not feeling good depressed

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sengas

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Type 2
hi l am new to this site and have to say not happy at all but that's normal yeah l am 58 years old and when l was 45 was told l had to stop smoking this l did but put the weight on anyway eight weeks ago a blood test came back saying l had type 2 diabetic's, l gotta say l was not into this at all but was told that by changing my eating habits l could get nip this in the bud, well seeing as xmas was coming l had convinced myself that had l not had that blood test l would'nt have known well now xmas is over and l have to get a grip on this my problem is l have always had a sweet tooth taking three sugars in tea and coffee but the past few years l have been taking sweetners three of them plus a half of sugar just keeping it in there am l stupid or what l am at a lost what can l eat can l ever have sweet things again now it may come accross that l am angry about this l am l gotta be honest this sucks but l have 4 kid's well no they are all adults but l would like to see any grandchildren l may have in the future also l have to set an example dont l sorry but this all stinks it seems the older l get and all the things l like l have to give up feeling pissed off any words of wisdom would help and where do l find out what l can eat etc., thank you and sorry if l come accross like a spoilt kid.
 
Welcome to the forums sengas 🙂

There are some useful links in the newbies links thread - http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=10406
The Gretchen Becker book is particularly useful!

For diabetes, the problem is all carbohydrate, not just those in sugar. The best thing you can start to do is loose any extra weight (there is a support group here to help you if you want) 🙂

This isn't all you fault, but it is time for you to take control.
 
Hi sengas, welcome to the forum 🙂 It can be difficult to begin with but you will be surprised how quickly your tastes can change. Before I was diagnosed I used to constantly graze on bags of crisps and biscuits and have sugar in my tea and coffee. When I was diagnosed I cut all these things out because I was worried about what they were doing to my blood sugar levels, and I didn't touch them for a couple of months. After that I felt a bit more relaxed, having learned a lot more about my diabetes so I decided I would try the occasional treat - only to discover that I no longer liked them! So no that Christmas is over I'd suggest giving it a real go. The best way to start is by keeping a food diary and writing down everything you eat each day (and I mean everything!). As carbohydrates are the main things that will cause your blood sugars to rise, it is worth recording (from the information on packets or by using a book like Collins Gem - Carb Counter, so you can build up a picture of your daily intake. You should then ask your GP to refer you to a dietician who will be able to suggest things that you can change in order to improve your diet and manage your blood sugars better.

I do understand that you perhaps feel that you are being denied life's pleasures, but the good news about diabetes is that it can be controlled, you can live a long, happy and healthy life and see your grandkids grow up, but only if you respect it and do what is necessary to keep things under control. It can be difficult to change the habits of a lifetime, but there are far worse things than diabetes to be diagnosed with that would make much bigger demands on you. On the other hand, diabetes can be very unforgiving if you don't respect it and learn how to control it.

Have a read of Maggie Davey's letter and get a copy of Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker - the more you know about diabetes, the less of a burden it becomes and many people find that the changes to diet and lifestyle they have to undergo in order to manage it actually result in them being healthier than they were before diagnosis 🙂

Please ask any questions you have and we will do our best to help out 🙂
 
Hi sengas and welcome to the forum. It sounds like you are grieving the diagnosis. In the same was as when someone dies you can experience denial, anger etc the same can happen when you are diagnosed.

There are many people on the forum who have discovered that their taste has changed since diagnosis. You may manage it to. Most health professionals will suggest the odd treat as it becomes more of a temptation if you are completely denied things. It about getting the balance right. Looks like you have been supplied with some good links to get you going.
 
Don't worry about feelings

Hi Sengas I can well understand and appreciate what you are going through having been recently type 2 diagnosed. For the first 3-4 weeks I now realise I was very depressed. Like you feeling angry at what my body had done to me and feeling very scared at what the future might hold. I was crying for no reason and my poor husband bore the brunt of it - and he was trying to come to terms with it as well and was also scared for me. For me the Diamicron took at least 2-3 weeks to start having any effect. I had been on 500mg Metformin for3 months and then upped to 1g for 4 months prior to this. Just wished someone had told me. I also worried about the damage that could have been done prior to diagnosis. Now having eventually got to a Diabetes Clinic, read as many leaflets as possible, looking at various posts on here and speaking to the chair of my local Diabetes branch I am feeling much calmer and philosophical about it all.
Information is power but don't do too many internet searches or you will worry yourself silly again. (I did!!). Good luck you have come to the right place
 
You've done well in changing from 3 teaspoons of sugar per cup to 3 sweeteners and 1/2 teaspoon of sugar. However, you will find it easier in the long run if you can reduce your taste for sweet things by cutting down gradually, over months, by 1 teaspoon equivalent at a time, until you can manage with no sugar and perhaps even no sweetness in tea and / or coffee.

Personally, I used to have sugar in tea and coffee as a child (when I didn't have diabetes), but completely gave up during a sugar shortage in 1970s, These days, for all my adult years before and after diagnosis at age 30 years, I only have occasional sugar in coffee shop coffee, if I think it needs half a teaspoon, after tasting it, or after a long cold day in the hills, when sugar feels right in a hot drink.

There are 2 approaches to diet changes, which are mutually exclusive, so you need to decide which works best to you - cut down gradually to less sweet taste and higher GI foods OR go cold turkey and change rapidly. However, in both cases, the odd day off is fine - many people with diabetes have "days off" from restrictions, typically over Christmas and their birthdays, and perhaps Easter and / or holidays as well (or alternative religious holidays).
 
Welcome Sengas, hope you feel a bit better. It will all seem a huge hurdle for you at present, but try not to look at the whole picture, rather just take one small step at a time until you feel ready (which you will later) to perhaps change things more.

I too liked sugar, 2 spoons in my tea, and even now I put it in by mistake, but I was surprised that I couldn't drink it, preferred the no sugar. With the weight, I am useless at diets, but from here I got that carbs, like white bread& rice and potatoes were not good, so I reduced them and was pleased to see the weight start to drop off, which was a bonus. 4 months later, I am 2 1/2 stone lighter.

So take it easy on yourself, and it will all come together in time, and you will feel better about it too.🙂
 
sengas said:
hi l am new to this site and have to say not happy at all but that's normal yeah l am 58 years old and when l was 45 was told l had to stop smoking this l did but put the weight on anyway eight weeks ago a blood test came back saying l had type 2 diabetic's, l gotta say l was not into this at all but was told that by changing my eating habits l could get nip this in the bud, well seeing as xmas was coming l had convinced myself that had l not had that blood test l would'nt have known well now xmas is over and l have to get a grip on this my problem is l have always had a sweet tooth taking three sugars in tea and coffee but the past few years l have been taking sweetners three of them plus a half of sugar just keeping it in there am l stupid or what l am at a lost what can l eat can l ever have sweet things again now it may come accross that l am angry about this l am l gotta be honest this sucks but l have 4 kid's well no they are all adults but l would like to see any grandchildren l may have in the future also l have to set an example dont l sorry but this all stinks it seems the older l get and all the things l like l have to give up feeling pissed off any words of wisdom would help and where do l find out what l can eat etc., thank you and sorry if l come accross like a spoilt kid.
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I'm sorry to hear you are feeling down. I hope things improve for you soon. I wish you peace, health and happiness for the year ahead. Take care Sheena
 
Welcome to the forum. I hope that everything goes well for you in 2012
 
Hi Sengas,

Welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I've recently been diagnosed myself and it's a lot to take in at first. My advice would be to ask lots of questions and do lots of self testing to learn what different foods do to you!

Best of luck with it all 🙂
 
Welcome to the forum.

The emotions you are feeling at the moment are very normal when you are first diagnosed.
 
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