Very newly diagnosed

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BobbleHat

BobbleHat

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Type 2
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Hi all,

I'm Jill, I'm 49, and I'm extremely newly diagnosed with Type 2. When I say new: I haven't even had my confirmation appointment at the GP but my hba1c was 55 and, then, last Thursday on repeat it was 52. So ... newly diabetic.

It's not a big surprise. I have annual peri-menopause bloods and I've been pre-diabetic for the past two years but I've not been in the right mental space to deal with it. So, not surprised but still shocked, if that makes sense. I've been diagnosed with arthritis this week too and my bloods showed raised cholesterol and non alcoholic fatty liver too so, having been really healthy all my life (even if I've always been on the sturdy side!) I suddenly feel like my body has just given up and its not a nice feeling .
I'm only just starting to think about what this means but I'm looking forward to chatting with you all and receiving/giving support.
 
Welcome to the forum @BobbleHat

Sorry you’ve had to join, but very glad you’ve found us.

Be kind to yourself, and try not to buy into the blame and stigma that can surround a diagnosis with T2.

You didn’t aim for this, and you can’t change the past. All you can really do is decide how you are going to respond, and what you are going to do next.

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, many people on the forum later reflect that their diagnosis became a 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.

Some say that they haven’t felt as ‘healthy’ and full of energy for years - and some even say that various other ailments they have had for years have responded very positively to the changes they made to aim for better glucose management 🙂
 
Hi and welcome. Thanks for providing your information.
You are only just into the diabetic range so hopefully with a few tweaks to your lifestyle, you with be able to reduce your glucose levels without need for additional medication, given your other medical issues. I too am a sturdy arthritic who was pre diabetic for a number of years. everydayupsanddowns has as usual given you excellent and positive advice. If the GP goes thundering in with Metformin for the diabetes, you might wish to politely ask if you can try diet, exercise and a bit of weight loss first, then be re-tested in 3 months time to see how you have got on.
This is how I tackled my diabetes. The best way to learn is to work through the Learning Zone. I suggest one module a day, starting with food, then exercise.
Regarding exercise, I was advised to go to the swimming pool for aquafit, which I do twice a week now. The water supports your body and I find I can exercise pain free. My pools both do day and evening classes to cater for working people and pensioners. But if you can manage it, I know people who cycle, do daily walks, or exercise like Pilates or yoga.
To monitor my food intake, I got an app in which I keep my daily food diary. It measures calories, carbs, fats, proteins, fibre and salt. To this day I fill it in first thing each morning. It helps my portion and carb control. There are many suggestions about food here, and it's a case of finding out what suits your particular body best. You will read about various methods, like the NHS Plan, Newcastle Diet, and carb reduction. After experimentation, I opted for carb reduction, which is suggested to be less than 130gm a day (not NO carbs which is virtually impossible). Some people are more intolerant to carbs and so have fewer. Others like me can have more - I aim for 75gm to 90gm a day, but as long as I stay under 130gm a day, I don't panic. There are plenty of food ideas on here and the Freshwell plan is often suggested.
You might like to read some of the posts about getting a finger prick monitor, to work out which foods you can and can't tolerate. I tested regularly for the first few weeks, but now I know what I can and shouldn't eat, I test for new foods only. I've made quite a few substitutions, such as cauliflower instead of potatoes or rice, bean pasta instead of wheat pasta, roasted squash instead of chips. I also do lots of batch cooking in the slow cooker or large saucepan - things like casseroles and home made soups. These I portion up and freeze, so I've got things handy. Moderation, not abstinence for me.
I hope this has given you some ideas. You are tapping into centuries of experience here!!
 
BobbleHat said:
Hi all,

I'm Jill, I'm 49, and I'm extremely newly diagnosed with Type 2. When I say new: I haven't even had my confirmation appointment at the GP but my hba1c was 55 and, then, last Thursday on repeat it was 52. So ... newly diabetic.

It's not a big surprise. I have annual peri-menopause bloods and I've been pre-diabetic for the past two years but I've not been in the right mental space to deal with it. So, not surprised but still shocked, if that makes sense. I've been diagnosed with arthritis this week too and my bloods showed raised cholesterol and non alcoholic fatty liver too so, having been really healthy all my life (even if I've always been on the sturdy side!) I suddenly feel like my body has just given up and its not a nice feeling .
I'm only just starting to think about what this means but I'm looking forward to chatting with you all and receiving/giving support.
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum, you will find lots of good advise and suggestions here from people who have managed to reduce their HbA1C down to normal level with some changes to their lifestyle, mainly diet but exercise also helps. Hopefully you will be given the opportunity for 3 months to make some changes before being offered medication.
Many find a low carbohydrate approach successful and this link should point you in the right direction for that. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
Low carb can help with the other issues you have as well but there are also other approaches which people have adopted, low calorie or a shakes based regime to give them a kick start. But whatever you choose has to be enjoyable otherwise it will not be sustainable. You should not be made to feel you have to eat foods you don't like just because they are in the plan or because other people say you should be eating them.
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
Welcome to the forum @BobbleHat

Sorry you’ve had to join, but very glad you’ve found us.

Be kind to yourself, and try not to buy into the blame and stigma that can surround a diagnosis with T2.

You didn’t aim for this, and you can’t change the past. All you can really do is decide how you are going to respond, and what you are going to do next.

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, many people on the forum later reflect that their diagnosis became a 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.

Some say that they haven’t felt as ‘healthy’ and full of energy for years - and some even say that various other ailments they have had for years have responded very positively to the changes they made to aim for better glucose management 🙂
Click to expand...
Thank you. These are wise words.
I think it might take a while, but seeing this as a positive catalyst for change is where I hope to get to - once I understand it all a bit more and have a better idea of what it means to me and what changes will work for me.
 
Felinia said:
Hi and welcome. Thanks for providing your information.
You are only just into the diabetic range so hopefully with a few tweaks to your lifestyle, you with be able to reduce your glucose levels without need for additional medication, given your other medical issues. I too am a sturdy arthritic who was pre diabetic for a number of years. everydayupsanddowns has as usual given you excellent and positive advice. If the GP goes thundering in with Metformin for the diabetes, you might wish to politely ask if you can try diet, exercise and a bit of weight loss first, then be re-tested in 3 months time to see how you have got on.
This is how I tackled my diabetes. The best way to learn is to work through the Learning Zone. I suggest one module a day, starting with food, then exercise.
Regarding exercise, I was advised to go to the swimming pool for aquafit, which I do twice a week now. The water supports your body and I find I can exercise pain free. My pools both do day and evening classes to cater for working people and pensioners. But if you can manage it, I know people who cycle, do daily walks, or exercise like Pilates or yoga.
To monitor my food intake, I got an app in which I keep my daily food diary. It measures calories, carbs, fats, proteins, fibre and salt. To this day I fill it in first thing each morning. It helps my portion and carb control. There are many suggestions about food here, and it's a case of finding out what suits your particular body best. You will read about various methods, like the NHS Plan, Newcastle Diet, and carb reduction. After experimentation, I opted for carb reduction, which is suggested to be less than 130gm a day (not NO carbs which is virtually impossible). Some people are more intolerant to carbs and so have fewer. Others like me can have more - I aim for 75gm to 90gm a day, but as long as I stay under 130gm a day, I don't panic. There are plenty of food ideas on here and the Freshwell plan is often suggested.
You might like to read some of the posts about getting a finger prick monitor, to work out which foods you can and can't tolerate. I tested regularly for the first few weeks, but now I know what I can and shouldn't eat, I test for new foods only. I've made quite a few substitutions, such as cauliflower instead of potatoes or rice, bean pasta instead of wheat pasta, roasted squash instead of chips. I also do lots of batch cooking in the slow cooker or large saucepan - things like casseroles and home made soups. These I portion up and freeze, so I've got things handy. Moderation, not abstinence for me.
I hope this has given you some ideas. You are tapping into centuries of experience here!!
Click to expand...
Thank you for the warm welcome. I'm glad to hear from someone with a similar origin story to me.
My appointment will be with the diabetes specialist nurse so I'm hoping to have a sensible conversation about options/time frames for metformin. This has happened right as I got a brand new job! I'm in my 10 week notice period - I would prefer not to be dealing with the GI effects I hear can happen with Metformin right when I start a brand new job!
I love aquafit. Part of changing job (which started well before this diagnosis) was to get some work/life balance so I do have more time for exercise. It could be very challenging but I hope it might be a good opportunity too. I always loved aquafit/swimming when I was younger so that was always going to be my first choice when I started trying to be less of a couch potato!
I've read a few threads about daily monitoring. I hadn't thought about it but what you say makes logical sense. Can I ask which app you use? I was wanting something that will help me learn about carbs- I thought I knew a lot but calorie counting and all that jazz hasn't prepared me for this!
 
Leadinglights said:
Welcome to the forum, you will find lots of good advise and suggestions here from people who have managed to reduce their HbA1C down to normal level with some changes to their lifestyle, mainly diet but exercise also helps. Hopefully you will be given the opportunity for 3 months to make some changes before being offered medication.
Many find a low carbohydrate approach successful and this link should point you in the right direction for that. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
Low carb can help with the other issues you have as well but there are also other approaches which people have adopted, low calorie or a shakes based regime to give them a kick start. But whatever you choose has to be enjoyable otherwise it will not be sustainable. You should not be made to feel you have to eat foods you don't like just because they are in the plan or because other people say you should be eating them.
Click to expand...
Thank you. I've bookmarked the link - it looks really good. I have a lot of diabetes/carb education resources read through- which is good. I'm a research-to-cope kind of girl!
And I wholly agree about something needing to be enjoyable to be sustainable. I'm not going to lie. I love carbs and I'm going to need to be imaginative when learning to eat low carb as boredom will definitely be my nemesis!
 
BobbleHat said:
Thank you. I've bookmarked the link - it looks really good. I have a lot of diabetes/carb education resources read through- which is good. I'm a research-to-cope kind of girl!
And I wholly agree about something needing to be enjoyable to be sustainable. I'm not going to lie. I love carbs and I'm going to need to be imaginative when learning to eat low carb as boredom will definitely be my nemesis!
Click to expand...
I eat low carb and I don't get bored as there is so much variety in meat, fish, eggs, cheese, vegetables, salads, berries, dairy without having lots of what are actually quite bland carbs.
The book or app Carbs and Cals is a useful resource as it gives carb values for a whole range of foods with different portion sizes.
There are plenty of substitutions you can make for high carb foods and if you are into baking then the recipes on the website sugarfreelondoner has plenty for low carb cakes and biscuits as well as savoury dishes.
I wouldn't have thought you should be thinking of metformin for at least 3 months to see if your 'new way of eating' is being effective when you should have another HbA1C test.
 
BobbleHat said:
Thank you for the warm welcome. I'm glad to hear from someone with a similar origin story to me.
My appointment will be with the diabetes specialist nurse so I'm hoping to have a sensible conversation about options/time frames for metformin. This has happened right as I got a brand new job! I'm in my 10 week notice period - I would prefer not to be dealing with the GI effects I hear can happen with Metformin right when I start a brand new job!
I love aquafit. Part of changing job (which started well before this diagnosis) was to get some work/life balance so I do have more time for exercise. It could be very challenging but I hope it might be a good opportunity too. I always loved aquafit/swimming when I was younger so that was always going to be my first choice when I started trying to be less of a couch potato!
I've read a few threads about daily monitoring. I hadn't thought about it but what you say makes logical sense. Can I ask which app you use? I was wanting something that will help me learn about carbs- I thought I knew a lot but calorie counting and all that jazz hasn't prepared me for this!
Click to expand...
The app I use is NutraCheck, which is UK based with thousands of UK supermarket foods on its database, and has just cost me around £29 to renew for a whole year. The other popular one is MyFitnessPal, which I understand is free but USA based. I suggest before you have your meeting with the DSN you go prepared with a list of questions. As I suggested before, please try and avoid Metformin for the reason you have given. If your DSN mentions the Eatwell Plate advocated by the NHS, that is great for non diabetics but can be too carb heavy for Type 2 diabetics trying to control by dietary means.
 
Felinia said:
The app I use is NutraCheck, which is UK based with thousands of UK supermarket foods on its database, and has just cost me around £29 to renew for a whole year. The other popular one is MyFitnessPal, which I understand is free but USA based. I suggest before you have your meeting with the DSN you go prepared with a list of questions. As I suggested before, please try and avoid Metformin for the reason you have given. If your DSN mentions the Eatwell Plate advocated by the NHS, that is great for non diabetics but can be too carb heavy for Type 2 diabetics trying to control by dietary means.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the app suggestion. I've had a few downloaded over the last few days just to play and see which helped. Nutracheck has been the best by far so I'm going to take out a subscription for the year and see how it goes.
 
BobbleHat said:
Thanks for the app suggestion. I've had a few downloaded over the last few days just to play and see which helped. Nutracheck has been the best by far so I'm going to take out a subscription for the year and see how it goes.
Click to expand...
Very sensible to try out various ones to see what suited you best. I've used NutraCheck for 5 years now, but like you, did try out others first.
 
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