Newbie saying hello

[Meglorien]

Hi,
I've been diagnosed with diabetes type 2. First couple of weeks were hard and overwhelming, especially the first week where a sense of guilt and shame was rather... difficult. It took me a minute to transform that into something a less self-destructive and into a more productive mindset. It helped to find out that diabetes type 2 is also genetic and not just bad living and bad eating, as it were (not that those things don't matter, it's just that it wasn't just me doing this, which was unhelpful in producing changes). I was diagnosed with 50 in my HB whatsit, so I'm looking for changes that might reverse this. I'm very confused about the medication and diet and I have so many questions. I don't quite know why the first step isn't to refer a newly diagnosed person to a doctor who knows about diabetes, or at least a nutritionist. Anyway, thanks for having me. I see there's a lot of reading to do to help me with those questions, just on this blog!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Meglorien

Glad you have found a way to turn away from the stigma and blame that can (unfairly) swirl around a T2 diagnosis. the media, internet, and even some HCPs are sometimes contributors to this, and it is entirely unhelpful and demotivating IMO.

50mmol/mol is only a smidge over the diagnostic threshold of 48, so you may find it sufficient to make relatively modest tweaks and changes to your menu. However, many T2s on the forum are able to use their diagnosis as a catalyst for a more significant overhaul of their lifestyle.

There are two main approaches to diabetes management that are popular on the forum (with many variants among them). One is to focus on weight loss, particularly weight around the abdomen which can indicate visceral fat built up around organs like the liver and pancreas, stopping them working properly. Many members using this approach find that glucose levels improve naturally as their weight reduces - particularly if using a short term intervention such as the Newcastle Diet.

The other approach is to focus on blood glucose management with a lower carbohydrate way of eating (typically less than 130g of carbohydrates a day). Reducing portions of all carbohydrates, not just the obvious sweet and sugary things, but bread, pasta, potatoes, grains, rice, and many fruits. Many members using this approach find that weight reduces naturally as their glucose levels improve.

Of course there are some that use a combination approach too!

One of the things about diabetes is that it can be very individual. And the same approach may not appeal, or work as successfully for two different people - so it’s really a question of experimentation, and developing a ‘diabetes toolkit’ of strategies and approaches that work for you, and which you can sustain long-term 🙂

Good luck with finding your own way through the options, and developing something that works for you 🙂

 

[KandyKat]

Hi,
I've been diagnosed with diabetes type 2. First couple of weeks were hard and overwhelming, especially the first week where a sense of guilt and shame was rather... difficult. It took me a minute to transform that into something a less self-destructive and into a more productive mindset. It helped to find out that diabetes type 2 is also genetic and not just bad living and bad eating, as it were (not that those things don't matter, it's just that it wasn't just me doing this, which was unhelpful in producing changes). I was diagnosed with 50 in my HB whatsit, so I'm looking for changes that might reverse this. I'm very confused about the medication and diet and I have so many questions. I don't quite know why the first step isn't to refer a newly diagnosed person to a doctor who knows about diabetes, or at least a nutritionist. Anyway, thanks for having me. I see there's a lot of reading to do to help me with those questions, just on this blog!

I'm with you! Diagnosed yesterday Type 2. Yes lots to learn but I'm going to try proper diet low carbs etc., as I'm very overweight. I'm feeling shame and guilt too but we've all had our life battles haven't we and we have to be kind to ourselves now and get well again. X

 

[Drummer]

There is no need for shame and guilt as it is the advice we are given that all those healthy carbs can't possibly be the problem, which is the problem for many of us.