Here We Go......

[BibaBee]

....where do I start? I've found my way here after a rollercoaster few weeks. I've not been diagnosed as T2 myself, but my other half has. He is really struggling at the moment with his anxiety and very blurred vision due to his levels coming down. In a crisis, I always seem to go down the "knowledge is power" route, hence why I have ended up here. At the moment, he is struggling to function at all, due to being crippled by fear.

I had suspected for some time that he could be diabetic, but could not persuade him to see the GP or test at home. He has long running mental health problems and part of this has been a "fear of finding out". Over the past few months, he had lost weight and was experiencing regular visual disturbances, which in turn increased his anxiety. I know realise how he was in a reciprocal loop with his symptoms making him anxious and the anxiety raising his BG further.

Just under a fortnight ago he was rushed to A&E with a suspected stroke. Terrifying for both of us, but particularly for him with his fear of hospitals and any medical intervention. Thankfully, it turned out to be Bell's Palsy, which causes temporary facial paralysis. It is a reasonably mild case thankfully, but he is still very self conscious about this. They picked up that his BG was 20.2 and he had high ketones, HBAC1 was very high at 122. They had to admit him because the high dose of steroids for the Bell's Palsy pushed up has BG to even more dangerous levels.

After four nights in hospital (an absolute living hell for him), he was discharged with instructions to inject insulin three times a day and monitor his levels with his own meter. In the meantime, I've been frantically researching and trying to overhaul our diet. To say he is overwhelmed is an understatement, but his levels are coming down. We saw the DN yesterday and she was lovely. The worst part of this is how **** he feels now his levels are lower. His vision is severely impaired right now, which is making him panic. The nurse reassured us this is normal, particularly when levels drop so quickly.

I'm here for advice and support. Sorry for waffling on!

 

[storm63]

I am new on here and have just read your blog. I am not able to give advice as I am searching for it myself but I do empathise with all you have and are going through. It sounds like you are a fantastic support to your partner and I hope you get some of the support you need

 

[Guzzler]

We are allowed to waffle, waffling is positively encouraged! Seriously, though, the more info you give the more tailored advice you will receive.

Welcome to the forum. Tagging @daisy1 for the info pack offered to all newcomers. Have a wander around the forum and ask as many questions as you like.

 

[Guzzler]

I am new on here and have just read your blog. I am not able to give advice as I am searching for it myself but I do empathise with all you have and are going through. It sounds like you are a fantastic support to your partner and I hope you get some of the support you need

I will tag @daisy1 for you, too, as this is your first comment. Please ask as many questions as you like. This site is a godsend for all of us, old and new. There is a wealth of information and support from freindly members only too happy to help.

 

[Rachox]

Welcome to the Forum BibaBee and well done from supporting your husband during this distressing time. I can’t advise really as I’m not on Insulin, however here’s a link to the ‘Type 2 on Insulin’ subforum. Here you’ll be able to read about other people!s experience and ask questions to folks who have been there:
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/category/type-2-with-insulin.57/

 

[BibaBee]

Thanks so much, I will check the sub forum out. We're hopeful he will be able to come off the insulin soon, we've just started dropping his doses. Fingers crossed.

 

[daisy1]

@BibaBee

Hello BibaBee and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it interesting and useful. 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 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 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. Most of these are 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.
  

 

[Resurgam]

Hopefully some good food will lift his mood a little - I have been told quite a few times how terrible low carb foods are - I have yet to find one that is in any way boring.
The weather is just right for salads and cold meats with stir fries later in the day.
Just shout if you need any inspiration, but do be aware that low carb eating can be very powerful in lowering blood glucose so you need to carb count carefully particularly if still taking insulin.

 

[BibaBee]

Thanks. We're taking it gently with the low carb until he's off the insulin. Aiming for about 100-150g a day, no more than 50g at each meal. We hit 100g today, so not doing too bad. We're testing regularly too.