newly diagnosed type 2 and feeling totally lost

[corascate]

hello
I was diagnosed with type 2 on 29/06/2017. And right now I feel like my quality of life is over(I know it sounds dramatic but this is how I feel) started on metformin ? 500 twice a day last night.
joined this forum as I am hoping to obtain the positive attitude that the members have in bucketfuls
corascate

 

[Northerner]

hello
I was diagnosed with type 2 on 29/06/2017. And right now I feel like my quality of life is over(I know it sounds dramatic but this is how I feel) started on metformin ? 500 twice a day last night.
joined this forum as I am hoping to obtain the positive attitude that the members have in bucketfuls
corascate

Hi corascate, welcome to the forum 🙂 Don't panic! It's always a horrible thing to get a diagnosis of diabetes, but the good news is that it is something that can be controlled well and can lead to you feeling happier and healthier due to the adaptations to your diet and activity patterns - you just need a little knowledge, some hard work, and lots of support as you get to grips with things, hopefully we can provide two of those, you will have to do the work 🙂

How did your diagnosis come about? Do you have any family history of diabetes? Good that you have found us so early 🙂 I would start by having a read of Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter and getting hold of a copy of Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker. These should really put you in the picture and help you understand what it is all about - if there is anything that you find confusing or if you have any questions at all - no question is considered 'silly'! - please let us know 🙂 The book is particularly good and positive, so put all those myths and horror stories you read in the papers behind you and look forward to getting to know how your body works - there is quite a learning curve, but you will get there 🙂

 

[grovesy]

Welcome.

 

[Bubbsie]

hello
I was diagnosed with type 2 on 29/06/2017. And right now I feel like my quality of life is over(I know it sounds dramatic but this is how I feel) started on metformin ? 500 twice a day last night.
joined this forum as I am hoping to obtain the positive attitude that the members have in bucketfuls
corascate

Hi corascate...good advice from Northerner...so I won't repeat it...apart from endorsing his recommendation of Type 2 Diabetes The First year...by Gretchen Becker...a great book...so easy to read...a diabetic herself (like us type 2)...takes you through her first year from diagnosis ...month by month...explains so much about diabetes...answers many of the questions we all have...explains how/why...whether to test your blood glucose...the effect of carbs on out diets and 'explodes' many of the myths relating to type 2 diabetes...do try to get a copy if you can...please don't feel like your quality of life is over...although I remember feeling things would never be the same again soon after my diagnosis...ironically once I got to understand my condition...was able to manage it....life has got better...I take better care of myself than I have done for years...have lost weight...feel positive I can manage/control my diabetes...you have to work at it...some days are better than others...but...honestly it does/can get better...if you can tell us a little more about yourself...that would help with the advice/suggestions other members could offer...how did you come to be diagnosed...do you know your BG levels are/were...have you been given any advice on whether to home test your blood sugars...if you'd prefer not to answer at this stage...that's understandable...there is a lot to 'take in'...sometimes too much advice can be overwhelming at the start...if there is anything specific you would like to ask...do...no doubt one of us here will be able to answer...anything you feel relevant...good luck...keep us updated.

 

[corascate]

hi bubbsie

I notice that you are/were on same meds as me. am I right in assuming that your fabulous weightloss enabled you to come off the ramapril? . I am on 10mg daily so getting rid of them is definitely a goal I will aim for. I just hope I will have the same drive you have
steve

 

[corascate]

my diagnosis came from 2 blood tests about 3 months apart(my fault) my half brother and a nephew my half sisters son had it my brother (rip) got it in later life but my nephew had type 1 from being a toddler.
corascate

 

[Northerner]

my diagnosis came from 2 blood tests about 3 months apart(my fault) my half brother and a nephew my half sisters son had it my brother (rip) got it in later life but my nephew had type 1 from being a toddler.
corascate

OK. Please don't blame yourself or feel guilty. With all diabetes there is a genetic element, and this is clearly proven in your family. It may be true that your diet hasn't helped with matters, but now you have an opportunity to learn about it and how to manage it well 🙂 Keep asking questions 🙂

 

[trophywench]

Hiya

Obviously - high BP is no good for anyone - and there definitely is a connection between diabetes and heart trouble - and I wish I could still take a ~pril because they are kidney protective of themselves - and of course I'm getting older by the day and so I've had D longer too (45 years so far) and the longer I live, naturally, the more chance of any complications - hence my wish - if I have to take anything for my BP - and I do. Unfortunately - I developed the common 'ACE cough' after a few years on Lisinopril, so was transferred over to an ARB (the ~sartans) which works almost as well, but not quite - and is not quite as protective either.

From memory 10mg is the lowest dose of a ~pril - so I certainly wouldn't consider it to be panic inducing to be on it, at that dose!

And - because of the connection between D and heart disease - they consider it better for all Ds to have a BP on the slightly lower side of 'normal'. So - that's where they want us, and I don't see that changing any time soon, neither do I disagree with that, personally. (Whereas, I do disagree with quite a number of things that 'they' sometimes want - when I can't see a good reason for it)

It's only carbohydrates that people with D's bodies have trouble with - and there are far nicer things to eat than stodgy carbs IMHO !

 

[Steff]

A very warm welcome to the forum Corascate

 

[Bubbsie]

hi bubbsie

I notice that you are/were on same meds as me. am I right in assuming that your fabulous weightloss enabled you to come off the ramapril? . I am on 10mg daily so getting rid of them is definitely a goal I will aim for. I just hope I will have the same drive you have
steve

Hi S/C...yes was on Ramipril this time last year...quite a low dose...only 5mg...I believe the lowest dose is 2.5...can't be absolutely certain about that...my GP was hopeless back then (have a good relationship with him now)...said I would be on it for 'Life'...he thought I'd been diabetic for a number of years prior to diagnosis (DX)...had put on a tremendous amount of weight during the last couple of years ...initially BP was high...200/110...had a number of other health issues...in addition to 'Betty'...started to walk...weight did come off...blood pressure came down...GP happy to take my readings (have a blood pressure monitor)...since it always shot up when I saw him (not surprising)...stopped Ramipril in January this year...on the same meds & dose as you to start with...now just 500mgs Metformin daily...possibly coming off it at next review (we'll see)...initially I wanted off everything ASAP...was rushing...not easy to keep it up...so slowed down (advised here not to rush)...taken me almost a year to get BG levels down...reduce Metformin...stop Ramipril...still a work in progress...I do relax my control occasionally...next review due in September...will see what happens then...it was a matter of just plodding away Steve...not built for speed at my age...if you can it might be worth while investing in a home monitor...that's how I checked my BP as I increased my activity...reduced my weight...at the risk of boring you rigid...try to read the book suggested...it really changed my whole perspective on diabetes...often a seen as 'self inflicted' condition...it's not...it certainly opened my eyes to all the 'myths' surrounding type 2...the ones we see plastered all over the press...you seem well motivated...you'll get there...do things at your own pace...best way.

 

[Bubbsie]

my diagnosis came from 2 blood tests about 3 months apart(my fault) my half brother and a nephew my half sisters son had it my brother (rip) got it in later life but my nephew had type 1 from being a toddler.
corascate

C/S...agree with @Northerner...don't attach any blame to yourself for being diabetic...the media do that for us continuously...as said there is a genetic element to it...true sometimes our diets are not the best...but...even if you were saintly in respect of the number of carbs you consumed...doubtful you'd prevent it 'arriving'...likely to delay it...you are dealing with it now...appear well motivated...certainly in the right place for support...guidance...you will get lots of advice...based on members own personal experiences...not sure if I missed it...been a long day for me...has anyone spoken to you about testing your blood sugars at home?...so useful to assess what foods are good for lowering your BG...plus...will tell you what raises them...keep us updated.

 

[Sandy64]

Hi Corascate,
First of all don't be so worried, it has been diagnosed and is being treated, it is being controlled and so the next step is down to you.
It is a mine field of info out there, I and I am so confused at times, I am also very new to this and I'm so confused about the carbs and all that entails, no clue in reading blood sugar, and am learning every day.
BUT I see this, me personally, from a different point of view.
For me its a new begining.
I'm leaving, the sadness, denial, comfort eating, painful past behind and taking this by both hands!
I suspected I had it for a while, I was told I was prediabetic and thought no probs, I just cut down on the wrong food and up the good food. But life takes over, I pushed advice I had been told, to the back of my mind, and carried on.
Stupid, irresponsible, yes I was.
This is all my fault, yes of course it is.
I should have taken so much more care.

But it is what it is, and I'm here now, and now I am facing it face to face, and am now going to get this sorted once and for all.

I needed a good kick up the backside for a few years.
I'm not depressed or even annoyed but I am very disappointed in me.

I know I am better than this, taking tablets, possible future health issues and all because I didn't really think I would get diabetes, I chose to put my head in the sand, and so here I am, wake up call.... hello....

So all the excuses and reasons and blanking and ignoring and everything in between is history now.
Today, a brand new day and a brand new start (well the day I was told) has just begun for me. I feel more in control than I have in years. Now its my time.
I have taken this and used it as a positive, I refuse to have any negativity based on being told I am diabetic, end of.
I have so much to learn, appointments are coming in for this and that, but it has to be for the better and that is my goal.

Chin up, we are all here some years of experience, some,like myself, newbies but all with an understanding.
Hugs and love x

 

[Grannylorraine]

Welcome, I think I replied to your other thread. You will get the positive attitude in time, I had it in when I was first diagnosed in January, then about 6 weeks in went into a downward spiral of denial then about April/May time started to be more positive again. Everyone is different and there is no one size fits all approach, what works for me might not work for anyone else, you will find what works for you.