Newly diagnosed

[Patwilks]

Hi my name's pat I'm 60 yrs old Was diagnosed today iv to see diabetic nurse next Mon I really wasn't expecting this I'm not even sure what this means for me apart from I need to lose weight is that it just diet I suppose I will know more when I go Mon but any advice would be great thankyou

 

[SueEK]

Hello Pat and welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear your diagnosis, we all know how you feel, it too was a shock for me in January. I suppose it depends on your HbA1c readings as to whether you need just to change your diet or whether you will need medication. Certainly diet is extremely important and it seems that the most important things to avoid are carbs, potatoes, pasta, rice and bread especially. It is quite difficult to begin with, I’m still struggling to adapt as love all of the above. Nevertheless lots of advice from people on the forum, diets etc and you can ask absolutely anything no matter how trivial it may seem. You are also welcome to have a moan or express your concerns. Do you happen to know what your readings were or perhaps that will be discussed with the DN when you see her next week, certainly let us know how you get on.

 

[stephknits]

Hi and welcome to the forum Pat - glad you found us. Good that you have an appointment with the nurse on Monday. Lots of type 2s will be along with help and advice and some excellent link to follow. There's some great reading material pinned at the top of the newbie section. I would advise to start a notebook with any queries you have ready for the nurse and to write down any test results mentioned when you go (Hba1c for example). You may not understand their significance at the time, and certainly wont remember the numbers, but once you get your head around things, its useful be able to refer back.

 

[Drummer]

I was diagnosed over two years ago now.
Having done low carbing as per Atkins for a long time I just went back to that - used all the diet information from the GP to start a barbecue next day.
I have been asked to have a health check some times around my birthday - I will be 68 in April, but if no one knew I was diabetic I doubt that it would be at all obvious, I have normal readings day to day.
If they looked in the freezer at the stacks of meat fish and shell fish they might twig that there was something going on - and the two fridges heaped with fresh veges, salad and the double cream might be a bit of a give away.

 

[CathyB]

Hi Pat, welcome. As the others have said, we understand the confusion and how hard it is to work out what to do. I agree with what has been said in that you take some time to read the threads, this will help you work out how you want to manage things, keeping a diary and testing your blood is key to working out what foods work for you and what you need to cut back on, trouble as a type 2 you are unlikely to get the meter and strips on prescription so may need to get it yourself, code free is the most reasonable price wise and for the strips. Food wise, it’s carbohydrates that are the enemy, especially rice, pasta, potatoes and bread although many of us tolerate Burgen bread which is a highly seeded soy and linseed loaf that’s lower in carbs.
When I first started I was convinced I would starve to death.....trust me, it works and the food is amazing once you adapt, I wouldn’t go back to carbs now no matter what 😛 I’m not the kind of person to go to the gym so I borrow my neighbours dog and walk most nights, exercise helps bring those blood sugars down. Most important is to remember that this is a marathon not a sprint! A year on I am now 4 stone lighter without really trying, my bloods are in normal range and my metformin cut by half....it works 🙂 You will get loads of help and support here so have a good read and ask any questions you might have 😉

 

[Drummer]

For many people the key is to bet their blood glucose levels back to normal - as CathyB wrote - the weight just vanishes.
Several people wrote 'me too' when I revealed that I have had my trousers slide to the floor a couple of times - I used to wear XXL and now I fit into Ms.

 

[Madeline]

For many people the key is to bet their blood glucose levels back to normal - as CathyB wrote - the weight just vanishes.
Several people wrote 'me too' when I revealed that I have had my trousers slide to the floor a couple of times - I used to wear XXL and now I fit into Ms.

Yep, my PJ bottoms fell down in hospital. That was interesting.

 

[Drummer]

I have far more tunic length tops now...

 

[HOBIE]

Welcome Pat 🙂