New and beyond upset....

[Don]

It was confirmed yesterday as having diabetes 2. I was told my reading was 58 and that I need to get to 48.
I was told I should do a two day course. I am not a joiner inner. It would be my idea of hell. The test was done in mid august. I stopped drinking at the end of July. Woke up one morning and decided never to drink again. I have been drinking since I was 13.
I am vegetarian and have always eaten brown rice etc, maybe a bit too over the top with cheese at times. I swam every week but now since the beginning of September I swim 5-6 times a week for a minimum of 50 minutes.
I also have stopped eating the choc and sweets at work.I now make sure I eat 3 meals a day. previously could go until 7 at night before eating.
The nurse wasn't great to be honest. I have lost roughly 3/4 stone. my next blood test is November.
how realistic is it for me to go down to 48?

 

[Amigo]

It was confirmed yesterday as having diabetes 2. I was told my reading was 58 and that I need to get to 48.
I was told I should do a two day course. I am not a joiner inner. It would be my idea of hell. The test was done in mid august. I stopped drinking at the end of July. Woke up one morning and decided never to drink again. I have been drinking since I was 13.
I am vegetarian and have always eaten brown rice etc, maybe a bit too over the top with cheese at times. I swam every week but now since the beginning of September I swim 5-6 times a week for a minimum of 50 minutes.
I also have stopped eating the choc and sweets at work.I now make sure I eat 3 meals a day. previously could go until 7 at night before eating.
The nurse wasn't great to be honest. I have lost roughly 3/4 stone. my next blood test is November.
how realistic is it for me to go down to 48?

I think it’s entirely possible and probable Don. You’re doing all the right things and exercising. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised and so will the nurse. Well done!

 

[Don]

Thank you. if it hasn't turned around after changing so much I will be very sad as I don't want to take medication.

 

[Lisa66]

Hi Don. I completely agree with Amigo, sounds like you're very determined and doing very well. If you don't hit the 48 target I would think you'd be very close.

With regards to the course, I did a similar course for type 1s a few years ago. I was very nervous about going, as quite a shy person and really didn't know what to expect. What I found were a group of very friendly, non judgmental people all feeling exactly the same as me. It was nice to meet others and realise they had the same concerns, frustrations, sense of humour and keenness to learn. The nurses and dietician running the course were also very human and didn't expect anyone to be perfect...I think everyone came away having learnt something.🙂

 

[Don]

I have been offered a one to one with a dietician dependent on results of next blood test. at the moment I think it's what I can cope with. I just don't do well in those situations but on line fine

 

[Lucy Honeychurch]

There is an online course you can do called BERTIE. It's all very overwhelming when you're first diagnosed, take your time and welcome to the forum 🙂

 

[Ditto]

Hello Don, welcome to the forum. You sound organised. 🙂

 

[Grogg1]

It was confirmed yesterday as having diabetes 2. I was told my reading was 58 and that I need to get to 48.
I was told I should do a two day course. I am not a joiner inner. It would be my idea of hell. The test was done in mid august. I stopped drinking at the end of July. Woke up one morning and decided never to drink again. I have been drinking since I was 13.
I am vegetarian and have always eaten brown rice etc, maybe a bit too over the top with cheese at times. I swam every week but now since the beginning of September I swim 5-6 times a week for a minimum of 50 minutes.
I also have stopped eating the choc and sweets at work.I now make sure I eat 3 meals a day. previously could go until 7 at night before eating.
The nurse wasn't great to be honest. I have lost roughly 3/4 stone. my next blood test is November.
how realistic is it for me to go down to 48?

With that level of determination and commitment you will soon get your levels lower. Have you considered self testing to help you find food that is kinder to your blood sugar ?

 

[Ralph-YK]

I was told my reading was 58 ... how realistic is it for me to go down to 48?

Well I went from 56 to 48 from one test to the next. Of course people vary, the HbA1c is very dependent on the person from what I've heard.

 

[Wirrallass]

Hi Don and a warm welcome to our friendly & supportive forum ~ very sorry to hear you've been dx (Diagnosed) but glad you found your way here ~ there's lots of knowledgeable folk here with much experience who are willing to help and guide you on your diabetes journey. If you have any questions you'd like to ask then feel free ~ as many times as you need to ~ there's always someone who will come along to answer them for you.

I think you're doing exceedingly well for a Newbie and I applaud your attitude towards your Diabetes with the changes you have already made in your life. I see no reason why you can't reduce your HbA1c even lower so long as you follow a low carb diet plus exercise, preferably walking 30~40 minutes after each meal.

There is a link that is worth reading which I trust you will find both interesting and useful particularly during the early days of your diabetes journey. Just click on Newbies say hello here (As you did to get here) then click on 'Useful links for people new to Diabetes' which is the first thread of the list.

I also can highly recommend the book CARB & CALORIE COUNTER (Photo attached) Amazon £10.99. It has over 1700 coloured photo's relating to carborhydrates ~ calorie ~ protein ~ fat ~ saturated fat ~ and fibre values clearly displayed in colour~coded circles below each photo. Carbs & CALS is the perfect tool for carborhydrate counting in diabetes ~ weight management ~ portion control ~ and general healthy eating. At the rear of the book there is a section that will help you choose what to eat when dining out. A book to keep in the kitchen for easy reference. There is also a pocket size version that can be referred to when out & about. Amazon £6.99 Handy size to put in a handbag or jacket pocket.

Take care & do please stay in touch as to your progress ~ and remember Don you are not alone with your diabetes ~ you have friends on this forum x

 

[Don]

Thanks for the messages

 

[Don]

How many cars a day should you aim for

 

[Maz2]

Welcome to the Forum Don. sorry to hear about your diagnosis. You seem to be doing very well especially with your exercise. I would think your hba1c should come down.

As well as cutting down on sugary foods you also need to watch breakfast cereal, bread, pasta and rice, potatoes. When I was diagnosed pre-diabetic last year I thought it was all the fruit and dried fruit I had been eating (lots of it) but, after joining here, I realised there was more to it. My understanding is that nothing is completely banned but certain foods you have to keep to very small amounts and occasionally, like sweet things, pasta, rice etc.

My friend was diagnosed diabetic a couple of years ago and it came as a complete shock to her. She found the diabetes one day course she was sent on very helpful as she met others in the same situation.

I have started testing myself with a meter as it appears everyone is different as to what they can tolerate.

 

[Don]

Welcome to the Forum Don. sorry to hear about your diagnosis. You seem to be doing very well especially with your exercise. I would think your hba1c should come down.

As well as cutting down on sugary foods you also need to watch breakfast cereal, bread, pasta and rice, potatoes. When I was diagnosed pre-diabetic last year I thought it was all the fruit and dried fruit I had been eating (lots of it) but, after joining here, I realised there was more to it. My understanding is that nothing is completely banned but certain foods you have to keep to very small amounts and occasionally, like sweet things, pasta, rice etc.

My friend was diagnosed diabetic a couple of years ago and it came as a complete shock to her. She found the diabetes one day course she was sent on very helpful as she met others in the same situation.

I have started testing myself with a meter as it appears everyone is different as to what they can tolerate.

I have another appointment in November. I don't know what level I should be looking for if I was testing so will will my level then.
I have never really eaten anything not wholewheat which is good. am a good cook so have always made things like chickpea flour pizza etc. I have started eating regularly and not eating office cakes.
having a biopsy end of week so can't swim for a month so enrolled for a gym taster for a month.
I think I am doing well but if it hasn't gone down I don't know what I will do.

 

[Carolg]

Hello and welcome to forum

 

[Maz2]

You can only do the best you can Don. I cut my carbs when I was told I was pre-diabetic and went underweight (not deliberately, it was just the result of cutting the carbs), and when I had the next test it had gone up. GP said they could not say why some people can get the hba1c down and others cannot. Not the patient's fault so you should not beat yourself up.

Mine did come down later on but, every time they check it, it goes up a bit although it is still normal. I started testing myself and was horrified to find that the things I thought I could get away with like sausage and bacon were not so good as I thought and were making matters worse. Testing is the way for you to find out what foods affect you as everyone is different. I know most people on here can eat processed meat, whereas it seems I can't. others cannot tolerate porridge, whereas I can.

 

[Don]

Thanks I think I will see nurse again as don't feel she was helpful. I never have eaten processed food really and don't eat meat. so I must have a trigger. so will try to see about testing. thanks

 

[Grogg1]

Thanks I think I will see nurse again as don't feel she was helpful. I never have eaten processed food really and don't eat meat. so I must have a trigger. so will try to see about testing. thanks

Diabetes is not your fault, you haven't done anything wrong it's literally something in your body isn't working as perfectly as it should.

Your diagnosis level is not that high and it may indeed be helped by the fact you already eat well, exercise regularly etc.

I think stress plays a huge part in our bodies performing or not correctly. I had a cancer diagnosis about 18 months before being diagnosed with diabetes. I had lost weight, was out walking more so fitter yet I was diagnosed at 117 and three months later 42 so clearly had serious room for improvement. Following advice off this forum I severely restricted carbs (all carbs turn to sugar in body so I can still eat a chocolate bar but as I was aiming for under 100g carbs a day then wasting 20g on a Bounty doesn't happen often). I drink wine too. Exercise wise well your swimming 50mins a day almost every day puts me to shame. Pilates once a week, walk from floor 1 to 4 for loo in work and a 30 min walk lunch time most days is me done!

My weight loss has halted. I was a stone lighter but put back on 5lbs in last 3 months but my hb is constant - just had my third test and 43. So need to up my efforts a bit more. I've had a very stressful few months after my hubby had accident etc. and as well as making me designated driver due to his injuries he's been a grumpy so and so (he broke his thumb and had to have it wired in place and is only now getting his grip back but in awful pain) so that's my excuse!!

I'm in a better place and more confident eating as I test my BG throughout the day. I no longer panic that a jacket potato with filling is my only lunch option when at work some days. I know if I eat piled with cheese and butter it won't raise my BG so much. Cheesey chips though would send me on a large spike. Both potatoes but my theory is the potato skin helps me deal with inside of potato in a way that fat coated chips don't!

 

[Ditto]

I no longer panic that a jacket potato with filling is my only lunch option when at work some days. I know if I eat piled with cheese and butter it won't raise my BG so much.

That's a good idea. I will remember that, plus there's all that vitamin c just under the skin.

Don is anybody in the family diabetic? That could be a trigger.