Lost in the world of Diabetes

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Danceboots

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hello everyone.

Last week I was diagnosed with diabetes 2, high colestrol and "some issues with your liver, kidney, and pancreas"

I was confused as not sure how serious this all is. I have been given some literature and have spent lots of time on the web trying to find the best food and quantity to eat to improve my condition. I also need to do lots more exercise. I have a stressful job that is lots of sitting, so do I need to think about changing that? I am no spring chicken.

I am trying to sort out my diet as not sure if all fruit beneficial to me. I would like to do it without taking tablets but is that a good idea? I dont know how the weight got there but it sure doesnt want to move home. I would appreciate any help or support that is given. Regards.
 
Welcome.
To answer your questions quickly:
The key points in controlling type 2 diabetes are body weight, diet and exercise / activity - all are equally important. Diet is a controversial area - some favour the standard "starchy carbohydrates" advice, while others favour low / limted carbohydrate diet. Many types of fruit have relatively high sugar levels (especially grapes, mangoes, dried fruit etc), so are best eaten with meals - some recommend a limit of 2 portions per day. Exercise / activity doesn't have to be gym etc - one of the simplest ways to increase activity is to walk or cycle more as a means of transport, using stairs instead of lifts etc - is that a possibility for you? Lengthening daylight hours should help a bit. Looking at your name, is dancing part of your life? It's good exercise, too.
 
Yes I used to do a lot of linedancing but have fallen off in the last year. I now know why I have been feeling so "old and lethargic" I like any kind of dancing but you need a partner for other types. I feel in a way that I may be starting a new part of my life. Like its my mission if I wish to take it. Am I sad or what? Well it is like a kick in the nether regions. It is rather complicated to sort out food and I dont have a lot of will power, not where Cadbury's chocolate is concerned but I am going to give it my best shot. It just so nice not to feel so alone.
 
Hi Danceboots

Confused? I am still confused after 9 years diagnosed as a T2! My advice would be to slow down and not try to get everything sorted at once! There is a lot to take in and unfortunately the support given by the various health care providers does seem to be a bit of a postcode lottery.

Your health care team should tell you what your current levels are and what they think you should be aiming at. A blood test will show them the average levels over the previous few months and they will probably recommend you aim for something under 7 - a lot depends on your age and circumstances but it is a ball park figure. When you test your own levels with a home monitor, this can and should be done at different times of the day to see how food affects them. The danger sign is if you get "spikes" - levlels which get high and then drop down low - these spikes are what causes the damage that diabetes can cause. So you might show a level of over 8 after a meal but drop to below 5 before the next meal - that would be about what a non-diabetic would see. Your team will aim to get you back to these levels with either, diet of medication but it might take a bit or trial and error to get it right.

To echo what most people say on here, testing is a really good idea to give you some idea of how the food you are eating affects you - a lot of GPs seem reluctant to prescribe the testing strips - they will say this is not down to cost but you have to make your own mind up about that! Some will say testing makes you paranoid? Well, I can can see this but better informed than not surely? Ask your team what they provide and consider getting a blood sugar monitor yourself if they don't give these away- all chemists sell these in any event and you may still get free strips from the GP. Then you can test your blood as things stand now, then as you go along you will be able to see the effect of changes you make. A downward turn in your levels will inspire you to stick with it but if things are not improving then you can try adjusting your intake of food.

From what you say, you are already aware of the types of foods which are more healthy than others but if you try to reduce or cut out fatty foods, sugary foods (and drinks) and lessen the carbohydrates - switch from any refined flour, such as white bread to wholemeal, you are on the right track.

If you can do this and test as you go, you will get a better idea of how your body reacts to different foods. But, take a deep breath and take it one step at a time. You have probably been diabetic for some while and knowing why you have been feeling "off" gives the power to change things🙂
 
Hello and welcome!

I have only been here a couple of weeks myself. I have started making making changes to my diet and exercise a little more often, and already feel so much better. It's a lot to take in but you will get so much help from everyone on this site - its brill :D
 
welcome to the forum ! sadly as the others say care levels can be very different from surgery to surgery. Im fortunate to have a good one !! have a look around the forum and you'll find alot of info on how we individually cope and you get alot of support, No question is regarded silly here good luck 🙂
 
Hi and a warm welcome to the forum dance,it is all very head spinning when your first diagnosed and some of us are blessed with good care some aint im the latter im afraid, this place will be your savour as it has been for so many of us so keep coming on as much as possible and get the most out of it as you can xx
 
Hi Danceboots, welcome to the forum.
 
Hi Danceboots.

Can you write down all the things you are confused about. Some practices run their own diabetic clinics and if so get an appointment and use it to ask all your questions. You were probably to shell shocked at the time to take in what you were being told. If they don't have a clinic make a double or treble appointment with your GP to talk through everything. Don't worry about taking their time - you are more likely to succeed with the conditions management if you can understand what is going on.

When you go in make sure they know you booked a long appt ( as quite often they assume its a standard one - well in my experience). As if there is a dietician who can help you sort out a diet (some have them in the practice). You could also look into whether you could attend an Expert Patients programme. If you google it you should find some information.
 
Hi Margie and welcome. The weight that has crept on could be a vicious cycle - diabetes has made you feel tired, you stop line dancing - weight goes up? Did they check your thyroid hormones too - hypothyroidism seems to be associated with diabetes (is with me anyway!) and would explain difficulty keeping weight stable. Maybe they could check it out when they do your next check. Anyway, as the others say - one thing at a time, it's all a bit overwhelming at first isn't it.
 
Thank You

Thank you to everyone who has answered my thread and those who thought about it. I felt so much better from discovering the web site on Sat. I have talked about a blood sugar monitor but was told not necessary. I am goin to get one anyway. After the last 12 months of feeling tired and that old age was coming over me, I feel rejuvenated knowing its not. THANK YOU ALL
 
Danceboots said:
Thank you to everyone who has answered my thread and those who thought about it. I felt so much better from discovering the web site on Sat. I have talked about a blood sugar monitor but was told not necessary. I am goin to get one anyway. After the last 12 months of feeling tired and that old age was coming over me, I feel rejuvenated knowing its not. THANK YOU ALL
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Hi Dance, if you have a look at the websites for monitors, then give them a call, you might get one for free. Alternatively, you could go back to your gp and argue that you want to manage your condition and will need a monitor to do so, particularly if you're going to start monitoring effect of carbohydrates. Might be worth giving diabetes UK a call first for support with this.
 
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