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Diagnosed today, in shock

M

Mrsg11

Active Member
Messages
28
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
So today I received a telephone call from my doctor saying that I have been diagnosed type 2 diabetic, shocked to say the least... My blood sugar levels 100...I have every intention of doing everything in my power to reverse this, how realistic is this? Ive seen success stories on here but but I have an appt tomorrow to check height, weight etc and collect prescription for metformin & statins... Would these be normal meds?
Am a bit overweight but have always been a believer in everything in moderation, that will be changing...
Also with current lockdown should I or shouldn't I be shielding??? Dont know where to begin tbh
 
That's a high figure but I've seen far worse. You have a lot of reading in front of you but details on your diet will assist no end. Why the statins?
 
Mike d said:
That's a high figure but I've seen far worse. You have a lot of reading in front of you but details on your diet will assist no end. Why the statins?
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Thanks Mike d, I think its all just a bit overwhelming at the minute, but information is key, have no idea tbh why the statins but have an appointment 2mo with hcp so guess i can ask then. Any tios on things i should definitely be doing or not, GP has advised me not to monitor as thats more in keeping for type 1!!
 
@Mrsg11 ... Of course it is confronting, has been for all of us.

So ....

1. Get a meter and test strips. Completely ignore your GP as you MUST find out your reaction to foods.
2. On #1, your typical diet?
3. DEMAND to know why you need to take statins. Plenty of people here won't take them due to side effects
4. Metformin? Make sure it's the "slow release" type

Mike :)
 
Agree with @Mike d

Get yourself a monitor, you simply cannot manage a condition if you don't measure. You wouldn't try driving a car blind folded, that's what not monitoring is like... ignore the GP on this. Being told you don't need to is absolute rubbish and a cost cutting measure. I'm pretty sure you don't want to cut corners when it comes to your health.

Statins in the UK are dished out like sweets by GP's simply because you are T2, they also get a financial reward for doing so from statin manufacturers. Fact is it's up to you whether or not you want to take them, you do not and cannot be forced to. It's your decision.

Here's a good start on diet

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/blog-entry/the-nutritional-thingy.2330/

Also there is www.dietdoctor.com which has a tremendous amount of info on type 2, diet and much more.

It's all a bit over whelming at first, but as you learn you start putting the pieces together and you'll gain in confidence also.

Welcome!
 
Welcome to the forums.

Mrsg11 said:
GP has advised me not to monitor as thats more in keeping for type 1!!
Click to expand...

That's a cost cutting measure by the NHS, and probably a valid statement if you aren't going to use your blood test results to influence your diet. However, if you go the NHS official T2 route with increasing medications and no low carb diet, you'd soon qualify for a meter because without dietary change at a starting hba1c of 100 you'd soon need medication that requires you to do blood tests.

So, get a meter, drop those carbs, and use the meter to see if you've dropped them enough to make a difference. And here's a link to @JoKalsbeek 's really useful blog on T2 and diet.

JoKalsbeek's blog | Diabetes Forum • The Global Diabetes Community
 
Mrsg11 said:
Thanks Mike d, I think its all just a bit overwhelming at the minute, but information is key, have no idea tbh why the statins but have an appointment 2mo with hcp so guess i can ask then. Any tios on things i should definitely be doing or not, GP has advised me not to monitor as thats more in keeping for type 1!!
Click to expand...
Aren't Statins for Reflux? That's what I was recommended to take but didn't. I got rid of mine with diet changes and not eating within 3-4 hours of bedtime.
 
I have to agree with the advice to get a meter given above, it is essential to help you understand how you personally react to different foods.

I was in the same boat as you 3 months ago, with a slightly higher HbA1c, if you want to you can read about my experience in that short time here https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/got-back-to-work-amongst-other-things.179807/ there is hope.

Every day I come on here I learn something new, its a great resource with helpful peers to support you, you are not alone.
 
Mrsg11 said:
So today I received a telephone call from my doctor saying that I have been diagnosed type 2 diabetic, shocked to say the least... My blood sugar levels 100...I have every intention of doing everything in my power to reverse this, how realistic is this? Ive seen success stories on here but but I have an appt tomorrow to check height, weight etc and collect prescription for metformin & statins... Would these be normal meds?
Am a bit overweight but have always been a believer in everything in moderation, that will be changing...
Also with current lockdown should I or shouldn't I be shielding??? Dont know where to begin tbh
Click to expand...
It sounds like you are taking the right approach: there is no need to fret or overload yourself with contradictory data. Ellie above provided an excellent link to JoKal's advice page- if you follow that info, you won't go far wrong. You can then read and learn at leisure. For now, try to cut out the carbs and lose weight if you have weight to lose. Exercise as best you can.
 
G0ldengirl68 said:
Aren't Statins for Reflux? That's what I was recommended to take but didn't. I got rid of mine with diet changes and not eating within 3-4 hours of bedtime.
Click to expand...
Statins are for cholesterol, I think most diabetics over about 40 (or thereabouts) are suggested to take them (you can just decline them or in my case my DN declined them for me as she assumed I wouldn't want them)
Things like omeprazole and various other 'zoles' can be used for reflux, and possibly other stuff as well.
 
Mike d said:
@Mrsg11 ... Of course it is confronting, has been for all of us.

So ....

1. Get a meter and test strips. Completely ignore your GP as you MUST find out your reaction to foods.
2. On #1, your typical diet?
3. DEMAND to know why you need to take statins. Plenty of people here won't take them due to side effects
4. Metformin? Make sure it's the "slow release" type

Mike :)
Click to expand...
Thanks Mike appreciate that
 
Hi and welcome. Metformin is a good drug to take. It's very safe although doesn't have that much effect. Statins are not a diabetes drug and to control cholesterol. I would ask for a full lipids profile (blood cholesterol) at your next blood test and review the various HDL, LDL, Trigs ratios etc and only have the statins if the ratios aren't good. Also only have the minimum dose needed to come in range. Handing out drugs without the right tests is not a good idea. Do get a meter and reduce the carbs as they are the main cause of BS and weight gain.
 
becca59 said:
You won’t need to shield, but will now get the jab if you have not had it already.
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Thanks Becca, lucky enough to have had 1st jab a few weeks ago as i work for NHS, not that I have been going anywhere anyway apart from office once a week & work from home the rest, this is music to my ears!!!
 
Hi @Mrsg11,

Welcome to the forum. I totally empathize with being in shock and feeling confused. I think that what pretty much all of us went through upon diagnosis.

Is it possible to get back from an HbA1c of 100 mmol? I started exactly where you are with the exact same HbA1c. I was back to normal within three months by cutting out carbs (eliminating mostly bread, cereals, pasta, rice, potato and other starchy vegetables and high sugar fruit). So, yes -- this can be done. Others have come back from even higher levels.

Good luck on your journey. Keep asking away -- there are loads of friendly, helpful and knowledgeable people on this forum.
 
Hello and welcome,

I agree with @Mike d you need a meter. The best tool to help you turn it around. I also agree that low carb is the way to go. It is what turned my levels around.

Good luck.
 
I was told, “They like all diabetics to take statins”. I refused.
You certainly can bring your levels down on a low carb diet. I was diagnosed at 100. Take cheer and feel encouraged to try. Good luck.
 
VashtiB said:
Hello and welcome,

I agree with @Mike d you need a meter. The best tool to help you turn it around. I also agree that low carb is the way to go. It is what turned my levels around.

Good luck.
Click to expand...
Thanks VashtiB, had appt with nurse yesterday and he gave me one which I was surprised at because he didn't seem to know I had been diagnosed which was quite annoying to say the least, had to google how to use it & when I asked what I need to keep an eye on he just said 'around 5' needless to say i will be in touch with the doc on Monday, was meant to get a cholesterol test & he didnt take any bloods just urine so very frustrated atm!!
 
Ceppo said:
I was told, “They like all diabetics to take statins”. I refused.
You certainly can bring your levels down on a low carb diet. I was diagnosed at 100. Take cheer and feel encouraged to try. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Thanks Ceppo, well they haven't told me my cholesterol is too high, and the statin they have prescribed apparently can be taken if your cholesterol levels are normal & been prescribed a childs dose but still holding off until I speak with the doctor... Have started metformin this morning & cutting carbs since my diagnosis on Thursday so fingerscrossed!!!
 
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