Anyone help ?

[poppyowner]

I was diagnosed with type2 diabetes last Friday. I was basically told I had it and then given a booklet entitled EATING WELL WITH DIABETES. I was also told I was Anaemic and asked to make an appointment for a Blood Test (which I made for this morning!). My GP told me I'd also be registered with the Diabetes clinic at the same time.
This morning I turned up for my blood test (I hate these as they have trouble finding my veins !!! - took 2 nurses this morning!). They informed me this test was only for Anaemia blood test and that they would make me another appointment for a chat about Diabetes and that on that one they'd register me with the Diabetes clinic. I told them I felt like I was in limbo and very confused to which they just said "Don't sprinkle sugar on anything - don't eat a donut every day or a pound of grapes daily!!!!". I asked whether I should monitor my carbs as have read on here it is meant to help and they basically laughed at that suggestion.
I feel just as confused now as I did on Friday.
My diabetes chat is scheduled for 11.30am next Wednesday (4th Feb). My Dietician appt (not diabetes related - I'd gone down previously saying I was concerned over my weight gains and GP suggested Dietician and Psychologist - dietician appt came through but still awaiting the psychologist who I think will help me more as a lot to do with dieting is your mental state!) is booked for 17th February.
My point of posting is this - Should I cancel my dietician appt for the 17th as surely now eventually the diabetic clinic will assist with that ???? AND Should I be looking into low carbing and if so - how ............ do I still calorie count at same time as Carb counting? Do I just carb count? Should I buy a book on low carbing and if so - can anyone recommend a good one? What questions should I ask at my diabetes 'chat' - should I ask for a tester (to check my levels)? AND if so - should I - if they refuse to provide me with one - buy my own and if so - again - can anyone recommend one (ideally cheap as not well off!)?
I feel like I am stuck in mud not knowing what to do for best. With usual dieting I know what I am and am not meant to do - with this - I haven't got a clue! I need a simple - count this, eat this without counting, drink this with counting, drink this without counting, avoid at all costs food x, y, z and drinks x , y , z !!!!!!
HELP ME PLEASE - I AM PANICKING THAT I MAY MAKE MY SITUATION WORSE and no-one seems to be any the wiser at the doctors surgery - their advice all conflicts - the nurse told me to unofficially ignore the doctors advice and take the booklet I mentioned earlier as Gospel....... should I?
AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!!!!!!

 

[candy1567]

Hi poppyowner

The first thing i would say is to try to calm down, as newly diagnosed myself it is so easy to become very negative and paranoid and get into a state, i know been there done that and got the teeshirt.

The best thing you have done is finding this site as there are so many ppl on here with so much experience in dealing with diabetes who dont mind you asking the silly questions we dont ask the doctors.

The support you find on this site is fantastic and thats half the battle in coping with this

It is very overwhelming at first but this site will take you through it step by step and help you along the way

So someone with a lot more experience will surely answer you but for now welcome to the club

juliexx

 

[catherinecherub]

Hi poppyowner,
The nurses you saw this morning seem about as useful as a chocolate teapot.
Have a good look around the forum and you will see that a lot of the questions you are asking have been answered. You do need a blood sugar testing kit, how else are you going to know what is happening when you eat? Some surgeries will supply them, some wont. The meters themselves are not dear but the test strips are. There are posts on the forum where people have posted about cheaper options for the test strips.
Personally I would keep all the appointments scheduled for you, you never know you might get some better advice than you have so far.
It is trial and error about foods, some people can eat things that others can't. I am not a low carber myself but someone will reply with your query about books you need.
Above all don't panic. It is all new and confusing and we all felt like you to begin with. It won't be long before you get to grips with it and this forum has a wealth of information from people who have been there.
Regards, Catherine.

 

[Thirsty]

OK, poppyowner first of all, DON'T PANIC! We all know how you're feeling but diabetes isn't as scary as it might seem. Whether or not a low or restricted carb diet is appropriate for you will depend on your results and any medication you're prescribed. It's the way to go if you're controlling the condition with diet only or meds like Metformine but not so clever for users of some other drugs or insulin.

While you're waiting for your appointment, have a look at this site. It's really easy to understand and will help you to choose suitable foods.

Don't cancel your appointment with the dietitian just yet as waiting lists can be quite long, and as long as they're aware of your diabetes you should receive advice tailored to your needs.

I hope this helps and wish you the best of luck.

 

[jenrose]

hi
The Collins gem Carb Counter is a useful little book. There is so much contradictory advice that is very confusing, especially when you are first diagnosed. Some people choose to go low carb and some people eat a moderate amount of carbs and it depends upon the person, how high their blood sugars go with carbs and how much weight they wish to lose. I will say avoid fruit juice, sugar in tea, coffee, non-diet drinks, jam etc will put your blood glucose up quickly and are to be avoided. I find my bg levels go up high if I eat anything with white flour, some people find potatoes do this to them. Your nurse or doctor should tell you what the blood test revealed your HbA1c test was, this is the blood test that the nurse does to tell what the average blood sugar has been over the past 2-3 months. At this time the HbA1c level seems to be the main concern of the medical profession and is taken annually at the minimum, and maybe 2 or 3 times, depending on your clinic/surgery practice It would be a good idea to purchase a blood glucose monitor so that you can test your blood glucose levels before eating, and two hours after eating, in order to discover how particular foods affect you. Some surgeries/clinics will give prescriptions for free test strips and lancets for the meters if you are taking tablets to lower blood glucose levels but if not you can purchase them yourself if you can afford it.
it may take a bit to get used to being diabetic but there are people here who will give you some advice so try not to get panicky.

 

[IanD]

Hi Poppy,

I was diagnosed 8 years ago - my Dr told me EVERYTHING I didn't want to know, & finished the session by helpfully computing my probability of a heart attack :twisted: Ilost the tennis match that evening - I didn't know what to eat or drink to keep my strength up. 8 years on I am playing as well as ever, but not without problems in between.

Is there a diabetes support group near you. The Hounslow one is meeting this Wednesday.

What is your blood sugar level? Did they tell you? Phone up & ask if they didn't tell you. I doubt if it was very high, (say above 15) or you would have been given medication straight away.

Regarding diet, you are obviously familiar with calorie counting etc. The basic recommendation (from experience of many on this forum) is to reduce carbohydrates & make up with veg & protein, without worrying about the fat in cheese & milk. The sugar in milk is significant, however, as you will see on the cereal packets. Cereals are high carb, so best to avoid them. If you need a "grab & go" breakfast, my savoury slices are handy. Otherwise a cooked b'fast is recommended, without toast.

I bought my tester & asked the Dr to prescribe the strips, but you can get a free one from this website. Your Dr should prescribe the test strips but may not. Pester him & tell him you need to know what food affects your BS.

Unless your BS goes above 20 you need not panic. In any case, sensible eating will bring it down.

Keep all your appts, & prepare your questions. And don't trust the "Healthy Eating" booklet with respect to "eat starchy carbohydrates with every meal."

Don't be afraid to ask. Someone here will always help. Don't be tempted to buy pills which are claimed to cure diabetes.

 

[poppyowner]

I was thinking - I used to do quite well with Slimming World for weight loss when I felt motivated. When I was preggie I was able to end my gestation the same weight as finding out I was expecting then lost 1st 4 lbs the week after I had my youngest (he weighed in at just under 8 lbs!) through following the plan.
I went on their website and it says Diabetes UK work with Slimming World and that if I follow the Green day plan with pasta, potatoes, unlimited veg it should help by providing healthy weight loss and meet the guidelines from Diabetes UK or by doing Red then having selected veg and lean meats. IS THIS RIGHT ? I know the plan basically inside out so am wondering whether to give it a go and see if it helps or not - it is a very healthy eating plan and you never feel hungry........

anyone else following Slimming World while trying to control and better the TYPE 2 Diabetes?

 

[fergus]

Hi poppyowner, welcome to the forum.

I'd recommend you get a copy of a recent book by Dr. Charles Clark entitled 'The Diabetes Revolution'. It can be read in a day, explains all the important issues, and includes a good variety of useful recipes too. An excellent place to start.

I'd be very sceptical of anything which suggests pasta or potatoes as a good basis for a healthy diet quite frankly.

All the best,

fergus

 

[norried]

poppyowner
this site will give you an insight as to what can, will, and wont help. i have been type2 for a while now but only started low carbing last week what a differance to my levels.

get a meter (my local nurse got a few free from a local supplier ) so i got one by asking if she had a spare (being scottish i dont like to pay ). so far i have got strips no problem but others depending where they live dont find it so easy.

low carb
just be carefull before you make life altering decisions as you might take it too far. always have a sweet something about ( i hated chocolate until i was diagnosed, would kill for it now).

my book
GI AND GL COUNTER by dr Wynnie Chan amazon 2nd hand 39p +p+p

and finnaly take all the help your local "experts" give you, your journey has only just started.

Norrie

 

[hanadr]

Hi Poppy, My daughter did Slimming world and I would not recommend Green days for a diabetic. All that carbohydrate will send Blood glucose skywards. Red days however are suitable. I personally feel that Atkins or South Beach diets are better.
If they put you on medication, come back to us, because many diabetes medications,including Insulin, cause weight gain. The clinics NEVER tell you that. they just tell you off for gaining and say you should lose. When they know you can't.

 

[IanD]

I have learnt to distrust Diabetes UK with respect to diet. I have their booklet which says "eat starchy foods at each meal ... help to maintain BS levels." I followed their advice for 7 years, & as predicted my condition progressed:
diet & exercise only
tablets
more tablets
complications ... leg muscle pains (neuropathy) & the beginning of retinopathy.

Last spring I was becoming crippled, & I started taking advice from contributors to this forum, & drastically reduced my carb consumption. Within 3 months, my weight dropped by a stone, my cholesterol dropped, my tiredness was greatly reduced & the leg pain had gone. Fasting BS dropped from around 7 to around 5, which is approaching a non-diabetic level. Average readings, measured before meals & 2 hours after, average 6.1.

My progression since last May:
reduced carb diet
reduced weight
pain gone
reduced chol & triglycerides
reduced medication
increased alertness
tennis back at club standard

And last Saturday I danced every dance at my son's 40th birthday party barn dance.

Its early days, Poppy, you won't make any serious mistakes while you are gathering information & getting accustomed to what must be a new life-style.

 

[Trinkwasser]

I'm very tempted to say they are trying to kill you, run very very far away!

Have a look through the stickies, especially good for newbies

http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/10/d-day.html

and for some background information

http://www.bloodsugar101.com/

Especially before you see the psychologist, read the most recent few entries on this blog

http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/

there's some good stuff on there about the interplay between biochemical and "psychological" factors