Just been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes

[GerryOB]

So today my GP told me I have Type 2 Diabetes. I know I have been borderline Diabetic for years, but have now had it confirmed.

There seems to be so much I don't know. Yet I look at all the info available on the internet and I feel overwhelmed with it. I've no idea about controlling levels. I've no idea what foods I can eat and what foods I can't eat.

I have a couple of questions if anyone can help please.

1. Are blood testing monitors supplied free from anywhere, or is it something I will have to buy? I do have one which my Mum bought for me about 20 years ago, but it is well out of date. What about the test strips? Do I buy them or can I get them on prescription?

2. Does anyone know where there is a list of foods that are safe to eat and a list of foods to avoid?

3. Lately, I've been feeling really tired, and also having problems with a strange feeling in my chest which anyone who has had a baby would know what I mean when I say it feels like a baby's foot under my right breast. I don't know if it is food or something moving along inside me, but it does often feel like it's moving although I can only feel it in that one place. Anyone got any ideas if this is connected with Diabetes?

Many thanks.

Gerry

 

[andcol]

Welcome @GerryOB

Some answers to your questions
1. I doubt you will get a meter and strips from your GP and you will likely have to purchase one yourself - try the sd codefree from home-health as it is one of the cheapest

2. All foods are safe but some will have more reaction on your glucose levels than others. I will let @daisy1 provide you with some information around this

3. Tiredness is definitely a diabetes thisng and it is because your cells are a little starved of glucose because of insulin resistance. As for the lump that is probably trapped wind which I used to get lots before I lost weight. If you are worried about it book an appointment to see your doctor

 

[Bluetit1802]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

I fully understand you must be shocked and feeling overwhelmed. There is so much information out there that is contradictory, but by coming here you can talk to many other type 2's who have the benefit of some experience.

Firstly meters. Most T2's will not be given strips on prescription. The NHS seem to think we don't need them. That is rubbish. They are the best tool we can have and are essential. Most of us have to buy our own. Some meters are free, but in general don't cost the earth. It is the strips that can be costly, so if you browse round looking for one, do take account of the cost of replacement strips. If you do this properly, you will need a lot!

The foods best avoided or reduced are bread, potatoes, rice, pasta and cereals, including the wholemeal varieties. We also need to be careful with fruit and milk as they contain a lot of sugar. Carbohydrates in general should be reduced as once inside the system they convert to glucose. When you get a meter you will be able to test out your meals to see what they do to your levels. You may have a shock.

You can eat meat, fish, oily fish, bacon, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, salads, most but not all vegetables, cheese, butter, full yogurts, cream, berries. There are several threads on the forum giving recipes etc. so have a browse round. It may sound difficult, but once you get your head round it, a low carb diet is enjoyable, will lower your levels, and you will lose weight. Daisy will arrive soon to give you more details.

I cannot comment on your pain. Have you mentioned it to your GP? I would if I were you. It could be anything.

Good luck, and stay around, ask as many questions as you like.

 

[daisy1]

Hello Gerry and welcome to the forum

Here is the information we give to new members as mentioned by @Andrew Colvin and @Bluetit1802 and I hope you will find it useful. Ask all the questions you want and someone will be able to help.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you’ll find over 100,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

• Reduce your carbohydrate intake
• Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates

Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes-and-whole-grains.html

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)

• Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l

However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

• structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
• self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to bloodglucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.

 

[jack412]

this helped me

http://www.dietdoctor.com/lchf it’s a long page and a video
http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarb101/a/firstweek.htm

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarbliving/a/Food-Cravings.htm because carbs don’t give up easy.

testing
http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14045524.php
http://www.homehealth-uk.com/medical/blood_glucose_monitor_testing.htm
food count
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/

Newcastle diet aims in 8+ weeks to mimic or better the rate of ~80% remission, for surgery T2
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/magres/research/diabetes/
http://www.diabetesforecast.org/2010/mar/weight-loss-surgery-and-type-2-diabetes.html

http://diabeticmediterraneandiet.com/low-carb-mediterranean-diet/
http://www.lowcarbdietitian.com/blog/carbohydrate-restriction-an-option-for-diabetes-management

 

[GerryOB]

Many thanks for the replies so far, they are much appreciated. I have a lot of other health issues to contend with other than Diabetes, and some foods and I don't agree with each other. I can't eat white bread as it makes me sneeze and gives me chest pain. I've been told that is to do with Celiac Disease, although not got round to getting that one confirmed yet. I have a severe allergy to certain foods, such as spices, peppers, plants etc. So I have to avoid seasoned food which has pepper or any other spices or chopped or whole plants in it. I can eat some vegetables such as sweetcorn, peas, runner beans, cauliflower, potatoes etc, but anything leafy is out. I can eat pasta and non fatty meat such as chicken, turkey or bacon (with all rind removed), ham, beef etc. I'm not a lover of 'rubber grub' (convenience foods such as pies or ready meals). I like eggs, and like making my own quiche, although that is not easy for me due to my disabilities.

I think I need to make three lists, one with all the foods I do eat, then separate them onto two further lists of which are ok for me now and which are to be avoided.

Does anyone know anywhere in the UK that you can get free monitors from? I clicked on one link, printed out the voucher, only to find it was US only :-(

 

[andcol]

It isn't the meters it is the cost of the strips. Many manufacturers will provide you with a free meter. Have a look here http://www.homehealth-uk.com/medical/blood_glucose_monitor_testing.htm the strips are only £6 for 50. Most other makes are twice as expensive

 

[Cloudlesssky]

Hello there and welcome.
I've only been here for a few weeks and am still getting to grips with it all too.
Don't worry. It will all slot into place, although it does take a bit of time.
This is a brilliant site, everyone so helpful.
Can't really answer your questions, but any chest pain - please get it checked out.
BeeGee

 

[GerryOB]

Thank you for the further replies. Something else that is bothering me is that as well as feeling tired, I find that I am getting headaches too. Is that to do with diabetes does anyone know? I feel so tired and with this headache, I just want to sleep it off. I'm also getting pains in my lower legs. Is it safe to take painkillers to help with this? Need to go and sleep for a bit and try to shake this headache off.

 

[alliebee]

Hi there and welcome to the forum . Ask as many questions as you like there is such a lot of helpful advice here. Good luck. Very soon you will be feeling a lot better