Newbie to this site

[suzy10]

Hi Everyone,

My name is Suzy and I was diagnosed Type 2 three months ago. A big shock though really it shouldn't of been as there are so many diabetics in my Father's side of the family.

When I was diagnosed my Hbalc was 11.3 and my chlolestral was 5.7, i have to add here that I was also 3 stone over weight.
My doctor started me on Metformin 3 times a day and also put me on a statin. I saw the diabetic nurse and she talked me through a healthy eating plan and also what exercise I could do.

In the 3 months since being diagnosed I have monitered my sugar levels mornings and evenings and most mornings they are under 6 and in the evenings before bed they are between 6 and 8. Is this ok?

I had blood taking last week and rang today for the results. They told me it was 53 which I did not understand so I had to wait until I could speak to someone who could convert it for me. They have now told me its 7, is this ok? I am going to the clinic next week but I really would like to know if I'm on the right track. I have lost 2 stones and have 1 left to go so I am very pleased with that.

There are a few things I don't understand and one is my Doctor told me there is no reason for me to test my blood as I'm on Metformin. I thought you should test just to keep an eye on things.
Also my daughter-in-laws sister who is a type 1 and has been since she was 6 years old and her Father who is a type 2 seem to eat anything when we have been out for meals and they told me its fine!!! Will I ever be able to have the odd chocolate bar or chinese again??

Sorry for all these questions, wanted to ask before but felt a little frightend to come on here!

Many thanks

Suzy

 

[Steff]

Hi Suzy and a warm welcome to the forum firstly yes those numbers you say are just fine also to get your hbA dwom from 11.3 to 7 is amazing so well done to you a big pat on the back,as for your doctor saying about not testing it seems to be a common occurance for us type 2s we are told not to test, the only way to see how foods effect our blood sugars is to test though so its a nest of bees that one.

Regarding choccie and chinese things then yes you are allowed them its just the quantity you eat,eat things in moderation and dont deprive yourself, be careful with chinese food though as alot of the sweetness is in the sauces, trying to do home cooking it's also a great way to help you know all the key ingredients and whats actually going in your food...

Anyway have a good look around the forum and ask any questions you have anytime we are a good little community on here.

A great starting point for some literature would be Gretchen Becker-type 2 diabetes- the first year of diabetes available here http://www.amazon.co.uk/Type-Diabet...8048/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307999934&sr=8-1

 

[Northerner]

Hi Suzy, welcome to the forum 🙂 Firstly, let me congratulate you on how well you are doing. You've had a great weight loss and your numbers are looking excellent. Your HbA1c is slightly higher than ideal, but that is only to be expected so soon after diagnosis - the suggested upper value is 6.5% (48), but as you can see this is only a little bit further to go 🙂 I also think you are right to test as it is helping you to manage your diabetes - your doctor just wants to save money, but his argument might be that only people on insulin need to test so they can adjust the amount of insulin they inject. As you rightly suggest, you can only know how things are affecting you and if you are doing things right if you test.

As for the sister of your DIL, it will be slightly different for her as she will be able to inject insulin to match the food she eats, which isn't an option for you so you need to be more careful with your diet. It may be, of course, that both hers and her father's levels are much worse than yours because they are not as dedicated as you to keeping good levels - might be worth asking them what their levels are like!

Treats are definitely NOT off the menu. We all deserve a treat every now and then, the main thing to remember is that they should be occasional and in moderation. You may find that, in time, your taste for things will change and you will have less desire for the things you may feel you are missing now.

Thanks you for all your questions - that's why we're here, to share our experiences, so please ask away! Pretty soon you'll be answering other people's questions! 🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hi Everyone,

My name is Suzy and I was diagnosed Type 2 three months ago. A big shock though really it shouldn't of been as there are so many diabetics in my Father's side of the family.

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis.

In the 3 months since being diagnosed I have monitered my sugar levels mornings and evenings and most mornings they are under 6 and in the evenings before bed they are between 6 and 8. Is this ok?

Those are spot on. Congratulations!

I had blood taking last week and rang today for the results. They told me it was 53 which I did not understand so I had to wait until I could speak to someone who could convert it for me. They have now told me its 7, is this ok? I am going to the clinic next week but I really would like to know if I'm on the right track.

53/7% is a very good HbA1c to have achieved in the time you have. Even better if you can keep working away and shaving off the odd fraction of a percent here and there. As I'm sure you know, long term health with diabetes is strongly associated with low HbA1c. If you keep going the way you are you'll be heading for the elusive 5% club 🙂

I have lost 2 stones and have 1 left to go so I am very pleased with that.

Great news! Congratulations 🙂 Losing weight can help your body use insulin more efficiently

There are a few things I don't understand and one is my Doctor told me there is no reason for me to test my blood as I'm on Metformin. I thought you should test just to keep an eye on things.

Yup you are absolutely right. Your Doc is just trotting out the standard line which is more about denying you test strips to save money.

Also my daughter-in-laws sister who is a type 1 and has been since she was 6 years old and her Father who is a type 2 seem to eat anything when we have been out for meals and they told me its fine!!! Will I ever be able to have the odd chocolate bar or chinese again??

Certainly! An occasional treat will do no long term harm and will help keep you sane.

If you want to build on your successes so far, the next big step might be for you to begin testing before and after meals. Occasional 'overview' tests morning/evening are all very well, but they don't really help you tie down what happened when. If you test before, then 1 hour after and 2 hours after eating a meal and write it all down (including what you ate) you can discover how different foods affect your BG level. All carbs (of which sugar is only one type) will raise your BG level sooner or later. So that's bread/pasta/potato/grains/rice/fruit etc etc. How much by and how fast varies form person to person. So one person might be OK eating a banana, while for another it'll cause an almost instant high level.

The only way to know for sure is to test test test. Once you've built up a picture (and repeated the experiments to make sure your conclusions are repeatable) you may decide to put certain things on you 'special occasions only' list.

Welcome to the forum! Stick around and ask lots of questions 🙂

 

[Andy HB]

Hello Suzy, a very warm welcome to the forum.

We're a friendly bunch, so get stuck in!

Andy 🙂

 

[Lilies]

Hi Suzy and welcome... You are doing so well, I am ten days post diagnosis and seeing what's possible in three months is inspirational

 

[teapot8910]

Welcome to the forum Suzy 🙂

 

[suzy10]

Thank you everyone for making me feel so welcome!

 

[Sheilagh1958]

Welcome to the forum Suzy 🙂

 

[Mark T]

Welcome to the forum Suzy 🙂