Hello everyone. I got diagnosed on the 28th August 2018 at the age of 30. Now just turned 31! I was having symptoms for a few weeks and luckily my husband suggested I went for a blood test. I’m thankful to him as he was helping the NHS design an app for children with type 1 diabetes and recognised the signs. (Spooky really) I have a long way to go and I’m really feeling the emotions. I took a week off work to come to terms with everything. Doctor originally was pretty condescending and asked me if it was just the hot weather! I was like something is wrong, I know my body, I want a blood test. I had thrush repeatedly in three months and I was getting crazy thirsty, lost 5kg and was so exhausted all the time. My Glucose level was 27 when I was told I was diabetic. I was put on insulin injections straight away. It was a bit daunting and overwhelming because I was told so much information so fast and I had to act straight away that I didn’t really process it properly. It was scary and shocking and I was surprised how much I didn’t know about the disease. 4 weeks in and still feeling lost and confused. I have so many appointments coming up and I’m just being bombarded with information. I don’t feel like myself at all right now and I’m not quite sure what to do about it. P.s. sweets were literally my favourite thing in the whole world and it’s ironic now that they make me unwell.
Newly Diagnosed
- Thread starter colpaxclarke
- Start Date
Debandez
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 4,019
- Type of diabetes
- Treatment type
- Diet only
Firstly, welcome to this amazing forum.
You have had such a big shock, but you will get great help and support on here from people who have the answers to your questions. Its early days for you and your emotions will be all over the place. Plus you won't be feeling 100%. To start with I will tag @daisy1 in who will be along very shortly to give you lots of info that will help. Have a read. Also you will find so much info in the forum that will help you so much on your journey. My advice would be just to read as much as you can. It will help you so much. You have lots of appointments due where things will be explained to you clearly and help you to get your head around things. I would definitely buy a notepad to start jotting down notes. There will be lots if info to digest. Things will get clearer for you. Rest assured of that.
Kittycat_7_
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 492
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Insulin
Hi,
Sorry about your diagnosis, lots of us feel overwhelmed etc.
It really will get easier, here to listen anytime.
Take care
Sorry about your diagnosis, lots of us feel overwhelmed etc.
It really will get easier, here to listen anytime.
Take care
JoKalsbeek
Expert
- Messages
- 5,960
- Type of diabetes
- I reversed my Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
It wasn't the sweets that made you unwell, it was a genetic predisposition. It would've happened sooner or later, so yeah... No need to blame yourself for your eating habits, even if they do have to change now. In all likelyhood you can reduce meds/insulin with a radical diet change, if you want. Diabetes doesn't absolutely have to be a progressive disease, if you tackle your current lifestyle. Remission, though the term is debatable (I just call it "good control") can happen. For now, take notes, ask questions, get print-outs of your testresults, and learn. Not just about the nuts and bolts of diabetes, but also what your options are. Because you do have options in treatment.
One week to get your head around it proved a bit short, as it's a lot to take in. Most of us needed more time to process and adapt. Take all the time you need, be gentle with yourself, and we'll be here if/when you need us. Ask away!
Good luck,
Jo
Prem51
Expert
- Messages
- 7,393
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
- Dislikes
- *
Hi @colpaxclarke and welcome to the forum. It is a shock when you get that diagnosis and does take a bit of time to get your head around it all. But you will get a lot of good advice and support on here.
You say you have been prescribed insulin, but have you been diagnosed as Type 1 or Type 2?
You say you have been prescribed insulin, but have you been diagnosed as Type 1 or Type 2?
- Messages
- 5,591
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
- Dislikes
- The smell of cigars
Hi @colpaxclarke
As @Prem51 says, knowing your type will help us give the best advice. If T2 diet really helps, if T1 sweets are definitely back on the menu!
Whatever the type your feelings are normal - diagnosis is hard and there is a greiving process for our old life.
Keep talking to us, it will get closer to normal again soon.
As @Prem51 says, knowing your type will help us give the best advice. If T2 diet really helps, if T1 sweets are definitely back on the menu!
Whatever the type your feelings are normal - diagnosis is hard and there is a greiving process for our old life.
Keep talking to us, it will get closer to normal again soon.
daisy1
Legend
- Messages
- 26,457
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
- Dislikes
- Cruelty towards animals.
@colpaxclarke
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 questions when 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:
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
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
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.
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 questions when 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
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
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
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.
Welcome to the club.
I have no experience of type 2 but with type 1 I know my diagnosis was shocking.
In hindsight, I realise the diagnosis was a wonderful thing - without it I wouldn't be here.
The best advice I was given was "diabetes should not stop you doing what you want". I have tested this advice a lot and, fifteen years later, I still find it sound advice albeit I need a little more planning that I did pre-diagnosis.
As the others have said, once you know which type you have, you can focus your research and understand your treatment better. For example, many people on this forum with type 2 find a low carb diet works for them; if you have type 1, you may be able to maintain your current diet and match it with insulin.
But, whichever type, it is often said that learning and improving your BG is a marathon not a sprint so try not to get too disheartened.
I have no experience of type 2 but with type 1 I know my diagnosis was shocking.
In hindsight, I realise the diagnosis was a wonderful thing - without it I wouldn't be here.
The best advice I was given was "diabetes should not stop you doing what you want". I have tested this advice a lot and, fifteen years later, I still find it sound advice albeit I need a little more planning that I did pre-diagnosis.
As the others have said, once you know which type you have, you can focus your research and understand your treatment better. For example, many people on this forum with type 2 find a low carb diet works for them; if you have type 1, you may be able to maintain your current diet and match it with insulin.
But, whichever type, it is often said that learning and improving your BG is a marathon not a sprint so try not to get too disheartened.
Sorry forgot to mention, I'm type 1. So yes nothing I could have done differently. The nurse said I'm currently still making some of my own insulin but it will change within the next year. She started me off with Levemir and Novorapid. Small doses at the moment. Levemir x 5 twice a day. And just started getting the hang of carb counting and adjusting my Novorapid, which is only 0.5 per 10g of carbs. So seeing how that goes. Got my feet checked today and went to see a dietitian and now I don't have to go back to the hospital until late October which is good! I think I had about 7 appointments within 4 weeks. I'm off to Naples in October so a bit nervous about Travelling for the first time since being diagnosed. Emotionally I'm all over the place!
The doctor mentioned today I also could have a potential thyroid problem? Been reading up and this seems easily managed but still another thing to worry about if it comes to it!
The doctor mentioned today I also could have a potential thyroid problem? Been reading up and this seems easily managed but still another thing to worry about if it comes to it!
Resurgam
Expert
- Messages
- 9,867
- Type of diabetes
- Treatment type
- Diet only
If the thyroid trouble is under producing then it is an easy fix, though everyday taking a pill to top up your own supply.
I have been taking Thyroxine for decades, and it was an error in the request form which got me diagnosed in the first place.
No need to worry about it.
I have been taking Thyroxine for decades, and it was an error in the request form which got me diagnosed in the first place.
No need to worry about it.
Thanks that makes me feel better about it
I had my first flu jab on Saturday morning. They said you could have some 'mild' reactions to it. But Saturday night I had full on flu symptoms. Aching, fever, loss of appetite, shivering/shaking. Been like it for a few days now. In my opinion that is NOT mild lol. Still aching and feel terrible. And my blood sugar levels are all over the place. I can see how being ill will make Diabetes a lot more difficult to manage.
JoKalsbeek
Expert
- Messages
- 5,960
- Type of diabetes
- I reversed my Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
Ah, I'm sorry, thought you were T2! Going moderately low carb can help with the carb counting and keeping things on an even keel, I gather, but yeah... It's a whole lot of appointments and adjustments in one go, and it does leave one reeling, no matter the type. I thought my traveling days were over when first diagnosed, but it's nowhere near as dramatic as that, thank heavens, so I'm hoping you'll love Napels and everything'll go perfect for you. Try to enjoy yourself, and don't worry about the thyroid thing... If it's hypothyreoidism, it's just a pill to pop. Nothing exceedingly complicated, and it becomes routine in no time.
JoKalsbeek
Expert
- Messages
- 5,960
- Type of diabetes
- I reversed my Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
Ooookay. So you think a T1 can do without insulin if the diet's altered? Because once this OP's honeymoon period is over and the pancreas stops producing insulin entirely... No diet in the world will help if she goes without injected insulin.
Yes but food doesn't help everyone to come off their medication does it, like you have implied. You need to be careful when posting.
- Messages
- 4,805
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Pump
- Dislikes
-
mean people , gardening , dishonest people , and war.
why can't everyone get on........
Hi @colpaxclarke
welcome to the forum....
there is a lot to take in at first and it seems so daunting.......i cried my eyes out for nearly 6 months solid back at my diagnosis ( admittedly it was 46 years ago )
there is lots of good information to read through on the forum.....and dont be afraid to ask questions...........
do ask your DSN ( diabetes specialist nurse ) if you can get on a carb counting course.............they usually want you to be 6 months diagnosed first.... but do let her know you are keen...............I would suggest buying the book "Think Like a Pancreas"
as well...........
welcome to the forum....
there is a lot to take in at first and it seems so daunting.......i cried my eyes out for nearly 6 months solid back at my diagnosis ( admittedly it was 46 years ago )
there is lots of good information to read through on the forum.....and dont be afraid to ask questions...........
do ask your DSN ( diabetes specialist nurse ) if you can get on a carb counting course.............they usually want you to be 6 months diagnosed first.... but do let her know you are keen...............I would suggest buying the book "Think Like a Pancreas"
as well...........
Arrybo
Member
- Messages
- 9
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
- Dislikes
- Fish
Hi there,
Firstly I would say keep your spirits up as I know it’s a daunting process to go through, I went through a very similar process to you last November but thanks to this amazing community of people you will never be on your own, I learnt more about my condition from this site then what the nhs taught me.
advice I would give would be to ask ask and ask some more when you go to your appointments, make sure the medical professionals explain everything to you in a way that you understand and are happy with.
In relation to your employer they should be fairly amicable with you given it’s a recent diagnoses, I took off 3 days and went back to work thinking I got this in the bag! Boy was I wrong, there will be a lot of ups and downs, tears of frustration and a lot of why me?? As you need to find a happy medium of managing your condition whilst at work But it does get better, I take on the mantra that I rule the diabetes, it doesn’t rule me.
Keep checking out the forums and the posts on this site as it will arm you with the info you need when you go to your appointments with your healthcare team and above all you will feel the support and kindness that other members genuinely hand out in bucketfuls.
I hope all of the responses provide some comfort to you as we all know it’s tough atfirst but trust me it get better.
Almost 2 months into my diagnosis! I have gone to Naples for a few days and had no problems with travelling and it was lovely and relaxing. So that's nice to not have to worry about now. I'm finding it easier to handle my emotions and now I'm only going to the hospital every 3 months it's a bit more manageable. I'm going to a day course at my local hospital on Tuesday which will give me a better understanding of everything so should be good progress. I still have days where I'm thinking too much or googling things that will make me worry and I stress myself out. I don't know why! I feel like I need to know every single little bit of information so I can prepare myself if anything happens! Finding out that my life insurance has sky rocketed is a bit annoying haha! Any tips on mortgage protection or life insurance that isn't going to cost me the earth?! Still only on small doses at the moment. As I'm in the honeymoon period I shall try to enjoy it while it's not got to the worst part yet...
