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Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
The beginning...
- Thread starter Albena
- Start date
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Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi Albena, welcome to the forum 🙂 Sorry to hear about your diagnosis - how did it come about? Have you been given any medication? It can be scary and a bit overwhelming to begin with, there is so much information and so many myths and misconceptions as well - hopefully we can help you guide you through it all! 🙂
I would suggest reading Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter for starters, and get a copy of : Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker. These are all excellent, trusted sources of information that will help you to understand what it is all about.
The main thing to look out for is your carbohydrate consumption, as carbs are what will raise your blood glucose levels as you digest them. Start a food diary and write down the amount of carbs in everything you eat and drink so you can get an idea of your actual current carb intake, and also to look for areas where you might reduce portions or replace items with more diabetes-friendly things. People have different tolerances for things, so it's important that you understand what you are eating and how it affects you personally. Have you been given a blood glucose meter and test strips? If not, I would urge you to get one, as it is the best tool available for working out what you can safely keep in your diet and what you need to consider replacing. Have a read of Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S to understand this process and how it can help you bring your levels under control, whilst at the same time retaining maximum flexibility in your diet. If you don't have a meter then the cheapest option we have come across is the SD Codefree Meter which has test strips at around £8 for 50, and which many of our members use 🙂
It's a serious condition, but the good news is that it can be managed well with the right knowledge and application 🙂 Many people discover that the adjustments they make result in them feeling much happier and healthier than they have for quite a while, so hopefully you will find this too when you look back in a few months time! 🙂 Please feel free to ask any questions you may have, no question is regarded as 'silly' - if it is confusing or concerning you, please et us know 🙂
I would suggest reading Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter for starters, and get a copy of : Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker. These are all excellent, trusted sources of information that will help you to understand what it is all about.
The main thing to look out for is your carbohydrate consumption, as carbs are what will raise your blood glucose levels as you digest them. Start a food diary and write down the amount of carbs in everything you eat and drink so you can get an idea of your actual current carb intake, and also to look for areas where you might reduce portions or replace items with more diabetes-friendly things. People have different tolerances for things, so it's important that you understand what you are eating and how it affects you personally. Have you been given a blood glucose meter and test strips? If not, I would urge you to get one, as it is the best tool available for working out what you can safely keep in your diet and what you need to consider replacing. Have a read of Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S to understand this process and how it can help you bring your levels under control, whilst at the same time retaining maximum flexibility in your diet. If you don't have a meter then the cheapest option we have come across is the SD Codefree Meter which has test strips at around £8 for 50, and which many of our members use 🙂
It's a serious condition, but the good news is that it can be managed well with the right knowledge and application 🙂 Many people discover that the adjustments they make result in them feeling much happier and healthier than they have for quite a while, so hopefully you will find this too when you look back in a few months time! 🙂 Please feel free to ask any questions you may have, no question is regarded as 'silly' - if it is confusing or concerning you, please et us know 🙂
Albena
New Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Thank you Northerner!
I have the Accu check and strips, I am on Gliclazide and Insulin 12 units in the evening. Metformin from next week too.I was a risk factor, as my mom is type 2 but ignored the symptoms...well, I reckon I am doing everything I can to cope with it...still confused from all the opinions, suggestions, advice, but will get there🙂
I have the Accu check and strips, I am on Gliclazide and Insulin 12 units in the evening. Metformin from next week too.I was a risk factor, as my mom is type 2 but ignored the symptoms...well, I reckon I am doing everything I can to cope with it...still confused from all the opinions, suggestions, advice, but will get there🙂
Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
It's quite unusual to be put on gliclazide and insulin straight away - I'm guessing your numbers were quite high at diagnosis? How have you got on with things - any hypos? Which insulin have you been given?
Things will become clearer, take your time to absorb the information and ask if you get stuck with something 🙂
Ralph-YK
Much missed Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi & welcome from a fellow T2 who's 17 months in. I'd suggest you get on some of the courses. There's several. They're not all run the in the same area, and some are local ones. There's DESMOND and X-Pert course for T2. A few months ago they stopped doing X-Pert near me and starting a local provision instead. Do a search for a local support group. Diabetes UK has some. You can pick up information there from the members. Their also have professionals in to give talks, like eye people and foot people.
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