really struggling with type 2

Status
Not open for further replies.
P

paula1746

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi, i am 39 and was told about 9 months ago i had type 2 diabetes.
I was told to cut out all sugery foods and eat a healther diet. I explained i didnt eat chocolate, biscuits, crisps, cakes and i have never had sugar, but was told again to just eat a healther diet. I went away feeling very confused and deflated. After a period of time, something must of clicked into my brain and i think i went into naughtly little child syndrome (what i cant eat i will), i have been eating crisps (which i dont like) cakes etc, which i know i shouldnt and drinking more wine than i should.
I really need to stop as i am not feeling great.
I have not been given anything to check my sugar levels so i never really know where i am or understand what i need to do.
I really need some help as i dont feel i am getting any better, if anything i am getting worse
Please help
Paula
 
Welcome to the forums Paula 🙂

Unfortunately the standard diet advice often isn't much use and it's generally given as a one size fits all. What they should really say is that you need to moderate all carbohydrates in your diet and not just sugars - bread, potatoes and breakfast cereals are all things you wouldn't think were unhealthy, but to a diabetic they can be.

I'd personally recommend pushing your GP to get test strips since it's very difficult to find out exactly what foods impact you the most with out it.

I found the Gretchen Becker book in the Newbies useful Links thread very useful too!
 
Hi Paula. Like you I was given very little advice about what to do and I was sent away (in May) and told to come back in a year! You have come to a good place for advice and support. I bought and read the Gretchen Becker book as recommended on this forum. I also bought a blood glucose monitor and strips and began testing to attempt to keep my BG in the 4-7 range by avoiding the foods that spiked my blood glucose. I switched to low GI foods, cut out all refined white flour products and began to exercise. I now only eat wholemeal products, avoid high fat and sugary foods and drink occasionally. It hasn't been easy and I have occasionally struggled to stay on track, but with the help of the lovely people I have met on here, I have managed to get back on track when things get tough. Don't beat yourself up, you have taken a massive step forward by recognising that you need to look after yourself. Please don't feel on your own. Recently I have found things tough too, but am starting to take control again and sometimes you can't do it on your own. There are so many people on here who really care and with their help and support you can do it! I am still learning and have a way to go, but know that I have a great support network to help me. Wishing you a merry Christmas and I look forward to sharing our successes in 2012! Love and best wishes Katiex🙂
 
Hi Paula. Welcome 🙂

It is very wrong of GPs to send newly diagnosed diabetics away with mere standard wording and no individual advice or the tools to self-monitor.

Its lazy, unproductive and dangerous. I'm pleased you've joined and hope that you'll be able to find out what you need to do, what you don't to do and how you can tailor your lifestyle so that your diabetes doesn't become too much of a burden.

I would suggest your first, and easiest task would be to keep a diary of everything you eat, recording the amount and carb content (which is what we need to watch, rather than just sugar), any exercise and how you feel. That way you'll know where you can make any changes and how they affect you on a superficial level.🙂

Rob
 
Hi Paula, welcome to the forum 🙂 I can't add to the great advice you have already been given, except to say that if anything is confusing or troubling you, please ask - nothing is regarded as 'silly' and you will often help many others who may not have been aware that they wanted to know the same thing! 🙂 Lots of friendly people with vast and varied experience will endeavour to help you out if they can! 🙂
 
paula1746 said:
Thanks, how do i find the book you have mentioned?
Click to expand...

Hi there, I have a copy of this book you can have - I have read it and highlighted some sections but you're more then welcome if you want to email me your address via the userCP. Amanda
 
Hi Paula, welcome to the forum. Well done on deciding to sort your diabetes, you will get all the help you need from the guys on here.

I got more or less the same advice as you from my practice nurse, however she was good at arranging the various tests we should all have, eye check, foot check etc. Make sure your GP organises those for you.🙂
 
ian

wot would u say is the best types of food to eat after 6 years with no help at all about food ????????????
 
Hi Paula and welcome to the forum. I hope that you will find being here useful.

As Rob said take a look at your whole diet. Drs may sometimes feel that you are in denial as to how much you eat carbs wise - but if you have a food diary as Rob suggested then you will be able to see what you are eating and look at ways to reduce it. eg some people find that mash made from cauliflower is a good substitute for potato mash.

You could ask to see a dietician who could look at your food diary and try to help you. Having the diary may help the Dr to see that you are trying to help yourself.
 
Hi Paula, welcome.

I would for a start seek a blood sugar reader from your GP with test strips and everything. I'm surprised it was not given to you from the start. No-one can expect a diabetic to manage their levels without one.
 
Clarkey said:
I would for a start seek a blood sugar reader from your GP with test strips and everything. I'm surprised it was not given to you from the start. No-one can expect a diabetic to manage their levels without one.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, for T2s such as Paula, the standard "wisdom" in many places is that they "don't need to test". 🙄 An idiotic idea, as you say, but try convincing them of that. The idea is to save a few pounds in the short(sighted) term, and never mind the future complications and the expense (and reduced quality of life) therefrom that this approach encourages. 😱
 
goldline said:
wot would u say is the best types of food to eat after 6 years with no help at all about food ????????????
Click to expand...
The same food that you would eat as a newly diagnosed 🙂

The same concept to watch your carbohydrate intake, loose excess weight, prefer those carbohydrates you do eat to have a lower GI and use blood glucose self-testing is as good for a newly diagnosed diabetic as one who has been diagnosed many years.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top