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Advice for the next 12 months

B

broads

Well-Known Member
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I do not have to go back to see my diabetic nurse or doctor until next March apart from a cholesterol test in August (5.1 this time). I am type 2, diagnosed borderline last September, as some of you know, diet only, lost 2 1/2 stone, walk for miles which is rather time consuming but it works. BS levels between 5.1 and no higher than 8.8 apart from an odd occasion.
What I want to ask is, has anyone any advice about the best way to go forward till my next nurse visit? I feel a bit strange being left to myself for so long as I have had so many appointments since last September that I now feel a bit alone. I must add that I am obviously overjoyed with all my results etc. I hope someone understands what I am asking. I have put off writing this for a few days as I couldn't think of the right words but took the plunge today.
 
Hi broads,
You have made marvellous progress in managing your diabetes and have to be congratulated.
It's a bit like having driving lessons, you only really learn to drive when you have passed your test and any mistakes you may make are now up to you. :)
You have such a good grasp of how to do everything right that I am sure you will sail through everything. Keep up the testing if you are trying new foods and relax about it all. You know that if you stress it will send your blood sugars up.
You have a handy tool at your disposal, this forum. It does not matter how long we have been a diabetic, this forum is the place to come to share experiences and to ask any questions that you may have.
Think of all the extra time you now have at your disposal, no more appointments, no more trying to fit everything in. May mean you can see your new grandchild more often.
It does seem a bit strange at first but you are at the stage where you know what to do and so things can only get better for you.

Regards,
Catherine.
 
A heart felt thanks for that Catherine. I didn't really know what I was writing just that I suddenly felt alone. YES I do know I have this amazingly, fantastically, stupendous forum. I shall still be logging on at least twice a day. I sometimes wonder how I would have been without it. I have a diabetic friend who is not in the modern world of computers. She was diagnosed about 8 years ago and does all the nurse tells her. She is on Metaformin. if that's how it's spelt. Then I come along with the wealth of info I have picked up here. I bombard her with it. I do feel a bit guilty as she has this for years and I am new to it. I have to be really careful to steadily drip info without nagging. Thanks Catherine
 
Catherine can I just ask you one other question? I will test for different foods but should I be testing occasionally at random just to keep check. If 'yes' then when should I do it?
 
It might be a good idea Broads to do random checks, different times on different days. I only test about three times a week now but you may want to do more to begin with. A lot depends on how confident you feel. Don't waste strips by testing all the time. If you don't feel well then test.

Hope this helps,
Catherine.
 
Thanks Catherine. Was what I wanted to hear. Yer a gem and I don't just mean from this topic but past ones. Thank you so much.
 
Simply avoid or significantly reduce the big 5 (pots, rice, bread, pasta, couscous) and keep a close eye on portion control. Don't cheat on anything!!

I believe that you can become obsessive with testing - relax its not rocket science, control is largely common sense and a willingness to recognise that eating habits need to change. No matter what causes T2 we have it and watching diet (whilst some say its not 'lifestyle') seems to be the way to control.

I will now finish my first (early) evening glass of deep red - and maybe have the other sooner rather than later.

More than 2 stone lighter and well in control.

And completely relaxed about it all.
 
broads said:
Catherine can I just ask you one other question? I will test for different foods but should I be testing occasionally at random just to keep check. If 'yes' then when should I do it?
Click to expand...

A friend came over today and since I'd just been doing some high intensity gardening I decided to test. I predicted 4.6 - 4.8 and scored 4.9, which impressed the hell out of him!

Most of the time I *am* that predictable, which came from testing a lot at first.

What I tend to do now is to test when I'm outside of my normal parameters - like today, or when eating out or feeling unwell, when I know I'm not likely to be predictable.

Then every few weeks I will run a whole day, fasting and 1 hour postprandials, and compare with similar previously measured days. A friend uses one day a month or so to test much more intensively than me, and plots graphs to compare, but I'm not quite that anal!
 
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