Scottish newbie type 2

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timbobean

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Hello. Diagnosed a week ago and starting the medication imminently. All happened very fast and a bewildering array of things to look out for and manage. Does not help I am needle phobic!
 
Hi and welcome.

Sorry to hear about your sudden diagnosis. How did that come about? Were you symptomatic and if so, which symptoms? Or was it just identified via a routine blood test?
Did your Dr mention the result of the HbA1c blood test? This is the blood test used to diagnose and mnoitor your diabetes. It would be a number in excess of 47 but could perhaps be as high as 3 figures if things are seriously amiss? If you know that number and don't mind sharing it with us, it can be insightful.
You mention being needle phobia so I am wondering if you have been started on insulin straight away which suggests things are pretty serious, but perhaps I am misinterpreting your comment.... What medication are they giving you? Do you know the names of them?
 
I should also have said, feel free to ask any questions you have. The forum is a goldmine of knowledge and practical experience but most of us started out knowing nothing, so do feel free to ask anything you don't understand. We also know how incredibly overwhelming it can be for the first few months particularly but even after that diabetes can be relentless in the amount of thought you have to give to it, so it really helps to be able to come here and compare notes with others and offload any worries or frustrations. It has been a lifeline for me both with regard to support but also learning about how to manage my diabetes well. I have probably learned 80% of what I know from the good people here and it was particularly useful to fill in the blanks when I can back from appointments where info had gone in one ear and out the other because I was a bit shell socked..... so please do ask about anything you didn't fully understand or are concerned about.

We have a few people here who have had to overcome needle phobias because they simply had to to survive and it definitely gets easier with practice, but the needles are absolutely teeny tiny.... less than quarter of an inch long and not much thicker than a human hair and the pens are really easy to use, so try not to worry about that particular issue.
 
Thanks. I was feeling unwell for some months, mostly with a cough and cold. The latter got better but not the feeling rubbish - classic symptoms of thirst and need the loo lots. Went to see the Doctor who tested me on the spot and the rest is history.
 
timbobean said:
Thanks. I was feeling unwell for some months, mostly with a cough and cold. The latter got better but not the feeling rubbish - classic symptoms of thirst and need the loo lots. Went to see the Doctor who tested me on the spot and the rest is history.
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Many people are surprised at their diagnosis but sometimes it is a relief as it explains why they have been feeling unwell.
Would you mind telling us what medication you have been prescribed as that will affect what things people might suggest to help you make some changes to your diet in particular as that can be as powerful as medication and is certainly an important part of managing the condition.
What was your HbA1C as that will indicate how much work you will need to do.
If you would like to give some examples of the meals you have then people could suggest some ways of modifying your menu.
Depending on what medication you have been prescribed then a low carbohydrate approach may suit you and this link could give you some ideas for meals. https://www.freshwell.co.uk/
Loosing weight if you need to and getting more exercise will also help.
 
So the easy bit first: I was running 12ks a week in the summer and only stopped running as I was a coughing and sneezing wreck. My weight is really not bad so weight and exercise should not be an issue - once everything kicks in and I have some energy!
My Hb1AC was very high and was prescribed Gliclazide and Metformin
 
timbobean said:
So the easy bit first: I was running 12ks a week in the summer and only stopped running as I was a coughing and sneezing wreck. My weight is really not bad so weight and exercise should not be an issue - once everything kicks in and I have some energy!
My Hb1AC was very high and was prescribed Gliclazide and Metformin
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OK metformin helps the body use the insulin it produces more efficiently and helps reduce release of glucose from the liver and gliclazide encourages the pancreas to produce more insulin so the combination of the 2 meds should help reduce your blood glucose however some gradual reduction in carbohydrate intake will be beneficial. I say gradual because the gliclazide has the potential to cause low blood glucose or hypos and the body need to be able to adjust.
I hope you have been prescribes a home blood glucose monitor and test strips to keep an eye on your glucose level especially if you are driving. If you have not then you should ask.
The guidelines say that a low carb regime should be undertaken with approval of your diabetic nurse or GP but doesn't define what constitutes low carb for that purpose. For many managing blood glucose by a low carb approach would regard that as being no ore than 130g carbs per day, but as I said reducing what you have gradually and making sure you are testing should keep you safe.
It is important to make sure you have enough protein and healthy fats when reducing carbs if you don't need to lose weight.
 
timbobean said:
So the easy bit first: I was running 12ks a week in the summer and only stopped running as I was a coughing and sneezing wreck. My weight is really not bad so weight and exercise should not be an issue - once everything kicks in and I have some energy!
My Hb1AC was very high and was prescribed Gliclazide and Metformin
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Welcome to the forum @timbobean

Sounds like you were a keen runner! Hopefully those in the exercise section can encourage you as your energy levels rise again.

Were you told the result of your HbA1c? Some like @Martin.A have joined the forum in the 100s, and have made it back to recommended levels and been able to come off medications
 
timbobean said:
In the 100s? Wow. I thought I was high at 99. Thanks for the reassurance!
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If your symptoms have come on quickly, it might be worth considering that you may have a slightly more niche type of diabetes.

There are autoimmune types that can come on more slowly in adulthood, and which can look a little like T2 to begin with, but which will ultimately need insulin (as the immune attack continues to destroy insulin-producing beta cells). Don’t panic! Insulin needles these days are almost invisibly tiny, and virtually pain-free. 🙂

If the meds you are offered, and any menu changes you implement don’t have the expected effects it would be worth asking to be referred to a specialist diabetes centre eg at your local hospital, who could investigate your diabetes type. Particularly as it doesn’t sound like you fit the classic phenotype for T2?
 
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