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Karen witt

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Hello my names Karen, I find myself here feeling like I’ve been hit with a baseball bat! After having a blood test for a medicine review I’ve been asked to go see a nurse reg my sugar level result! It’s 76. Pretty conclusive I have diabetes with it being that high! Over weight overwhelmed and struggling to get my head around what I can and can’t eat! Trying to get into the right frame of mind before I go for my appt on the 7th July. Will I always feel this upset all too much after loosing my mum 6 months ago too
 
Welcome to the forum, sorry to hear about your Mum but I'm sure she would want you to look after yourself and turn your blood glucose level around. Yes it is high but many started higher and have managed by making lifestyle changes, diet and exercise. I suspect with a level where you are at your GP will want you to start on some medication but diet will have the most impact.
If you are wanting to go down a low carb route and many find that a good way as it is all carbohydrates which convert to glucose then you can't go far wrong by reading this link https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/product/freshwell-low-carb-manual/
A good starting point is no more than 130g carb per day, it is definitely not NO carbs. To help you know what you are having at the moment it is useful to keep a food diary of everything you eat and drink and estimate the amount of carbs. Packaging, internet will give you the information by looking for what ever food it is and carbs usually given as per 100g so you may need to work out for the portion you are having.
It is then a good idea to reduce what you have gradually by a third for a couple of weeks, then another third until you get to where you need to be as that is kinder on your eyes and nerves as your body has to adapt to lower carbs.
The Learning Zone here is also a good resource to have a look at but the main thing is not to panic as managing blood glucose is long term not a quick fix.
 
Leadinglights said:
Welcome to the forum, sorry to hear about your Mum but I'm sure she would want you to look after yourself and turn your blood glucose level around. Yes it is high but many started higher and have managed by making lifestyle changes, diet and exercise. I suspect with a level where you are at your GP will want you to start on some medication but diet will have the most impact.
If you are wanting to go down a low carb route and many find that a good way as it is all carbohydrates which convert to glucose then you can't go far wrong by reading this link https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/product/freshwell-low-carb-manual/
A good starting point is no more than 130g carb per day, it is definitely not NO carbs. To help you know what you are having at the moment it is useful to keep a food diary of everything you eat and drink and estimate the amount of carbs. Packaging, internet will give you the information by looking for what ever food it is and carbs usually given as per 100g so you may need to work out for the portion you are having.
It is then a good idea to reduce what you have gradually by a third for a couple of weeks, then another third until you get to where you need to be as that is kinder on your eyes and nerves as your body has to adapt to lower carbs.
The Learning Zone here is also a good resource to have a look at but the main thing is not to panic as managing blood glucose is long term not a quick fix.
Click to expand...
Thanks for taking the time to reply! I’ve seen the learning zone and will be taking a better look. I’m eager to start the return back to health despite a lot of wrong decisions and emotional eating , a new way of life and a new start
 
Karen witt said:
Hello my names Karen, I find myself here feeling like I’ve been hit with a baseball bat! After having a blood test for a medicine review I’ve been asked to go see a nurse reg my sugar level result! It’s 76. Pretty conclusive I have diabetes with it being that high! Over weight overwhelmed and struggling to get my head around what I can and can’t eat! Trying to get into the right frame of mind before I go for my appt on the 7th July. Will I always feel this upset all too much after loosing my mum 6 months ago too
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum @Karen witt

Sorry to hear you’ve been knocked sideways by your diabetes.

We have several members who have started at or close to 100, and have successfully found ways to manage their diabetes in a way that suits them, and gives them the results they are looking for.

It is not at all unusual to feel a bit overwhelmed in the beginning - but things will get better

Keep asking questions here, or just use the forum as a good space to offload, rant, or get things off your chest.
 
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Welcome to the forum @Karen witt . I am glad that you have found us.

I am sorry to hear about your loss. It is understandable that you are feeling wobbly now with diabetes diagnosis. This is manageable and you already have lots of good tips from @Leadinglights . I agree that going to the first appointment armed with a food diary will give both you and the nurse some very useful information to work from in coming up with a plan. If in addition you can start to find out about the carbs in what you are eating that will be helpful too.

All the carbs that we eat, whether that is in pasta, crisps, rice get converted to glucose once inside us. Your body is producing some insulin but your test result shows that this is not enough to balance the carbs. So a reduction in those can help.

We each find we react in different ways to certain carbs, so need to find out what works for us. Many on here find that testing their glucose before and after meals helps them to find out what works for them.

There is a lot to take on board at the start and it is overwhelming initially, but work through one step at a time. As for being tearful, it is perfectly normal. It was quite a while before I got through an appointment with my consultant without tears, but a good cry can help so don’t worry.

Keep coming back with any questions and let us know how you get on next week.
 
Karen witt said:
Hello my names Karen, I find myself here feeling like I’ve been hit with a baseball bat! After having a blood test for a medicine review I’ve been asked to go see a nurse reg my sugar level result! It’s 76. Pretty conclusive I have diabetes with it being that high! Over weight overwhelmed and struggling to get my head around what I can and can’t eat! Trying to get into the right frame of mind before I go for my appt on the 7th July. Will I always feel this upset all too much after loosing my mum 6 months ago too
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Hi @Karen witt We are sorry to hear your loss and send our dearest condolences. We are here to help as much as we can. I would suggest calling our helpline for some guidance before your appt here :tel:+443451232399. Also, Have a read through these pages :https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes to get a better idea of what suggestions in terms of diets with diabetes there are. Hope this helps 🙂
 
Karen witt said:
Thanks for taking the time to reply! I’ve seen the learning zone and will be taking a better look. I’m eager to start the return back to health despite a lot of wrong decisions and emotional eating , a new way of life and a new start
Click to expand...
everydayupsanddowns said:
Welcome to the forum @Karen witt

Sorry to hear you’ve been knocked sideways by your diabetes.

We have several members who have started at or close to 100, and have successfully found ways to manage their diabetes in a way that suits them, and gives them the results they are looking for.

It is not at all unusual to feel a bit overwhelmed in the beginning - but things will get better

Keep asking questions here, or just use the forum as a good space to offload, rant, or get things off your chest.
Click to expand...
Thankyou so much x
 
SB2015 said:
Welcome to the forum @Karen witt . I am glad that you have found us.

I am sorry to hear about your loss. It is understandable that you are feeling wobbly now with diabetes diagnosis. This is manageable and you already have lots of good tips from @Leadinglights . I agree that going to the first appointment armed with a food diary will give both you and the nurse some very useful information to work from in coming up with a plan. If in addition you can start to find out about the carbs in what you are eating that will be helpful too.

All the carbs that we eat, whether that is in pasta, crisps, rice get converted to glucose once inside us. Your body is producing some insulin but your test result shows that this is not enough to balance the carbs. So a reduction in those can help.

We each find we react in different ways to certain carbs, so need to find out what works for us. Many on here find that testing their glucose before and after meals helps them to find out what works for them.

There is a lot to take on board at the start and it is overwhelming initially, but work through one step at a time. As for being tearful, it is perfectly normal. It was quite a while before I got through an appointment with my consultant without tears, but a good cry can help so don’t worry.

Keep coming back with any questions and let us know how you get on next week.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much and I will x
 
Nile DUK said:
Hi @Karen witt We are sorry to hear your loss and send our dearest condolences. We are here to help as much as we can. I would suggest calling our helpline for some guidance before your appt here :tel:+443451232399. Also, Have a read through these pages :https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes to get a better idea of what suggestions in terms of diets with diabetes there are. Hope this helps 🙂
Click to expand...
Thank you I will take a look x
 
o_O 😱 Blimey, Karen - you came on here saying too much info to take in and your head was spinning - and here we are giving you lots more info - so my advice to you right this minute, is to take a very deep breath in and try to relax.

Diabetes really is a complex subject to get your head round, for absolutely everyone newly diagnosed - to begin with, honestly it is. Plus - Yes it really does get less overwhelming as time passes - bit by bit. Nobody on earth expects a child to learn to read the instant they place a book in his hands, do they? Hence nobody on earth should expect you to already know this that or the other about diabetes this soon, either, especially doctors or nurses either at your own GP surgery, or anywhere else.

You can take time learning cos nowt awful is going to happen overnight, honest. 🙂
 
Karen I'm type 2 we have what you call Desmond's it's a group thing where they give you do's and don'ts it's run by diabetic nurses found it very good, I'm due to have a reversal as had bowel cancer and mine went out the roof, so get in contact with your diabetic nurse to see if they run these groups, it does help how to manage type 2.........
 
There may be something similar to where you live if your trust does not subscribe to that scheme which is run by Leicestershire but was the one I did in Coventry some years ago and then as an on line course during lockdown.
Still pushes the NHS Eatwell Plate which is a bit carb heavy for many to tolerate and low fat. But as long as you have an open mind it can be useful.
 
Sorry to inject a bit of realism into this.
AFAIK most Desmond courses are still unhelpful to the average Type 2. Xpert courses are apparently much better, as you would expect since that organisation is actually run by a Type 2 diabetic.
But Desmond courses can still be teaching the NHS Eatwell plate (which made me T2 Diabetic over 15 yrs in the first place) and even have fully carb biscuits at break time!
 
trophywench said:
o_O 😱 Blimey, Karen - you came on here saying too much info to take in and your head was spinning - and here we are giving you lots more info - so my advice to you right this minute, is to take a very deep breath in and try to relax.

Diabetes really is a complex subject to get your head round, for absolutely everyone newly diagnosed - to begin with, honestly it is. Plus - Yes it really does get less overwhelming as time passes - bit by bit. Nobody on earth expects a child to learn to read the instant they place a book in his hands, do they? Hence nobody on earth should expect you to already know this that or the other about diabetes this soon, either, especially doctors or nurses either at your own GP surgery, or anywhere else.

You can take time learning cos nowt awful is going to happen overnight, honest. 🙂
Click to expand...
Aww Thankyou x
 
Nobby123 said:
Karen I'm type 2 we have what you call Desmond's it's a group thing where they give you do's and don'ts it's run by diabetic nurses found it very good, I'm due to have a reversal as had bowel cancer and mine went out the roof, so get in contact with your diabetic nurse to see if they run these groups, it does help how to manage type 2.........
Click to expand...
I will and you take care!
 
trophywench said:
o_O 😱 Blimey, Karen - you came on here saying too much info to take in and your head was spinning - and here we are giving you lots more info - so my advice to you right this minute, is to take a very deep breath in and try to relax.

Diabetes really is a complex subject to get your head round, for absolutely everyone newly diagnosed - to begin with, honestly it is. Plus - Yes it really does get less overwhelming as time passes - bit by bit. Nobody on earth expects a child to learn to read the instant they place a book in his hands, do they? Hence nobody on earth should expect you to already know this that or the other about diabetes this soon, either, especially doctors or nurses either at your own GP surgery, or anywhere else.

You can take time learning cos nowt awful is going to happen overnight, honest. 🙂
Click to expand...
 
I went in this course, my diabetes nurse enrolled me. It was very helpful. This is the one for T2 not Desmond
 
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