Newly diagnosed type 2.

[Berenice]

I was diagnosed just over two weeks ago. I thought I already knew all there was to know because my mum was diagnosed a few years ago. But it's different when it's yourself and although I'm positive I also feel quite overwhelmed with information.

 

[Wirrallass]

Welcome to our friendly forum Berenice ~ you have come to the right place ~ yes diabetes is overwhelmimg initially but it is manageable as you know from your mums diabete

So we can help you please tell us a little about yourself ~ how did you come to be diagnosed ~ what were your symptoms? Drinking a lot to quench your thirst? Constantly needing to pee? Weight gain? Yes we know these symptims all too well

Have you in mind any particular diet you wish to follow? What medication ~ if any ~ are you taking and has your GP or DSN supplied you with a self test meter kit so you can test your bgls (Blood glucose levels). @Bubbsie. We usually test upon waking whilst still in bed ~ before meals and 2hrs post meals and last thing at night. (Sorry about all the questions, got carried away there!)🙄

We will lend our support and guide you on your diabetes journey so you don't feel alone and we are happy & willing to answer any questions you wish to ask as many times as you wish - so feel free to ask away.

I advocate the book CARB & CALORIE COUNTER which can be bought from Amazon for a little over £10. It has over 1700 coloured photo's and a section for when dining out. There is a smaller version called POCKET COUNTER £6.99 also from Amazon ~ handy to pop into a handbag or jacket pocket. Both are worth buying to help you manage your diabetes.

I don't want to overwhelm you unduly at this stage but others will be along to fill you
in with more useful information. In any event do please keep in touch as to your progress, take care x

.................................................
Dx Type2 April 2016
Diet control and exercise only

 

[scousebird]

Hello

 

[grovesy]

Welcome.

 

[Bubbsie]

I was diagnosed just over two weeks ago. I thought I already knew all there was to know because my mum was diagnosed a few years ago. But it's different when it's yourself and although I'm positive I also feel quite overwhelmed with information.

Hi Berenice...agree with @wirraslass...the diagnosis can be totally overwhelming initially...the wealth of information available can be staggering...what diet...how much activity...do I test or not...although you have some experience with diabetes in the family...when it comes to managing your own...it is as you say a different matter...being positive helps...good start...are you able to tell us a little bit more about yourself...possibly too early for that yet?...I expect you have a lot of information being fired at you already...but...I would recommend a book mentioned here often...Type 2 Diabetes The First Year by Gretchen Becker...she is a diabetic...takes you through her first year month by month...details exactly what type 2 is...how/why we develop it...is it our fault (the answer is no)...can we avoid/delay complications (the answer is yes)...helped me put my diabetes in perspective...gives advice on diet...what to avoid...discusses self testing your blood sugars...what the benefits are...the attitude towards type 2s...do try to read it (if you haven't already)...well written...easy to read...good luck...keep us updated...be good to hear your progress.

 

[Berenice]

Thanks for the lovely welcomes. Basically my diabetes has been caught very early and the nurse wants me to try and manage it with healthy eating and exercise. I guess I've been pushing my luck for some time with eating just about whatever I wanted, mostly the wrong food. I'd piled extra weight onto an already overweight body and had gone from very active to virtually no exercise other than work. Early July I went to the doctor about ongoing arch problems with my feet and she decided to send me for a load of blood tests. Then repeat blood tests. The end result being I'd just gone over the line from prediabetic to diabetic. In the meantime, from the day I first went to the doctor, I started working on losing weight, upping the effort once I got the diagnosis. In seven weeks I've lost a stone and a half (from 19st to 17St 7lbs). There's a long way to go but I'm back to my old exercise routine of two miles before and after work, plus the nurse is referring me for something called "gym on prescription". My biggest challenge is working out an eating plan for the shifts I work.

 

[Amigo]

Thanks for the lovely welcomes. Basically my diabetes has been caught very early and the nurse wants me to try and manage it with healthy eating and exercise. I guess I've been pushing my luck for some time with eating just about whatever I wanted, mostly the wrong food. I'd piled extra weight onto an already overweight body and had gone from very active to virtually no exercise other than work. Early July I went to the doctor about ongoing arch problems with my feet and she decided to send me for a load of blood tests. Then repeat blood tests. The end result being I'd just gone over the line from prediabetic to diabetic. In the meantime, from the day I first went to the doctor, I started working on losing weight, upping the effort once I got the diagnosis. In seven weeks I've lost a stone and a half (from 19st to 17St 7lbs). There's a long way to go but I'm back to my old exercise routine of two miles before and after work, plus the nurse is referring me for something called "gym on prescription". My biggest challenge is working out an eating plan for the shifts I work.

You sound motivated Berenice and I'm sure you'll get things under control. Many of us 'push our luck' for too long so don't beat yourself up about that now. Onwards and downwards and good luck 🙂

 

[Ditto]

Hello and welcome to the forum Berenice, well done on the weight loss, very impressive. 🙂

 

[Ralph-YK]

Welcome Berenice from a fellow T2

 

[Berenice]

Hi and thanks to everyone

 

[Bill Stewardson]

Hello to Berenice.

 

[Pine Marten]

Hi @Berenice, welcome to the forum. I'm impressed with your weight loss, well done! 🙂 I'm also impressed with your nurse wanting you to try diet & exercise instead of loading you up with a dose of pills...!

We are a friendly bunch so ask any questions you might have, come and have a rant or a gossip, share a recipe or whatever you like - you sound very motivated and I'm sure you'll do just fine

 

[Maz2]

Welcome Berenice. I was diagnosed pre-diabetic last year and that was a total shock as had no idea. Only found in medical research who alerted my GP to a high fructosamine reading. She did an hba1c which came in at 42. Repeated three months later and, despite cutting the carbs, had risen to 43. Devastated although told on here not to worry too much as they do fluctuate. I was not overweight and lost weight through cutting the carbs. When I went to see the GP after my lifestyle check and the hba1c 43 he brought up I was underweight and my red blood cell count was down, more than likely as a result. I was very upset as could not see what more I could do. He told me not everyone can avoid going from pre to full blown and they would deal with it if the worst came to the worst. I was sent on a diabetes prevention programme but not keen on the eat well plate as don't think it is brilliant advice.

HBA1cs have gone back to normal but are creeping up each time so have started self-testing to see what is affecting me. Something must be.

I find the carbs and cals book very helpful and also found the Gretchen Becker book helpful. I like Michael Moseley's Blood Sugar Diet book and Blood Sugar Diet recipes book and Dr David Cavan's book "Reverse your Diabetes." Tom Kerridge has written a dopamine diet book and gives the carb count in all the dishes he has put in there. Davina McCall has one too about quitting sugar but would not cook the dishes that have loads of pasta and rice in to be honest. She does give the carb content of everything though.