Hi Everyone, I was diagnosed over the phone and was not been given any information at all. No appointment for diabetic clinic or to discuss this with anyone. In shock really and all I seem to think about is food! Any tips as to how many carbs and sugar I should be having?
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New to type 2
- Thread starter Moesp
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Hi. Yes your experience is all too typical, the NHS is exceptionally bad at managing newly dxed Type 2s. Going back and kicking your doctor's door down and demanding care and attention probably won't achieve much so best to take charge yourself. Begin with Maggie Davey's Letter in the resources section of this Group. Get yourself a meter and test strips if the Doc won't prescribe them. The Tee2 system is relatively cheap. Then settle into a diet you can sustain long term. Type 2s are generally recommended to have a low Glycemic Index, Mediterranean style diet with 2500 calories for men and 2000 for women. Diet and exercise are essential whatever medical regime you are on. One typical idea is a 2 mile walk a day and light dumbbell work to build muscle ( muscles soak up blood glucose).
Beware of Fad diets and Crash diets and false claims about 'reversing' Type 2 Diabetes. Don't get too hung up on sugar- its only involved in diabetes as a rapid acting carbohydrate.
Thank you for the advice, I will take a look at Maggie's letter. I will hopefully come to terms with this and with any luck stop thinking about it 24 / 7 . Thanks
Hallo there,
Sorry you were diagnosed over the phone. It is quite scary at first but with the right approach you can help yourself to make progress and understand how to regulate your diet and exercise...as it is a very personal journey and a bit different for each of us.
What are the results of your Hbac1 test if you had one done?
This can indicate how you deal with your Diabetes2.
Testing for blood sugar glucose with a meter as suggested above certainly will help you to monitor your blood sugar levels related to carbohydrate management ... a fingerpick test just before you eat and then 2 hours afterwards. There is advice on these forums to guide you.
Ask away at any questions that arise...there is loads of experience here for you and no question too silly we have all been there. Take care.
Sorry you were diagnosed over the phone. It is quite scary at first but with the right approach you can help yourself to make progress and understand how to regulate your diet and exercise...as it is a very personal journey and a bit different for each of us.
What are the results of your Hbac1 test if you had one done?
This can indicate how you deal with your Diabetes2.
Testing for blood sugar glucose with a meter as suggested above certainly will help you to monitor your blood sugar levels related to carbohydrate management ... a fingerpick test just before you eat and then 2 hours afterwards. There is advice on these forums to guide you.
Ask away at any questions that arise...there is loads of experience here for you and no question too silly we have all been there. Take care.
The two aphorisms usually quoted are 'Test, Test,Test' and 'Eat to your meter'. Your meter will tell you how you react to bread, flour, potatoes, rice, pasta etc and more importantly what Portion of each of those you can cope with. Type 2s in control often say they test upto 6 or 8 times a day when they set off and then relax to once or twice day when they have a handle on things.
Moderating carbohydrates, upping exercise and losing weight sensibly are the basic beginner steps.
One old introduction to T2 is 'Jennifer's Smart Advice' which you can still google I think.
Hi there,
My Hbac1 test was 52 but I did not know what this meant until I was researching on this site. I still do not know how much carbohydrate I really need to be aiming for. I was under the impression the GP or practice nurse would be in touch but still waiting!
Thank you for your support.
My Hbac1 test was 52 but I did not know what this meant until I was researching on this site. I still do not know how much carbohydrate I really need to be aiming for. I was under the impression the GP or practice nurse would be in touch but still waiting!
Thank you for your support.
Gp won't issue me with a test kit, sorting that one myself. Testing will hopefully give me the confidence to experiment with the carb intake. Thanks again.
janw
Much Missed Member.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Use a food diary to note all you eat and drink, there are many online that are free for the basics, others you can pay for the premium. I'm new to this too and I am happy with a free one - have it on my laptop and phone, so I can add to it wherever I am. It helps show what you've eaten/drunk when you notice a spike - and you can check back to find what was good and the not so good! Mine keeps track of the water I drink and various types of exercise, though I mainly do steps as I also have COPD, a weak tendon in one elbow and a damaged coccyx which all limit me to some extent - I've been falling apart for umpteen years now 🙄🙂 . This coming week I have my diabetic eye screening at the hospital and a 6 week check up with my nurse - bought my own monitor as she wasn't going top give me one, but we NEED them, at least a lot at the beginning otherwise you just don't know how you are doing. My meter has made a big difference. Great people on here with sound advice and tips, it is full of info.
pinkjude
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
52 isn't bad. I was 54 on initial diagnosis 3 and a half years ago. Like you over the phone . I did see a diabetic nurse but not that helpful other than she did book me in for diabetic retinopathy at the hospital and booked me a place on the Desmond day course for diabetic type 2's. I didnt test and wish I had because then I would have known what spikes my levels. Mine went up to 84 back in March so I got a meter, and started on a low carb diet. I joined the NHS low carb programme for about 70.00 for 12 months. Best thing I did. Its online but you get so much support. I started with a drop in zoom session with a coach from the site who guided me round the site. I also joined in with some zoom meetings for those new to the programme and some cook a long sessions. There are forums , tons of recipes, and a weekly lesson on various subjects such as best fruit and veg to eat, why low carb works etc. I have lost over a stone anbd got my level to 48 in 3 months. My DN was amazed. I also recommend 2nd nature. Look up diabetic services in your local health authority, if they offer second nature you may get a free place. I was sent a fitness tracker, weighing scales, recipe and hand book. You get access online to a fitness coach and a health coach. Its excellent. Most areas have a local group you can join. Most are zoom only at the moment. It is daunting at first but once you teat you will be able to see what affects you. We are all different. I was told to walk or move for 15 minutes immediately after eating. That definately bought my levels down.Good luck
Felinia
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi and welcome
You've had some excellent advice above, and the good news is that you are only just in the diabetic range. With some simple tweaks to your lifestyle you should be ably to lower your glucose levels. Regarding the amount of carbs, everyone is different and it's only by testing you will know what affects you. I experimented between 50gm and 130gm carbs per day and settled on 90gm. I have NutraCheck on my PC and iPhone, which measures my cals and carbs by meal, day and week. It's not so good for exercise but as an older lady, I just go to the pool 2/3 times a week and have a mini bike in my kitchen.
You must make sure you get sent for retinopathy testing, get your feet tested (I see a podiatrist 4 times a year), and get referred to a training course. DESMOND or OVIVA are the ones I know about for Type 2, but with COVID it might be a long wait. The Learning Zone here will tell you what you need to know and you can always ask questions on the Forum. Best wishes
You've had some excellent advice above, and the good news is that you are only just in the diabetic range. With some simple tweaks to your lifestyle you should be ably to lower your glucose levels. Regarding the amount of carbs, everyone is different and it's only by testing you will know what affects you. I experimented between 50gm and 130gm carbs per day and settled on 90gm. I have NutraCheck on my PC and iPhone, which measures my cals and carbs by meal, day and week. It's not so good for exercise but as an older lady, I just go to the pool 2/3 times a week and have a mini bike in my kitchen.
You must make sure you get sent for retinopathy testing, get your feet tested (I see a podiatrist 4 times a year), and get referred to a training course. DESMOND or OVIVA are the ones I know about for Type 2, but with COVID it might be a long wait. The Learning Zone here will tell you what you need to know and you can always ask questions on the Forum. Best wishes
Thanks for all that information. It sounds like you have a handle on things now. Fingers crossed I can get sorted too. Looking at all the relies I have had, testing and low carb diet is the way to go. Thank you.
Thank you Felinia,
I will be ringing GP to organise those tests.
Definitely, great advice on here.
pinkjude
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I had to wait 6 months to see a podiatrist and she said as there are no problems with my feet I wont be seen again for 12 months as they can't see everyone. I bought a long handles foot file from The bodyshop which you use on dry skin and is great for keeping that at bay. I cream my feet too. She said do not use nail bars and pedicurists for foot care as they are not qualified in foot care. I can't reach my own feet easily due to arthritis and someone has recommended a chiropodist who will come to the house. My friend was given a link to access the Desmond course online. She is recently diagnosed so do ask about that if there are no physical courses running
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Accessing the MyDesmond Program would probably need to be via your GP. See below from the MyDesmond team.
How people access the MyDesmond programme will depend on a number of factors; firstly whether MyDesmond has been commissioned where they live- MyDesmond is available under licence and some commissioners will choose to offer different products, MyDesmond is one of a number of diabetes online programmes. Secondly, if it has been commissioned it will depend on how the programme has been commissioned in their area. In some parts of the country access is via a GP or health professional referral. In other areas self referral is an option. Each locality makes their own arrangements for the referral process and this is not decided by MyDesmond. Individuals can find out if DESMOND/MyDesmond is available in their area and how to access the service by checking our map for details of their nearest provider at desmond.nhs.uk/find-your-nearest-centre.
How people access the MyDesmond programme will depend on a number of factors; firstly whether MyDesmond has been commissioned where they live- MyDesmond is available under licence and some commissioners will choose to offer different products, MyDesmond is one of a number of diabetes online programmes. Secondly, if it has been commissioned it will depend on how the programme has been commissioned in their area. In some parts of the country access is via a GP or health professional referral. In other areas self referral is an option. Each locality makes their own arrangements for the referral process and this is not decided by MyDesmond. Individuals can find out if DESMOND/MyDesmond is available in their area and how to access the service by checking our map for details of their nearest provider at desmond.nhs.uk/find-your-nearest-centre.
Thank you, will ask GP about that.
Will look into that but someone else has said you might have to ask GP for course access. Will check it out. Thanks again
Low Carb is traditionally not recommended for T2s because the association with raised Cardio risk, kidney problems, thyroid problems ( the thyroid needs glucose to create T3 out of T4) and adrenal fatigue. The Atkins Diet was completely revamped in 2012 due to the kidney issues. The X-Pert Diabetes course is generally regarded as a better intro to T2 than Desmond.X-Pert defines a carb portion as 15 grams of carb and recommends between 8 and 15 portions a day depending on activity levels and work done. Physiologists suggest that the brain needs the amount of glucose equal to that produced by 130 grams of carbs. Obviously the easiest way of assuring that amount of brain fuel is to eat 130 g of carbs. 130 seems to be a magic figure you often see quoted in relation to this issue.
I had a look at the low carb plan on this website which recommends the 130g per day. However, there is no way I can eat the amount of food they are suggesting. There are not enough hours in my day to eat that amount of food, plus I would not lose weight either. Too many calories!
It is very confusing.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
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- Type 2
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You might find keeping a food diary of everything you eat and drink will help you to see just how many carbs you are currently having. Obviously if it is already less than 130g per day then having more just to follow that menu plan would not be sensible but making sure you are having enough protein and healthy fats as you need to get energy from somewhere and without so much carbs that is where it comes from. Many people who follow a low carb regime don't worry about the calories and will still lose weight.
Drummer
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Don't worry about it - you'll read all sorts of outrageous claims about eating low carb.
Personally I have never felt better than when eating a low carb diet, about 50 gm a day, and many full blown type twos seem to settle around that same number - but you are only just into diabetic levels, so you might be able to work out what you can cope with by simply reducing the amount of carbs you eat each day and check how you progress using a blood glucose meter.
You should not need to bother about calories - or your kidneys.
Dr Atkins was a cardiologist and developed his low carb diet whilst seeing patients at his clinic - I am sure he'd have noticed deterioration if there was any going on.
I eat two small but nourishing meals a day, and 40 gm of carbs maximum, and it seems to work.
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