Another newbie!!

rosieb

Newbie
Messages
2
Hi everyone.
On Wednesday, I went for a routine BP check with my practise nurse, while I was there, she wanted to weigh me for her records (I am a big girlie!). I stepped on the scale and let out a squeak, she asked what was the matter, have I put on weight. I told her no, but I have LOST 3 stones!! She then did a finger prick test out of interest and my BS was over 17!! So I was given a testing meter, testing strips and lancets and a prescription for Metformin twice a day. I must admit to being a bit overwhelmed! :? I shall be reading these forums A LOT in the future.
 

Grazer

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,115
Hi Rosie and welcome. Daisy will be along soon with lots of useful info. Meanwhile, if you have any questions just ask!
 

daisy1

Legend
Messages
26,457
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Cruelty towards animals.
Hi Rosie and welcome to the forum :) You did the right thing to come here as there is quite a bit to learn about looking after yourself now that you have been diagnosed. Ask as many questions as you like as there is usually someone here who will be able to answer.

Here is some information written for new members which will help you to get started.

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 30,000 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 ... rains.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.
 

rosieb

Newbie
Messages
2
.thank you very much for your replies. I find the carbs thing very interesting in particular. Will carry on reading and no doubtn will be asking lots of questions,WHEN I think of some!! :mrgreen:
 

viviennem

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,140
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Other
Dislikes
Football. Bad manners.
Hi Rosie! From one big girl to another, welcome!

Viv 8)
 

Gappy

Well-Known Member
Messages
483
Dislikes
hypocrisy, prejudice and the corrupt legal system (never got compensation I deserved from an accident)
I've currently got a bad headache so from 1 big girls blouse to a big girl hello!
 

borofergie

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,169
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Racism, Sexism, Homophobia
Hi Rosie,

Nothing wrong with big girlies.

Your diagnosis sounds a bit like mine. I'd lost a couple of stone (without trying) in the year before I was diagnosed. I think that this made my diabetes worse because, suddenly able to lose weight, I became less worried about what I ate, and ended up eating more carbohydrate laden rubbish than normal.

Welcome to the club!

Stephen
 

Andyj

Newbie
Messages
2
Hi Folks,
This is my first post, you could call me a 'Green Horn'. I was diagnosed borderline Type 2 from 2007 - 2009, diet controlled. I had a CABG x 4 Operation [Quad Bypass] Aug 2009 and came out of hospital with Metformin 500mg and Glictazide 30mg, 4 x daily my levels were then 10.4 - 11.5. 6mths ago my Dibetic meds were changed to Exenetide 10 twice daily and glimparide 40mg daily. It seems an up hill struggle with a bad cold which has lasted since Oct this year. Blod averaging around 7.2, and the Diabetic Consultant wanting to put me on Insulin which I have resisted. I've never wished for sympathy just to understand this thing called 'Diabetes'. I have dropped 1.5 stone since last July from 20.5 to 18.5, knowing that obesity is a trap for sugar..
Any help or comments would be gratfully Appreciated.
Andy
 

daisy1

Legend
Messages
26,457
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Cruelty towards animals.
Hi Andy and welcome to the forum :) I suggest to help you understand how to look after your diabetes and for general information about it, that you look at my post further up this thread. Ask as many questions as you like as you are sure to get answers here.