Type 2 Diagnosis

[Cheesel]

Hi All

Thought I'd finally say hello, I have been on here stalking since my diagnosis in January. Had a nasty cough Dec 2016 and was persuaded by nurse practioner to get all my bloods done, which was completed mid Jan 17. Wasn't too worried as although all my family are T2, I am reasonably healthy (a little overweight) but do plenty of exercise.

Not to be, grumpy receptionist rings and demands I come and get another blood test, it was 7, so I booked it again, had a good chat with another nurse practioner and told her my new years resolution was to lose weight and get fitter anyway, she was very positive and said that should do the trick!

Started to be more sensible straight away, but second one comes back as 8.1, again grumpy receptionists, insists I come back now, when I mention I had a long talk with NP, she is rude and says NOW! So I politely asked her to get Doc & NP to talk to each other which they did and NP phones and persuades me it wont hurt to come and talk to DN. By now I have been reading lots on here about the NHS's lovely DN's, so I am ready for her... Oh joy she fits the parameters of "welcome to your life has ended club" "I am going to talk to you as if your stupid club" and "I am so not impressed that you wont do as your told and take Metformin and Statins club" She informs me that my HBA1c is 51, normal is 42, no mention of it being Prediabetic in between so I am only three over, in my mind I can do this, I can change things, in hers, its doom all the way, most people want to eat their tablets and their cake, she just doesn't get it I DONT! We agree to disagree and I'll come back in three months, that's mid may..

Since Jan I have lost a stone, eat a fairly good LCHF diet, only eat Protein Rolls, One Roastie on Sunday, and a square of Lindt Dark Chocolate in the evening.. I feel good, actually better than I did, although I had no symptons at all. I always have popped to loo a lot since having my son, so wouldn't have notice that anyway.. I swear they didn't pack the plumbing back in correctly after my C-section!!

Only problem so far, is that the whole "new you, new year" thing was to beat the menopause, but it seems to trying to start, usually quite regular but MIA for over four more weeks, weight stalled (still the same no more) and I'd like to shift another stone, its getting me down a bit, just worried I am not going to be able to at least smile slightly smugly at DN at next visit.. Any advice on that front well received.

TIA

Cheesel

 

[AM1874]

Hi @Cheesel .. and welcome
You seem to be quite well ahead in dealing with your DNs, NPs and Receptionists .. all that I could offer is a little mantra that I use when talking to any of these "experts"..
# Listen
# Nod
# Smile and say thankyou
# Ignore
I have also tagged @daisy1 for you and she will be sending you her useful "newbie" pack
Hope this helps

 

[Resurgam]

I shouldn't worry too much - my Hba1c went from 91 to 47 - not even fully diabetic, in just 80 days of easy low carb eating.
It is harder to lower your weight if you were insulin resistant and now have decreased that - insulin is the fat making hormone and rather than losing the glucose in urine, it gets stored away.
You could try dropping lower in carbs either quite severely for a day or so or just cut out a few from every day. Everyone is different in their carb requirements, and that can change over time as metabolisms alter under the influence of altered diet - I visualise mine as very drunk and staggering all over the place as it is very inconsistent now - I just keep on low carbing and hope it will straighten up and fly right in the end.

 

[daisy1]

Hello and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you like 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.

 

[TallLeeds]

Personally I would recommend the elimination of all the starches....our bodies can handle this perfectly well....and most people are only eating them because that's how we were taught to eat....meat n two veg..one or both of them a starch. There is no soft way of doing this. It takes self determination....not weak willed appeasement of our STOMACHS!.Don't put it in your mouth. Eat the LCHF regime and you'll be lighter, healthier and happier....it's very easy..not Rocket Science.

 

[Cheesel]

Thanks everyone, really kind of you to support me!

Ironically today has been my worst day so far, eating wise, work stress got to me! I have a very stressful job, based on targets, targets that are reliant on teenage boys completing homework! Having taken six months getting management on board, we changed areas and you guessed it looks like we are going to be dragged through the whole process again, just to prove the point!

Have to find my LCHF comfort food, what do you all turn too? Not to disappointed in myself, it's been three months with no slip ups, a few well planned choices, but no slip ups!

Anyway tomorrow's another day!

 

[daisyduck]

These are great for LCHF comfort foot
I've tried these 3.. fairly easy and very good
http://www.diabeticgoodbaking.com/2015/01/chocolate-mousse.html
https://low-carb-support.com/dark-chocolate-truffles-low-carb-sugar-free/
https://www.verywell.com/lemon-cheesecake-2241741

This will be my next attempt..it looks amazing!
https://www.lowcarbmaven.com/low-carb-chocolate-truffle-cheesecake/

 

[Cheesel]

Thanks @daisyduck, I love the look of those, will give them a try.