Newly diagnosed

[Caroline1967]

Hi
I was diagnosed with type 2 on Friday morning. I am still reeling a bit! I have been suffering with classic diabetes symptoms for a week and spoke to my GP Tuesday morning, had urine test which showed infection which I have had antibiotics for. Had blood test Wednesday, GP phoned me at 8.30am and told me my numbers are very high (she didn't actually say what they were though.) She prescribed metformin which she said I needed to pick up as soon as possible. I am to take one a day and one more tablet every 3 days until I am taking 1g twice a day. I don't remember much more of what she said to me! I do remember her saying to give up carbs (Not sure how I am going to do that as there seems to be carbs in everything!!LOL)

I have felt really ill since Tuesday, clammy, tired, sick, abdo pain, fuzzy head, blurry vision. I still feel like that but am probably being a bit optimistic to think I would feel better after taking 2 tablets!! Also think the tablets are upsetting my stomach as it feels really bad now! I think that is one of the side effects mentioned in accompanying leaflet.

I have no idea of what I should be doing now! I have ordered some books recommended on this site but they wont be hear until Monday. I have no idea of what I should be eating! I am obviously not eating sweet things but other than vegetables I have no idea what I should be eating.

I have arranged another telephone appointment with my GP on Tuesday afternoon so hopefully will have things explained a bit better then. I am feeling quite scared by all of this. I am hoping I will start to feel a little better soon!

I am so glad that I found this site. I have read lots on it since Friday and think I will be reading lots more.
Thanks
Caroline

 

[Inka]

You don’t need to completely give up carbs @Caroline1967 Reducing them will help, and cutting them down gradually is less of a shock to the system. A good place to start is your pre-diagnosis diet. Write that down and then look at where you can reduce carbs.

Good low carb foods are green veg, salad, meat, fish, eggs, cheese, Greek yoghurt, berries, nuts and seeds, cheese, etc It will be helpful if you can find out your HbA1C (test result).

 

[Leadinglights]

Welcome to the forum. It can be very overwhelming to get a diabetes diagnosis but the unpleasant symptoms are common side effects of metformin when you first start it but it will often ease up, it helps to take the tablets mid meal.
As far as what you can eat, it is not necessary to cut out all carbs but reduce what you have, things like cakes, biscuits and sugary drink are ones you will want to cut out and reduce portions of high carb foods so your body stands a better chance of coping. A low carbohydrate approach of less than 130g per day is one many people find successful.
There is still plenty you can eat, meat, fish, eggs, cheese, nuts, dairy and vegetables, salads, fruits like berries.
Things you need to be careful of are potatoes, cereals, rice, pasta, bread, tropical fruits and hidden carbs in ready meals, takeaways, pre-prepared sauces and high carb snacks.
You may find this link helpful in finding a dietary regime which suits you. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
It would be a good idea to ask what your HbA1C is so you know how much work you need to do and where your starting point is.
Many people find it is a good idea to get a home blood glucose monitor so the can check the effect meals have on their blood glucose level as this allows them to make better food choices. Inexpensive ones can be bought on line, the GlucoNavil is one with the cheapest test strips.

 

[Barry snakeman]

Hi
I was diagnosed with type 2 on Friday morning. I am still reeling a bit! I have been suffering with classic diabetes symptoms for a week and spoke to my GP Tuesday morning, had urine test which showed infection which I have had antibiotics for. Had blood test Wednesday, GP phoned me at 8.30am and told me my numbers are very high (she didn't actually say what they were though.) She prescribed metformin which she said I needed to pick up as soon as possible. I am to take one a day and one more tablet every 3 days until I am taking 1g twice a day. I don't remember much more of what she said to me! I do remember her saying to give up carbs (Not sure how I am going to do that as there seems to be carbs in everything!!LOL)

I have felt really ill since Tuesday, clammy, tired, sick, abdo pain, fuzzy head, blurry vision. I still feel like that but am probably being a bit optimistic to think I would feel better after taking 2 tablets!! Also think the tablets are upsetting my stomach as it feels really bad now! I think that is one of the side effects mentioned in accompanying leaflet.

I have no idea of what I should be doing now! I have ordered some books recommended on this site but they wont be hear until Monday. I have no idea of what I should be eating! I am obviously not eating sweet things but other than vegetables I have no idea what I should be eating.

I have arranged another telephone appointment with my GP on Tuesday afternoon so hopefully will have things explained a bit better then. I am feeling quite scared by all of this. I am hoping I will start to feel a little better soon!

I am so glad that I found this site. I have read lots on it since Friday and think I will be reading lots more.
Thanks
Caroline

Hi don't worry to much I know it's hard not to I was diagnosed with type 2 4 weeks ago my blood came back very high it was 117 they didn't tell me what to eat at my doctor's I had to do my own research .I found this forum and they have really helped me .I've bought a blood monitor and my readings are coming down I eat loads of meat and veg salads cheese eggs it's hard at first but it gets easier .don't worry to much it will be ok good luck! Barry

 

[Pumper_Sue]

I have felt really ill since Tuesday, clammy, tired, sick, abdo pain, fuzzy head, blurry vision. I still feel like that but am probably being a bit optimistic to think I would feel better after taking 2 tablets!! Also think the tablets are upsetting my stomach as it feels really bad now! I think that is one of the side effects mentioned in accompanying leaflet.

Hello and welcome to the forum.
If your symptoms have come on as suddenly as they have I would be very suspicious of a wrong diagnoses being given.
I would check out type1 diabetes if I were you and look at symptoms for DKA then get down to A&E ASP.

 

[Caroline1967]

You don’t need to completely give up carbs @Caroline1967 Reducing them will help, and cutting them down gradually is less of a shock to the system. A good place to start is your pre-diagnosis diet. Write that down and then look at where you can reduce carbs.

Good low carb foods are green veg, salad, meat, fish, eggs, cheese, Greek yoghurt, berries, nuts and seeds, cheese, etc It will be helpful if you can find out your HbA1C (test result).

Thank you. I am hoping to feel well enough to go shopping today and stock my cupboards with low carb choices.

 

[goodybags]

Hi @Caroline1967
Welcome to the forum.
when You speak to your GP ask them what number your Hba1c was.
(it will be a number above 48) possibly considerably higher, you will get a better idea of how out of control your blood sugar levels are from the Hba1c score as you learn more, but you will get great help and support on here.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I have felt really ill since Tuesday, clammy, tired, sick, abdo pain, fuzzy head, blurry vision. I still feel like that but am probably being a bit optimistic to think I would feel better after taking 2 tablets!! Also think the tablets are upsetting my stomach as it feels really bad now! I think that is one of the side effects mentioned in accompanying leaflet.

Sorry to hear you have been feeling a bit rough since your diagnosis

Gastric upset is quite common with Metformin, but as @Pumper_Sue has said, with a rapid onset of symptoms, abdominal pain, and nausea, it is prudent to keep an eye on your symptoms, especially if you start to get breathlessness, or especially if you have an acetone / pear drop smell on your breath, please seek urgent medical attention.

Did you lose any weight without trying to in the weeks before you were diagnosed?