Newly diagnosed

[Zorro61]

I visited the GP surgery to see the Diabetes Nurse specialist today. She confirmed that my Hba1C of 59 means that I am a T2 diabetic. I feel overwhelmed by what I have to do now in terms of lifestyle changes and dietary changes and medications. I'm afraid of getting it wrong and making myself iller than I'm already feeling. I just feel this deep sense of loss and shame because I'm a Nurse and 'should know better'

 

[Christy]

Welcome! I totally sympathise with your feelings of shame but many of us know all about the theory and haven't put it into practice and have been given the dreaded diagnosis. For a good number of us a review of diet and lifestyle will produce good results so hang in there and there will be some advice coming from many experienced T2s to point you in the right direction. You will have to make some changes but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Good luck!

 

[Inka]

Welcome @Zorro61 Don’t feel overwhelmed - this is a marathon not a sprint. Every little change you make will help.

A good place to start is to make a food diary of your current food intake for a day, and then look for places where you can tweak things. Think about exercise too. Even walking is good - and pleasurable too.

Don’t feel shame. Feel determination. You can do this!

 

[Vonny]

Hi @Zorro61 and welcome from a fellow type 2 who also should probably have known better! It's not so easy to apply things to yourself, plus as a nurse I bet you are extremely overworked and probably have to snack your way through the day as and when you can. At least that's what the nurses where I work do (I'm just admin btw).

I was lucky in that I was diagnosed during lockdown and am mostly working from home so I could put a stop to the snacks and butties from Greggs. You probably won't have that luxury, so yes it will be difficult for you to start on a healthy eating pattern but you can do it. My colleagues have been super supportive and never laugh at me if I'm in the office and tucking into a box of nuts instead of the team donuts!

There are several threads here about what to eat at lunchtimes, what you had for tea yesterday etc, which are full of examples of healthy eating. I thought I'd never manage to give up carbs, but not eating spuds, bread, rice and pasta has meant I am no longer hungry. Previously, 2 hours after a bacon butty I'd be craving more food but not any more.

There is no shame in having diabetes. And no way you "should have known better". You can do this and we are all right behind you x

 

[grovesy]

I have never totally blamed my self as I had Diabetes on both sides of my family.

 

[Paulbreen]

Welcome Zorro, (great name by the way)
as the others have said take it a step at a time, it’s a lot to absorb but you’ll wonder what you were worried about in a few weeks.
Check out the learning zone in the main page I’m using it and it’s full of great advice for all shapes and sizes of diabetic people

 

[Drummer]

If you are an ordinary uncomplicated type two in 6 months you could easily be back in the normal range by cutting back on the carbohydrate you eat. That would lower your blood glucose levels and restore order.
I reduced from a Hba1c of 91 and felt a lot better for it.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Zorro61

Sorry you have to be here, but glad you have joined us

It is perfectly natural to feel overwhelmed after your diagnosis, and to feel lost and bewildered by either a lack of information, or an avalanche of it! Be kind to yourself, and take things steadily - diabetes is a marathin, not a sprint. You have time to adjust and come to terms with things.

Members here frequently recommend Maggie Davey’s Letter and Gretchen Becker’s book, as very good starting points.

For a bit more background information, the ‘useful links’ thread is a mine of helpful information - useful-links-for-people-new-to-diabetes

Ask away with any questions. There are no ‘silly’ ones

 

[Zorro61]

Thank you everyone for your support and advice. I'm feeling a little less overwhelmed today.

 

[Paulbreen]

Glad to hear it, good luck with your new journey

 

[Zorro61]

Sorry I've been away for so long but I had to have surgery on 18th December and again on 2nd January with the added stress of Christmas and being newly diagnosed and lockdown. Since I last posted I've got my Hba1c down from 59 to 50 in a little over a month. I'm restricting carbs and have added things like seeds and nuts and wholegrain into my diet. I've stopped drinking alcohol and don't really miss it as I sleep better. I have lost about a stone in weight and have consequently been able to stop antihypertensive medicines. I'm feeling better than I have in ages.

 

[Docb]

Good to hear from you again and to see you sounding positive.

 

[Ditto]

Sorry I've been away for so long but I had to have surgery on 18th December and again on 2nd January with the added stress of Christmas and being newly diagnosed and lockdown. Since I last posted I've got my Hba1c down from 59 to 50 in a little over a month. I'm restricting carbs and have added things like seeds and nuts and wholegrain into my diet. I've stopped drinking alcohol and don't really miss it as I sleep better. I have lost about a stone in weight and have consequently been able to stop antihypertensive medicines. I'm feeling better than I have in ages.

Excellent news.

 

[Zorro61]

If you are an ordinary uncomplicated type two in 6 months you could easily be back in the normal range by cutting back on the carbohydrate you eat. That would lower your blood glucose levels and restore order.
I reduced from a Hba1c of 91 and felt a lot better for it.

Hi Drummer I've done that and I'm hopefully reversing the situation. Thanks again fro your encouragement