Hello again!

[Funky Mum]

I posted here back in 2009 when I was told I had Impaired Glucose Tolerance...well I've just been told I am now diabetic. My levels were 12.5. Don't have my meeting with the diabetic nurse till 7th July

 

[daisy1]

Hi Funky Mum and welcome back I see you haven't been around for a long time so you may not have seen this basic information written by our friends Sue and Ken, former monitors, for newly diagnosed members. I think this advice will help you to look after your diabetes. Please ask as many questions as you like as someone will always come up with an answer.

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.

 

[Funky Mum]

Thanks Daisy what a great lot of info!
I'm waiting to speak to the dr again to see what I need to do in the meantime. I've been feeling so so tired that some days I cant function - I have 3 young kids so my life is awful and I don't really want to wait till 7th July for my nurse appt.

 

[ebony321]

Thanks Daisy what a great lot of info!
I'm waiting to speak to the dr again to see what I need to do in the meantime. I've been feeling so so tired that some days I cant function - I have 3 young kids so my life is awful and I don't really want to wait till 7th July for my nurse appt.

You could try getting an emergency app with you DR see if he can do anything for you?

in the meantime try cuts down on carbs and high sugar foods to try bring your BG's down. Also drink plenty of water to keep yourself dehydrated until you can get in to see a specialist to sort out your personal plan for treating your diabetes.

good luck

 

[Funky Mum]

Thanks Ebony!
I spoke to my dr who said the receptionists had got it wrong and they'd made a review appt :roll:
I@m now seeing the nurse on tuesday

 

[ebony321]

Thanks Ebony!
I spoke to my dr who said the receptionists had got it wrong and they'd made a review appt :roll:
I@m now seeing the nurse on tuesday

Great news. Always better to ask and you'll eventully get somewhere. You must feel alot better now

Good luck for you app.

In the advice that daisy posted there is a topic on good idea for questions to ask your DR when going to your first appointment.

It's especially helpful i think because there can be so much you want to ask that you forget a few things. Don't be afraid to write a list of what you want to ask and talk about and go through it one by one

 

[totsy]

welcome back,
sorry that you have joined the club tho :? let us know how u get on after your app