair and loss too.

The good news is that diabetes can be managed in the most part. The bad news is that there is a steep learning curve just at the beginning, but it all gets much easier with time.

Don't just rely on the NHS. Take control as best you can yourself. Such a difficult thing at such a sad time. So give yourself time to 'get up to speed'. Diabetes seems to be a slow moving beast so do not worry about trying to get it 'right' immediately. Take one small step at a time and be kind to yourself. Feel good with any successes and learn from any set backs.

I came here in a bad place, learned tons, implemented what I learned, tripped up a few times, got into a better place over all.

I hope things do settle for you.
 
Cherrelle DUK said:
Hi MandyW81, welcome to the forum.

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of you mum, such a challenging time on top of having to deal with your diagnosis.

I felt the same re being afraid to eat at first but please don't worry as you'll soon understand what's right for you.

Do you have a glucose monitor at home you can use? It's helpful to test in the morning before food then two hours after each meal. This page will help to shed more light on testing and the numbers you'll need to understand. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/testing

Essentially, most people find that carbs and sugar raise their blood glucose levels so reducing those can help to keep your numbers within range. You can find more info here https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes
Click to expand...
I suspect Mandy won't have a monitor having only been diagnosed a couple of days ago but yes it would definitely be of benefit but I expect that it will have to be self funded unless she is very lucky.
 
Welcome to the forum @MandyW81

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your Mum and now your new diagnosis. I am however very pleased that you have found the forum. You have already heard from others about what they have learnt by tapping into the experience on here. I know I have found it a great source of advice and support.

It is so common to hear that people are left with little practical information about how to manage. This is a manageable condition but at the moment just take things step by step. Have a look at the links you have been given. Come back to us with absolutely any questions that arise.
Nothing is considered silly on here. Just ask.
 
Welcome to the forum @MandyW81

Sincere condolences for your Mum. How awful for you, and no wonder you found it difficult to take in all the information at your appointment.

One of the biggest questions when newly diagnosed is often ‘what can I eat’ and while there are obvious things like cakes, biscuits, sweets and sugary drinks that you will want to cut out straight away, as others have suggested you might be surprised how much *all* carbohydrate affects your BG levels, including rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, pastry, grains, cereals and many fruits.

That’s not to say you can’t have any of those things again, but in time you will discover your own tolerances to different foods and adjust your portions accordingly 🙂
 
Leadinglights said:
So sorry to hear of your bereavement. as well as your diagnosis. I think you need to take a breath and as your nurse is willing for you to try by diet then I suspect you are not far into the diabetes zone. But it would be helpful to know what your HbA1C is (that is the test that would have been done to give you a diagnosis and will be somewhere above 48mmol/mol) as this will indicate how much you will need to change your food choices. The foods to watch are all carbohydrates that is potatoes, cereals, bread, rice, pasta, starchy veg, some fruits as well as cakes and biscuits and snacks. If you are only just in the diabetic zone then reducing portion size of those thing will go a long way.
It will be really useful if you kept a food diary to see what you are eating and drinking so you can see where savings can be made.
The book Carbs and Cals is really useful for guidance of the carb content in a whole range of foods and also the information on food packaging not just the traffic light system but the total carbohydrate on the back.
Have a look at the learning zone when you get a chance and I'm sure some people will be along with some links to some useful information.
But just take it day by day and you will get your head around it, please ask any questions you have.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for replying.
I have got the book now on my kindle so will have a good read of it.
I think she said my score was 54 or something but I wasn’t really taking much in so will ask again on Friday when I have my appointment.
 
MandyW81 said:
Thank you so much for replying.
I have got the book now on my kindle so will have a good read of it.
I think she said my score was 54 or something but I wasn’t really taking much in so will ask again on Friday when I have my appointment.
Click to expand...
It sounds as if the 54mmol/mol is your HbA1C result which puts you just a little way into the diabetic zone being over 48mmol/mol so you have a good opportunity with some changes to diet and exercise to reduce your level. Hopefully you will be given the option to try by diet rather than immediately be put on the standard medication which is metformin. But that really only works with modifications to your food intake as well looking specifically at your carbs and portion sizes.
I should make a list of questions you want to ask as it is easy to forget something in the heat of the appointment. Good luck with that on Friday. Let us know how you get on.
 
I suggest self testing before and after eating. Keep a diary, along with a record of your records. After a couple of weeks hopefully you'll start to see any patterns.
 
Welcome to the group.
Get a monitor and see what spikes you. Ask questions this group is really friendly
 
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