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Type 2 Newbie Here!!

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M

MikeP

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Type 2
Hi all, my names Mike and I've just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Can't say it came as a huge shock after doing some 'web diagnosis'🙄

I went to my GP after feeling incredibly tired, dry mouth especially at night, up for a pee during the night, itchiness down below, drinking a lot and losing a stone in weight Over a couple months. Looking back many of the symptoms have been there for a while in a mild form.

Anyways, fasting blood glucose tests came back at 17.2 and I was put onto Metformin twice a day pretty much straight away. I've had my appointment with the practice nurse to get my HbA1c base line test done (back in 3 months for another) and my feet checked (all ok) 🙂. Am getting my eye test done week on Monday and waiting for referral to diabetes team and dietician. Other than that I haven't been given any info other than a direction to this very good website and forum!!😉

So I guess I'm a bit stuck as to the best way of tackling it. I've been told diet, exercise and stress levels need to change but where do I start, especially on the diet front (exercise and stress should be straight forward to change with time)? Should I be checking my blood glucose levels too?

I would welcome any guidance you guys would be able to offer me so I can get some control in place.

Cheers

Mike
 
Hi Mike, welcome to the forum 🙂 Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but well done for spotting the symptoms - things can only get better from now on, and hopefully those symptoms will start to reduce now that you aware of how to treat them.

For starters, I'd suggest having a read of Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter to gie you some perspective on things. Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker is a very good book also to set you on the right track.

Regarding diet, I would suggest starting a food diary and recording the amount of carbohydrate in everything you eat and drink throughout the day. This will give you a good idea of your current carb intake, and you can then start to look for areas where you might improve things. Carbohydrate is the main thing that will raise your blood sugar levels, and not all carbs are created equal - some will raise your levels quickly, others more slowly, gradually digesting and raising levels over a longer period of time. Those 'slower' carbs give your body a better chance to cope with them so overall your levels will not rise as high. Carbs are classified according to their 'glycaemic index' - a high GI will be a 'fast' carb, so you are looking to find low GI alternatives to any high GI ones in your current diet. A big culprit is white bread, so if you're eating that then change to a seeded granary - Burgen Soya and Linseed is an excellent alternative.

I would recommend getting a copy of The GL Diet for Dummies, it's a good introduction to selecting food combinations that will have a slow, steady release of energy.

Following a testing routine will help you to identify what foods you tolerate well, and what you might need to restrict or remove from your diet. Have a read of Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S which gives a guide to doing this efficiently. If you haven't been given a meter and a prescription for test strips then I would ask your GP for them. Many GPs are reluctant to prescribe strips for Type2s on metformin only, principally due to cost, although they may use some other excuse, but it really is the only way you will know which things you need to avoid and what you are OK with. Diabetes is a very individual thing, and whilst there are some general things to observe, individual tolerances can vary greatly. Testing will allow you to retain maximum flexibility in your diet, whilst at the same time eating well for your blood sugar control. If you really can't convince the GP then it is worth funding your own. The cheapest option we have come across here is the SD Codefree Meter with test strips at around £7-£8 for 50.

Just a word about metformin: it can take a couple of weeks before it becomes established in your system and you start to feel the benefits. It can have side-effects, which should subside, but if you find you really can't tolerate it there is a slow release version, so ask your GP about it.

Finally, exercise is a massive help in bringing your levels under control, so if you can get some regular exercise in each day that will really help - it's just as important as diet and medication! How about setting yourself a goal and working towards it - something like the Couch to 5k?

If you have any questions or concerns, please do let us know! There are lots of friendly, experienced people here who will do their best to help out 🙂
 
Welcome to the forum MikeP 🙂
 
Welcome to the forum Mike, Alan has posted a lot off useful information and links.

Regards checking your levels with a meter, they are very useful piece of equipment. Being type 2 you may have trouble getting test strips on prescription, but do ask for them as they can help in identifying which food/s affects you and in what way.

Diabetes is an individual thing, there's no single rule that fits all of us. If not sure ask away, there is no such thing as a daft question.
 
Wow, thanks for responding guys, especially with so much advice! 🙂

It's quite overwhelming trying to get your head around it all, but I'll get cracking with the reading lists above. 🙂

I doubt my GP will prescribe the test kit, but I'll give it a go. failing that I'll buy one and start testing. I'll also get a food diary going. Are there any apps out there that you would recommend for recording the results?

Once again many thanks for your kind advice.

Cheers

Mike
 
Welcome aboard Mike, it is incredibly confusing and overwhelming at first but it becomes second nature pretty quickly 🙂
 
Hi Mike,

I don't know if the Carbs and Cals app lets you record your carb intake, but I think it does. A lot of people recommend it for estimating the amount of carbs in a meal, especially if you're eating out. Apparently the MyFitnessPal app lets you record carb intake too.

I tend to write things down in a notebook, but I'm old fashioned and much prefer handwriting things.

Take care,

Matt
 
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