Help me please

Tar811

Member
Messages
24
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Diabetes
I was diagnosed at 'Diabetic' 5 hours ago, I now cannot sleep. They are unsure if T1 or T2 as my mother is T1 and so was my grandfather but I'm too young to be T2 - 33yrs old?

I'm scared. I watched my mum growing up as a little girl sink into hypos, be uncontrolled and subsequently have a kidney transplant. Is that my life now?
I'm already a very sick person having battled 4 heart operations, spinal deformities, one kidney, PE's, Liver probs, Gilbert's, hypothyroidism and now diabetes.
I feel hypochondriac and scared.

Now what happens?!


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kerrygrant26

Well-Known Member
Messages
116
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Brown rice, all the negative attention diabetics get from the media
Hello and welcome to the forum, sorry to hear that you have diabetes but it's good that you've found us so early.

I was diagnosed type 1 with hyperthyroidism about 5 weeks ago and while i cannot tell you which type of diabetes you have i can honestly say the shock and devastation you feel right now does subside, even though it feels as though your world has just come crashing through the floor.

Diabetes is better controlled now than it has ever been, advances in insulin control for type 1 and diet and exercise for type 2 diabetes really do lead to a better more stable future for us all. You can live a long and normal life with diabetes now - which I didn't believe in the beginning I just knew about all the horror stories.

The ladies and gents with more knowledge will be along shortly and I'm sure daisy will be along with some very helpful information.
You're not alone in this, the fear will go once you have a definite diagnoses (T1/T2) and you come to terms with whichever type you may be.

In the mean time try not to worry (easier said than done, I know), you will be well looked after by the GPs, Diabetes nurses and everyone else involved in your care and of course we're all here for support x
 
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FatGenes999

Well-Known Member
Messages
265
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Smug health care professionals; pretense, pomposity and presumptuousness; people who have a disregard for other people's health and safety; being "fenced-in"; arbitrary authority; nonsensical rules; political correctness; stupidity that masquerades as profundity.
Welcome, TAR811. I think what kerry has said makes a lot of sense, and I'll just say "ditto" to that, for now.
But, I did also want to give you this special gif, in the hopes that it will cheer you, despite your current despair.

1ha2_4dc_ucxhj.gif
 

daisy1

Legend
Messages
26,457
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Cruelty towards animals.
The ladies and gents with more knowledge will be along shortly and I'm sure daisy will be along with some very helpful information.
You're not alone in this, the fear will go once you have a definite diagnoses (T1/T2) and you come to terms with whichever type you may be.

In the mean time try not to worry (easier said than done, I know), you will be well looked after by the GPs, Diabetes nurses and everyone else involved in your care and of course we're all here for support x

Hi Tar811 and welcome to the forum:)

Here is the information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask all the questions and someone will usually 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 70,000 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

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.
 

saramaz75

Active Member
Messages
28
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I've no idea what type you might have, but just wamt to say welcome to these forums, they have been a lot of help for me, and for many others. As for being too young to be type 2, I was diagnosed T2 aged 32. with no family history of it.

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Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
I do not have diabetes
People can get diabetes at any age. Type 1 and type 2 are the three main kinds. Type 1 diabetes, formerly called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is usually first diagnosed in children, teenagers, or young adults. With this form of diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas no longer make insulin because the body's immune system has attacked and destroyed them. Treatment for type 1 diabetes includes taking insulin and possibly another injectable medicine, making wise food choices, being physically active, taking aspirin daily—for some—and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol.



Type 2 diabetes, formerly called adult-onset diabetes or noninsulin-dependent diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes. People can develop type 2 diabetes at any age—even during childhood. This form of diabetes usually begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which fat, muscle, and liver cells do not use insulin properly. At first, the pancreas keeps up with the added demand by producing more insulin. In time, however, it loses the ability to secrete enough insulin in response to meals. Being overweight and inactive increases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Treatment includes using diabetes medicines, making wise food choices, being physically active, taking aspirin daily—for some—and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol.



Whatever type of diabetes you have, be aware of what you should or should not eat, monitor your glucose levels regularly and keep in touch with your doctor so that you can maintain your diabetes diet and stay healthy.
 

Tar811

Member
Messages
24
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Diabetes
Thank you guys so much. It hasn't sunk in as yet but I have resisted my chocolate for 24hrs so far!!
I have an appointment with a consultant next week but how do they know which type you are? Is it another test? Guess?!
I'm looking forward to hopefully feeling better and took my first hypothyroid tablet this morning!
I was so unwell, thirsty (4-6ltrs) per day of squash - seriously! Plus unbelievably tired.

I'm a crazy carbohydrate freak! I really only eat bread, potatoes, pasta and rice as I'm vegetarian also - are these foods then pretty bad for me?

Head is in a spin, do I read lots and panic or do I build a fortress and hide? That's how I feel at the moment. I'm on my own totally, no husband, no children, no family so it's a frightening prospect.

Thank you for answering my panic button moment x


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sally and james

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,093
Type of diabetes
Family member
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi Tar811
We don't eat meat at home (James eats it elsewhere), so perhaps I can help with a few veggie food suggestions. You're right that bread, potatoes, pasta and rice are, generally speaking, not great foods for a diabetic. There are exceptions, for example, modest quantities of new potatoes, pumpernickel and some granary breads, wild and whole rice. We tend to fill up on aubergines, celeriac, butternut squash, mushrooms, lentils, chick peas, seeds and nuts, which have all become our carb replacements, providing the "solidity" in a meal. However, what suits one person, doesn't always suit another, the important thing is to test your blood sugars and find out what works for you. Your diet may not need to be as restrictive as ours.
Sally
 

Daibell

Master
Messages
12,642
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi and welcome. Some of your other medical conditions may be affecting your diabetes diagnosis. You say you are a carb freak? If you are overweight then it is likely you are T2 even though young. Yes, I'm afraid carbs are best kept down if you want to control your blood sugar and avoid the sort of problems your family may have experienced in the past. There are two tests the GP/consultant can do to try to diagnose T1. These are the GAD test to look for the common GAD anti-body that destroys islet cells. The other test is the c-peptide which checks you insulin level. If it's low you have underperforming islet cells i.e. a T1. If you have a high c-peptide it implies you are producing insulin but due to insulin resistance you can't use it. So, if you want chocolate have 85% Dark chocolate which I have. Have low-GI carbs such as multi-grain bread, avoid mashed potatoes and keep rice and pasta sensibly low. Stay calm digest what posters have said and hopefully the consultant will help you shortly. He can prescribe Metformin if necessary. Come back with any questions
 

Tar811

Member
Messages
24
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Diabetes
Evening, I recently put on a stone but not as yet classed as obese, my GP last night said the bloods also showed Hypothyroidism so with the medication I'm hoping to loose what I have gained.
Thank you for the GAD & c-peptide information, very helpful. Thank you for the carb alternative foods - time to get my cook books out I think!
They stated last night that they were not going to prescribe until a firm T1 or T2 had been diagnosed. But eating today, having diabetes crops up in your head 100's time per day. I've stopped my sugar in coffee and honey in my tea, so everytime someone offers to make a drink, I'm reminded. Popping to get pop, oh diet or sugar free, I was reminded. Contemplating tea tonight, again, I'm reminded. It's wow, hard.

What about wine? I drink 1-2 glasses over evening meal per evening. I enjoy red more but will drink white with food and rose with the girls or socialising. Where does the wine allowance fit into diabetes?

Trudy x
 
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Tar811

Member
Messages
24
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Diabetes
Also I was told a possible diagnosis of MODY? Does anyone know any info on this or is their a page thread you are aware of please?
 

luceeloo

Well-Known Member
Messages
677
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
I'm 33 too, and so far seem to fit a type 2 diagnosis. It is a daunting thing to be diagnosed with, and you'll have good days and bad days. My Nurse told me something very useful when I was first diagnosed... at 33 I have longer than most to deal with this disease, so it's important to find control and stay in control.
The positive side of being diabetic is that it forces a healthy lifestyle, as you quickly will discover that a tweak of the diet here, and an extra walk there, can have a huge impact on blood glucose levels.
Have a look around the forum, especially the sections detailing the different diets that people adopt... you really can learn a lot here.
 
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Daibell

Master
Messages
12,642
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi again. Alcohol isn't too much of a problem as it only has a small effect on blood sugar. Yes, it does have carbs so don't go mad!
 

kerrygrant26

Well-Known Member
Messages
116
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Brown rice, all the negative attention diabetics get from the media
Hi just me again,

the diabetes nurse told me one or two glasses of wine are fine but to be aware that alcohol lowers blood glucose, so if I am having a glass of wine (or 3 in my case lol) to always have a small snack before bedtime and to yet again check my glucose levels.

As for my diagnosis I was clearly type 1 as I had high ketones in my water sample and sugar along side blood glucose readings of 24-26, it seems some people wait a while for a definitive diagnoses but hang in there everything will become clearer once they figure out whether your t1 (autoimmune) or t2.

I was a carb freak to although not vegetarian and it has been hard limiting my carbs but I am starting to enjoy the foods I am eating now and not just the same old same old.

Lucky you (if you can call it lucky) on the thyroid treatment front I have to wait until mid April to see an Endocrinologist about my hyperthyroidism :(
 

Scandichic

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,708
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Michael Gove and his insane educational? policies!
Hi Tara,
I was recently diagnosed and have taken the following steps:
Stopped daily glass of wine (love wine but have a horrendous amount of calories.)
Stopped eating all sweet things.
Stopped drinking diet coke (read somewhere that the sweetener kids your body that you have taken sugar and therefore it releases more insulin - don't know if true
Got rid of pasta, bread , rice and potatoes
Started eating LCHF - can eat cheese, eggs, fish, meat
What kind of veggie are you?
Lost 12lbs and reduced bs from 13.1 to 5.3 - 6.8
For further info try Dietdoctor.
Have lovely recipe for bean bake and one for ratatouille with Brie if you are interested. Good luck!
 
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totsy

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,041
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
liars, animal cruelty
hya tar and welcome :)
 

Scandichic

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,708
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Michael Gove and his insane educational? policies!
Those recipes sound lovely, thanks x


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Sorry, I didn't post them sooner but here we go
Bean bake
Ingredients:
2 chopped onions
Garlic butter
1 tin of mixed beans in tomato sauce
1 tin of chopped tomatoes
Tomato purée 3tblsp
Red wine - good slug.
150ml soured cream
Loads of grated cheddar
Mixed herbs
Seasoning
Chilli sauce

Method:
Fry onions in garlic butter. Add all the ingredients apart from the soured cream and cheese. Simmer for 10 mins. Pour into oven proof dish. Put soured cream in middle. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake in oven on 180 centigrade for 40 mins.
 

Scandichic

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,708
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Michael Gove and his insane educational? policies!
And the ratatouille...
Ratatouille

Ingredients
4oz mushrooms
1 onion
Garlic butter
1 aubergine
1 courgette
1 pepper
5 tomatoes
Mixed herbs
Chilli sauce
Salt and pepper
2 pieces of Brie.

Method
Set oven to 200 degrees centigrade. Chop the onions and mushrooms. Fry in garlic butter. Chop the aubergine, courgette, peppers and tomatoes into small pieces. Add to pan with herbs, seasoning and chilli sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes. Pour half the mix into an ovenproof dish. Slice 1 piece of cheese and put on top. Add rest of mix. Slice other piece of cheese. Put on top. Bake in centre of oven for 10 minutes.