New and anxious

[Dave W]

Hi Dave, I'm very grateful for the support from so many of you guys. I was actually most fearful when I read that a website described diabetes as a "chronic progressive disease" that will get worse through time. I'm not afraid of making lifestyle changes but if it gets worse regardless, what's the point. It makes my heart feels like it's carrying a rock weights tonnes.

Jessie - Worrying is destructive to all aspects of health - physical and mental. Yes diabetes is a chronic disease, but how it progresses depends on a number of factors and the most important infuence on those factors is yourself and how you take control. I got a real shock 13 months ago when I was diagnosed and was quite depressed at first, but I've now got a grip on my situation and am 100% positive that I'm improving my diabetic situation.
I suggest that you get hold of the book by Dr David Cavin - "Reverse Your Diabetes". It may not actually result in reversal but should help you understand your diabetes and what you could do to mitigate the symptoms. I found it very useful along with the support and advice I've found on here.

 

[Jesselondon]

I suggest that you get hold of the book by Dr David Cavin - "Reverse Your Diabetes". It may not actually result in reversal but should help you understand your diabetes and what you could do to mitigate the symptoms. I found it very useful along with the support and advice I've found on here.

Thanks Dave, I will try to get hold of the book.

 

[Ljc]

Hi Jesselondon, Welcome. Yes it is a horrid shock when you first find out.
I would like to try and reassure you. I have had T2 since the early 1990s and I am still here to tell the tale .
Thankfully Diabetes is a condition that with the right knowledge , support and a bit of determination, we can do much to keep it under control.

Speaking personally though I would rather not have diabetes , I can think of a lot of other conditions that are far worse and if it came to a choice of one of them or diabetes, I would choose diabetes but that is easy for me to say as unlike you I am not new to D, though I can still remember those times in the early days when it consumed me. It will get easier for you, I promise!

In laymans terms Chronic usually means awful however, medically it means long term , yes it can be progressive but we can influence how it affects our health by learning how to tame our own D

Sadly most T2s who are not on meds that can cause low blood glucose (BGs) are given the very piece of kit that will help them learn how foods affect their BGs, do Ask your surgery for a glucose meter just in case they will provide one and enough test strips . If as is likely you're told you don't need to test.
Then the SD Codefree is the cheapest one to self fund , a pot of 50 test strips cost around £8 where high street brands cost between £15 - £25 and when you're testing around 8 times a day initially, cost is an important factor .
It is aavailable on Amazon or directly from the makers of SD Codefree
https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/
We use the mmol/L measurement in the U.K.
You will also need to buy more test strips and lancets as starter kits normally only provide 10

 

[john pardo]

Hi and welcome

 

[Jesselondon]

though I can still remember those times in the early days when it consumed me. It will get easier for you, I promise!

Hi Lin, thank you so much, you are very kind. I kept waking up in fear last night that my toes, fingers, legs and arms would be amputated, and my kidneys failed that I needed dialysis. I woke up in tears and frightened my 12 year old. I am extraordinarily fearful of needle since I was a child. Still scared me a lot, the last blood test I had, I broke down in tears. I don't know how I can prick my finger for blood, i am so scare just writing about it now I'm in tears.

I also worry about taking medication, I am on a low carb diet and not sure how taking mediation will affect my BG. I'm very sad I am becoming a burden to my partner and daughter.

 

[Bubbsie]

Hi Lin, thank you so much, you are very kind. I kept waking up in fear last night that my toes, fingers, legs and arms would be amputated, and my kidneys failed that I needed dialysis. I woke up in tears and frightened my 12 year old. I am extraordinarily fearful of needle since I was a child. Still scared me a lot, the last blood test I had, I broke down in tears. I don't know how I can prick my finger for blood, i am so scare just writing about it now I'm in tears.

I also worry about taking medication, I am on a low carb diet and not sure how taking mediation will affect my BG. I'm very sad I am becoming a burden to my partner and daughter.

Hi Jesse...I was diagnosed six months ago with a phone call from my local surgery...given a prescription...told to buy a book...lost for the first five to six weeks...little support from my surgery/GP...like you fearful of needles...and the thought of testing my blood and blood tests left me reeling...but...six months on with support from the forum I am so much better equipped to manage my diabetes...I would recommend testing...the finger pricking can be a little uncomfortable and quite daunting at first...I am the most kak handed clumsy individual...now it comes as second nature...after making considerable efforts to adjust my diet...be more active...lose weight...I almost look forward to the testing which demonstrates how far I have come in my efforts to manage my diabetes...I understand your anxieties...we all do...however you can do this...oddly since my diagnosis I feel better than I have in years...just making those small adjustments to your lifestyle will greatly improve your chances of avoiding complications...medication...and make you feel positive you can manage this...good luck...and keep us updated🙂🙂🙂

 

[Northerner]

Hi Lin, thank you so much, you are very kind. I kept waking up in fear last night that my toes, fingers, legs and arms would be amputated, and my kidneys failed that I needed dialysis. I woke up in tears and frightened my 12 year old. I am extraordinarily fearful of needle since I was a child. Still scared me a lot, the last blood test I had, I broke down in tears. I don't know how I can prick my finger for blood, i am so scare just writing about it now I'm in tears.

I also worry about taking medication, I am on a low carb diet and not sure how taking mediation will affect my BG. I'm very sad I am becoming a burden to my partner and daughter.

Your fears are understandable, but bear in mind that diabetes complications are generally a result of not looking after yourself properly - in many cases because of lack of knowledge or support. You have access to both those things here! 🙂 I think I am actually healthier than I might otherwise have been because of my diagnosis, because it has led to me taking better care of myself and understanding far better how my body works, and what is good and bad for it 🙂 There are members here who have had diabetes for decades with no significant problems - and treatments and knowledge are improving all the time 🙂

You will NOT be a burden on your family - you will be a role model for good health and living life to the full! 🙂

 

[Mark Parrott]

Hi Jessie & welcome to the forum. We are here to help you & help you we will.🙂 Sounds like your family are supporting you, so don't feel like your a burden. I was diagnosed last January & thanks to all the lovely people on here I am now in full control of my D.🙂

 

[Jesselondon]

Hi Bubbsie, Northerner, Mark and all others, thank you so much. Your kindness have been the biggest support. I feel like a spoilt child just moaning and sulking for my own problems forgetting everyone else here are going through or had been through similar journey. Comparing to some people who have worse conditions or other diseases, what I have is nothing. It's my own fault knowing family history but had not looked after myself the best I could be.

But I can start now, have in fact started since Nov 16. Fasting BG was 6.8 in Nov, and down to 5.3 on 23 Dec but GTT was still high 11.7. Haven't had Hba1c and not formal diagnosis yet but will ask to get it done next tuesday when I see GP.

Have no idea what I can eat for breakfast - I normally have 2 eggs and 1 slice of wholemeal bread with flora proactive spread. Worry about the sugar in fruit so only eat apples. Dinner white fish or chicken breast with brocolli child portion. Will try kale this week. Any idea is this ok?

 

[Jesselondon]

Hi Jessie & welcome to the forum. We are here to help you & help you we will.🙂 Sounds like your family are supporting you, so don't feel like your a burden. I was diagnosed last January & thanks to all the lovely people on here I am now in full control of my D.🙂

Hi Mark, can you do it without taking medication? I want to try that way just not sure my GP will allow me?

 

[Ljc]

Hi Jessie. You are just terribly worried. Hopefully we can help you get past this quickly. I agree with Northener most diabetic complications are generally the result of not looking after yourself properly.

That's the beauty of this place , we do understand what it's like. We all need a bit of a moan or rant from time to time, what better place than here , where we understand it from the inside.

 

[Pine Marten]

Hi Jesse, welcome! I've just read through this thread, and there is a lot of very good advice from the lovely people here. Please try not to worry that you are sulking or being a burden - you can come here and ask any question you like and you will get unfailing support.

The main thing is to take control, and the best way to do this is to test before and after meals so that you start to know what you can tolerate. I appreciate your fear of needles but it really is very simple and you'll soon get used to it. As for breakfasts, personally I find any combination of eggs/bacon/mushrooms/tomatoes/toast (usually Burgen, Livlife or Nimble) is fine. I very occasionally have jumbo oats or porridge, but it does spike my BG. Your breakfast sounds fine to me but you might find that Burgen or Hovis Nimble is better than wholemeal.

Fruit can be awkward, and many people here find that berries are better than apples, bananas or other fruit. But cream is good! So I often have blueberries, strawberries or blackberries etc with a nice dollop of cream 🙂

A positive note to end: I was taking Metformin twice a day, but because my control was good my GP suggested stopping, and at the end of this month I will have been off medication for a year! I don't want to go back to it, so I am looking to continue controlling my D by diet and exercise. It can be done 😉

 

[Ljc]

Hi Jessie. We're sure going to give you a supprise about what you can
eat
Just to give you a few ideas
Meat 🙂
Veg that grows above ground 🙂
High meat content sausages 🙂
High meat content burgers 🙂
Eggs🙂
Cheese🙂

🙂
No I'm not joking it really is perfectly fine for us.

 

[Jesselondon]

Hi Lin and Pine and everyone, you are such a lovely helpful group. I'm very lucky to find this forum thanks to Ana - one of the advisors of Diabetic.or.uk who suggested me to sign up.

 

[grovesy]

You may not need a HBA1C as a GTT can be diagnostic in itself.

 

[Mark Parrott]

Hi Mark, can you do it without taking medication? I want to try that way just not sure my GP will allow me?

Amazingly I wasn't put on medication as I convinced them I didn't need it. Now I have proved that.🙂

 

[Bubbsie]

Hi Bubbsie, Northerner, Mark and all others, thank you so much. Your kindness have been the biggest support. I feel like a spoilt child just moaning and sulking for my own problems forgetting everyone else here are going through or had been through similar journey. Comparing to some people who have worse conditions or other diseases, what I have is nothing. It's my own fault knowing family history but had not looked after myself the best I could be.

But I can start now, have in fact started since Nov 16. Fasting BG was 6.8 in Nov, and down to 5.3 on 23 Dec but GTT was still high 11.7. Haven't had Hba1c and not formal diagnosis yet but will ask to get it done next tuesday when I see GP.

Have no idea what I can eat for breakfast - I normally have 2 eggs and 1 slice of wholemeal bread with flora proactive spread. Worry about the sugar in fruit so only eat apples. Dinner white fish or chicken breast with brocolli child portion. Will try kale this week. Any idea is this ok?

Hi Jesse...I tend to avoid spreads and stick with butter...full fat yoghurt...and avoid most bread...even wholemeal...although do eat Burgen and other high protein breads...less carbs...however you have to find what is right for you...testing will help you find out what effect different foods have on your blood sugars...some tolerate porridge...but its a no no for me...I eat bananas which are fine for me...but not for others...once you get started with a meter (which is really a great friend to me)...you'll be amazed at how much you will benefit from it...and if no one has suggested it...try reading Type 2 Diabetes the First Year by Gretchen Becker...a great read...written by a Type two diabetic...which will take you through the first year of how she managed her diabetes...month by month...there is a lot to get your head around...but in time you may find yourself giving advice and support to others in the same anxious...scary.. despondent position we have all been in...good luck.

 

[Chris Hobson]

Hi Jessie.
All the above is good advice and you have to work out what works best for you. My personal approach is not to limit my carb intake to much at all but to take lots of exercise. I try to avoid refined sugar but that's about it for me. Otherwise I just keep to what non diabetics would consider a healthy diet. Fruit contains simple carbs which enter your bloodstream really fast and will tend to cause spikes in your glucose level. Complex carbs like those in bread, spuds and pasta take longer for your body to process and so enter your bloodstream more gradually.

I'm 58, was diagnosed just under four years ago and I'm loving life more than ever. It is interesting that being diagnosed got me out of my chair and back on the road to fitness, I'm so much more active than I was before. There is a sporty forum here if you want to chat about exercise and stuff, my latest contribution is here:

https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/tiny-steps.63909/#post-669622

Best of luck for the future, with coming to terms with your condition and with your lifestyle adjustments. There really is nothing to fear if you take a positive outlook and look after yourself.

 

[Mark Parrott]

I find spuds hit me very quickly, especially mashed. White bread is worse than sugar for my BG. Same with pasta unless it is cooled & reheated.

 

[grovesy]

I find spuds hit me very quickly, especially mashed. White bread is worse than sugar for my BG. Same with pasta unless it is cooled & reheated.

I too find mash and white bread some of the worst too!