Hi there I'm kirsten and I am a mum to a 9yr old boy and live with my partner John. I have just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes despite trying to avoid it by loosing weight. My mum had diabetes so looks like it's hereditary. I also have a few other health problems that don't help lol.
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Newly diagnosed
- Thread starter parkibum
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rebrascora
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Hi and welcome.
Sorry to hear of your diagnosis but you have come to the right place for advice and support. Would you like to tell us a bit about your diabetes diagnosis? ie. Did it come to light through a routine blood test or were you symptomatic and if so which symptoms? Do you know your HbA1c result? This is the blood test used to diagnose diabetes and will usually be a number in excess of 47. How much above that number gives us an indication of the scale of your diabetes and whether some simple lifestyle changes may be enough to turn things around or if you have been prescribed some medication to help alongside lifestyle changes and if so, which medication?
We all know it can be quite overwhelming at first and there is a lot to learn and understand/process. Do take your time to come to terms with it and put together a "plan of attack". Keeping a brutally honest food diary of everything you eat and drink for a few days before you start making any changes can be useful to understand where the main carbohydrates in your diet are and where you can start to reduce them.
I appreciate that you say your mother is diabetic, but the old school advice was all about sugar or white carbs and encouraging people to eat brown carbs when in fact all carbs regardless of colour (including fruit) has an impact on our Blood Glucose (BG) levels, so cutting down on portion size of the wholemeal/wholegrain versions and choosing the type of fruit as well as limiting the portion size can be almost as important as cutting down on sugar and cakes and biscuits. There are many more tasty options for meals than eating those beige fillers though and following a low carb way of eating can be more flavourful and filling once you get the hang of it. For instance I had chicken vindaloo this week calmed down with some creme fraish and served on a bed of green beans and courgettes instead of rice or naan and it was yummy! My garden is producing a glut of beans and courgettes at the moment but might have it with cauliflower rice at other times of the year as all much lower carb than rice or naan.
Anyway, if you have any questions please feel free to ask. I know that half the stuff the nurse told me went in one ear and out the other when I was newly diagnosed and the good people on this forum were a Godsend for filling in the blanks.
Sorry to hear of your diagnosis but you have come to the right place for advice and support. Would you like to tell us a bit about your diabetes diagnosis? ie. Did it come to light through a routine blood test or were you symptomatic and if so which symptoms? Do you know your HbA1c result? This is the blood test used to diagnose diabetes and will usually be a number in excess of 47. How much above that number gives us an indication of the scale of your diabetes and whether some simple lifestyle changes may be enough to turn things around or if you have been prescribed some medication to help alongside lifestyle changes and if so, which medication?
We all know it can be quite overwhelming at first and there is a lot to learn and understand/process. Do take your time to come to terms with it and put together a "plan of attack". Keeping a brutally honest food diary of everything you eat and drink for a few days before you start making any changes can be useful to understand where the main carbohydrates in your diet are and where you can start to reduce them.
I appreciate that you say your mother is diabetic, but the old school advice was all about sugar or white carbs and encouraging people to eat brown carbs when in fact all carbs regardless of colour (including fruit) has an impact on our Blood Glucose (BG) levels, so cutting down on portion size of the wholemeal/wholegrain versions and choosing the type of fruit as well as limiting the portion size can be almost as important as cutting down on sugar and cakes and biscuits. There are many more tasty options for meals than eating those beige fillers though and following a low carb way of eating can be more flavourful and filling once you get the hang of it. For instance I had chicken vindaloo this week calmed down with some creme fraish and served on a bed of green beans and courgettes instead of rice or naan and it was yummy! My garden is producing a glut of beans and courgettes at the moment but might have it with cauliflower rice at other times of the year as all much lower carb than rice or naan.
Anyway, if you have any questions please feel free to ask. I know that half the stuff the nurse told me went in one ear and out the other when I was newly diagnosed and the good people on this forum were a Godsend for filling in the blanks.
Hi firstly my mum had diabetes she past away last year xxx
My bloods were 49 so not too high I have been told I will be going onto metformin if the Dr or diabetic nurse agrees (I saw a different nurse today) so just waiting for them to contact me. I have other chronic illnesses that limit my mobility but I do what I can. I am also getting referred to weight management. I was monitored for a while and put on weight loss meds after my high blood sugars were found when having tests for other things. I will do that food diary for sure thanks xx
My bloods were 49 so not too high I have been told I will be going onto metformin if the Dr or diabetic nurse agrees (I saw a different nurse today) so just waiting for them to contact me. I have other chronic illnesses that limit my mobility but I do what I can. I am also getting referred to weight management. I was monitored for a while and put on weight loss meds after my high blood sugars were found when having tests for other things. I will do that food diary for sure thanks xx
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
If your HbA1C is only 49 then it seems a bit premature to start on metformin when some dietary changes are most likely to be all that is needed and would be required anyway even with metformin. People get the impression that metformin is a magic bullet requiring no change in lifestyle but dietary changes are really more powerful in reducing blood glucose and losing weight.
This link is for a low carbohydrate approach which has been successful for many in doing just that. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Perhaps you could be given the opportunity to make those dietary changes for 3 months before starting on the metformin to see if that works for you.
This link is for a low carbohydrate approach which has been successful for many in doing just that. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Perhaps you could be given the opportunity to make those dietary changes for 3 months before starting on the metformin to see if that works for you.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
What is your diet like, you may be having more carbohydrates that you realise. The suggested amount of Total carbohydrate for a low carb approach is no more than 130g per day though many people do go lower. If you keep a food diary with a estimate of the carbs in everything you eat and drink you can see if you are anywhere near that.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Welcome to the forum @parkibum
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis
But well done on the weight loss - and great to hear you are looking to tackle this head-on.
There can be quite strong genetic factors that can play a part in some people’s experience of diabetes. But it doesn’t all have to be doom and gloom. Diabetes is a serious condition, but it’s also one that can usually be managed well with a few changes and adaptations - it’s something that you can learn to live well with, and it shouldn’t stop you doing things you enjoy.
Try not to be too disheartened about your diagnosis, many people on the forum later reflect that their diagnosis was a sort of a catalyst which prompted them to make positive changes towards a healthier and more active life. Perhaps changes that they had been intending to make for years.
Often you don’t realise how weary, worn down and lethargic you have been feeling. Erratic and elevated blood glucose levels can be exhausting and are linked with low mood, but this may have come on quite gradually. Making a few positive changes can give you more energy, a clearer mind, and a brighter outlook. Plus the regular checks you get after a diagnosis with diabetes mean that any potential problems may be spotted earlier, and can be sorted out sooner.
Hope you can find a way of eating that helps to bring your BG levels back into range, and continue on your weight loss journey - which should help with insulin sensitivity and metabolic function 🙂
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis
But well done on the weight loss - and great to hear you are looking to tackle this head-on. There can be quite strong genetic factors that can play a part in some people’s experience of diabetes. But it doesn’t all have to be doom and gloom. Diabetes is a serious condition, but it’s also one that can usually be managed well with a few changes and adaptations - it’s something that you can learn to live well with, and it shouldn’t stop you doing things you enjoy.
Try not to be too disheartened about your diagnosis, many people on the forum later reflect that their diagnosis was a sort of a catalyst which prompted them to make positive changes towards a healthier and more active life. Perhaps changes that they had been intending to make for years.
Often you don’t realise how weary, worn down and lethargic you have been feeling. Erratic and elevated blood glucose levels can be exhausting and are linked with low mood, but this may have come on quite gradually. Making a few positive changes can give you more energy, a clearer mind, and a brighter outlook. Plus the regular checks you get after a diagnosis with diabetes mean that any potential problems may be spotted earlier, and can be sorted out sooner.
Hope you can find a way of eating that helps to bring your BG levels back into range, and continue on your weight loss journey - which should help with insulin sensitivity and metabolic function 🙂
Thankyou. I have a long list of chronic illnesses some of which make me less mobile and also difficult to eat sensibly as some days I could eat all day and other days not be hungry due to pain and fatigue. I'm sure I will get there in the end though x x
Felinia
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi and welcome
You have had lots of excellent advice above. One thing I would suggest is to get an app and record absolutely everything that goes into your mouth, weighing it first so you know the portion size. You might be surprised (horrified) at how many carbs you are actually having, even though you think you are eating the right things. I reduced my carbs by halving their portion size, and increasing my veggies and protein, so I don't go hungry.
I would second those who say hold back on the Metformin as you are only hovering at the bottom diabetic level. It can have side effects. Are you able to get to the swimming pool with your child? The water supports a painful body and is good exercise.
Best wishes and ask away.
You have had lots of excellent advice above. One thing I would suggest is to get an app and record absolutely everything that goes into your mouth, weighing it first so you know the portion size. You might be surprised (horrified) at how many carbs you are actually having, even though you think you are eating the right things. I reduced my carbs by halving their portion size, and increasing my veggies and protein, so I don't go hungry.
I would second those who say hold back on the Metformin as you are only hovering at the bottom diabetic level. It can have side effects. Are you able to get to the swimming pool with your child? The water supports a painful body and is good exercise.
Best wishes and ask away.
I can go swimming when my son in school or with him at weekends depending on how I feel as I have chronic fatigue as well as pain but I will be trying to go at least once a week till I'm used to it then up this I hope. I am aware that with diabetes I will also have to make sure I drink plenty of water and have a healthy snack after exercise.
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