hi,been diagnosed for 2 years now with type2,not really getting the hang of things.I get pins and needles in feet,arms and fingers which at times is painful.I struggle understanding carbs etc.Just want to be able to ask questions about some symptoms and not feel silly😉
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svsmith
- Thread starter svsmith
- Start date
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I try to keep to healthy foods but have not really been given advice on what not to eat.I take metformin and after a couple of episodes am now on full doseage.Never been told what to do if my levels are high.What i do is drink lots of water when I am feeling "funny" and levels high.
I work full time and find it hard to go to support groups and I only see diabetic nurse twice a year.
I work full time and find it hard to go to support groups and I only see diabetic nurse twice a year.
Redkite
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Parent
Oh dear that's poor support from your clinic 
Have you been given a blood glucose meter and testing strips to test your levels at home? If not, you should go to the doc and ask for one. It's really useful for people with type 2 to help find out which foods have an effect on their BG levels (by testing yourself before and two hours after a meal, to see how much your levels rise by).
In general, all carbohydrates that you eat will end up as glucose in the bloodstream, and need insulin to be used (which as a person with diabetes, you either aren't producing enough of, or you are resistant to it). So it is really useful in terms of blood glucose control if you can reduce ALL carbs in your diet. Carbs include the obvious sugary ones, ie. sugar, biscuits, cakes, etc., and starchy carbs such as pasta, bread, rice, potatoes. Many fruits are also high in carbs, especially bananas, mangoes, grapes, pineapple. Lower carb fruits include strawberries and raspberries, but it's better to eat more vegetables and salads to get your "5-a-day" instead of fruits. Definitely to be avoided are sugary drinks, including the obvious sweetened fizzy drinks like coke, but also you should avoid smoothies and fruit juices, which although they have no ADDED sugar, have just as much carb content as an equivalent amount of coke!
There is lots more advice in the weight loss section (whether or not you have weight to lose). 🙂
Have you been given a blood glucose meter and testing strips to test your levels at home? If not, you should go to the doc and ask for one. It's really useful for people with type 2 to help find out which foods have an effect on their BG levels (by testing yourself before and two hours after a meal, to see how much your levels rise by).
In general, all carbohydrates that you eat will end up as glucose in the bloodstream, and need insulin to be used (which as a person with diabetes, you either aren't producing enough of, or you are resistant to it). So it is really useful in terms of blood glucose control if you can reduce ALL carbs in your diet. Carbs include the obvious sugary ones, ie. sugar, biscuits, cakes, etc., and starchy carbs such as pasta, bread, rice, potatoes. Many fruits are also high in carbs, especially bananas, mangoes, grapes, pineapple. Lower carb fruits include strawberries and raspberries, but it's better to eat more vegetables and salads to get your "5-a-day" instead of fruits. Definitely to be avoided are sugary drinks, including the obvious sweetened fizzy drinks like coke, but also you should avoid smoothies and fruit juices, which although they have no ADDED sugar, have just as much carb content as an equivalent amount of coke!
There is lots more advice in the weight loss section (whether or not you have weight to lose). 🙂
Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi svsmith, welcome to the forum 🙂 Don't worry, you can ask any questions you wish here - no-one will think them silly!
I would highly recommend (even though you are in your second year) getting a copy of Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker. Think of this as a fresh start, it will help you gain a good understanding of diabetes and how to set about getting things under control. I would also recommend reading Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter. The more you know and understand, the easier things will become and the better you will start to feel 🙂
Regular testing of your blood sugar levels before and after eating is the best way to find out what elements of your diet you can tolerate well, and what you may need to reconsider. If your GP won't prescribe you with test strips, then it is worthwhile funding them for yourself, if possible, and recording your results. GPs are often persuaded by this to prescribe strips once they can see how testing is helping you to control your diabetes and make modifications to your diet and activity levels. The cheapest option we have come across here is the SD Codefree Meter with test strips at around ?7 for 50.
So, please ask anything you are unsure of and we will be happy to help in any way we can!
Redkite
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Parent
I think you should ask your GP to prescribe them (many folks on here with type 2 have managed to get strips prescribed after initially being told no). Maybe start off by buying a pot yourself, then have a bit of a blitz on testing, keep a diary for a week or so of your food eaten and BG test results, then you can take this in to the GP and "prove" how useful this is in helping you manage your condition. Otherwise you are just operating in the dark!
thankyou all so much,I have looked up the book recomended and ordered it,it does look very informative.Will also look at test strips recomended,the meter I use costs a fortune for test strips.I will keep a diary and will present my findings to GP,I have spoken to my son who is a podiatrist in new zealand,about the pins and needles and he advises to go to GP.
I feel like the flood gates have opened and I can finally tell someone how I feel!thankyou🙂
I feel like the flood gates have opened and I can finally tell someone how I feel!thankyou🙂
Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Redkite
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Parent
The pins and needles may well get better once your blood glucose starts to stabilise at a lower level. I had a patch of numbness on one toe, which the podiatrist was a bit gloomy about, but it went away after a few months of being really strict.
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