28yr man - diabetes

[joe-90]

I would say if depends on your definition of "bad". In general, the NHS definition of bad is anything full fat, so butter, meat with fat on - but these do not raise blood glucose levels. The NHS definition of "good" (in general again) is the Eatwell Plate, and advice to eat brown bread, rice, pasta, low fat everything..but no mention of the sugar that these things contain. These foods are still carbohydrate, and they will still raise blood sugar levels. How much they raise them is why people are advised to use a meter.
Test strips for meters are very expensive. There is also no perceived risk of hypo for a type 2 on metformin or diet, so it is not deemed necessary for those with type 2 to have one, instead relying on the HbA1c, which can happen every 3 months, or 6, or 9 and in some cases 12. If somebody is eating foods that they have been advised is good for their diabetes, and it is in fact raising their levels significantly, they won't know about it. So the HbA1c gets higher and higher, more meds are brought into the mix, and the person concerned is left wondering what the hell has gone wrong..is it any wonder we are told it's a progressive condition?

My next appointment with the diabetes nurse isn't until October so maybe I should try and find my meter. If i can't find it, does anyone know of one that is reasonable for meter plus test strips?

 

[ladybird64]

Hi again Joe. One that a lot of us use is the SD Codefree (sure someone can come along with a link!) because the strips are probably the cheapest of the lot. It's basic, but does the job ok, I got mine from Amazon. Hope this helps

 

[ladybird64]

Bingo. Here you go @joe-90, its in this thread

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/free-meters.96791/#post-1088667

 

[donnellysdogs]

@joe-90 - Hi. It is a personal choice and up to you if you want to control it? I don't test my blood sugars several times a day, (although I have been told to do so) I take Insulin and Diabetic tablets daily, and have had Type 2 nearly 16 years now and my blood sugars are mostly within range

If you've been told to test Several times a day then there's a reason for it...
On insulin you should be testing pre meal and 2 hours after, getting up and bedtime and driving etc.... I hope your hba1c is always in range..

 

[Liam1955]

@donnellysdogs - I test fbs, then after lunch, and before bed everyday. 3 out of 7 is not bad! (7 being recommended by GP) Occasionally I might test before Evening meal.

 

[gorilladrumbum]

You posted 3 years ago with a diagnosis of T2.... Are you prepared now to make changes??

Hi Donnelleysdogs, I just wanted to give you and update, since being diagnosed I have now taken it seriously

I am 2stone down and run three times a week, I watch what I eat by the calorie and keep my sugars and carbs down

Thanks for the support just wanted to share with you!