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Dealing with the reality

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emmmjay

Newbie
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Hi Everyone. This is my first time on the forum. I've known I have Type 2 diabetes for about 3 years, but am not consistently doing well controlling it. I find it hard to stay focussed on it, so I'm hoping checking in here 3 or 4 times a week will help me "remember" I have diabetes and need to attend to it. I've browsed the site a bit and I thank you in advance for the excellent info I'll undoubtedly benefit from here. Wishing you all good health.
 
Hi emmmjay and welcome to the forum. Since you are having a bit of trouble with your control, here is some information prepared by the former monitors for new members, even if you are not newly diagnosed, which might help you get started on better management of your levels. You can ask as many questions as you like here as someone will always answer you. Do keep on checking in here as it will help you a lot.

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...
 
Hi emmmjay,

A warm welcome to the forum. Hope to see you posting, nothing considered silly. There are many people who have put their diabetes on the back burner. The advice that Daisy has given you is the best way forward.
 
Hi, emmmjay.
Welcome to us all here.
Nice of you to introduce yourself too.
Unfortunately diabetes is with us all 24/7, never gives us a break or a hoilday!
It can often feel hard work and too much effort with little reward at times, so it is easier to try and forget it exists. [in denial]
I did this myself when first diagnosed, couldn't and wouldn't accept it. So I do understand!
Now you feel much better about the reality of it, you will need help and support along the way too.
Please ask any questions you feel/need to, someone will be happy to help, assist,support you.
Gradually over time you will find things slot into place and begin to make sense.
Hope this helps?
Please do keep in touch with us all and let us know how you are going on.
Anna.x :D
 
Thank-you, Anna, for responding and for your encouraging words. I'm not sure what happens to these replies because I sent one to the other responders and don't see it here. Perhaps it goes directly to you. Still learning how this site works!
 
In the past when people have had problems replying it is because sometimes they've hit the preview button (it's in in the middle when you use "post reply" as opposed to "quick reply"-so an easy mistake to make). Anyway, hello! I'd of thought the ill fellings from bad control would remind you and get you on track. When I was diagnosed I just loooked upon it as something to beat so I will beat it!
 
Hi Gappy. Thanks for responding. Actually, I don't have "ill feelings" from lack of good control. I tend to go high and may feel a little more tired than normal but certainly not anything like my friend whose sugars tend to plummet. However, lately I've been feeling tingling in my feet. I don't know if it's related to the diabetes or a dodgy sciatic nerve, but, either way, I'm taking it as a sign to become more serious about both. Glad you have that fighting spirit: I'm sure it will serve you well.
 
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