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newtothis

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Newtothis

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I was diagnosed type 2 just a week ago - have not been prescribed anything but am exercising and watching what I eat - am losing weight at 1b/2lb per week-have lost over 1 stone in 6 weeks. However, I have a blood test next Thursday and appointment with diabetic nurse in September 2011. However, should I be doing anything else? Should I be testing? Do you only get the testing strips from the NHS? I've cut out all saturated fats and sugar and eat a lot of salads and fish... As I have no symptoms I don't know if I'm eating what I should be eating - feel in limbo.

Also, had a recent eye test and the optician used the retinal machine and said the back of my eyeballs were healthy can I take this as there are no early complications - or do I have to wait for the retinal examination via the hospital (havne't a date as yet)...

Sorry to ask so many questions - I'm trying to stay positve for my son - its not the diabetes that scares me but the complications....

Amanda
🙂
 
Hi Amanda, it sounds like you have made an excellent start - congratulations on your weight loss, this will certainly be helping you to maintain good blood sugar levels. Your eye test at the opticians is a very good indicator that you have no signs of retinopathy, and I feel sure the hospital test will confirm this, so I think you have one less worry there 🙂

As for testing, the chief aim of it in these early stages is in order to determine how different foods affect your blood sugar levels. You sound as though you are eating healthily, but you need to be aware that some foods that are healthy for a non-diabetic person may have an adverse effect on your blood sugar levels (like some fruits, for example). The only way to determine this is by testing - there are guides to how to approach this if you look under 'Type 2' in our Useful links thread. By testing you can retain flexibility in your diet by finding out what has little effect and what has an undesirable effect. Diabetes is a very individual thing, and people have different tolerances to different foods.

Test strips can be purchased over the counter, you do not need a prescription. However, they are expensive so it is better if you read up on testing and try and persuade your GP to prescribe some. Once you are familiar with the food that is good for you, testing can be reduced substantially, so it's not a 'forever' thing, just needing new tests when new foods are tried or for the occasional 'spot check'. This is Diabetes UK's position on self testing: http://www.diabetes.org.uk/About_us/Our_Views/Position_statements/Self-monitoring_of_blood_glucose/

You have made a fine start! You sound very motivated, and I am sure you will feel the benefits of your new lifestyle and weightloss and be driven to maintain it because you enjoy it, and not because you fear complications. We all need to respect diabetes, but with a bit of work it can be managed well - it doesn't have to rule your life 🙂

And don't worry about asking questions - that's why we're here!
 
Thank you for your encouraging words - its very difficult to know what to do when you're first diagnosed and left to your own devices for 6 weeks - would have been better if the gp said do this/do that - at least there is a little control.

🙂
 
Thank you for your encouraging words - its very difficult to know what to do when you're first diagnosed and left to your own devices for 6 weeks - would have been better if the gp said do this/do that - at least there is a little control.

🙂

I think it's very unfortunate how little help and advice many Type 2s get when first diagnosed - it can be a very distressing and confusing time. As I was diagnosed Type 1 there are certain things thay can't leave for several weeks, so I received daily advice whilst I got used to my insulin and 'new life', including being able to talk things through with a Diabetes Nurse Specialist - just talking helps enormously, and I feel this sort of support should be offered to Type 2s as well to help them accept their diagnosis and allay any early confusion or fears they may have. Good that you found us though - there's usually someone who has been where you are and can lend an ear 🙂
 
Hi Amanda

Congrats on your weight loss and another welcome to the forum 🙂

Fish and salads sound ideal. I'm sure other T2s will add their pearls of wisdomsoon, but just to mention that it is all carbs (not just sugar and sweet things) that can cause problems for diabetics by raising blood glucose levels. Different people can tolerate different amounts at different times of day, but many T2s find their BG levels improve dramatically if they moderate/limit their intake of breads, pasta, rice, potatoes, grains, fruit etc etc etc. Choosing types which release slowly (low GI and low GL) help too, but those numbers differ from person to person too 😱 so really there's no better weapon in your armoury than a meter.

Good luck and keep asking questions!
 
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