Recently diagnosed type 2

[Madeleine]

Hi I am new to this just recently got diagnosed with type 2. I had gestational diabetes with my second baby he’s now two since he was born I was always pre diabetic but now I am type 2. My diet is already ok a like to cook a lot of home cooked meal I do like the odd take away, I don’t have a sweet tooth so don’t really eat any chocolate cakes or sweets. I am 11.9 stone so I aim to get down to 10 and a half by joining the gym. I am just worried about the medication they might put me on because the side effects. I already suffer from chronic diarrhoea and bloating and low b12. Does any one manage there’s with just diet and no medication. I have really bad leg pains and toes are always so cold numb or pins and needles. Also very tired and feeling sick all the time. Sorry for the big post just have no one to talk to about all this and not getting an appointment to discuss my plan of action for a while as docs are busy. Thanks

 

[Madeleine]

Also have my blood monitor from when pregnant and when testing sugars they r normally between 13-15.6 after eating and between 8-10 in the morning fasting.

 

[Toucan]

Hello @Madeleine welcome to the forum
Yes, there are many people on the forum that control their Type 2 diabetes with diet and no medication, so it can be done.
However there is no 'one size fits all ' and you will need to find the solution that is right for you.
Your other symptoms sound distressing, is there any way you can bring your doctors appointment forward to discuss them?

The causes of Type 2 diabetes, are still not fully understood and are a mix of genetic and other factors – different for all of us, so not surprisingly the solutions also vary, and there are several options.

Many of us on the forum find that reducing our carbohydrates helps lower blood sugars.
As well as cutting out all the sugary things, I cut down on the carbs particularly the ‘white’ ones (white bread and flour,rice,pasta,etc ) and mainly eat fresh fish and poultry and have learned to love vegetables.

I would suggest starting by reading Maggie Davey's letter, which gives a lot of information on how this lady approached the problem.
It does all take time to find what’s right for you and adjust your lifestyle, but please be patient, it will be very worthwhile.
A browse around the forum will also give you a great deal of information.

Hope you will let us know how it goes for you and please ask about anything you are concerned about.

 

[Ralph-YK]

Welcome to the forum Madeleine from a fellow T2. Do you know what your HbA1c was?
You could always try to manage with diet, before starting the meds.

 

[Madeleine]

I done a private test and it’s was 7.5% or 57 I am sure. I got it redone by docs but not sure what it was they just called to say I have type 2 and will send me an appointment.

 

[Madeleine]

I have been trying hard with my diet and I have joined the gym. I eat lots of meat with fresh veg and small portions of carbs if I am having them as a side. I don’t eat any cakes sweets or desert things at all and I have reduced the amount of coke I used to drink. I am surprised I ended up with type 2 to be honest because I eat a lot better now than I did before.

 

[Drummer]

Have you had a test of your thyroid?
The cold feet could indicate a problem there and I was not diagnosed until my TSH was four thousand times the highest normal level, so it might be something often ignored.
Do you know how much carbohydrate you eat each day?

 

[Toucan]

Hello again @Madeleine
It sounds as if you are well on the way to getting blood sugars under control, with exercise and sensible eating. It is particularly good that you have reduced the coke drinking as this can be quite high in carbs. If you could manage not to drink any, that is likely to really help. Maybe replace it with fizzy water - I know it doesn't have the flavour, but it can make you feel full for a while.

If you want to find out more about what foods cause your blood sugars to 'spike' then maybe use your glucose meter to find this out, by testing before and 2 hours after eating. (The aim is to have a rise of 2 or less) Also if you can keep a tally of the total number of carbs eaten in a day, your morning reading will guide you on working out how much you need to adjust. if you want to know more about this take a look at https://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/10/test-review-adjust.html

It is all trial and error, so try to be patient, you are aiming for the long term, and a diet that you can sustain.

 

[trophywench]

We drink flavoured sparkling water - nowt expensive, just supermarket own brands. OK it's got some chemicals in it - but so does tap water. However (unsweetened) tea is far more thirst quenching than any other drink, to me.

 

[Felinia]

I was also measured at 57 when I was diagnosed. My DSN suggested I first tried diet and exercise, rather than medication, and within 3 months I was down to 48, and 17 pounds lighter. But it sounds to me as though you have other health issues as well. One of the diabetes tests is to check sensation in your feet and that should be an opportunity to discuss your leg problems. You might also see if your gastr-intestinal problems can be examined. Because I have Diverticular Disease I was told Metformin or alternatives would make my tummy problems worse.

 

[Madeleine]

Have you had a test of your thyroid?
The cold feet could indicate a problem there and I was not diagnosed until my TSH was four thousand times the highest normal level, so it might be something often ignored.
Do you know how much carbohydrate you eat each day?

I havent had my thyroids tested for a long time. And I am not sure how much carbohydrates I eat. I was out for a meal with my sisters today so prob more than I should have. A only had 3 slices of bacon medallions for breakfast with now fat then lunch I had spaghetti with mushrooms in a olive oil garlic sauce and then dinner I had beef brisket with red peppers and a tomato and garlic sauce. So no carbs for breakfast or dinner. And been drinking water and diluting today.

 

[Tee G]

Hi and welcome @Madeline. I have been trying to keep my diabetes under control with diet alone since last April. Thinking I was doing great, losing a few pounds along the way, (Threw out all obvious sugar from my diet and all the 'hidden' sugars in things like ketchup/sauces etc from the kitchen cupboards). But it wasnt until i got my home testing kit did i realise mistakes i had been making. We just dont know the effect of foods on our system unless we self test. The thing about diabetes is that its very individual. And some people can tolerate things like porridge etc others cant. Since testing i have completely ditched weetabix, pasta, normal breads of any kind (now have a tiny slice of LiveLife), I dont eat more than 2 tiny new potatoes and i havent had any rice - all these things i thought were ok in moderation. How wrong I was! Now i make cauliflower 'mash' and spiced up cauliflower 'rice' and even hubby loves them and has asked i make them again in preference to the normal mash and rice.

I found this site useful....

https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/foods

 

[Ralph-YK]

And I am not sure how much carbohydrates I eat.

maybe use your glucose meter to find this out, by testing before and 2 hours after eating.

Self test. This will show you what affect food has on your blood glucose levels, along with any changes you make.
I'd also recommend keeping a food diary, along with a record of your levels. Hopefully after a couple of weeks you'll start to see a pattern.

 

[Brando77]

We drink flavoured sparkling water - nowt expensive, just supermarket own brands. OK it's got some chemicals in it - but so does tap water. However (unsweetened) tea is far more thirst quenching than any other drink, to me.

So do I. Sainsburys own, Strawberry n Kiwi....I bulk buy it. 🙂