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Another Newbie

G

ged1970

Newbie
Messages
1
Hi Good Evening everyone,
I have just been diagnosed with type 2 and will be starting on Metformin shortly.
I was just wondering what happens next. My GP said the nurse would go through
all the details. But I was just a bit worried.

Thanks in advance
Ged
 
Hi Ged and welcome to the forum :) I hope your nurse will explain everything to you when you next see him/her but I can give you some basic information which will give you an idea of how to look after diabetes as well as possible. Also, have a good read around the forum where you will learn a lot. Ask as many questions as you like as there is always someone here to help. Here is some information put together by the former Monitors for new members.

Here is the advice that Ken and I, as Forum Monitors, usually give to newly diagnosed Diabetics. We hope that these few ideas gained through experience help you to gain control and give you some understanding of Diabetes. This forum doesn't always follow the recommended dietary advice, you have to work out what works for you as we are all different.

It's not just 'sugars' you need to avoid, diabetes is an inability to process glucose properly. Carbohydrate converts, in the body, to glucose. So it makes sense to reduce the amount of carbohydrate that you eat which includes sugars.

For more information on CARBOHYDRATE see here:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=20306

This is NOT a low carb diet suggestion, just a reduction in your intake of carbohydrate. You have to decide yourself how much of a reduction will keep your blood glucose levels in control.

The main carbs to avoid OR reduce are the complex or starchy carbohydrates such as bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, starchy root veg and also any flour based products. The starchy carbs all convert 100% to glucose in the body and raise the blood sugar levels significantly.

If you are on Insulin you may find that reducing the carb intake also means that you can reduce your dose of insulin. This can help you to keep weight gain down as Insulin tends to make you put on weight and eventually cause insulin resistance. This should be done slowly so as not to cause hypos.

The way to find out how different foods affect you is to do regular daily testing and keep a food diary for a couple of weeks. If you test just before eating, then two hours after eating, you will see the effect of certain foods on your blood glucose levels. Some foods, which are slow acting carbohydrates, are absorbed more slowly so you may need to test three or even four hours later to see the effect that these have on your blood glucose levels.

Buy yourself a carb counter book (you can get these on-line) and you will be able to work out how much carbs you are eating, when you test, the reading two hours after should be roughly the same as the before eating reading, if it is then that meal was fine, if it isn’t then you need to check what you have eaten and think about reducing the portion size of carbs.

When you are buying products check the total carbohydrate content, this includes the sugar content. Do not just go by the amount of sugar on the packaging as this is misleading to a diabetic.


As for a tester, try asking the nurse/doctor and explain that you want to be proactive in managing your own diabetes and therefore need to test so that you can see just how foods affect your blood sugar levels. Hopefully this will work ! Sometimes they are not keen to give Type 2’s the strips on prescription, (in the UK) but you can but try!!

For TIPS FOR STRIPS see here:

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=19002#p173253

If you are an Insulin user in theory you should have no problem getting test strips.

The latest 2011 NICE guidelines for Bg levels are as follows:
Fasting (waking and before meals).......between 4 - 7 mmol/l...(Type 1 & 2)
2 hrs after meals........................no more than 8.5 mmol/l.....( Type 2)

2hrs after meals......................... no more than 9 mmol/l ......(Type 1)

If you are able to keep the post meal numbers lower, so much the better.

It also helps if you can do at least 30 minutes moderate exercise a day, it can be split into 10 min sessions to start with. It doesn't have to be strenuous.

The above is just general advice and it is recommended that you discuss with your HCP before making any changes. You can also ask questions on the forum on anything that is not clear.

Finally a few QUESTIONS TO ASK AT DIABETES CLINIC.

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=17091



Sue/Ken.
Click to expand...
 
Hello Ged, welcome here.

It's early days for you yet, things will become more understandable as time goes on.

Do read through the advice altready given , it is good advice.

If you don't know your Blood Glucose readings ask the nurse for them, they are important and they will help you understand what progress you are making as time goes on.

You should be offered a test meter for your BGs (Blood Glucose) so you can self test, if not you will have to buy one, then you can see what foods you can and cannot eat.

You will learn a lot here and you should feel free to ask away with the questions.

It helps us if you give a bit of info with the questions, your test results, weight, age, etc all make a difference to any advice you might be given.

H Aged 67 Last HbA1c 5% and 105 kg.
 
Hello
I am a 'newbie' too! Not to diabetes - I was diagnosed a year ago.

I had such a great few months at the beginning - BG levels reading 5-6 doctor and diabetes specialist - very pleased with the way I was managing my condition. So much so that they reduced my meds to absolute minimum.
So what did I do ? - I stopped taking meds - stopped taking readings and started to eat what I liked. The result. Last week my BG levels were off the scale (35 +) Spent a day in hospital and am now back on maximum meds.

Now I am back at the beginning so I am keeping a food diary and regularly test my BG (Before and 2 hours after meals.

All the best
Gilly
 
Hello Gilly, we have all "fallen off the wagon" from time to time. Best way to deal with it is to consider a new day as a new beginning, you will soon get things under control, it's easy, you did it before!
H
 
I was diagnosed a couple of months ago, what's happened for me is that the doc called me in for another blood test to see if things have stabilised, I have an appointment for my eye photo, and an appt pending with the practice diabetic doctor. As for what's happened personally, I've made changes to my diet, upped my exercise and am fitter and healthier than I've been for ages so it needn't stop you and i'm only 1 tablet a day at the moment. Already the lethargic feelings have gone the skin itching is under control so I feel a lot better from doing as i'm told, and also as I've learnt from here too, it's a fascinating challenge!
 
Gappy said:
I was diagnosed a couple of months ago, what's happened for me is that the doc called me in for another blood test to see if things have stabilised, I have an appointment for my eye photo, and an appt pending with the practice diabetic doctor. As for what's happened personally, I've made changes to my diet, upped my exercise and am fitter and healthier than I've been for ages so it needn't stop you and i'm only 1 tablet a day at the moment. Already the lethargic feelings have gone the skin itching is under control so I feel a lot better from doing as i'm told, and also as I've learnt from here too, it's a fascinating challenge!
Click to expand...

Thanks so much Gappy!
Fascinated to hear that you too suffered from skin itching - I am covered with small spots where I have scratched till I bleed. Thought that I had some kind of skin infection. Do many diabetics get this problem I wonder.
Joining the forum is helping me loads. Have been terrified with some of my BS readings - but they seem to be slowly coming down. 16.3 this morning.
All the best to you all
Gill
 
Gillyflower,
I get bad skin itching which may or may not be caused by diabetes as I take another medication which has it as a rare side effect. I scratched until it bled. Catherinecherub from this forum suggested I rub yoghurt over where it itches and it really works and when it goes on it's instant relief. Skin instantly feels cool. You don't need to put too much on then you rub it in so it's not messy.
 
daisy1 said:
Gillyflower,
I get bad skin itching which may or may not be caused by diabetes as I take another medication which has it as a rare side effect. I scratched until it bled. Catherinecherub from this forum suggested I rub yoghurt over where it itches and it really works and when it goes on it's instant relief. Skin instantly feels cool. You don't need to put too much on then you rub it in so it's not messy.
Click to expand...
Thanks Daisy for that - I will certainly give it a try. If you dont mind me asking - what was the other medication you were taking. I have to take meds for my blood pressure - and I did wonder if that might be the cause.
Strage thing is the itching attacks come and go and I can't find a pattern.
All the best
Gill
 
Hi Gill - I do take a blood pressure medication - Captopril - but I didn't see itching listed as a side effect and had never thought it could be that but maybe...
 
Hi again Gill :) I have just looked at the little paper which comes in the medication box. I can't quote it as it's written in French but it says under side effects that it can cause skin problems accompanied by itching. It says if this happens consult your doctor who may temporarily reduce your dose or give you a prescription for your skin problems. So you might be right about the cause. Hope this helps. :)
 
There was something about itchy skin in the diabetes complications bit. But I guess what treatment you do is dependant on what the cause is!
 
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