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New worry

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Deeisla

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I am 86 and shocked to find my blood sugar is16. I have had so many health problems lately I must sort this out but how?I am a vegetarian and I am also overweight and eat too much bread and potatoes
 
Morning @Deeisla welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about your other health problems and diagnosis, I know it's a bit shocking at the moment, but that does ease off after a bit.
Has the doctor put you on any pills and if so are you getting on ok with them?
I'm also a vegetarian (lacto ovo) and have reduced the amount of bread and potatoes that I have to try and reduce my blood sugar.
Can you maybe put less of each on your plate and put on some other vegetables or a bit of grated cheese instead to fill the space on the plate? Or make the mashed potatoes with half cauliflower as that's got much less carbohydrate/starch in it.
The things that'll put up your blood sugar are the obvious things like chocolate, cakes and biscuits and the less obvious ones like bread, rice, potatoes. You don't need to give them up, but it's helpful if you try and massively cut down on the obvious ones (chocolate etc) and do smaller portions with the second group.
Let us know if you have any questions you need answering and we'll be happy to try and answer them,
Sarah
 
I am 86 and after 26 years my diabetes has gone up to 16 which is quite frightening,I dont knowwhat to do. i never see the Diabetic nurse now. When I was first diagnosed I was regularly checked but now nobody seems to bother. I have tried to get an appointment to see someone so far with no success so I must help myself. I am trying to cut out all carbs and sugars and I don't eat a lot but I am not very active being unable to walk far,any advice ?
 
Deeisla - not ideal ! You are certainly on the right lines with reducing carbohydrate generally BUT honestly I think you also need to make a concerted effort to get your GP surgery to help you. None of us wants to 'be a nuisance' - but if you don't KEEP asking I'm afraid it may be assumed that 'She must be OK because we haven't heard from her since'.

Try being a bit of a nuisance - stress that you are worried - you could try saying that you were worried enough when you rang before but as you haven't had any success getting an appointment to see anyone - you are now VERY worried!
 
A GP once told me that they’d always rather a patient made a fuss and it was nothing than they didn’t and then couldn’t.
Call the surgery. Make an appointment.
 
Hi @Deeisla
Welcome to the forums.

I'm sorry you are having such a rough time getting the care you need and it is NOT okay.
I completely agree with everyone saying that you should make a fuss and get heard.

As for getting active, there are many workout videos on youtube which can be done sitting down which might be suitable. I was looking for some workouts for my daughter and another family member who have mobility issues. Searching senior workout / elderly workout / sitting workout should bring some up.
Swimming can also be a great option if you are able which is less impactful on joints. Just another thing you can consider.

Do let us know how you are getting on with it x
 
Welcome @Deeisla 🙂 I’m another one saying that you should contact your GP surgery and ask to speak to someone. When you say you’ve had no success previously, what do you mean? Can’t get through on the phone? No appointments left? My surgery is a pain and I do find it takes a while to get through so if you’re in a queue, just wait. I used to try phoning back but it’s easier to wait on the line.
 
I am 86 and after 26 years my diabetes has gone up to 16 which is quite frightening,I dont knowwhat to do. i never see the Diabetic nurse now. When I was first diagnosed I was regularly checked but now nobody seems to bother. I have tried to get an appointment to see someone so far with no success so I must help myself. I am trying to cut out all carbs and sugars and I don't eat a lot but I am not very active being unable to walk far,any advice ?
Thank you all for your advice. I have rung my GP who is going to phone me tomorrrow morning.
 
Welcome to the forum @Deeisla

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis :(

Was your 16 the result of a blood test drawn from your arm? Or a fingerprick droplet of blood from your finger?

Good that you have identified that it is all carbohydrates (not just the ‘of which sugars’) that you need to keep an eye on.

Many new members find it can be really helpful to keep a brutally honest food diary for a week or two. Note down everything you eat and drink, along with a reasonable estimate of the total carbohydrate content in yoir meals and snacks - it doesn’t have to be gram-perfect, the nearest 5-10g is fine. It might sound like a bit of a faff, and will involve weighing portions, squinting at the fine print on packaging, and possibly looking up things on the internet, but it will give you a really good idea of which foods are the main sources of carbs in your menu.

Once you can see which meals or snacks are the ‘big hitters’, and where carbs might be unexpectedly lurking. The process might also suggest some likely candidates for swaps, portion reductions, or using lower carb alternatives (eg celeriac or swede mash, or cauli ‘rice’).

Keep asking questions and let us know how you get on 🙂
 
Morning @Deeisla welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about your other health problems and diagnosis, I know it's a bit shocking at the moment, but that does ease off after a bit.
Has the doctor put you on any pills and if so are you getting on ok with them?
I'm also a vegetarian (lacto ovo) and have reduced the amount of bread and potatoes that I have to try and reduce my blood sugar.
Can you maybe put less of each on your plate and put on some other vegetables or a bit of grated cheese instead to fill the space on the plate? Or make the mashed potatoes with half cauliflower as that's got much less carbohydrate/starch in it.
The things that'll put up your blood sugar are the obvious things like chocolate, cakes and biscuits and the less obvious ones like bread, rice, potatoes. You don't need to give them up, but it's helpful if you try and massively cut down on the obvious ones (chocolate etc) and do smaller portions with the second group.
Let us know if you have any questions you need answering and we'll be happy to try and answer them,
Sarah
Thank you for your advice I shall do as you suggest. There seems to have been a mix up with everyone thinking I am newly diagnosed,that is not the case.I have had Type 2 Diabetes for over 25 years and my blood sugar levels have always been around 7,just lately it shot up and I have been in a panic ever since.I did get in touch with my Dr,but only by phone it was a locum I do not know.She said phone back and make an appointment with the Diabetic nurse,I was given the 7th March,I protested and said how worried I was and was given an appointment for Monday 14th Feb. I got the feeling I was being a nuisance,but I have several other problems with my heart and kidneys etc.I haven't been really well sinc e having Covid pnuemonia a year ago. My reading this morning is 14,which is better but not good.I am so frightened and am struggling to stay calm,thank you for listening to me,
 
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