Hi, my name is Rose, 27, and I was diagnosed on Wednesday with type 2 diabetes. It was picked up on a urine test that there was a lot of sugar in the sample, so they did some blood tests and my HbA1c level came back at 96mmol/mol.. I've been prescribed 30mg of gliclazide and a blood glucose testing kit and am awaiting further tests to come back. I have a follow up call scheduled next Wednesday to discuss how I've been getting on and for the results. Honestly I don't know how to adjust to all of this, it's taken me 3 days to be able to use the finger prick device by myself, as before I had to ask my partner to press the release button for me as I would sit there trying to work up the courage for 20+ minutes before getting upset/frustrated at it all. The doctor has signed me off of work for 2 weeks whilst I adjust and get used to everything so I'm just trying to learn as much as I can. I've also got PCOS so I know that the two can go hand in hand, but I never really thought it would happen to me. I've asked my family and it seems like it affected my maternal grandmothers family, but has not affected any further generations until me. Anyways if you have any advice on literally anything it would be greatly appreciated!
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Drummer
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hello @ARose_51 and welcome to the forum. You are quite young to be diagnosed with type 2, but that might not be a bad thing. I was pushed to eat a diet high in carbs and low in fat and that caused a lot of heartache over the decades.
My HbA1c was just slightly lower than yours at diagnosis but I was able to use a low carb diet to control my blood glucose and go into remission quite quickly - as you are taking Gliclazide low carb is not recommended as it can result in hypos - though you should have been supplied with a glucose testing meter to be able to keep track of your levels.
My HbA1c was just slightly lower than yours at diagnosis but I was able to use a low carb diet to control my blood glucose and go into remission quite quickly - as you are taking Gliclazide low carb is not recommended as it can result in hypos - though you should have been supplied with a glucose testing meter to be able to keep track of your levels.
Inka
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Welcome @ARose_51 🙂 My first bit of advice is don’t panic. I’m sure you can improve things. You could start by looking at the Learning Zone - the orange tab at the top of this page. With regard to your glucose meter, check your fingerpricker is set to the right depth for you. Think of it as your friend because testing your blood sugar will give you lots of useful information.
You might also want to look into a free trial of the Libre sensor.
You might also want to look into a free trial of the Libre sensor.
Thank you, I will have a look at the learning zone and libre sensor! Yes, I found 2 wasn't enough and 4 hurt, so 3 is my happy medium with the depth. I think it was a mental barrier of pressing the button lance myself, but I did it solo today so I'm hoping I can continue on without the help of my partner pressing it for me.
Lucyr
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Welcome. I was diagnosed type 2 aged 20 so know the feeling. I’d just give the testing a miss unless you feel hypo if it’s stressing you that much. You can make plenty of changes to improve your blood sugar without testing, your GP has likely only given it you in case of hypos. Two weeks off work seems a bit overkill so if you feel getting back into a routine sooner would help then I don’t think there’s any real reason not to go to work.
Okay, so might be a good idea to look at reinstating that gym membership. I've always struggled with being overweight which probably hasn't helped.
And yes, they said they wanted to investigate antibodies? Basically trying to determine what type, on my notes it does say official diagnosis is type 2 but I think the call scheduled next week they'll confirm if it is.
Thank you and wow that's a lot to navigate at a young age! Can I ask if it runs in your family? (no need to answer if that's too forward). At the minute I've got to do the testing morning and night to monitor how my blood sugar gets on with the medication they've put me on, so at least until next Wednesday when I know more I'll have to continue with it. Honestly it was the doctors recommendation to take the time to come to terms with the diagnosis and get used to the medication without having to deal with a stressful workload at the same time, but I appreciate what you're saying, as falling out of routine can also be stressful. I don't really know much about hypos so I might see if I can read up on that
Lucyr
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
No other diabetics in my family no
Hello and thank you 🙂 sorry to hear about the heartache, this is one thing I'm not looking forward to as I'm a total foodie! When you say quite quickly how long do you think it took? And when you say remission does that mean you've completely reversed it? Or do you still need regular check ups to be on the safe side? Forgive me if I overstep, and don't feel like you have to answer if you don't want to!! I have been given the testing kit and am doing daily readings twice a day to monitor how I get on with the gliclazide. Hopefully I'll know more next Wednesday, the doctor has advised for now to just educate myself on the subject and get used to everything
Inka
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
That’s good even if they’re pretty sure you’re Type 2. The antibodies will be the Type 1 antibodies (Type 1, unlike Type 2, is an auto-immune condition). Hopefully they’ll do a C Peptide too, which will also help determine your type.
The gym is great, but even walking will do. Just try to be more active throughout the day, every day 🙂
Inka
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Here’s some info about hypoglycaemia but don’t let it freak you out as it’s likely you’ve been started on a moderate dose of meds and won’t experience any low blood sugars yet. However, it’s still good to know:
www.diabetes.org.uk
Don’t worry about being a foodie. You can still eat nice food 🙂
What is a hypo (hypoglycaemia)?
A hypo is when your blood sugar level, also called blood glucose level, drops too low. This is usually below 4mmol/l. A hypo, also called hypoglycaemia, can happen quickly. So it’s important to always have hypo treatments with you. It's also important to know what the signs are and how to treat...
Don’t worry about being a foodie. You can still eat nice food 🙂
Hi
Welcome i was told last week that i had type 2 and my a1c was 100 mmol/mol i was shocked as it was out the blue. my head was all over the place as like yourself was given a kit and some leafet's and told off you go was also put on glicazide 40mg twice a day. i have a phobia of needles and refused to do them in the first few days but trust me they get easier and well done for building up the courage to do them yourself. My advice is breath take a step back and relax there is so much infomation on diabetes and you have found a great place to ask people anything you need to. diet is key and there is a lot to learn but your not alone. im finding a lot of people are saying a low carb diet is the way to go 2 websites i have found are https://newforestpcn.co.uk/low-carb/low-carb-intro and https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/ watch the videos they help a lot and also lots of videos on youtube
Drummer
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
We're here to pass on information which seems to be sadly lacking at many GP surgeries.
My blood glucose levels dropped in days, I suspect, but the medication I was given (Metformin and Atorvastatin) hit me very hard and I was in a right state before I decided to stop taking the tablets after about a month. Even with 'just' low carb eating I was no longer diabetic with a HbA1c of 47 after about 80 days from diagnosis, then 41 at the 6 month test, which is just in the normal range.
After being diagnosed as type 2 I will always be getting checks on eyes, blood, feet either annually or biannually.
These days I could eat more normally - as it is termed, but I have never been able to cope with the amount of carbs in the modern diet. We ate low carb when I was at home in the 50s and 60s - the whole family is predisposed to be diabetic I think. I am now the oldest survivor.
Rather than relax, I decided to go on quite a severe diet to see if I can push my weight and HbA1c down towards more normal numbers before my 8year test, now scheduled for the 4th of next month.
I doubt that I will ever have a 24 inch waist again, but I set up a full length mirror in the bedroom and soon after that decided further experimentation was in order.
ARose_51 welcome to the forum. When I was first diagnosed I was bewildered overwhelmed and angry. I was tested for diabetes in 2014 and my reading was 40. I have high blood pressure so have a routine blood test every year but they never tested me again although I was/am overweight. I haven't seen a Doctor about blood pressure since 2009. The nurses do the checks. It wasn't till June when I was told my cholesteral had crept up I discovered no testing for diabetes and asked for a test and was 69. As an adult I've never had a medical and am slightly jealous of the posters asking for advice about prediabetes. Still we both have to deal with now. Ive worked out you can eat almost anything as long as the carbs are a small portion and balanced by veg. Some veg is carby mainly those that grow underground. The freshwell site is a joy and has good diagrams showing no carbs, carbs etc. I say you can eat anything in small portions but having treated myself to a meal at a local pasta place where i chose carefully I think it will be off my menu and I will try black bean or red lentil pasta to ring the changes. Cauliflower rice is popular as a way of absorbing sauces though some people prefer poppadoms. I had found the second site in the new forest @mark1985 has posted a few weeks ago. It seems to have set out the freshwell approach very well. I would like either set of Doctors as my medical practice. I have chosen not to give up bread. However I tend to eat it if it is the only acceptable choice in a cafe. If I eat it at home which I now do rarely I buy robust rye from M and S or a rye loaf from a local Baker. My freezer needs replacing otherwise I'd keep a loaf there to toast or use. There is some suggestion that the carbs are slightly easier to consume after freezing. I have it as an open sandwich one slice with smoked Salmon and cream cheese.
As far as blood testing I found a good video with some Scottish nurses. I used to be a blood donor and loath the pin prick at the start. Someone advised me it is nothing like that. Make sure your hands are warm and clean. Perhaps hold the kettle or a warm mug. I started with level 2 but I now use level one the lightest. The anticipation doesn't help but it is OK. I also found out most forum members use the lancet more than once. Strict medical advice is they are single use and obviously you wouldn't use a used lancet on someone else. I just thought it was wasteful. You can search the forum for how long some people use them but I am not making any judgment if you want to use just once
Obviously you need to wean off adding sugar to drinks and cereal. I assume sweetener is a good substitute but I don't take sugar in drinks or cereal. Your palate will change. Some fruit is best avoided as too sweet. I have blueberries or raspberries with full fat yoghurt for breakfast sometimes add seeds or nuts or have a mushroom omlette.
Take things slowly and steadily. You and your body have had a shock. With time you should start feeling healthier. Keep a note of what you eat and your readings. The two hour window is calculated from when you start eating. If you are a slow eater or chatter you may test before you end the meal. Exercise can alter how your blood sugar works. Generally a ten minute walk after food is good. Some high energy exercise spikes your blood sugar but in the long run is good.
Good luck
,
As far as blood testing I found a good video with some Scottish nurses. I used to be a blood donor and loath the pin prick at the start. Someone advised me it is nothing like that. Make sure your hands are warm and clean. Perhaps hold the kettle or a warm mug. I started with level 2 but I now use level one the lightest. The anticipation doesn't help but it is OK. I also found out most forum members use the lancet more than once. Strict medical advice is they are single use and obviously you wouldn't use a used lancet on someone else. I just thought it was wasteful. You can search the forum for how long some people use them but I am not making any judgment if you want to use just once
Obviously you need to wean off adding sugar to drinks and cereal. I assume sweetener is a good substitute but I don't take sugar in drinks or cereal. Your palate will change. Some fruit is best avoided as too sweet. I have blueberries or raspberries with full fat yoghurt for breakfast sometimes add seeds or nuts or have a mushroom omlette.
Take things slowly and steadily. You and your body have had a shock. With time you should start feeling healthier. Keep a note of what you eat and your readings. The two hour window is calculated from when you start eating. If you are a slow eater or chatter you may test before you end the meal. Exercise can alter how your blood sugar works. Generally a ten minute walk after food is good. Some high energy exercise spikes your blood sugar but in the long run is good.
Good luck
,
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Just want to say thank you so much everyone for all of your guidance! Reading some of your own experiences has helped put me at ease knowing I'm not going through this alone. I've learnt a lot today, and @mark1985 those links are really useful, I've been reading through them for the last hour. 🙂
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
You have been given lots of useful suggestions and sources of information but just to mention to back up the Freshwell approach which I am a fan of as it makes lots of sense to me there is also the book or app Carbs and Cals which gives carb values for various portion sizes of many foods and also shop web sires which give the carbs in the nutritional information of all the products they sell and of course the internet UK sites are better) looking for the total carbs will give you a good start.
When people say low carb they are referring to the suggested no more than 130g per day it is not NO carbs and with the medication you have less than that is not advised unless you are testing to make sure you do get too low blood glucose.
Many find that some strategic testing of their meals is a good guide as to whether they cope with the amount of carbs in that meal, testing before eating and after 2 hours aiming at no more than a 2-3mmol/l increase. In the longer term you will be aiming at 4-7 before meals and morning readings and no more than 8-8.5mmol/l after 2 hours.
I am surprised they have not prescribed metformin as that was originally a medication for PCOS which you mention you have.
When people say low carb they are referring to the suggested no more than 130g per day it is not NO carbs and with the medication you have less than that is not advised unless you are testing to make sure you do get too low blood glucose.
Many find that some strategic testing of their meals is a good guide as to whether they cope with the amount of carbs in that meal, testing before eating and after 2 hours aiming at no more than a 2-3mmol/l increase. In the longer term you will be aiming at 4-7 before meals and morning readings and no more than 8-8.5mmol/l after 2 hours.
I am surprised they have not prescribed metformin as that was originally a medication for PCOS which you mention you have.
