Terrified

[Tina Valkeith]

wow what a smack in the face today out of the blue I am diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes, placed on tablets a low dosage for week building up over the next 4. So stressed, crying not coping, what do I eat? did not realise carbohydrates turn to sugar, does this mean no Bread No Rice No Pasta, if I can eat how much can I eat? really am struggling and its only day One. Any good solid advise would be appreciated.

 

[Pigeon]

Hi Tina, so glad you have found us. I think we have all been there, it's so overwhelming at first isn't it?

Don't try to change everything at one, take baby steps. Have a read of some of these links: https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/useful-links-for-people-new-to-diabetes.10406/ relating to type 2. Some people reduce their carbs but not completely, it's quite difficult to find things with no carbs in!

What kind of health care support have you got, are you under a GP or nurse? Have you got a blood glucose meter? That's the best way to find out what amounts of carbs you can tolerate, you test before eating then eat something and test a few hours after and see what increase you got.

In some areas they offer an education course for newly diagnosed people, it might be an idea to ask about that, you can meet people in the same boat and learn about nutritional information etc.

You're in good company here so don't panic. Have a hug, tomorrow is another day and you will get your head around this, it just takes time.

 

[Jeandp]

Hi @Tina Valkeith and welcome to the club no one wanted to join. I felt the same as you when I was first diagnosed. I grieved for the old life I felt I had lost. Unlike you it took me some time to find this lovely friendly forum. Well done for finding us! I would have been lost without all the helpful advice I have been given on here.

I hope you will soon enjoy looking at all the different sections, look in the food and carbs section for advice on alternatives to your usual bread, rice and pasta and if you have any questions just ask, don't feel you have to struggle alone. We are all here for you. (((HUGS)))

 

[CathyB]

Hi Tina, ironic that I was talking to my daughter about this today, how in 4 weeks I have come from where you are now to feeling really upbeat and positive, I’m eating better and healthier, walking further than I would have thought possible and enjoying it! Take a deep breath and read...read as much as you can from the forum, not the internet! Here you will learn what to eat (a bit of a trial and error as we all react differently), how to know what works for you. Most important you will learn you are not alone x

 

[grovesy]

Why don't you start by reducing your portions . Then tackle the changes later. I initially adopted a method of eating that I could not maintain long term. Foods seem to be tolerated differntly from person to person.

 

[Tina Valkeith]

Hi Tina, so glad you have found us. I think we have all been there, it's so overwhelming at first isn't it?

Don't try to change everything at one, take baby steps. Have a read of some of these links: https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/useful-links-for-people-new-to-diabetes.10406/ relating to type 2. Some people reduce their carbs but not completely, it's quite difficult to find things with no carbs in!

What kind of health care support have you got, are you under a GP or nurse? Have you got a blood glucose meter? That's the best way to find out what amounts of carbs you can tolerate, you test before eating then eat something and test a few hours after and see what increase you got.

In some areas they offer an education course for newly diagnosed people, it might be an idea to ask about that, you can meet people in the same boat and learn about nutritional information etc.

You're in good company here so don't panic. Have a hug, tomorrow is another day and you will get your head around this, it just takes time.

Thank you I will take a look at the links, as far as support and things nothing has happened as yet it was only today, and all a bit rushed. Three days ago the Pharmacy did a super test and my Level was extremely High they referred me to the doctors and they sent me to the Nurse yesterday where she took a blood sample and sent it off the result came back to day and that is when I was called in and the nurse told me the level was extremely high, so she placed me on the tablets and said she wants to see me in three weeks in the mean time I need to cut out the surgery stuff as much as possible. my greatest fear is if I have to go to the hospital as I do not do Hospitals and won't go.

 

[grovesy]

Thank you I will take a look at the links, as far as support and things nothing has happened as yet it was only today, and all a bit rushed. Three days ago the Pharmacy did a super test and my Level was extremely High they referred me to the doctors and they sent me to the Nurse yesterday where she took a blood sample and sent it off the result came back to day and that is when I was called in and the nurse told me the level was extremely high, so she placed me on the tablets and said she wants to see me in three weeks in the mean time I need to cut out the surgery stuff as much as possible. my greatest fear is if I have to go to the hospital as I do not do Hospitals and won't go.

Most Type 2 do not go to hospitals for care.

 

[Northerner]

wow what a smack in the face today out of the blue I am diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes, placed on tablets a low dosage for week building up over the next 4. So stressed, crying not coping, what do I eat? did not realise carbohydrates turn to sugar, does this mean no Bread No Rice No Pasta, if I can eat how much can I eat? really am struggling and its only day One. Any good solid advise would be appreciated.

Hi Tina, welcome to the forum 🙂 Very sorry to hear about your diagnosis However - don't despair! Although it is a serious condition, diabetes is something that you can learn to manage well so that it doesn't have to stop you doing the things you want. Many people find that after getting their blood sugar levels under control they end up feeling much happier and healthier than they have for some time 🙂 Although it has come as a terrible shock for you, it can be seen as a positive thing as you can now take action to improve things, and there is a lot of help here on the forum to help you, so don't be afraid to ask any questions you may have - nothing is considered 'silly'! 🙂

There is a lot to take i, and unfortunately a lot of misinformation around, especially from Dr. Google, so try to avoid googling things. I'd suggest starting by reading the excellent Maggie Davey's letter, which will give you a good overview of how to begin and what it is all about. Also, do get yourself a copy of Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker - a very positive and helpful guide to help you through these early weeks and months 🙂

Were you given a blood glucose monitor and a prescription for test strips? If not, do request them from your nurse of GP. Using this tool you can discover your tolerances for different foods, as described in Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S. People's tolerances can vary considerably e.g. some are fine with porridge and some have to avoid it because it raises their levels too much. If you can't get a monitor and strips from your surgery it is worth funding your own whilst you learn how your food choices affect you - the cheapest option we have come across is the SD Codefree Meter which has test strips at around £8 for 50..

It may be that some of the things you might otherwise think you need to give up, you actually tolerate well and can retain them in your diet, or it may simply be that you have to reduce the portions of certain things - why give up the things that you enjoy and are fine with? Start a food diary and record the amount of carbs, in grams, in everything you eat and drink for a week or two. You will then be able to use this to look for areas where you might reduce or replace certain elements in order to place less strain on your system 🙂

Don't look back, you can now move forward a step at a time. You don't need to 'solve' everything overnight, this is a marathon not a sprint, so take time to absorb the information, and if there is anything you don't understand, please ask 🙂

 

[Bubbsie]

wow what a smack in the face today out of the blue I am diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes, placed on tablets a low dosage for week building up over the next 4. So stressed, crying not coping, what do I eat? did not realise carbohydrates turn to sugar, does this mean no Bread No Rice No Pasta, if I can eat how much can I eat? really am struggling and its only day One. Any good solid advise would be appreciated.

Tina give yourself some time to settle into your diagnosis...it probably feels like you'll never get used to it...nothing will never be the same...but it does get better honestly...many of us here had the same reaction on diagnosis no idea what to do how to manage our conditions...firstly I would recommend a little research...some essential reading...for me a book 'Type 2 diabetes The First Year' by Gretchen Becker was a great help understanding my diabetes... she is Type 2 herself...writes about her first year from diagnosis onwards month by month...answers many of the questions we all ask ourselves...explains what Type 2 is...how it develops...gives advice on diet/activity...discusses testing our blood sugars...whether we need to do that...what benefits we get from it...dispels the myths surrounding T2...well written & easy to read...you can preview it on Amazon before deciding whether to buy it or borrow it from your local library...you may find it difficult to believe this at the moment but I have found many positives since my diagnosis...I look after myself better than I ever have before...am more active...have a better diet...if you have any questions post them here... no doubt one of us can make the appropriate suggestions offer some advice...give you the benefit of our experience...good luck...keep us updated.

 

[Maz2]

Welcome to the Forum. I can understand you are terrified. I was pre-diabetic, got out of it, back in it again and when I first heard about it that was bad enough. The advice here has been wonderful. I did not realise how bad my diet actually was. Here was me thinking that breakfast cereal and toast for breakfast, sandwiches at lunchtime and potatoes with my evening meal, plus loads of fruit a day was healthy!! - not!! Thankfully, I was put right on here.

I am now enjoying my food much more. Not sure why hba1c gone haywire again. I am testing now to find out what is causing the trouble if I can. GP not sure whether it may be my becoming more insulin resistant as I am getting older (nearly 65). It is not weight as I am underweight.

Agree completely with Northerner's comment about googling. I frightened myself to death with it and, following advice, stopped it.

 

[Maz2]

Would like to reiterate Bubbsie's comment about Gretchen Becker's book. I bought it and found it very informative. A couple of books you may find useful - Michael Moseley "8 week blood sugar diet". It is 800 calories a day so not for everybody but gives ideas of what you can eat. You could then test to see if you can tolerate the foods. "Blood sugar diet recipes" by Michael Moseley. "Clever Guts Diet" by Michael Moseley. "Reverse your Diabetes" by Dr David Cavan. He is not suggesting you can reverse it he means keeping better control. I like Davina McCall's "Sugar Free in a Hurry." I leave out the potatoes, pasta and rice she puts in. Also Tom Kerridge's dopamine diet book is good. Some people find the recipes a bit fiddly but I like it.

 

[Ralph-YK]

Welcome to the forum Tina from a fellow T2.
If you get a meter and self test you'll be able to see what effect different foods have, along with any changes you make. The SD Code Free has the cheapest strips (£8 for 50). Test before eating and 1-2 hours after. Keep a food diary along with recording your levels. After a couple of weeks you should start seeing a pattern.

 

[Drummer]

Cut out the sugary stuff - sheesh - there's nothing like being given the information you need - and that is nothing like the information you need.
Diabetes is all about being unable to cope with the amount of starch and sugar in the modern diet.
Potatoes, pasta, cereals, as in all grains, high sugar fruits - for me anything over 10 percent carbs is out - and then I get normal numbers.
I have had normal numbers for about a year now, and I can eat the same foods in the same amounts as when doing Atkins to control my weight, so I suspect that I was diabetic for a very long time, just controlling it by accident.

 

[Martin Canty]

Hi Tina, no need to be terrified, yes, we have a serious condition but the good news is that you now know about it and it can be controlled. Peruse the "What did you eat yesterday" section for ideas about what people are eating.

As Northerner suggests, I'd thoroughly recommend self testing... Not something that most GP's recommend for T2's but we find it an invaluable tool for managing diabetes....

 

[AnnS]

Know how you feel . Diagnosed type 1 last week. Eating carefully. Have realized importance of exercise as days when did less sugars higher. Like life it's a learning curve.