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New to forum...I have a question

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Trust me, I am taking it seriously. That is why I am here, asking questions and learning what not to do. I appreciate all the help too. I can see how it might look like I've been deliberately putting myself at risk but basically, I just didn't understand about carbs...I was looking at labels and saying...oh that's not too bad, I can have that then. Totally wrong, I see that now. Today, I have had readings of 6.8 and 7.1...so yes, I am learning.

I'll check out those links Lin, tyvm!!

I am not on Metformin any more. I am on Gliclazide. I also have Simvastatin, Enalopril, Indapamide, Spironolactone and Lanzoprazole so my body has a complicated balancing act to perform I guess.

I do have one question which will probably sound silly to you if you've used testing for a long time but remember, I've been only doing this for days not months ....where do you dispose of the used needles and strips? At the moment, I am keeping them in a sealed container.

By the way, since coming to this forum, I feel a lot more optimistic so thanks to everyone who has responded.
 
Theresa Dawn said:
Trust me, I am taking it seriously. That is why I am here, asking questions and learning what not to do. I appreciate all the help too. I can see how it might look like I've been deliberately putting myself at risk but basically, I just didn't understand about carbs...I was looking at labels and saying...oh that's not too bad, I can have that then. Totally wrong, I see that now. Today, I have had readings of 6.8 and 7.1...so yes, I am learning.

I'll check out those links Lin, tyvm!!

I am not on Metformin any more. I am on Gliclazide. I also have Simvastatin, Enalopril, Indapamide, Spironolactone and Lanzoprazole so my body has a complicated balancing act to perform I guess.

I do have one question which will probably sound silly to you if you've used testing for a long time but remember, I've been only doing this for days not months ....where do you dispose of the used needles and strips? At the moment, I am keeping them in a sealed container.

By the way, since coming to this forum, I feel a lot more optimistic so thanks to everyone who has responded.
Click to expand...
Yes it takes time to work out what you can and can't eat. I can eat porridge, rice and a very small amount of potato, but pasta is a complete no no for me. I eat lots of salad and veg with protein. Re the testing strips I put them in the bin, but as for the lancet's I have a massive container full of them at home (I don't change them every test, but that is a personal choice thing).
 
Strips just go in the normal 'non recycling' rubbish bin - the tiny bit of blood on them is completely dry by the time the test result shows, so although in clinical settings they automatically go in the clinical waste bin there's no need whatsoever for us to do anything special. Again with the lancets - shove the little plastic bung back on, and into the same bin. Incidentally - it's quite possible to use them a lot more than once only. Start off using the same one each day - but don't stress whatsoever if you happen to forget to replace it tomorrow - they ruddy hurt when they actually do get blunt - so experiment with that as your confidence grows. Again - the blood is dry so only like dried meat blood in the bin! - and if they're blunt, much less chance of 'needlestick' injuries especially with the cap on - and it's a toght fit if you don't use the original hole in the cap, they re-bodge very easily and it more firmly.

It is a standing diabetic joke - worldwide! - that all those who test should change their lancet only once a year - on St Swithin's Day! Both this forum and another (non-profit) one in the UK shared a very elderly US T1 man - Richard - who always posted a reminder to everyone on all his forums, the day before St S ! He'd been diabetic for well over 70 years and really it was only old age that started giving him problems later on, rather than diabetic complications. So if only changing the lancet once a year worked for him - why the hell would I argue? LOL
 
oooo am I privileged then as I got given a sharps container and then another one when that was full 😎
 
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Ah Gliclazide, she’s probably worried about you having a hypo (low blood sugar) if you don’t eat regularly.
I never did have a hypo when on them but that was probably because they didn’t work at all well for me.
 
Theresa Dawn said:
Trust me, I am taking it seriously. That is why I am here, asking questions and learning what not to do. I appreciate all the help too. I can see how it might look like I've been deliberately putting myself at risk but basically, I just didn't understand about carbs...I was looking at labels and saying...oh that's not too bad, I can have that then. Totally wrong, I see that now. Today, I have had readings of 6.8 and 7.1...so yes, I am learning.

I'll check out those links Lin, tyvm!!

I am not on Metformin any more. I am on Gliclazide. I also have Simvastatin, Enalopril, Indapamide, Spironolactone and Lanzoprazole so my body has a complicated balancing act to perform I guess.

I do have one question which will probably sound silly to you if you've used testing for a long time but remember, I've been only doing this for days not months ....where do you dispose of the used needles and strips? At the moment, I am keeping them in a sealed container.

By the way, since coming to this forum, I feel a lot more optimistic so thanks to everyone who has responded.
Click to expand...
You’re welcome.
I never change my lancet everytime either, they don’t recommend it but I’ve never had an infected finger. When your ready to dispose of the lancet just push the needle into any part of the cap and bin it.
 
Well, I am glad we can re-use the sharpies...I have not done so until now but unless they give me more I'll be running out so good to have a back-up plan. I forgot I am also on Ventolin inhaler ...sheesh, it's a good job I don't have to pay for all these meds any more...thank heavens for the NHS.

How much milk is it ok to have per day? I only use skimmed when I have any but I do like to drink milk now and then. Is that another no no?
 
skimmed milk is the lactose without the fat - I think it is about 30 gm of carb per pint - perhaps a bit less - but I think you could have a fairly substantial low carb meal with the same amount of carbs as a cup of milk.
 
Theresa Dawn said:
Well, I am glad we can re-use the sharpies...I have not done so until now but unless they give me more I'll be running out so good to have a back-up plan. I forgot I am also on Ventolin inhaler ...sheesh, it's a good job I don't have to pay for all these meds any more...thank heavens for the NHS.

How much milk is it ok to have per day? I only use skimmed when I have any but I do like to drink milk now and then. Is that another no no?
Click to expand...

I use Alpro almond milk now, unsweetened of course. Maybe try that and see how your meter responds? Or if you want to stick with milk wouldn't whole milk be better? then you are getting the fat with the lactose (sugar)
 
I have full fat milk with no issues. Skimmed raises my BG a bit but not significantly, though I tend not to drink big glasses of milk these days.
 
Hi Theresa. Also have a look at the ‘What I ate Yesteday’ thread on the Food Forum section on here. It may give you ideas for menus and what others are eating. I post there (when I remember!) and have picked up some good tips. Remember that fruit is loaded with sugar. I only eat berry fruits now, but testing before and after meals will guide you. Have you read the pinned threads at the top of the newbies section? Good luck and keep posting - you will get there with a little help from a few ‘friends’! 🙂
 
Mark Parrott said:
I'm the same as you, @Grannylorraine. I stick to 30g of porridge & i'm fine. 40g spikes me. I bulk it out with some mixed nuts & seeds.
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It's fascinating isn't it? I tried 30g porridge with nuts and got a rise of 3.5.... Also tried 30g porridge without nuts and got a rise of 4, so oats are off my safe to eat list for now.... On the plus side, I can manage 3 very small new potatoes! That's the benefit of testing!!!
 
I am reading all your recommended threads....so interesting. Some people seem to have far more than others and some of the choices amazed me but I am reminded often, reading them, that there are plenty of options which appeal...things I'd forgotten about...pilchards, for instance, and tuna. I love berry fruits so it's good to know people have them regularly with Greek yogurt (which I've never tried but I am sure I'll enjoy.) I truly do not have a problem with porridge and I am used to putting a small handful of pearl barley in my home-made soups and stews now. Actually, I am beginning to enjoy this adventure if I am honest.
 
Well the only way any of us finds out what our body can tolerate and what it can't - is test, isn't it? - so that's what we do.

Every single person with diabetes will be different - whatever 'type' they happen to have - in exactly the same way that their faces are!
 
Jeandp said:
I use Alpro almond milk now, unsweetened of course. Maybe try that and see how your meter responds? Or if you want to stick with milk wouldn't whole milk be better? then you are getting the fat with the lactose (sugar)
Click to expand...
Yep, I tried that almond milk once and I realised I had tasted Hell....I am now a regular Church goer.
 
Theresa Dawn said:
I am reading all your recommended threads....so interesting. Some people seem to have far more than others and some of the choices amazed me but I am reminded often, reading them, that there are plenty of options which appeal...things I'd forgotten about...pilchards, for instance, and tuna. I love berry fruits so it's good to know people have them regularly with Greek yogurt (which I've never tried but I am sure I'll enjoy.) I truly do not have a problem with porridge and I am used to putting a small handful of pearl barley in my home-made soups and stews now. Actually, I am beginning to enjoy this adventure if I am honest.
Click to expand...
Completely agree. I've rediscovered tinned sardines and tinned mackerel. Forgotten how easy they are to take to work for lunch with a quick salad!!! Glad you are enjoying your new food journey.
 
Just wanted to update you...and show what a difference all your advice made to me. Came here just a few weeks ago with readings between 7 and 14 (once only). I had no idea what I was doing wrong so every day I made adjustments to my diet using your advice.

Today I had readings of 5.4 and 6.6 .

Today's food went like this: Breakfast - porridge with splendour and splash of full cream milk. Lunch was half a Mattison's smoked sausage, 50g of Cheshire cheese and pickled veg, followed by 6 strawberries with double cream. Dinner was home made chicken and veg stew (no thickening, just chicken stock. also no potatoes in stew because I have given them up at last) Dessert was 6 strawberries and double cream again. Later watching tv I had an ice cream sandwich made with Frank's diabetic icecream and 2 wafers. I only drink hot lemon water or black coffee ( latter is only1 cup per day).

I have now found out I probably also have COPD ....but at least I am getting the diabetes under control.
 
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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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