Hi, Pleased to have somewhere to share how I’m feeling at the new diagnosis. Considering I’ve been expecting this as my father and paternal grandmother both developed this in their 60s, I’m still shocked and struggling thinking about the implications. Relieved to have a place to go where people understand.
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Very Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic
- Thread starter Burble62
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Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Welcome to the forum
Would you like to share a bit about your diagnosis, did you have symptoms, what is the result of your HbA1C test as that will indicate how far you are into the diabetic zone and how much work you will have to do, have you been prescribed any medication as that may determine what dietary approach may be suitable.
Sorry it seems like a lot of questions but it will help people help you.
rebrascora
Well-Known Member
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- Type 1
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- She/Her
Hi and welcome from me too.
I think most of us found our diagnosis a shock and overwhelming at first so even if you have a family history, it is still tough to accept.
What I will say is that my diagnosis has been the kick up the pants I needed to improve my diet and activity levels and those things have actually improved many other health issues, so I am now fitter and healthier than I was before I got diabetes and I fully expect that I will live longer and with a better quality of life.... provided that I continue to manage it well. It is definitely worth investing time and effort into making some lifestyle changes and the members of this forum will give you tried and tested ideas of how to go about that. There are lots of success stories here to help inspire and motivate you as well as practical tips and tasty recipe/menu ideas. I hope you find being a member of this forum as hugely beneficial as I have over the past few years.
I think most of us found our diagnosis a shock and overwhelming at first so even if you have a family history, it is still tough to accept.
What I will say is that my diagnosis has been the kick up the pants I needed to improve my diet and activity levels and those things have actually improved many other health issues, so I am now fitter and healthier than I was before I got diabetes and I fully expect that I will live longer and with a better quality of life.... provided that I continue to manage it well. It is definitely worth investing time and effort into making some lifestyle changes and the members of this forum will give you tried and tested ideas of how to go about that. There are lots of success stories here to help inspire and motivate you as well as practical tips and tasty recipe/menu ideas. I hope you find being a member of this forum as hugely beneficial as I have over the past few years.
I was told I was pre diabetic in August 2022 after a routine blood test & the Diabetic Nurse suggested I go on the Second Nature programme to lose weight as HbA1C test was 47 mmols. I followed this for 9 months with no weight loss as most of what they suggested I was already doing.
I was never recalled, but I had a routine blood test recently where my reading was 48mmols, this was taken again 2 weeks later with the same result (I have none of the symptoms). I then received a text from my GP stating the blood test showed I was Diabetic & to make an appointment with the Diabetic Nurse.
I spoke to her yesterday on a phone appt & at no point in the conversation did she ask me how I was feeling, she concentrated solely on reiterating how serious it was, then went on to a list of things that would be booked for me to be assessed properly, then listed all the serious conditions that could occur informing me (twice) that my pancreas was only producing 50% of the insulin needed and this would get worse with time.
I felt worse after speaking to her as it sounded as if there was no chance of living well with it, and I’d got all of that to face in the future. Logically I know there’s a higher risk now and have to be more carefully & monitor all aspects, but emotionally it made me feel doomed
I am now in the process of sorting out dates for eye, feet and general health assessments & then I’ve got to go back to the Diabetic Nurse to discuss the best way forward (I’m dreading that meeting).
Thank you so much Barbara, I was feeling so overwhelmed, I knew I needed to link in with others. I am already starting to feel a little less overwhelmed.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
OMG what a way to talk to you when you are only just over the diagnostic threshold so some modest changes to you diet should be all that is needed. To encourage you I made some dietary changes following the principals in this link and reduced my HbA1C from 50mmol/mol to 42 in 3 months and to below 40 in another 6 which is where I am 3 years on.
https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/ That approach is now my normal way of eating. I don't feel deprived in any way.
However it is good you have been offered checks of eyes and feet as that is important.
There is every chance that by taking action now that you will be able to do the same, put those negative thoughts out of your head. Your nurse seems to be behind the times about how powerful dietary changes can be.
rebrascora
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- Type 1
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- She/Her
Can I ask what the Second Nature program is and what dietary changes it suggested?
Are you able to do any exercise and when I say exercise I don't necessarily mean sweating at the gym.... unless you enjoy that. A brisk walk every day can work wonders, particularly after a meal. Something that increases your heart rate a bit and gets you breathing more deeply and your muscles working a bit to burn off glucose. Swimming or cycling are also great and gardening. If the weather is naff I walk or run up and down stairs as many times as I can. You can put music on whilst you do it if you like, or even just spend half an hour each evening singing and dancing to music. Any extra movement will help.
That's a dreadful medical approach. Hesitate to say ignore it, but put it to the back of your mind just now and concentrate on what you can learn from this forum. Honestly, you could be here for hours just reading and absorbing the useful info here. As the others have suggested, a few tweaks here and there will give you the confidence to face that meeting. Smile sweetly and say nothing. Eyes and feet , take those appointments although mine were sorted through the GP practice, I had to just be there. Good luck.
Thank you for the reassurance, I felt quite hopeful when I went into the meeting as I am fit, my husband & I are trying to move to a more Mediterranean style diet to try and reduce carbs. So I appreciate the link you’ve sent through & I'm really encouraged to hear how well it worked for you.
I really appreciate all the kind words of support & suggestion from you all. At least now I know there is a supportive community here to help me. It doesn’t seem so scary now and I’m not close to tears
Thanks for the suggestions Barbara, luckily I am fit and do quite a bit of exercise which I try and vary. The Second Nature programme encouraged you to increase existing exercise regime which I did and commit to at least 45 mins 5 days a week.
I try to vary it to stop me getting bored. (swimming, walking, cycling, yoga)
This is the 9 month programme I was put on by the Diabetic Nurse. I know some people have found it works, but unfortunately I wasn’t one of them. Gained a few useful tips along the way though.
Second Nature - Make losing weight feel easier
Second Nature exists to change minds about losing weight. Our app uses behavioural science to retrain your mind to make healthy choices automatically, so these stick in the long run
www.secondnature.io
Martin.A
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
You have every chance of living well with it. Some of us were diagnosed with much higher HbA1c results than yours, often in 3 figures. When I was diagnosed I came home from my meeting with the DN, put a pack of Metformin on the table and told my wife I had to take it every day for the rest of my life. After a few weeks I came to realise that wasn't necessarily the case and 5 months later my BG was back in normal range and the Metformin was history. There are others on the forum who've been equally successful in turning things around.
Incidentally I was bemused by your DN's comment that your pancreas is only producing 50% of the insulin needed and wondered how she could possibly know that, unless you've had the specific tests involved.
Thank you, I will definitely take your advice, smile sweetly and attend all scheduled appointments, but I’ll be coming back to Diabetes UK to check everything that I’m told Appreciate your support
Yes I must admit I could not figure out where she got the 50% information from. Thanks for adding to more positive comments from the others. Very much appreciated
rebrascora
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- She/Her
Me too Martin! What a load of rubbish, unless they have done a C-peptide test which of course they won't have as it is not a routine test and the processing of the sample means that it cannot generally be done at GP practice anyway, even for those who were suspected Type 1 and need the test.
@Burble62 What dietary changes did you make on the Second Nature program and did you get an NHS referral/reduced subscription or did you have to pay privately, which seems a bit dodgy if your nurse recommended it. Just wondering what you have tried, diet wise, so that we know what not to suggest again.
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Drummer
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
@Burble62 what a good job there isn't a direct download from my thoughts to messages or I'd be getting into trouble here.
For many plain ordinary type 2s as soon as you cut down carbs your blood glucose levels will drop, and then your HbA1c numbers will go down as cells are broken down for parts and new ones made which are not exposed to high glucose levels.
I did that, and then my metabolism seemed to pick up and I lost shedloads of weight and have had to keep replacing or remaking clothes as my shape changes.
It couldn't be simpler really - why GPs and nurses have to make such a to do about it I cannot understand. Of course there could be something a bit more problematic going on but why oh why make such a big thing about it right from the start?
Now that I am going on for 8 years from diagnosis and am still just at the top end of normal for HbA1c I really do wonder when I read reports such as yours.
For many plain ordinary type 2s as soon as you cut down carbs your blood glucose levels will drop, and then your HbA1c numbers will go down as cells are broken down for parts and new ones made which are not exposed to high glucose levels.
I did that, and then my metabolism seemed to pick up and I lost shedloads of weight and have had to keep replacing or remaking clothes as my shape changes.
It couldn't be simpler really - why GPs and nurses have to make such a to do about it I cannot understand. Of course there could be something a bit more problematic going on but why oh why make such a big thing about it right from the start?
Now that I am going on for 8 years from diagnosis and am still just at the top end of normal for HbA1c I really do wonder when I read reports such as yours.
Second Nature was an NHS referral and free for me. I was originally asked to attend an in-person course locally but there wasn’t enough interest so they put me on the online programme instead. It was a lifestyle & eating programme based on low-carbs & encouraged introducing more nuts, seeds and pulses, but personally I don’t think it was put over as well as information I’ve read on this website & the Freshwell App I’ve just been looking at today.
I’m so pleased to hear so many of you have managed to reduce your HbA1c without having to rely on medication
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
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- He/Him
Welcome to the forum @Burble62
I’ve taken the liberty of removing the extra @ from the front of your username, as it will make it easier for members to ‘tag’ you in posts (you can get a notification any time you are mentioned)?
Sorry you had rather a bleak summary from your practice nurse, that left you feeling worse than when you went in. Glad some of the shared experiences on the forum have been more optimistic and encouraging.
Diabetes is a serious condition, but it’s also one that can usually be managed well with a few changes and adaptations - it’s something that you can learn to live well with, and it shouldn’t stop you doing things you enjoy. Try not to be disheartened about your diagnosis, as @rebrascora says, many people on the forum later reflect that their diagnosis became a sort of catalyst which prompted them to make positive changes towards a healthier and more active life. Perhaps changes that they had been intending to make for years!
One of the biggest questions when trying to get to grips with your diabetes is often ‘what can I eat’ and while there are obvious things like cakes, biscuits, sweets and sugary drinks that you will want to cut out straight away, you might be surprised how much *all* carbohydrate affects your BG levels, including rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, pastry, grains, cereals and many fruits. Finding the right balance of carbs (no too low which can increase insulin resistance, but with reduced portion sizes to help your metabolism process the food you are eating properly) can be a hugely effective strategy.
I’ve taken the liberty of removing the extra @ from the front of your username, as it will make it easier for members to ‘tag’ you in posts (you can get a notification any time you are mentioned)?
Sorry you had rather a bleak summary from your practice nurse, that left you feeling worse than when you went in. Glad some of the shared experiences on the forum have been more optimistic and encouraging.
Diabetes is a serious condition, but it’s also one that can usually be managed well with a few changes and adaptations - it’s something that you can learn to live well with, and it shouldn’t stop you doing things you enjoy. Try not to be disheartened about your diagnosis, as @rebrascora says, many people on the forum later reflect that their diagnosis became a sort of catalyst which prompted them to make positive changes towards a healthier and more active life. Perhaps changes that they had been intending to make for years!
One of the biggest questions when trying to get to grips with your diabetes is often ‘what can I eat’ and while there are obvious things like cakes, biscuits, sweets and sugary drinks that you will want to cut out straight away, you might be surprised how much *all* carbohydrate affects your BG levels, including rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, pastry, grains, cereals and many fruits. Finding the right balance of carbs (no too low which can increase insulin resistance, but with reduced portion sizes to help your metabolism process the food you are eating properly) can be a hugely effective strategy.
Felinia
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I've read through this thread and hope I didn't miss something. With an HbA1c of 48mmol/mol you are just in the diabetic range, as others have said. So if you are told to take Metformin, while still smiling sweetly(!!), I suggest you politely ask for 3 months to see if further dietary changes work in reducing your glucose (I gather you are already following a plan). To help you monitor your daily carbs, do you have an app? I find mine invaluable.
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