Newly diagnosed @ 31 - any advice/tips welcome

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DiabeticSinger

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Type 2
Hiya,

I've recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes - I have been prescribed Metformin and have been taking this for the last 4 weeks.

I am feeling so many different emotions and have so many questions. How long does the medication take to stabilise? The side effects are quite severe - my dosage is 500MG 2 tablets per day.

I have struggled with my weight since my early 20's and would appreciate any advice and support anyone can give me. I struggle with anxiety and depression due to my weight issues and am in real need of some help. I don't cook much - I can't really cook. Embarrassing to admit at my big age - most of my food is on convenience and I eat a lot .

I don't think I have fully accepted my diagnosis and am in denial, which I know is a stupid way to feel. But it is what I feel.

TIA. X
 
Welcome to the forum, a diagnosis can come as a shock to some people but can often explain why people have been feeling rubbish and that can be a relief to know that it is something that you can do something about.
Metformin helps your body use the insulin it produces more effectively but it is no good still eating the foods that will increase your blood glucose so dietary changes are just if not more important.
Your stomach should settle down but if it doesn't in a couple of weeks then you need to ask your GP or the slow release version which is kinder on the stomach. Also taking the medication with food, often mid meal helps.
Convenience food are more likely to be high carb which is not what you want to be eating. Start simple with making meals with fresh ingredients, meat, fish, eggs, cheese, vegetables and salads but being very careful of portion size of high carb foods like potatoes, rice, pasta, bread, breakfast cereals, tropical fruits and cutting out cakes, biscuits, pastry and sugary drinks including fruit juice.
It is important to recognise what foods are high carb and I found the book (there is an app) Carbs and Cals relly useful and illuminating as to just how many grams of carb there are in some foods.
Many find a low carb approach is successful at both losing weight and reducing blood glucose and this link gives a good explanation with some menu plans and recipes to suit various tastes and budgets. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
Low carb is suggested as being no more than 130g carbs per day as a starting point, it is not NO carbs.

What is your HbA1C that has given you your diagnosis as that will indicate how much work you will need to do.
If you would like to share some examples of what meals you have people may be able to make some suggestions of where you could make some adjustments.
 
Welcome to the forum @DiabeticSinger

Glad you have joined us!

That whirlwind of emotions is very common - so you aren’t alone in that, and shouldn’t be hard on yourself. Many people experience a form of grieving following a diagnosis with a long-term condition, so be kind to yourself.

Many people find that any stomach upset from Metformin settles down after a short while. However some people find it simply doesn’t suit them, and they get switched to a different class if medication. The slow release versions of Metformin might be worth trying? Speak to your Dr about any side effects you are getting and get their advice - particularly if they are making things difficult for you, or you are finding them distressing.

Perhaps take a look at our ‘food and carb queries’ section, or the ‘weight loss’ or ‘remission’ sections to exchange experiences or ask questions there. There are threads where people share their daily menus that might give you some inspiration?

 
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