New today ....

[jill55]

Hi everyone .... today i was told over the phone by my doctor that i have type 2 and that i would get an appointment with the nurse in a few weeks but in the meantime stop eating sugar and all carbs .... I feel shocked and confused and not sure what i do next so would much appreciate your advice

 

[Ditto]

Hello Jill, welcome to the forum. 🙂 That's not a very nice way to find out, very offhand. Just don't panic, there's tons of advice off people here.

 

[Susie P]

Hi Jill I can understand how you feel I got diagnosed over the phone early Sept and my appt is not until 18 October it is very confusing but there is lots of good advice on here.

 

[jill55]

Thanks im glad i came across this forum tonight as you feel like you have been hit with a sledgehammer....

 

[Susie P]

Yep exactly how I felt ,like I should be doing something but not sure what

 

[jill55]

I just feel total panic hardly dare eat a thing ... should i buy a blood sugar meter right now ot should i wait .... i guess asking here and reading the forums is a good start ?

 

[Susie P]

Sit tight because I feel sure some of the more knowledgeable members will post when they see this thread and they have lots of useful links etc . Me personally I am just trying to be sensible with my diet and take exercise until I see the diabetic specialist nurse. I am seriously thinking of purchasing a meter though.

 

[Wirrallass]

Hi everyone .... today i was told over the phone by my doctor that i have type 2 and that i would get an appointment with the nurse in a few weeks but in the meantime stop eating sugar and all carbs .... I feel shocked and confused and not sure what i do next so would much appreciate your advice

Hi jill and a warm welcome to our friendly forum ~ sorry to hear of your dx (diagnosis) but glad you found us as there is a wealth of knowledge & experience here to offer you advice ~ encouragement and support.

I agree with you that being dx sure does come as a shock & understand fully how you are feeling right now. We've been there! You're bound to be confused because you were informed that you have diabetes in what I surmise was a short phone call from your GP with little more information than to see the nurse in a few weeks and to *STOP eating sugar & carbs*! You were left high and dry thus your confusement. Being dx is also a daunting prospect but diabetes is a condition that is manageable so please don't despair.

You don't have to stop eating carborhydrates ~ just cut them down. Carbs are our main source of energy and provide important nutrients for good health and a healthy, balanced diet. All the carbs we eat or drink are broken down into glucose. The type and amount we consume can make a difference to our bgl (Blood glucose levels) and diabetes management.

The two main types of carbs to avoid are:~
1. STARCHY FOODS such as:~
White bread ~ rice ~ pasta ~ potatoes ~ (one or two baby new potatoes are ok) ~ mashed potatoes ~ breakfast cereals ~ couscous and yams.
2. SUGARS ~ these can be divided into naturally occurring and added sugars.
*Naturally occurring sugars are found in fruits (fructose) we call grapes *sugar bombs*~ and some dairy foods (lactose)
*Added sugars are found in sweets ~ chocolate ~ sugary drinks & desserts.

Everyone needs some carborhydrates every day. The actual amount that we need to eat will depend on your age ~ activity levels ~ and the goals you are contemplating to achieve ie trying to lose weight ~ improve bgls or improve sports performance. The total amount of carbs eaten will have the biggest effect on your glucose levels. One last thing to be considered is portion size ~ so if you're used to having a large meal portion then it would be wise to reduce this but top it up with vegetables.

I think that's enough for you to read at the moment as I don't want to overwhelm you anymore than you already are but here is a link for you to read at your leisure which I'm sure you will find very useful.

https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/useful-links-for-people-new-to-diabetes.10406/

Take care and do please stay with us as others will come along to offer their support & advice too especially regarding self testing meter kits to test your bgls. x
Post edited.

 

[HOBIE]

Hi everyone .... today i was told over the phone by my doctor that i have type 2 and that i would get an appointment with the nurse in a few weeks but in the meantime stop eating sugar and all carbs .... I feel shocked and confused and not sure what i do next so would much appreciate your advice

Welcome jill55. being positive like you is the way to go ! Cutting the sugar & carbs will do you very well. T2 your pancreas could work in varying degrees. Could be 80% or 10%. T1 is 0%. You are doing the right thing joining this very friendly site & gaining info. 😎

 

[jill55]

Thankyou for your kind words all and support and thankyou wirral lass for your post as you have been much more help than my doctor ...

 

[jill55]

Thanks Susie for your advice too as it sounds like our stories are similar with off hand docs ..

 

[Wirrallass]

Thankyou for your kind words all and support and thankyou wirral lass for your post as you have been much more help than my doctor ...

Its a shame that some GP's are too quick to dismiss their patients once they have informed them of their diagnosis leaving them in total despair and confusion like yourself. This may be because of the time element allotted to each patient whether in person or by telephone. Do let us know when you are given an appointment date to see Nursie. You might like to go *equipped* with a note of questions ~ we can help you with this if you so wish. Take care and try to relax this evening x

 

[Wirrallass]

Its a shame that some GP's are too quick to dismiss their patients once they have informed them of their diagnosis leaving them in total despair and confusion like yourself. This may be because of the time element allotted to each patient whether in person or by telephone. Do let us know when you are given an appointment date to see Nursie. You might like to go *equipped* with a note of questions ~ we can help you with this if you so wish. Take care and try to relax this evening x

P.S.
@Jill. I can highly recommend the book CARB & CALORIE COUNTER which has over 1700 coloured photo's of a wide range of food and drink items. The carborhydrate ~ calorie ~ protein ~ fat ~ saturated fat ~ and fibre values are clearly displayed in colour-coded circles below each photo.

This highly visible approach makes it incredibly quick & easy to see the nutrient content if the food & drink you consume. CARB & CALS Is the perfect support tool for carb counting in diabetes ~ weight management ~ portion control and general healthy eating. If you wish you can purchase it from Amazon for £10.99. What I like about this book is that it has a section at the rear of the book that gives ideas of carbs content etc for when dining out. There is also a pocket size version for when your'e out & about that will fit into a handbag or jacket pocket. This is £6.99 also from Amazon. I find both these books little treasures to own. Hope you find them as useful as I and many others here have too. Take care x

 

[Bubbsie]

Hi everyone .... today i was told over the phone by my doctor that i have type 2 and that i would get an appointment with the nurse in a few weeks but in the meantime stop eating sugar and all carbs .... I feel shocked and confused and not sure what i do next so would much appreciate your advice

Jill...so disappointed to hear of yet another member given their diagnosis this way...exactly the same 'introduction' I had to diabetes...fortunately you have come to the forum early...you don't need to wait until you see the nurse before you start to manage your diabetes...I expect at the moment it is overwhelming...there is so much information available on how to manage/control your blood sugars...however...one of the first things I would advise you to do is to get a copy of Type 2 Diabetes The First Year...by Gretchen Becker...she is type 2 herself...takes you through her first year from her diagnosis month by month...explains what diabetes is...how/why it develops...answers so many of the questions we all have...is it our fault (the answer is no)...can we delay/avoid complications (Yes we can)...explains precisely what we need to avoid...gives details of how & why we should test/self monitor our blood...it is so well written... an easy read...often we are given the diagnosis...told to wait for an appointment...just left to fend for ourselves...I do firmly believe before we can achieve good management...lower our blood sugars...we need to understand what type 2 diabetes is...if you can get the book (available on Amazon)...it will give you a good head start before your appointment...put you in a position where you can ask the right questions...diabetes is a perfectly manageable condition...once you find the right routine...one that suits you...good luck...ask any questions you need to here...no doubt one of us will have the answer...keep us updated.

 

[jill55]

Thankyou Bubbsie i will get the book you have said and thanks for your advice ... im so glad i found this forum as it makes you feel less alone whilst trying to get my head around the diagnosis and what it means as people make you feel that somehow its your fault because you are carrying a wee bit extra weight

 

[Bubbsie]

Thankyou Bubbsie i will get the book you have said and thanks for your advice ... im so glad i found this forum as it makes you feel less alone whilst trying to get my head around the diagnosis and what it means as people make you feel that somehow its your fault because you are carrying a wee bit extra weight

Jill...honestly I cannot recommend that book highly enough...it will explain how it develops...why...what you can do to lower your blood sugars and so much more...sadly often type 2 is viewed as fault based...its not your fault...don't subscribe to that...there is such a lot you can do to improve your health...get your diabetes under control...and you can start tomorrow if you want to🙂...sometimes the advice we get from our health care professionals is not the best...often archaic...limiting...read the book...post any questions you have here...there are many experienced type 2s that will be happy to offer advice/suggestions...anything at all...we've all been there...know exactly how daunting it can be...once you gain a little more knowledge...you'll feel more confident...then can ask specific questions...no doubt in time you'll be offering support to another in the same position...here on the forum...that's how many of us started...good luck....don't panic...and don't rush...take things at your won pace...it can/does get better honestly.

 

[Bubbsie]

Jill I forgot to say you can preview the book before you buy it on Amazon...will give you a good insight to the contents.

 

[Susie P]

I have purchased the book only just started to read it but very impressed and can see that it is worth every penny

 

[Bubbsie]

I have purchased the book only just started to read it but very impressed and can see that it is worth every penny

It really is Susie...changed my whole approach to how I manage my diabetes...absolutely worth every penny...I'm diagnosed just over a year...about to read it again.

 

[scottishlass]

Hi Jill and a big warm welcome to the club. I was diagnosed in June this year and, like you, was totally overwhelmed by the news. Fear not! With this forum you are no longer alone - loads of support and excellent advice. I find the Gretchen Becker book really useful and keep going back to it.
You'll soon get the hang of carb control - recipes on this site are a good source of ideas if you get stuck.