Still in shock!

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teecee46

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Type 2
Hello
4 weeks ago I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and I am still in shock. I had absolutely no symptoms and was only diagnosed by a blood test that was taken whilst trying to find a reason why I have bi-lateral pain in my upper thighs/groin and upper arms.
I have been given no information other than to exercise more and lose weight, don't eat sweet things (not really a problem for me) and to cut down on savoury food (now that's a big problem!!) and have been prescribed Metformin 3 times a day and come back for more blood tests in January.
Where do I go from here? What CAN I eat? Sorry for the rant but I just don't know where to turn! 😱
 
Hi TeeCee and welcome to the forum. Has your doctor given you any medications, or referred you to a dietician or diabetes nurse? And what about a meter to test your blood sugar levels?

Here's some reading you can do that will help you find your feet:


This should be enough to get you started and don't be afraid to ask questions. The only stupid question is the one that doesn't get asked.
 
Hi teecee46, welcome to the forum 🙂 Goodness, they've not exactly overwhelmed you with information have they? Very poor :(

Don't worry, diabetes - whilst a serious condition - can be controlled well with the right knowledge and application. Basically, what you need to think about most is your carbohydrate consumption (bread, potatoes, pasta, rice etc., as well as sugary items including fruit/juice). It would be a useful exercise to start a food diary and write down the amount of carbohydrate, in grams, in everything you eat and drink each day. This may seem like a (very!) tedious exercise, but it will give you a very good insight into how much carb, and what type, you are eating each day. You can then look for areas that might be improved, either by reducing portion size or replacing carby items with more diabetes-friendly items (e.g. fewer potatoes, more green veg.).

I would recommend reading the short articles Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter. These will give you a good insight into diabetes and what it is all about. I would also highly recommend getting a copy of the excellent Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker. Armed with this, you will hopefully gain a much better understanding of diabetes than was provided by your doctor (!!!) and with this knowledge be able to begin taking control and working towards better health and blood glucose control.

If you have any questions, then please do let us know! Nothing is 'silly', and there are lots of people here who know just what you are going through and are willing and able to help. 🙂
 
Hi
Thanks for the welcome and your reply. I am taking 500g Metformin 3 times a day. I think she referred me to the diabetes clinic 4 weeks ago but I haven't heard anything from them yet. I don't have a meter to check my levels and, truth be told, I don't know what my levels are - she just said they were high! I will read the articles and get a hold of the book. I think it's going to be a very steep learning curve as I eat quite a lot of potatoes, pasta & rice!
 
Welcome to the forum from me. 🙂

I, too, was a potato and rice fiend prior to diagnosis.

Following diagnosis, I switched to new potatoes when I wanted them (because they are better than old potatoes apparently and also aid portion control because they're usually nice and small .... I try to restrict myself to 2 or 3).

Rice is a different matter though. I usually avoid entirely, but when I fancy some I go for Basmati (again because that is supposed to be the best). However, for portion control, it really is down to how it affects you. Personally, I go by how much it appears on the plate. Difficult for me to quantify, but significantly less than chinese takeaway portions (I'd say at least 1/6th).

Of course, every now and then I break these rules! Good for the soul, if not the waist!

Andy 🙂
 
Welcome to the forum teecee46 🙂
 
Commiserations and welcome to the Club nobody wanted to join! - but there are some fab people in it, so you're in damn good company.

I happen to have a friend in Australia who wrote a book specially for you! which sounds like an advert to get you to part with your money - whereas actually it's available free anyway in parts here and there on his blog (and don't worry, it's nothing outlandish, Alan just talks sense)

http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.co.uk/2006/10/d-day.html

He's been writing it since 2006, and he's still with us, giving out sensible advice!
 
Thank you all for the lovely welcome! I have ordered the book and I've been reading the advice, letter and blog - at least I now understand a little bit more. I think I'll need to chase up a meter from my doctor because without it I'm flying blind!
 
teecee46 said:
Thank you all for the lovely welcome! I have ordered the book and I've been reading the advice, letter and blog - at least I now understand a little bit more. I think I'll need to chase up a meter from my doctor because without it I'm flying blind!
Click to expand...

Be forewarned that your GP may tell you that you don't need to test - this is largely due to the fact that the test strips for the meter are quite expensive and they think they can save money. However, if you explain that you want to be able to determine what food and food combinations you tolerate well, and what you need to change in order to improve your control, then you may stand a better chance. Not all GPs refuse strips, but it is common. Using a meter is by far and away the best method of learning about your diabetes and how best to control it 🙂
 
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