Diagnosed 2 months ago, still adjusting

[cazbee]

Hi all,

I've been lurking on here for a while, but finally decided to jump in. I'm 32 and T2, diagnosed in June. My readings at time were BS 14.3 and Hba1c 82. These meant nothing to me then. I know my Hba1c should be half that and BS between 4-7? I'm on Metformin 3x daily.

I've been taking my blood regularly ever since, and I know what the 'normal' range for blood sugar is, but I don't know what I should be realistically aiming for. Do I need my blood to always be under 7.8 after a meal? Because a few mistakes aside (partner putting honey in a stir fry for one) it is. Although the last set of sticks I got out of the nurse I practically had to beg for, I doubt I'll be getting another prescription of those. Where is the best place to buy? I will probably need to get a new machine rather than purcahse strips specially for this one.

My morning blood can be very occasionally be in the 7s, but recently has been more like 6s. Is this still too high? I'm constantly fretting about it.

I'm on LCHF, although will still eat most veggies (NOT potatos because I actually hate them), but I always keep my intake well under 100g. I've started going to the gym. I know my resting heart rate is coming down because my fitbit is telling me so.

I always feel like ****. Mornings are awful, I've had a headache for a month. Diabetes aside, I'm doing all the things 'they' say you should and I'm waiting for this magical nirvana of contantly being upbeat and productive - this happens, right? Tell me it happens please.

I'm also scared I won't be able to get pregnant in the future. I was planning on trying in a couple of years, and this has really scared me that I'll struggle.

Weight is coming off me. At least a dress size and half since June. Is this too quick? Everything I've ever heard about losing weight fast always comes back to 'but they'll put it on becuase it's not sustainable'. But if LCHF is to be my life now, then surely I'll reach a point where I plateau? Hopefully a healthy point....

I know this is rambling, I'm sorry. I just feel quite overwhelmed by it all. And I really want a burger haha.

 

[Guzzler]

I can't answer all of your questions because I, too, am newly diagnosed but I know that overwhelming feeling you are experiencing now. There seems so much information to take in in such a short space of time.
Well done for the decrease in carbs and for testing your bg regularly, these two steps alone mean you are well on the way to lowering your bg and the weight loss is great. I lost a stone in a month with no excercise and have dropped a dress size. This indicates that you are using your fat reserves which can only be a good thing. I am no longer losing weight and I think that is because I have reached the point of plateau whereby my body has reached a good weight for me.
Keep up the good work and again, well done.

 

[ringi]

I expect your headache may be due to not drinking enough water, and/or too little salt. So tray a stockcube in a mag of hot water 2 times a day, along with drinking more water.

Provided you love the food you are eating and therefore keep up LCHF there is no reason to expect you to put weight back on. At some point you will need to add more fat when you have used up your's bodies stores.

 

[Bluetit1802]

We all set our own target levels. I aim for between 4 and 7 and always under 7.8, but I have been doing this a long time now, my excess weight has gone and my insulin resistance I believe has improved.

It can be hard keeping under 7.8 initially, but the general guidance is to look at the actual rise from before a meal to 2 hours after starting the meal. Try to keep any rise from before to after under 2mmol/l, preferably under 1.5mmol/l. I consider these post meal rises to be the most important thing. I am more interested in the actual rise than the levels, and also how long it takes me to return to base.

Don't fret about morning fasting levels. There are too many outside influences in play. Under 7 however is good, initially. This will come down but it takes time and is often the last reading to come down. In my opinion too much notice is taken of this reading on the forum, and too many fret unnecessarily when they see others with super low ones. Even doctors have more or less stopped doing these tests on diagnosed diabetics.

This is a life long mysterious condition, and getting it right takes time. It isn't a sprint. Take some deep breaths and carry on as you are. You are doing very well.

 

[Resurgam]

If you do not use salt in cooking then adding a little to your coffee might help - I make 'real' coffee, and drink it with the bit of salt, a small pinch of cinnamon and cream.
If you know the foods which are low in carbs then it is fairly easy to base meals around them - and from what I can see it is perfectly sustainable. If not for my doctors going ballistic about how dreadful low carb is, I'd have been eating this way since the 1970s and not had a constant struggle to maintain my weight when put on 'healthy' diet plans.
I found that once I got my levels constantly under 8, that by eating the same foods the level drifted downwards without any effort at all. I have lots of fresh foods, and I buy meat from my local butcher, as I have a big freezer I get whole hoggets - a well grown lamb, or a whole pig, but there is chicken too, and beefburgers. I can eat the lidl protein rolls so I have half of one with beefburgers and onions, mushrooms, courgette or perhaps a salad - but sometimes I forget to eat it and so make cheese on toast with it next morning.

 

[AM1874]

Hi @cazbee .. and welcome
You have certainly made a good move coming here. Since joining this forum, the folks here have given me so much info, advice and support that I am now much more confident about the journey ahead. So ask your questions and be assured that you will receive the answers that you need. It can all seem uphill to start with but, in my experience, it gets easier .. very quickly.

You have already made a positive start in dealing with your diagnosis .. but the key point to take on board is that managing and controlling your diabetes (or pre-diabetes) through exercise, diet and testing your Blood Glucose seems to be the best way forward for many people. For me, committing to an LCHF (Low Carb High Fat) lifestyle at less than 30g carbs a day and testing 3-5 times a day seems to be working and you'll find that there is a wealth of info, relevant advice and positive support about LCHF on the forum ..

I have tagged @daisy1 for you and I suggest that you read up on the Low Carb Program in the information that she will soon be sending you. You might also find the discussion on the Low Carb Diet forum helpful .. and the following Diet Doctor websites which will give you all the info that you need on what and what not to eat ...
Low Carb Intro and Information and Low Carbs in 60 Seconds

For an alternative test meter, the following websites might help:
https://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/
for the SD Codefree meter, which costs £12.98 or:
http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-blood-glucose-meter/
who distribute the TEE 2 meter, which is free.
I have both which I alternate for comparative purposes and I have never found any significant difference between them.

Unless you are prescribed test strips by your doctor (unlikely), the costs of testing comes down to the ongoing charges for test strips and lancets. Make sure that you tick the appropriate box on the on-line order form and you won't pay VAT on your meter or strips.
For the SD Codefree, the strips are £7.69 for a pack of 50 and there are discount codes available for bulk purchases:
5 packs x 50 use code: 264086 .. cost is £38.45
10 packs x 50 use code: 975833 .. cost is £76.90
For the TEE 2, the strips are £7.75 for a pack of 50 .. but there are no discount codes currently available

I'm testing 3-5 times a day which works out at around £10 to £12 per month for either of the two packages above but, more importantly, I now know what my BG levels are .. and I can now manage them

Hope this helps

 

[Robkww]

Low carb, sensible fat, reduced calories and exercise reduced my weight quite quickly - around 2/3 pounds per week - and I stabilised at 11 stone 7 pounds, 32 waist and BMI of 22 - never felt better - suggest you carry on!

 

[daisy1]

@cazbee

Hello and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope it will be useful to you. Ask as many questions as you need to and someone will be able to help.


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 245,000 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

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.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a free 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

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.

Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. They're all free.

• Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why
• Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.

 

[OrsonKartt]

You are doing good Stick with it

 

[Chook]

I always feel like ****. Mornings are awful, I've had a headache for a month. Diabetes aside, I'm doing all the things 'they' say you should and I'm waiting for this magical nirvana of contantly being upbeat and productive - this happens, right? Tell me it happens please.

Hello and welcome to the forum

I find if I've got a headache in the morning that it goes if I drink a glass of sparkling mineral water - I don't know if its the re-hydrating or the minerals that do it but it works for me.

The way the nirvana thing happened for me was after I'd got over carb flu and adjusted to running on fat I did feel a sense of wellbeing - but I'm not sure it was an actual physical thing - more a mental thing that I'd finally put on my big girl's pants and taken control over something that had been stressing me for some time. I still feel good about being in control although not as upbeat or evangelical about it as I was when I first started low carbing.

As the others have said, salt can be an issue as we aren't eating the processed foods that contain it and low carbing can have a diuretic effect. Try having an occasional mug of Bovril and/or add some salt to your food.

I've never heard that Type 2 can prevent someone getting pregnant and I have a T2 former colleague who, at the moment, is in her fifth month.

 

[cazbee]

Thanks, all. And thank you for the encouragement! My next set of blood work isn't until next month, so I feel like I'm just plodding along not really sure I'm doing the right things. I don't have a lot of trust in my diabetic nurse - as soon as I was told this was likely the problem with me, I started researching and had read A LOT of this forum before meeting with her, and the first thing she gives me is a pack saying 'eat starchy carbs' which seemed to go against everything you guys were saying.

I'm glad I made the decision to just crack on with low carb - it is clearly having an effect, and hopefully my next set of blood work will show that with the numbers not just weight loss.

I hadn't considered the lack of salt - that's a really good point that I'll be sure of consider when cooking now. I am definiely eating less processed food. I work on the road a lot, and have spent years relying on fast food or easy meals I can pick up between meetings.

I don't expect my readings to be low every time, I'm comfortable with the very occasional untentional spikes whilst I still get my head around this, and I have already allowed myself a couple of 'meals off' which ended up being no where near the readings I imagined, and I guess that's because I'm approaching it from a different angle. I'm not just eating a higher carb meal without thought, because I want it, but because I already know what my level is, what carbs I've had for the day, what is a reasonable intake and unlikely to cause problems. I don't want this to sound like I'm eating carbs all of the time, I really am not, but when I've been out (had a run of family birthdays!) I've not let myself get stressed out by menus, but instead thought about what to eat prior to those meals out, what to leave on plate, what I can let myself have within reason, etc.

It's a brand new way of thinking for someone who has always been extremely body positive and truly believed people can and should 'do what they want' - I still believe that, but I now have a different set of parameters to work within when applying that to myself. It's a mind shift, I guess, but it's working so far.

It was the morning readings and ongoing way of life that scared me the most, I think. But just interacting with people in the same boat has already lifted my outlook on it.

 

[Sarah69]

I've been diabetic 20 years now and I can't get to grips with it. I understand the lchf way of good control but I don't like most of the foods that involves. I have a poor appetite and don't eat at all properly. I no longer test my blood for 2 reasons, 1 I just know it's going to be high most of the time and 2 my GP surgery made all the diabetics change their meters to just 1, the same for everyone, I guess because of money. I had an accu check mobile the one I have now is called mylife. My old 1 had a barrel of 50 strips I think it was and the new I have to insert the stops. I often have episodes of feeling sick which I've seen my GP about, had a blood test done which showed nothing. I remember a diabetic nurse said to me 'you will feel much better once your on insulin'. I never felt ill or unwell to start with! I went on insulin and felt no different! I have my yearly review next week and I'm dreading it, it's going to be bad I know!

I truly admire the people who low carb and have this disease sorted!

 

[azure]

@Sarah69 Have you tried explaining to yourvsurgery why you prefer/need the AccuChek meter? Could your DSN contact them?

You don't have to eat LCHF to get good control as a Type 1. I eat cereal, bread, pasta, rice, etc etc and have good control. Most Type 1s eat moderate levels of carbs not LCHF.

Is there any particular thing you're struggling with? Have you done a basal test? Do you know how to count carbs and adjust your meal time insulin ok?

And would you like me to start your own thread for you in Type 1?

 

[Sarah69]

@Sarah69 Have you tried explaining to yourvsurgery why you prefer/need the AccuChek meter? Could your DSN contact them?

You don't have to eat LCHF to get good control as a Type 1. I eat cereal, bread, pasta, rice, etc etc and have good control. Most Type 1s eat moderate levels of carbs not LCHF.

Is there any particular thing you're struggling with? Have you done a basal test? Do you know how to count carbs and adjust your meal time insulin ok?

And would you like me to start your own thread for you in Type 1?

I'm probably just being silly about the new meter in fact I've got it out of the cupboard and used it. It just seems old fashioned to go back to putting the strips in the meter instead of a drum where the strips come out automatically!

I'm type 2 not on insulin at the moment. I have been but because I gained a lot of weight I was taken off it. I use byetta. I'm on 24 units of lantus at night but wouldn't really have a clue if that's the correct dose or not.

Thanks for the offer of starting a thread for me but I'd prefer not to. On other threads I've made where I've asked for help or advice I've had some not very nice replies. I've been called childish for the issues I have around food, but thanks again.

 

[azure]

I don't know anything about Byetta unfortunately, but I'm sure others do.

The Lantus is a basal insulin but it might be used in a slightly different way for Type 2s. A basal test is usually where you fast for sections of the day so you can see if your basal insulin keeps your BS steady in the absence of food. But it could be that your Lantus dose is also supposed to be helping with your meals, so it would be best to ask your nurse for advice.

It's not silly to have a preferred meter. I find it really important to have a meter that works for my lifestyle.

I'm sorry you've received unsympathetic comments. If you ever feel a comment has overstepped the mark, please do report it. This forum is for everyone. What might not be an issue for ne person, can be a real genuine problem for another, so people shouldn't be so dismissive.

 

[Bluetit1802]

I'm probably just being silly about the new meter in fact I've got it out of the cupboard and used it. It just seems old fashioned to go back to putting the strips in the meter instead of a drum where the strips come out automatically!

I don't think you are being silly at all. I have to self fund my meters and strips but I use the Accu Chek Mobile because of the convenience of not having to deal with strips, so I fully understand you. I did use a different meter for a couple of years and didn't like it. I went back to my Accu Chek and love it.

 

[Bill_Tanner]

HI I am new to this forum and was diagnosed with type 2 three weeks ago with meds.
Thankfully I am seeing the nurse next Tuesday as I am totally confused and lost I thought I was starting to get under control with diet and meds three days below 8. 0 then yesterday morning fasting reading of 12.!!! I am writing down everything I eat and drink there was absolutely nothing to explain this spike very disheartening as I am restricting my carbs and cut out everything affecting high readings I really do not understand this horrible world I now find myself in

 

[Bluetit1802]

HI I am new to this forum and was diagnosed with type 2 three weeks ago with meds.
Thankfully I am seeing the nurse next Tuesday as I am totally confused and lost I thought I was starting to get under control with diet and meds three days below 8. 0 then yesterday morning fasting reading of 12.!!! I am writing down everything I eat and drink there was absolutely nothing to explain this spike very disheartening as I am restricting my carbs and cut out everything affecting high readings I really do not understand this horrible world I now find myself in

Hi and welcome,

Are you testing before and after eating? (2 hours after first bite) If not, please try this. The rise from before to after will show you how you are doing much better than any fasting level will. It is best not to put too much importance on fasting numbers for many reasons. There are too many outside factors that can affect it and over which we have little control. Do search the forum for threads on Dawn Phenomenon and liver dumps. (Our livers dump glucose in our system when it thinks we need additional energy, such as for waking up and starting the day, exercise, fasting etc. ) Also sleepless or restless nights play a big part.

Your before and after meal readings are more important at this stage.

 

[TazziT]

I was also only diagnosed in June this year, took me 18 days to get an appointment with the diabetic nurse at my practice and if I'm honest I have received not just more but also a better class of information from this forum.
The nurse told me I could eat 2 slices of bread a day every day, thats what got me into this mess.
Now ordered a meter and assosiated kit and plan on using it to learn what actually spikes me over the next 6mths to a year.

 

[Element137]

Hang in there, it does get better, you can get control once you get your head around what drives your levels - coming here is a great first step - we all have the advantage of having stood exactly where you are now - ask any questions, you will find with the support from the good folks here that its surprisingly quick to get this under control.