Think I should have introduced myself here :)

[Bs0lth]

Hi

Sorry but I sort of jumped into the forum ànd didn't introduce myself first, I get sort of impatient and want answers and want them last week

I'm a 53year old female that was diagnosed 4 weeks and 5 days ago but who's counting ? I got a call out of the blue to see if I was ok by the out of hours doctor and that was my first inclination that something was wrong.

I've been bumbling along ever since.

I have an excellent gp that recommended low carb low sugar diet and listens to your concerns. I have a great family who are behind me on this although, my mum who is also a type 2 keeps telling me she used to have diabetes... But that's another story. And I have friends that have helped. But I've also found this site and it's been great so far.

I have other things going on, I have a degenerative disc disease in my lower back, sciatica, mental health problems that were wrongly diagnosed until last year and I've had a stroke that doesn't affect me physically but has impared my memory, cognitive behaviour and use of language. All of this since I turned the dreaded 50...

I'm getting therapy for cognitive behaviour problems and I'm really pleased that they had been in place before my diagnosis because it at least let me cope with what's going on and the changes I'm making.

At Christmas I decided that my life had to change (how that bit me in the bum) and started to cut a lot of things out of my diet, like sweeties, some carbs reduce my bread intake, reduce my coffee intake because I liked it sweet, drink more water and up my Excersise levels. So with all ready trying to be proactive with my diet it came as a massive shock when I was diagnosed.

So, where my journey will take me, I have no idea. But for the foreseable future I'm going to try to keep things together, try to loose the extra weight I'm carrying and get my head round the low carb life style... And find a way to replace the bread and canned tomatoes.

Just one last thing, thanks for being here, you all ready have helped a lot with a couple of things, it's really nice to talk to real people about things instead of blank looks when I'm trying to explain what's going on.

 

[Liam1955]

Hello @Bs0lth - Welome again . So you won't have received the info then? Not to worry, I will tag @daisy1 who will provide you with some basic information that all New Members receive on joining the Forum.
Were you provided with a Blood Glucose Meter from your GP/Diabetic Nurse?

 

[daisy1]

@Bs0lth

Hello and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information, mentioned above, which we give to new members and I hope you will find it helpful. Ask as many questions as 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 147,000 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.

 

[Pipp]

Hi, @Bs0lth .

When I first joined I dived right in too. Don't think it mattered.
Lots of help and advice to be had.

 

[bulkbiker]

We don't mind.. we'll jump in wth advice whether we have been introduced or not.. we're friendly/pushy that way.. hehe.
Welcome anyway.

 

[Bluetit1802]

I don't think I ever introduced myself either, but that was 3 years ago so not a lot of point now.

Welcome aboard.

 

[Bs0lth]

Hello @Bs0lth - Welome again . So you won't have received the info then? Not to worry, I will tag @daisy1 who will provide you with some basic information that all New Members receive on joining the Forum.
Were you provided with a Blood Glucose Meter from your GP/Diabetic Nurse?

Hi Liam

Yes got the info from Daisy

Yes got 2 testing meters from my doctor, greedy or what? Tiny one for my bag an a bigger one for home

And recommendations I go on a low carb low sugar diet I have an enlightened doctor

 

[Bs0lth]

Tha

@Bs0lth

Hello and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information, mentioned above, which we give to new members and I hope you will find it helpful. Ask as many questions as 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 147,000 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.

Many thanks Daisy, I've all ready found it a massive help, I'm still shocked at how much help everyone's been...

 

[Bs0lth]

Hi, @Bs0lth .

When I first joined I dived right in too. Don't think it mattered.
Lots of help and advice to be had.

Haha pip your do right, it wasn't until I read that first introduce yourself I thought oops maybe I should have done that

I was on a mission to find stuff out at first...

I'm slow but I catch up in the end

 

[Bs0lth]

We don't mind.. we'll jump in wth advice whether we have been introduced or not.. we're friendly/pushy that way.. hehe.
Welcome anyway.

Hi Lucky

I sort of figured that out straight away. However, the be thing that you all have is experience dealing with this nasty disease and for that I'm grateful your sharing.

I've hot experience in other areas so hopefully I can help there.

Such a nice group of people

 

[Bs0lth]

I don't think I ever introduced myself either, but that was 3 years ago so not a lot of point now.

Welcome aboard.

Haha Bluetit, you made me chuckle

 

[Freema]

welcome then Bs0lth

 

[Bs0lth]

welcome then Bs0lth

Thanks freema

 

[Deespee23]

Hi Bs0lth

Canned tomatoes not so bad - just have a look at carbohydrate content - those below 3%-ish will be OK. Without banging the drum (too much!) I found that the most useful thing was getting into the habit of reading the nutrition information panel on packaged foods - anything over 4% carbs is no-go for me.....it's not just cutting out "some" carbs but cutting down or eliminating across the board. Anyway, welcome - have a good mooch around and feel free to chip in. The more the merrier!