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Apprehensive 1st post

M

MrsCovenant

Newbie
Messages
1
Location
Scotland
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi there,

My name is Ash, I live in Scotland and I was diagnosed Type 2 about 3 weeks ago. I'm hoping to learn a lot more about diabetes and how I can get it into remission asap. I've been doing a lot of reading and I've already made a lot of significant changes to my dietry choices, with mostly positive outcomes, but it's very early days yet.

I've found that emotionally I have a been a bit all over the place since I received my diagnoses - most days I'm totally ok with it, and others, like today, I'm really not. I'm guessing this is pretty normal for most people in a similar position ?

Hope to hear from some of you soon, and thanks for taking the time to read my very 1st post :-)

Ash
 
Hi there @MrsCovenant and welcome!

It’s natural to be apprehensive and to find the diagnosis emotionally challenging. But congratulations on taking the best first step to dealing with it. This site is absolutely the right place for support, information and advice.

Many of us here have got into remission, or achieved non diabetic numbers simply by doing what you’re doing - changing what we eat.

Assuming you are either taking no diabetes medication or just metformin, then reducing carbohydrates in your diet is the key. The extent to which you need/want to do this will be very personal. I’d recommend having a good look at the dietdoctor.com website. It’s a mine of information, recipes and meal plans. There are some paid options but you can get what you need for free.

If you haven’t already found it on the site, you might also find this link helpful: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/basic-information-for-newly-diagnosed-diabetics.17088/

Finally, a meter is a must. Testing is an important way to understand the impact of food on your blood sugar levels. Test immediately before and 2 hours after you’ve eaten. In that way you’ll understand the impact that meal has on your blood sugars. You’re looking for a ride of no more than 2mmols. Any more and there were too many carbs for you to handle and the meal needs adjusting.

If you’d like information about meters, just shout!
 
Hi there @MrsCovenant and welcome! You've found us and I'm sure you will be very glad of that in the months to come. The first step is always to find out as much as you can and you will be amazed at some of the stories on here. It most certainly IS normal to take time to accept such a diagnosis, if you like it's sort of like a bereavement for your old life. Please ask any questions you may have, you will get answers to just about all of them. x
 
Hi @MrsCovenant I don't usually reply to threads about emotions, but here is my 2p worth!

You are quite normal, as a Type 2 Diabetic you probably have a sort of addiction to sugar and/or carbohydrates.
Quitting any addiction (smoking. alcohol etc) is a very emotional thing made worse if it is something that is socially accepted!

But once you start to make progress with your Blood Glucose figures, assuming you go lower Carb and test before & after meals, then you will start to feel pride in your achievements and things will get much easier.
 
Hi, I think it is perfectly understandable to be feeling the way you are. Some of your responses may also be linked to how and what you were told at diagnosis and what support you were offered. Seven years ago I was told that I had a chronic, progressive condition and that my treatment could involve slowing that progression. Others in the forum have had a more enlightened and encouraging approach. Either way a diagnosis usually comes as a shock and it's not surprising that you are taking time adjusting to it. You will get lots of help and support here!
 
Hello and welcome,

When I was diagnosed it took me more than 2 weeks to get to the stage where I wasn't crying every day. Happily I found this site and things have got a lot better. Like @Goonergal and many many others I dramatically cut my carb intake and my sugars have been in the normal range ever since.

Stick with us and post- this is an amazing forum with amazing people.

Good luck and welcome.
 
Hello and Welcome - what you are feeling is very normal. Many of us on here control/have put our diabetes in to remission by eating a low carb diet. There are many knowledgeable and helpful, friendly people on here - you are not alone with this.
 
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