hi there everyone

AnneMurray

Member
Messages
14
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
people who judge
Hi there. Not exactly newly diagnosed. Have been diabetic for 21 years but due to poor management, and not soley on my part, have recently been put onto insulin. Still trying to get the insulin levels right which has been fun, especially the low hypo in the early hours of the morning. By anyone else's standards that would have been one hell of a night, hot sweaty writhing around on the bed, an extra two people in my bed room (very nice paramedics) and my lovely husband made me breakfast in bed lol, Anyway I just wanted to say hello and hear about others and their experiences.
 

Liam1955

Master
Messages
10,964
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Anti-Gay People, Self Centre People, Two Faced People and Bad Language.
@AnneMurray - Hello and Welcome to the Forum. I will tag @daisy1 who will provide you with some basic information that all new members receive. :)
 

Daibell

Master
Messages
12,650
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi. Hopefully you are getting good support from your surgery, but if not let us know your insulins and whether you are carb-counting yet?
 

daisy1

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

Hello Anne and welcome to the forum :) I know you are not a newcomer to diabetes and will have a lot of experience, but here is the information, mentioned above, we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you want 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 over 150,000 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

LOW CARB PROGRAM:
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/low carb program


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.
 

PenfoldAPD

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,643
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi @AnneMurray am guessing you are type 2? Welcome to the forum, so many helpful friendly people here. Ask anything you like, someone here has been there done it - or knows someone who has!

Best of luck with the insulin, hope you get to grips with it soon :)
 

MikePea

Well-Known Member
Messages
160
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Garlic
Hi Anne. Welcome to the forum. This is the place to be for information. I have been t2 for eight months and I have received most of my info regarding diabetes from this forum.
On advice I started on a low carb diet. I have lost that fat blob attached to my middle and a weight of 2 1/2 stone has gone walkabout. For good, I hope. I test every day and am seldom out of the recommended zone. I feel so much ,dare I say it, Younger! I actually enjoy the daily brisk walks that keep the flab down.
Just ask the questions and the answers will keep coming.
And they are very friendly folk.:)
 

AnneMurray

Member
Messages
14
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
people who judge
Hi Anne. Welcome to the forum. This is the place to be for information. I have been t2 for eight months and I have received most of my info regarding diabetes from this forum.
On advice I started on a low carb diet. I have lost that fat blob attached to my middle and a weight of 2 1/2 stone has gone walkabout. For good, I hope. I test every day and am seldom out of the recommended zone. I feel so much ,dare I say it, Younger! I actually enjoy the daily brisk walks that keep the flab down.
Just ask the questions and the answers will keep coming.
And they are very friendly folk.:)
Hi Mike, I know what you mean about feeling younger when you have the correct medication and diet. I went on insulin about five weeks ago and can honestly say I didn't realise how ill I felt till I started to feel better. Am still up and down with my insulin so have therefore put on a little wait but have been assured that once it settles the weight will drop off. I'm quite an active person, I like walking, cycling and swimming. My problem at the moment is that I have a very small appetite and have been recommended to have some sort of carbs with every meal'
 

AnneMurray

Member
Messages
14
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
people who judge
Hi @AnneMurray am guessing you are type 2? Welcome to the forum, so many helpful friendly people here. Ask anything you like, someone here has been there done it - or knows someone who has!

Best of luck with the insulin, hope you get to grips with it soon :)
Yeah am type 2. My main problem is that I have a very small appetite and don't always get hungry. Been told to add some carbs with all of my meals, which is not my favourite type of food. Any advice you could give around small lunches that regulate would help as lunch time is my biggest down fall as don't get hungry around this time. Thanks
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people

AnneMurray

Member
Messages
14
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
people who judge
Hi. Hopefully you are getting good support from your surgery, but if not let us know your insulins and whether you are carb-counting yet?
Have to say that the support I am being given at my surgery is fantastic. I moved to Chelmsford four years ago and had no in put for my diabetes for 16 years and that meant no meds reviews, no chiropody, no retinopathy, no nutrionist so basically as you can imagine things went haywire and I ended up having to have a toe amputated. So since moving here my surgery have really been on the ball.
No am not carb counting at the moment and am on novomix 30. It seems to be done the job and I very rarely go out of the safety zone. Even my hypos are getting few and far between.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people

Liam1955

Master
Messages
10,964
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Anti-Gay People, Self Centre People, Two Faced People and Bad Language.
@AnneMurray - You could eat a pot of Greek Yoghurt, or try some Boiled Eggs, or handful of raw nuts: Almonds, Pecans, Walnuts, Cashews (not salted) or just lumps of Cheese.:)
 

AnneMurray

Member
Messages
14
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
people who judge
@AnneMurray

Hello Anne and welcome to the forum :) I know you are not a newcomer to diabetes and will have a lot of experience, but here is the information, mentioned above, we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you want 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 over 150,000 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

LOW CARB PROGRAM:
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/low carb program


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.
Hi daisy, thanks this was very helpful especially as I have a very small apetite and have been told to add some carbs to my meals, which are not my fav food group, preferring veg and salad. Am so glad that I have already made some changes to my diet and in the right direction, changing white bread and rice to granary and brown rice. Any other info you want to send would be most gratefully received as all though not new to the diabetes my husband is and it would help to pass on the info.
By the way love the definition of diabetes as sweeter blood. Keep telling hubby that I'm sweet enough, now I can tell him that I am medically diagnosed as sweet ;)
 

AnneMurray

Member
Messages
14
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
people who judge
@AnneMurray - You could eat a pot of Greek Yoghurt, or try some Boiled Eggs, or handful of raw nuts: Almonds, Pecans, Walnuts, Cashews (not salted) or just lumps of Cheese.:)
am up for all of that except the yoghurt don't do gone off dairy products hee hee. thanks oooh and I love nuts so wahey!!!:D
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people