Newly diagnosed

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DebbyC

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Type 2
Hi everyone, i'm a newby, just found out last week I am type 2 diabetic. Finding things very confusing at the moment. Lots of information to digest. I'm would like to try to control it with diet and exercise and hopefully I can, but again various different view on what to eat. Have had some symptoms; tiredness; thirsty all the time; some headaches, some days better than others. Waiting for an appointment with a dietician, then a follow up appointment with the nurse. So glad that there are sites like this to turn to for some support. Think I will need it over the weeks to come. :confused:
 
Hi DebbyC, welcome to the forum 🙂 Don't worry, things will get better and you will begin feeling better. Although a diagnosis is not great news, it's better than remaining undiagnosed because now you can start making changes to help get things under control. Many people find that the changes they make to their diet and lifestyle result in them feeling happier and healthier than they have fr ages, in spite of the diabetes! 🙂

Have a read of Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter and get yourself a copy of Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker to get a good understanding of things. It's great that you have found us so soon after diagnosis, because you can learn from the experiences of the other members here who all know what it's like to be in your shoes - so don't be afraid to ask lots of questions, nothing is considered 'silly'!

Regarding what you should eat - well, there are some general principles, but ideally you need to be able to find out what your tolerances fr different things is, and for this you will need to test your blood glucose levels before and after eating. A good general guide to what to eat can be found in The GL Diet for Dummies, which provides information about how foods can be combined in order to lower their impact on your levels. Keeping a diary of your food and drink intake each day - particularly their carb content - can be very helpful. 🙂
 
Thanks Northerner

Thanks for the information on the things to read, I will print them out and have a good read tonight; as yet I have no means of reading my own blood glucose levels; as I haven't been given that information as yet. I have been told by the nurse that we will try to control them with diet and exercise first, if that fails then medication. I would love to just change my diet and exercise and control it that way, but if not as you say I have been diagnosed and need to control it whatever way possible. Many thanks for the welcome and I will probably be on will questions when I can think of anymore and I hope they won't sound too silly. Everything I have read has mentioned carbs and not eating too many, but as you say everyone is different so I will have to work our what things are ok for me and what to avoid. Hopefully after I have read the information I will feel a little less confused. 🙂
 
DebbyC said:
Thanks for the information on the things to read, I will print them out and have a good read tonight; as yet I have no means of reading my own blood glucose levels; as I haven't been given that information as yet. I have been told by the nurse that we will try to control them with diet and exercise first, if that fails then medication. I would love to just change my diet and exercise and control it that way, but if not as you say I have been diagnosed and need to control it whatever way possible. Many thanks for the welcome and I will probably be on will questions when I can think of anymore and I hope they won't sound too silly. Everything I have read has mentioned carbs and not eating too many, but as you say everyone is different so I will have to work our what things are ok for me and what to avoid. Hopefully after I have read the information I will feel a little less confused. 🙂
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There's a lot to take in to begin with Debby, try not to be overwhelmed by it all, you don't need to know everything from the start 🙂 Think of it as a marathon, not a sprint!
 
Hi Debby

I'm only recently diagnosed myself but just wanted to say don't let it all get on top of you and allow yourself to feel any emotion you feel without feeling bad about it. I felt really guilty when first diagnosed and also an overwhelming sense the world was out to get me (my diagnosis came after a really bad time) but I just tried to work through them and I don't think it is an uncommon thing.

Try and concentrate on getting to grips with one part of it or one little thing rather than everything at once or it will just swamp you. Best thing of all to do is get yourself a book specifically for type 2 diabetes; one that is for dipping into and out of I find more helpful and easier to access, and try and learn what you can in manageable chunks. Knowledge is power and you'll get to grips with this disease over time x I already feel far more informed and in control that I did at the end of Jan and I still have a lot to learn 🙂
 
Welcome to the forum Debby 🙂
 
Thank You

Thanks you have all been so nice. Shambles I know what you mean about emotions, think I've been through them all this last week. Still a little confused about things, but like you said I just have to read and take in little amounts at a time. I have a very good friend at work who has been a diabetic for over 20 years, so she is invaluable.

And Mark T thank you for the welcome.

I know I will be checking this site on a regular basis for help and advice. 🙂
 
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