Going through a bad patch, trying to get back on track.

Danger_mouse

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hi, I have just joined your forum, but I have been type 2 since 2002. I have had some major problems in recent years. I have been through a massive debt problem and a severe car crash, which has left me with severe depression and PTSD. Throughout this I have neglected my diabetes. I need to get back on track. Firstly, I need to get my sugar levels down. Depression makes you do some very harmful things to yourself. I did a blood test this morning, 11.8 and later in the day. It was 28.1. I am on insulin and metformin. I am looking for any suggestions to help reduce my sugar levels before I do myself permanent damage. Thank you for your suggestions.
 

Juicyj

Expert
Retired Moderator
Messages
9,032
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
Hypos, rude people, ignorance and grey days.
Hello @Danger_mouse Welcome to the forum :)

It's never too late to get on track with your diabetes and make a fresh start, am tagging @daisy1 for the welcome information, lots of friendly support on the forum so shout if you need support.
 

Providence 62

Well-Known Member
Messages
933
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Not riding my bike
Best of luck @Danger_mouse. When I was diagnosed my hb1ac was 22, so I am certain that I had blood sugar levels similar to yours. It's taken me a little while, but I am now much better controlled. I report my morning blood sugars in the type 2 section of this forum, it keeps me on the straight and narrow...when I am tempted by something sugary I think of having to post the numbers the following morning. People are very kind though.

You will get lots of great advice and I am sure you will be seeing great improvements very quickly.

Take care,

P
 

Resurgam

Expert
Messages
9,868
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Bacon and eggs for breakfast - with mushrooms and tomatoes - maybe a sausage or two.
Nothing seems quite as bad after a good breakfast, I find.
 
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mariavontrapp

Well-Known Member
Messages
262
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Danger-mouse - I was in the same position a couple of weeks ago. I had a string of stressful things and lost my way with diabetes control. However, in just a short time it is possible to turn things around.
The first thing I did was to get back on this forum and read some posts and success stories.
Next I used YouTube, particularly sites like "low carb down under" so that I could get explanations and information.
These two steps got my motivation up enough for me to believe it wasn't all hopeless.
I decided to low carb and I did this by doing the following:
stock up on low carb food that you will enjoy
stock up on testing strips
test very regularly to start with and keep a record of readings and what you have eaten

After only 3/4 days I am not craving carb foods and after a week my readings are already down and I have lost 3 pounds.
You may not decide to low carb, but whatever you do decide, stay on this forum to get information and encouragement. All the best x
 

Prem51

Expert
Messages
7,393
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
*
Hi @Danger_mouse and welcome to the forum. Depression does overwhelm your ability to function and take care of yourself. Are you getting treatment for it? I am now permanently on anti-depressants, which do help me, though I know they don't work for everyone.
A lot of us on here have found that adopting a Low Carbohydrate High Fat (LCHF) approach to eating has lowered our blood sugar levels. Have a read round the threads to see how it works, and ask any questions you want to. The people oin here are friendly and supportive and you will get a lot of good advice.
 

daisy1

Legend
Messages
26,457
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Cruelty towards animals.
@Danger_mouse

Hello and welcome to the Forum :) To help you to get back on track, here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope it will be useful to you. Ask questions when you need to and someone will be able to help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

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 well over 245,000 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

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.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a free 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

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 blood glucose 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.

Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. They're all free.
  • Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why
  • Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.