Newbie - scared, confused and depressed

Missfairybell

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi

Recently diagnosed with an HbA1c of 96 and put on 1x500mg slow release Metformin and told to double the dose after 2 weeks. The double dosage really didn't agree with me so I have gone back down to one tablet. Feeling very shaky this morning and when I tested my blood sugars it came out as 15.4. When first diagnosed I was pleased (not the usual reaction I'm sure) but it at least meant, after months of suffering, I knew what was wrong and could work towards a healthier me but a couple of weeks later I have hit a real low and am struggling to stay positive. The more I read about diabetes, however, the more confused I seem to be getting. The main thing I've picked up on is a low carb diet - I've invested in a spiralizer and courgetti is my new best friend! Any tips will be gratefully received, particularly your thoughts on how you stay positive.

Thank you
 
Messages
6,107
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I'll tag @daisy1 to provide the info usually given to newbies and I recommend that you go to

www.diabetes.co.uk/lowcarb

register for the lessons given by Louise. They are totally free and each lesson is only about five minutes long.

There is no need to be depressed since there is much you can do to overcome this problem.
 
Last edited:
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Bluetit1802

Legend
Messages
25,216
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi and welcome,

Great to see you have picked up a low carb diet, and also that you are testing your blood sugars.

Are you testing before and 2 hours after meals in order to find the right diet for you? Keeping a food diary including portion sizes and recording your before and after levels alongside can be a great help. You can see for yourself how your body reacts to certain foods and be able to reduce or eliminate these foods. If the rise from before to after is more than 2mmol/l there are too many carbs in that meal. Ideally the rise should be under 1.5mmol/l.

For me, feeling positive came with lowered blood sugars and weight loss. I record all these things and this was (still is) my motivation - I am competitive with myself. My diagnosis in 2014 was the kick up the bum I needed and I have never looked back.
 
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daisy1

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

Hello and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Have a look at the Low Carb Program (link below) to help you with your low carbing. Ask as many questions as 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 well over 235,000 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.
 

Missfairybell

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi and welcome,

Great to see you have picked up a low carb diet, and also that you are testing your blood sugars.

Are you testing before and 2 hours after meals in order to find the right diet for you? Keeping a food diary including portion sizes and recording your before and after levels alongside can be a great help. You can see for yourself how your body reacts to certain foods and be able to reduce or eliminate these foods. If the rise from before to after is more than 2mmol/l there are too many carbs in that meal. Ideally the rise should be under 1.5mmol/l.

For me, feeling positive came with lowered blood sugars and weight loss. I record all these things and this was (still is) my motivation - I am competitive with myself. My diagnosis in 2014 was the kick up the bum I needed and I have never looked back.


Thanks - I shall start a food diary :)
 

Gezzabelle

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,280
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hello and welcome Missfairybell. You have found the best forum on the planet for help and advice :) Don't be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to. Diabetes is a scary place to be at first but with time you will learn to handle it without worrying so much. It's a slow steady process and each day you will learn a little more. Have a good look around the forum and you will find helpful advice and recipes. A good place to start is the What Have You Eaten Today post and the LCHF section Try not to get down about your diagnosis....there are so many people here to help and so much good advice :)
 
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Diane60

Member
Messages
24
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hello....you sound just like me!!! I was diagnosed on the 1st March this year, and felt confused and alone. The best thing I did was read this forum. Found the LCHF success stories and thought I would give it a go.
My HbA1c was 124!!!!!!! I didn't realize how bad this was and although my Doctor was brilliant, I didn't take all the information in. This forum is the best place to start. Read and read again. It will help you.
I have lost a stone and half, nearly two dress sizes. My BMI is 22 and I really feel full of life. Before diagnosis I had no energy at all.
Am awaiting my 3month blood test results which I know will have improved. Keep smiling, you will get there
 

Art Of Flowers

Well-Known Member
Messages
956
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi

There is lots of useful info on eating low carb at https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb
https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb
Metformin wont reduce your blood sugars much. To reduce blood sugars you need to cut out foods high in carbs such as breakfast cereals, bread, rice and pasta. Avoid fruit juice as this is high in sugar as as fruits such as bananas and grapes. You should find a rapid drop in blood sugars over a few weeks if you keep to a low carb diet.

It is useful to get a blood glucose meter to see if what you are eating is raising your blood sugars. You can test before and two hours after a meal.
 
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Messages
20
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
NOT A LOT REALLY.
Hi

Recently diagnosed with an HbA1c of 96 and put on 1x500mg slow release Metformin and told to double the dose after 2 weeks. The double dosage really didn't agree with me so I have gone back down to one tablet. Feeling very shaky this morning and when I tested my blood sugars it came out as 15.4. When first diagnosed I was pleased (not the usual reaction I'm sure) but it at least meant, after months of suffering, I knew what was wrong and could work towards a healthier me but a couple of weeks later I have hit a real low and am struggling to stay positive. The more I read about diabetes, however, the more confused I seem to be getting. The main thing I've picked up on is a low carb diet - I've invested in a spiralizer and courgetti is my new best friend! Any tips will be gratefully received, particularly your thoughts on how you stay positive.

Thank you
Hi, I have been type 1 for eight months now it comes a bit of a shock doesn't it, If you get this book called Carbs and Cals off amazon its amazing in controlling the carbs and sugar very simple to understand you can look at food and sort of count how many carbs there are. I get down sometimes about myself but then I always say there is someone out there a lot worse off than me.
Its just a matter of accepting and dealing with it really hard I know but you will. Best of luck.
 

Resurgam

Expert
Messages
9,849
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
I am just over 6 months from diagnosis. I eat low carb foods and feel absolutely wonderful - again - why I ever took my doctor's advice on cholesterol lowering diets I do not know - I went back to Atkins from the moment I got the diagnosis and after about 5 weeks stopped taking the tablets - Metformin and Atorvastatin - horrible side effects made life not worth living. There should be loads of posts about how effective it is to eat low carb foods and the great results it gives. With any luck you can achieve a similar outcome.
Testing your blood glucose helps a lot with seeing progress, discovering what you can and can't eat, and lower carbs usually results in reducing weight too, so all in all its a great way to eat.
 
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seadragon

Well-Known Member
Messages
316
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
It's quite normal to feel all those things - I think we've all been through it. Hang in there as it does get better and for many of us - me included - it turns out to be quite a good thing in the end. My health is transformed for the better through low carb, higher fats. More energy, fewer minor ailments and I'd never have known about it if i'd never been diagnosed as pre-diabetic. i do miss a few of the foods I used to eat but really not much of it and try to focus on all the lovely things i can eat. There is loads of information throughout the forum and always someone to answer any questions so it's a great support.
 

leslie10152

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,110
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Ignorance
Hi

Recently diagnosed with an HbA1c of 96 and put on 1x500mg slow release Metformin and told to double the dose after 2 weeks. The double dosage really didn't agree with me so I have gone back down to one tablet. Feeling very shaky this morning and when I tested my blood sugars it came out as 15.4. When first diagnosed I was pleased (not the usual reaction I'm sure) but it at least meant, after months of suffering, I knew what was wrong and could work towards a healthier me but a couple of weeks later I have hit a real low and am struggling to stay positive. The more I read about diabetes, however, the more confused I seem to be getting. The main thing I've picked up on is a low carb diet - I've invested in a spiralizer and courgetti is my new best friend! Any tips will be gratefully received, particularly your thoughts on how you stay positive.

Thank you
Welcome to the forum. First of all, relax. You are now with a support group who will help you through these trying times. Remember to reduce carb intake, keep your fluid intake up and test regularly to keep track of your bgl's. You will have your good and bad days, we all do. Keep positive, be active and stay with the program.
 

pleinster

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,631
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
ignorance
Hi. Keen to see how you get on. Welcome to the site. There is a lot of really helpful advice here. You will soon have things well under control with a low carb diet if you test yourself before and a couple of hours after food to see what's what. I learned a lot from keeping records of what I ate as well as the readings. Good luck.