Diagnosed today in the Cotswolds

griffy · Jun 8, 2010

Hi all,

I've been diagnosed today with T2 (see, I'm already getting the lingo). Luckily they've caught it very early as blood text a year ago showed increased sugar and carbs but not enough to cause concern. I'm about to start Metformin and see the Diabetes nurse on Mon. Already gleened a lot i.e. low carb diet works for most. I'm really pleased to have found this site so early as I was about to go into the nurse and just accept all she said, this has shown me that might not be the right idea! :shock:

Haven't a clue about self-testing so about to investigate on this site but are there any key things I should be aware of so early on?

thanks all - think I maybe getting to know some of you over next few months/years!!

Griffy.

sugarless sue · Jun 8, 2010

See if any of the info here is of help to you.

Here is the advice we usually give to newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics.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.

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.

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 affect 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 !!

As a Type 2 the latest 2010 NICE guidelines for Bg levels are as follows:
Fasting (waking).......between 4 - 7 mmol/l.
2 hrs after meals......no more than 8.5 mmol/l.
If you are able to keep the post meal numbers lower, so much the better.

It also helps if you can do 30 minutes moderate exercise a day. It doesn't have to be strenuous.

Sue/Ken.

griffy · Jun 8, 2010

Thank you - that helps!

Griffy.

Carp man · Jun 9, 2010

Hi Griffy. I'm new to this forum myself but have been diagnosed for a few years now. According to my Doctor the emphasis is more on weight and diet these days. Blood glucose stability is still important obviously but it isn't the main focus of diabetes care anymore. There seems to be a lot of work going on in the T2 field at the mo which I hope will eventually pay dividends to our overall care package.

Certainly don't be afraid to challenge your medical professionals. I always found it better to visit the diabeties GP lead/diabeties nurse in my practice as they are a lot more 'on the ball' with the condition (obviously) and are more than happy to discuss any ideas or concerns you may have. I am sure they would promote anyone with diabetes challenging their advice occasionally!

It can be a bit worrying when you are first diagnosed as it is all a bit new but there is loads of advice around these days which you can tap into.

Hope all goes well with you Griffy! :wink:

griffy · Jun 9, 2010

Thanks for your reply Carp man (I take it you like fishing???). Useful info and I'm quite pleased to read there's a lot going on in the world with T2.

Good point re the diabetes nurse, I think my trip to her on Monday will be quite interesting. Weirdly, although I went to bed with T2 fully in my mind and woke up the same way, I'm sort of relieved as knew something was wrong as my energy levels were sub-zero and I was feeling flippin awful. At least I now know what I'm dealing with and can get on with it. This site is also helping beyond belief!

I added 10 minutes onto my 15 minute dog walk this morning and the grocery shop is including a lot more fish/veg/fruit/healthy stuff than normal. Healthy food watching here we come and I'm actually looking forward to dropping a few stone - probably the kick up the backside I needed really.

No doubt speak soon.

Griffy.

justfoundout · Jun 9, 2010

Guys
Let's be clear that weight loss is important if you have weight to lose - not all T 2's have weight issues. What is a healthy diet? To me it is low carb 50 g max a day. If I eat lots of carbs my body can't deal with them and my BS levels go above 6-7 post meal. Continue that abuse and I will have lt problems - lose a leg, go blind.
Google low carb + diabetes and see what you find. Check out the low carb section here and get some pointers. Used right a Low carb diet will solve your weight issues. If what you are doing now isn't working (is it?) then try something different!

cugila · Jun 9, 2010

You might also like to consider just reducing the carbs and using a low GI/GL diet.

That method means you are not restricted to the type of foods you can eat, you just eat less of them. Portion control is very important. It also means you don't have to up the fats if you have concerns about that or medical reasons why you can't eat a lot of fat. That method worked great for me, losing 5 1/2 stone in 12 months or so and getting Bg numbers 98% on target without too much hassle at all. Average daily carb intake is between 60 - 90g at the moment.

You both need to work out what best suits you and your lifestyle.

Ken

Carp man · Jun 9, 2010

The diet side has always been my difficulty! It would be easier if I was a gym magnet where I could burn it all off but I'm not. I tend to do what Griff said, add a little bit more time to walking the dog in the morning or walking to the supermarket instead of driving. Healthy foods wise, I just stick to what I know is healthy and avoid what I know isn't. However, with my recent changes in medication, I am taking more of an interest in GI foods and how they affect my blood sugars and have also started to keep a food diary to see how different foods affect my blood glucose level. Point taken that not all T2's have a weight issue as well.

Yes Griff I am a fisherman.

griffy · Jun 9, 2010

It's all very interesting this stuff. What's amazing is the difference I feel today compared to this time yesterday when I was still reeling (no pun intended carp man!) at what I'd been told. Now I'm just curious about what is going to work for me so already I'm cutting the carbs and simply being more careful. Just off for second dog walk (Milly the dog is wondering what the hell is happening) and feeling a lot more positive.

Keep any advice coming, you have done me a load of good!

Griffy x

griffy · Jun 9, 2010

P.S. going to take my first metformin tablet tomorrow morning as I'm not seeing clients tomorrow, so if the negative side-effects of having to dash to the loo kick in then I'm safe!

Will keep you posted! :shock:

k9kitty · Jun 9, 2010

Hi there and welcome,
I have been taking Metformin since mid April this year and you do get used to it and any side effects you have will lessen. Please do make sure you don't get dehydrated, that is, drink plenty of fluids( non alcoholic). I think it mentions this on the advice leaflet that comes with the medication. Keep a note of what you eat and any symptoms/ side effects and you can show and discuss this with your diabetes nurse or doctor when you see them. Good Luck. I am sure Milly is going to enjoy the extra walks too.

griffy · Jun 9, 2010

Thanks Kitty,

So my rum & coke is out then? :cry: Darn, simply knew that would be the case.

Point noted re dehydration, water here I come.

Griffy x

cugila · Jun 9, 2010

griffy said:
Thanks Kitty,

So my rum & coke is out then? :cry: Darn, simply knew that would be the case.

Point noted re dehydration, water here I come.

Griffy x

Not so.......spirits in moderation are fine, I have a tot of whisky and it doesn't do anything to Bg levels. Just in moderation, that's all. We don't have to do a penance for having a 'tot' or the odd glass of red wine. The thing to avoid is Coke........have diet only, nil carbs.

A small amount of alcohol also doesn't make much difference if you are on Metformin, my Endo told me to just enjoy......but not too much !!

Ken

griffy · Jun 9, 2010

Never in my life have I declared undying love for a total stranger I've never met!!!

I don't drink that much anyway, but to give up my occasional glass of red or my rum (and now diet coke) was a bit of a blow.

Off to see my evening clients a lot happier!

I love you Ken!

cugila · Jun 9, 2010

Griffy.....I just checked your profile before I posted this........that's fine by me.
:lol: :lol: :lol:

Ken :wink:

Carp man · Jun 9, 2010

When I first went onto metformin I suffered from an upset stomach. It continued for a while so the Doctor put me on slow release metformin which did the job! Picked up my first injector pen today which was strange. I cannot use it yet though as the Doc forgot to prescribe the needles! :lol:

Anyway, off to bed. Thinking of you tomorrow Griff! :wink:

griffy · Jun 10, 2010

So how long does it take for the tummy upset to kick in? Took first tablet at 10am this morning, now 4.30 and all okay! Is it a gradual build up of tablets that have the negative effect or do you spot it at once? I'm only taking one tablet a day for the first week.

sugarless sue · Jun 10, 2010

Not everyone gets the side effects so let's hope you are one of the lucky ones !

Carp man · Jun 10, 2010

Hope all is still well Griffy!

As Sue says, not everyone gets the side effects anyway so you may be ok. I suddenly noticed how long your introduction is Griffy-how many posts on this thread? You are indeed popular! 8)

griffy · Jun 11, 2010

Dear Mr Carp Man,

It's the power I secretly convey via the internet, it draws people in you know :twisted:

All was well yesterday till just after I wrote that all was well, then I had stomach cramps but that was about the sum total and they passed after about half an hour. I'm only taking one tablet with breakfast so far, so we'll see if it repeats today and also what happens when I increase the dosage next week.

So how's you getting on? Are you winning?

Griffy x

Diagnosed today in the Cotswolds

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