Im newly diagnosed and work for nhs, was told by g.p "you have diabetes take 1 of these a day at tea time (metformin) make an appointment come back in a month, that was all the info i got from him, the nurse that works there gave me a testing machine but no info on when to test or how many times a day. So i asked diabetes dr at work he said i didnt need to test bloods as wont get hypos, but on occasions ive felt really light headed and not well only lasting maybe 10 mins but always ate something and felt better. So why is there no definative way of doing things so people are less confused as to what they should be doing?
Brilliant question, Yvonne. You've come to the right place for the answers to all your questions. Most medics are afraid to advise other than the standard NHS/Diabetes UK system that in the opinion of many is CAUSING increasing obesity & diabetes complications.
BUT, of course we cannot give you medical advice, only practical advice based on experience.
I was told at diagnosis - 16 years ago, with what was diagnosed as "diabetic neuropathy" to keep active; eat complex carbs; & cut right down on sugar, fat & salt. But I was also told "diabetes is progressive - your condition will deteriorate." That was the definitive way of treating diabetes (with medication added as indicated by the annual HbA1c) back in 2,000. It still is according to Diabetes UK, though if you press them they will acknowledge that low carb, low calorie (Newcastle) & the Mediterranean diet are feasible.
The real definitive answer found by many on this forum is a lifestyle based on - low carb (less than 100 g per day); normal amounts of protein & veg, limited fruit, & plenty of good, clean, fresh fats, as they come in real food - NOT takeaways. Cheese, nuts, meat, eggs, oily fish, avocados, etc. Even food fried in butter - but not reused. It's called LCHF - low carb, high fat.
We need to get our energy from fat not carbs. Fat is sustaining, whereas carbs rapidly metabolise to blood glucose, raising the BG being leaving us hungry for more. I'm now 77, still diabetic, but without the diabetic symptoms which were destroying my life until I came to this forum & learned about LCHF. Just 3 months of LCHF cleared crippling debility & restored my health. I still play tennis & table tennis at club standard.
Hope that helps.