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Totally Confused!!!

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S

Steady

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Type 2
Hello Everyone
I was diagnosed with Type 2 yesterday and to say that I am completely confused is a bit of an understatement!! I am looking at a packet of Metformin and trying to force myself to take the first, of what I understand, will be a lifelong dose.
I am reading through this very helpful forum and although I know it is not a "one size fits all" scenario, the general consensus would seem to be to buy a meter thingy to test my blood, at least until I get some sort of grip on the situation.
Thanks for all the posts on this forum to help us "newbies" sort through the confusion and reassure us that we are not alone. You are stars.
 
Steady said:
Hello Everyone
I was diagnosed with Type 2 yesterday and to say that I am completely confused is a bit of an understatement!! I am looking at a packet of Metformin and trying to force myself to take the first, of what I understand, will be a lifelong dose.
I am reading through this very helpful forum and although I know it is not a "one size fits all" scenario, the general consensus would seem to be to buy a meter thingy to test my blood, at least until I get some sort of grip on the situation.
Thanks for all the posts on this forum to help us "newbies" sort through the confusion and reassure us that we are not alone. You are stars.
Click to expand...
Hi Steady, welcome to the forum 🙂 Sorry to hear about your diagnosis :(

It is confusing as there is a lot of conflicting information around! This is partly down to the fact, as you suggest, that it is a very individual thing, so it's important to find out how it affects you personally and what your own particular tolerances to different carbohydrates are - the meter is probably the only thing that can help you with this without having to resort to guesswork 🙂 The cheapest option we have come across is the SD Codefree Meter which has test strips at around £8 for 50. Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S will teach you how to use it to help manage your levels and tailor your diet 🙂

Have a read of Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter and get a copy of Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker and you will be well set up to make sense of all the confusion! 🙂 Anything you are unsure of, or that is worrying you, please let us know 🙂 The metformin may not be a lifelong thing, again much depends on how your body is able to respond to your changes in diet but many people have found that they can eventually manage without it - might not happen for you, but any efforts you make to get your blood sugar levels under good control are worth it! 🙂
 
Welcome to the forum.
 
Hi Steady and welcome to the forum. Yep this forum is fantastic. It has helped me from the day I joined (not long after diagnosis) and keeps helping me on a daily basis (especially since finding out im a bit rare!). Hope we can be of some help to you.
 
Managed to get a couple of books at my local library, one of which is the Gretchen Becker book and have also ordered a meter from Amazon too.
Reading labels in the supermarket and everything seems to be loaded with carbohydrates!! Can't seem to find anything to eat....!!
 
Steady said:
Managed to get a couple of books at my local library, one of which is the Gretchen Becker book and have also ordered a meter from Amazon too.
Reading labels in the supermarket and everything seems to be loaded with carbohydrates!! Can't seem to find anything to eat....!!
Click to expand...
Don't worry, when you get your meter you will be able to see what things you tolerate well and what you might need to reduce or replace in your diet - it may not be as bad as you think! 🙂 The GL Diet for Dummies is a very good introduction to the 'Glycaemic Load' approach to selecting and combining foods so that they have a slow, steady impact on blood glucose levels, so it's worth having a look 🙂
 
Steady said:
Managed to get a couple of books at my local library, one of which is the Gretchen Becker book and have also ordered a meter from Amazon too.
Reading labels in the supermarket and everything seems to be loaded with carbohydrates!! Can't seem to find anything to eat....!!
Click to expand...

Yes, ready meals are loaded with carbs. I've cooked more in the last five years than I have in the rest of my life!
 
Hi and welcome from a fellow T2 who's 18 months in. Yes, I've just hit the year and half mark. I'm also on metformin.
 
Steady said:
Reading labels in the supermarket and everything seems to be loaded with carbohydrates
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum, Steady.... You have discovered the #1 pain of being diabetic, having to look at food labels....

I think the general advice for eating healthy is only get your groceries from the outer wall of the supermarket (produce, meats, deli etc..... with the occasional foray into the isles for that delicacy for which, not having, would make life intolerable!
 
Hi Steady, I am 6 months in, and completely understand how you feel. I have found the easiest way to understand what you're eating is to have a little notebook (or a spreadsheet if you can manage it!) and keep a note of the carbs in the foods you eat most. The low carb/high fat diet is quite easy, try and keep your carbs down to 100-130g per day, don't skimp on fat and avoid 'low fat' products because they often have added carbs. Keep a food diary, and note what each meal does to your BG readings.
If you can get your GP or nurse to refer you for a DESMOND course you will find that useful.
 
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