Got the good news today

[Fraddycat]

Hi, glad it went well, you were expecting the diagnosis weren't you? Mind you when they say the actual words its a real choker. You're now on the same meds as me (except I am on a BP med which I am hoping to stop next week). The eye and foot checks are annual and normal, remember to take sunglasses with you to the eye test - and someone else will need to drive.

The dietician - mmm - I have an appt to see my practice dietician on Friday - you can take one of two directions. Extol the virtues of a Low Carb High Fat diet, and expect a bit of an argument, or nod and smile a lot and ignore their advice. They will not advocate LCHF I don't think, unless you are really lucky.

The new you with diabetes starts here, but the changes you make can make you healthier than you have felt for the last couple of years (whilst you have been having undetected high BG) and you can give yourself the best chance against complications by taking control and managing your diabetes.

[krazus]

Hi Anna29,

thank you for your words, I have looked at the link you posted.

I am very confused at the moment, I am waiting to see what the diet nurse or DSN nurse say about it all, epsecially the diet thing.

My biggest hurdle will be my wife, she is of the mind that fats, especially saturated fats are bad. While I understand this view point and where its been gained from, I hope we BOTH have enough patience to weight all the pro's and cons. So I am still bouncing around in the dark at the moment, I will hopefully know justy a little bit more by the end of the week.

I am however, reducing my carbs anyway... less spuds, brown breads, no processed meat, some tuna, peppers, veg and salad.
Also cutting out choc and fizzy drinks.
Thankfully I have always been a non smoker, and I am almost tea total for 15 yrs... long story.

[krazus]

Hi Fraddycat,

cheers, aye its one thing to expect it, quite another for it to be confirmed. One of the things I discussed with doc today, was my already problematic mental health issues and how this is the icing on the cherry on the cake... my appointment on friday is to discuss that subject entirely.

I will be on the exercise bike tonight for sure... and tonight/tomorrow I will start the meds...


I am also going to talk to my bro (Fireman and very active) as both myself and my mum diagnosed (Saw him last week and he has got a bit of a belly, even though he is very active). A friendly heads up. If i had a 1 in 3 chance after my mum, im sure his odds are dropping...

[MaryJ]

Hi krazus

Re the fats and getting your head round things

A couple of good books

the great cholesterol con - in middle of this at the moment
Why we get fat and what to do about it

Both make perfect sense to help you change your mindset from the past advice.

mary x

[Grazer]

I am waiting to see what the diet nurse or DSN nurse say about it all, epsecially the diet thing.

That's ok, and you'll need to make your own mind up, but you're likely to get the same bad advice many of us get from the NHS because they don't know better. In my view, you're better off listening to what people on here say, who have the disease and are getting great results. Follow the NHS dieticians advice and you'll be back on here asking why you can't get your BGs under control, or you'll be taking increasing levels of medication and having to accept the downside of that.

[anna29]

Hi Krazus...
I understand what you mean, its a lot to take on board all at once...
With reference to your diet/food plans the nurse or the DSN that talks with you, not 'ALL'
are with the same negative mindset a lot have been trained with - some 'have' changed gradually
understanding 'MORE' about the diet/food plans "really" needed to assist us.
Getting our BG's to on target safe levels.
Lets hope you get one that is prepared to" listen " to your own points and needs!
Its too easy to get given the negative impression that ALL are the same when they are 'not' ...
Some are listening and changing thankfully!
As you make your own mind up with what you choose to do with an everyday routine to
self manage your own diabetes , you will learn as you go along.
A bit at a time - each day makes more sense etc...
We all do this as it is very much an individual journey to each person.
Being unique and individual even my own DSN spouts this one now!!!!
Try and see it as an individual thing you're unique she quips at me...
When we are talking about my own meds/insulin therapy and foods to eat plans.
Think I taught it to her .... or else its only 'me' she says it to?
To keep me sweet when I see her.
As I have insisted this mantra chant to her for the last 2years!
Anna.

[Daibell]

Hi Krazus. The good news is you can have chocolate as long as it's good dark chocolate. I have Green & Blacks 85% but there are others. They are very low carb and healthy in other ways as well.

[krazus]

Well its very early days yet, only been taking meds for two days.

When I saw my doc on monday I did have a few questions. she mentioned having porridge for breaky... not sure about that.

I asked about self testing, and she said i dont need to do that yet... My wife and I think differently.

Yesterday I printed off most of the diets mentioned on this website and my wife and I have a better understanding of things, she is still against the LCHF, but can see the need to reduce the carbs. Tomorrow I see the DN. Hopefully I will then have a few more appointments under my belt (Foot, eyes, diet).

I finally saw the fabled Bergen bread last night in a large tesco's. we normally shop at a Morrisons (Closest) and I havent seen any in there. Still got some whole meal left, so didnt buy any...

[anna29]

Hello Kazus.
You and your wife are doing brilliantly even at this early stage for you both.
She is helping and supporting you with your own choice[s] and you are prepareing
your future eating plans and shopping already.
You must choose what you feel is best for you - as you will be self managing your
routine and new lifestyle now.
Keep asking the questions you wish to and request any the information you may need.
There is always someone who will help and support you along.
Anna.

[krazus]

well i had an interesting chat with the DSN today.

good things:
she has booked me for the eye pic (I will get something in writing.
Also have a Dietition appointment for next friday.
Got a DESMOND course in the pipeline too.
CHecked me feet, they are ok, but i need to moisturise.
Told me that 40% of people with type two eventually need Insulin shots, because its 'progressive'


Bad things:
Pretty much sticking to the NHS party line
Shouldnt replace carbs for fat
Showed her the entry in the NICE guidlines stating that a type two should have monitoring equipment to measure food intake and layers, and while she agreed, and even said "If i had Diabetes I would want one", she told me flat that she cannot give me one, purely because of cost of strips.
However when I said I guess i will have to get a meter and record my findings, she gave me a home testing diary leaflet, talk about rubbing it in.
Went to local Boots to price them up, and the dispenser looked sympathetic and said its the same story she hears over and over.


Got an appointment with doc tomorrow about stress and anxiety, I am again going to try and get a monitor, and if not explain with no malice that I will be taking it further (MP, NICE, RDASH - local NHS, etc)

[MaryJ]

When you visit the GP mention re getting a meter and strips and quote the NICE guidleines - take a printout with you. It states (something along the lines of) strips should be given if the patient is pro-active in the management of their diabetes and its part of their education.

Also point out that you would expect to reduce the testing once you know how different foods affect you.

A tip - if they agree to put strips on prescription still buy some for yourself. - REASON - you will be testing LOADS in the beginning (a box of 50 wont last you very long), if you can make a prescription last a month it will relax them so they may not stop them too soon in the future. Stay under the radar.

Mary x

[krazus]

hi folks

quick update, saw the dietitian, pretty much what i expected, seemed surprised when i mentioned the NHS party line of carbs for people that cannot process carbs. stuck to the old...you still need carbs, just reduce them (But have some with every meal).
also was not very helpful about the monitor... she said some people can become obsessive, which is another reason to not give one, and actually said, if they gave me one people might find out and others would want one...

wife and i both agree NHS are talking crap. but she still doesnt want me eating loads of saturated fats... hopefully we can meet in the middle somewhere.

going to try the docs again on tuesday, if no joy, letters to my local NHS trust (RDASH) NICE and MP... might also get others involved as I am a Veteran... attack from more than one direction.

[Cultivator]

Thanks everyone - particularly xyzzy From my own experience I would tend to agree that the standard non-diabetic dietary advice just doesn't work. I have always eaten a reasonably , low fat, lean meat, steamed fish, fresh fruit and veg, brown rice and muesli kind of diet (although I admit I have always eaten too much of it!) Cutting out the sugar and the quantities in general helped a bit but I have never seen a blood glucose reading below 5.5 (more usually 6.5 or 7.5 ) in 4 years until I found this site and went for the cut out virtually all carbs and gorge myself on cheese and cream and bacon and eggs option about a month ago. Since then I have had regular 5's - even the odd 4.9 and nothing much above 6.9 (leaving aside the stressy incident with the horribly unreliable and scaremongering Codefree meter!) I have started having a slice of burgen bread every now and again and I had half a banana last night with no ill effects but there's still a way to go with experimenting with other carbs (new freestyle strips to collect from surgery tomorrow )
It is hard to get my head around the idea of eating lots of fat given that I have a good 4 stone of extra weight to worry about too - BUT... I do seem to have lost about 2-3 kg (depending what time of day I weigh myself and whether I am holding my breath) in the last month so, if that keeps on happening, I won't complain. My G.P website directs me to all sorts of sites offering very standard looking advice about having a third of the plate made up of carbs and cutting out all fat, so I don't think I'll be telling them what I am doing until they ask how I have managed to achieve such impressive results when I go back in December!!

I do agree with Krazus though that it is a shame it is all the expensive stuff! A couple of slices of toast and marmite for breakfast, a banana mid morning and a sandwich at lunch was a lot sheaper - but its no wonder my HBA1c was creeping up and up. Ham and cream for me from now on - and to be honest, I am saving money on all those sneaky kit kats !!

If anyone is still with me (sorry for going on so..) What is the deal with alcohol? I have got the impression that it lowers blood glucose (not beer, obviously, and sadly) but is a glass of red wine with a meal a good thing? how about 2 glasses?? or Wine without a meal? Or spirits ?? I've been steering clear and treating myself with sugar free jelly and cream - but, if it really lowers bg, is it a Good Thing then???

cheers (maybe!)