Hello all Newly diagnosed.

JoKalsbeek said:

Hi, and welcome!

Let's see... Those measurements are a little all over the place, and when a meter reads LO, you'd probably feel it... So I'm going to ask the standard questions: did you wash your hands immediately after and tried again to confirm the reading? Are your teststrips out of date maybe? Because LO indicates a severe hypo, and you don't seem too concerned about those.

Are you seriously ill...? Well, short answer is yes. Longer answer: You have been diagnosed with a condition that can cause a whole world of trouble, IF you don't tackle it head-on. And since you're here, I'm guessing the tackling-it thing is in the works. I can tell you all about various diabetic complications, but I'd rather tell you you can avoid them all together. It's possible, so if you've been googling medical disasters in the meantime: you're not doomed, you just have to re-learn how to eat, as your body isn't the usual standard-issue bod, and other rules apply. It really is, for the most of us, that simple.

With T2, you have trouble processing glucose out of your system. Carbohydrates, almost all of them, turn to glucose once ingested, so that includes not just straight sugar, but, for example, starches and fructose too. If you cut the carbs, your blood sugar levels go down accordingly. Your liver will try to compensate at first by dumping extra glucose into the bloodstream, but it'll get used to the "new normal" soon. And since carbs are one of the three macro-nutrients, you up the other two, (fat and protein) to still get all the nourishment you need. (Minerals, vitamins etc.)

The things you mention, high cholesterol, T2, high bloodpressure (and which you didn't mention, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) are all part of what's called Metabolic Syndrome. If you start eating in a new way, all those other issues can improve greatly too. So that's the big perk. I was off statins for cholesterol and medication for the T2 in a matter of months, and it could've been quicker because I made mistakes at first. (I didn't discover this place until later, otherwise it would've gone better and faster, I'm sure.). Things that are carby and should be avoided if you don't want spikes: Bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, cereal, corn and fruit (save for avocado, tomatoes and berries.). Stuff that won't spike you: eggs, meat, fish, above-ground veggies/leafy greens, cheese, full fat greek yoghurt, nuts, olives, butter, extra dark chocolate (85% or over), that kind of thing... Loads more info on sites like dietdoctor.com , which is free for the most part (It's been invaluable and I never even joined.).

Metformin is a strange beast.... It's got loads of benefits. And if you're sensitive to it, rather nasty side-effects. And if you do experience those and they don't abate after a week or two, then metformin isn't for you. You can try the slow release kind if that should happen though. And it seems like a lot of people avoid tummy-issues when they take it with food. For me, metformin wasn't an option, so that's why I found low carb eating early after diagnosis: I needed to do something to feel in control again as it was,, and as it turned out, a change in diet reduced the risk of complications more than just meds would. T2 is different for everyone, and you might do absolutely perfect on metformin. No way to tell beforehand. Some people go diet only, others need metformin or other meds to keep control of their bloodsugars, others are medication/insulin only... And I have to add that metformin reduces hunger and tells your liver not to dump too much glucose into your bloodstream: it doesn't do much about ingested carbohydrates. Anyway... It's all quite personal. But this is a marathon, not a sprint: you have time to find out what works for you. Your meter will help. If you test before a meal and 2 hours after the first bite, you shouldn't, ideally, be up more than 2.0 mmol/l. If you stay at 2.0 or under then that meal was perfect.

I hope this helps.
Jo

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jjraak said:

hi chris.

have to agree shopping does get more difficult, particularly early on when you just don't know WHAT to buy or look out for,

I have to be honest and say i'm not that experienced in the ways of the meters/measures, so if you don't mind i'll leave that to others more qualified.

As to that 'am i sick' question..personally i say yes.
that's why it's important to be diagnosed and THEN to take some actions.

The actions you take will impact on your health now and in the long term, that's why i was so grateful to arrive at this site.

I've read others stories, i seen the testaments from members of their own journeys back towards better health, and i've taken the opportunities given to read up on some facts i was not aware of re diabetes and food.

That is the jewel of the crown here, that chance to make your own decisions based on the facts and stories of real people
that i and possibly you can relate to.

Those first weeks were ever so gloomy, but now i've made those first steps, life's not so bad, my health and mood has improved dramatically from where i was when diabetes was first mentioned by the doctors..

Metformin can produce wind and diarrhea... as far as i know, but so far any issues for me have been pretty minor, but we all react differently to medication.

Hope you find the same help and comfort from the forum as i did.

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julie56 said:

Hi and welcome - you have come to a good place to learn about your diabetes and what you can do to improve your blood sugar readings. It comes as a bit of a shock at first, but the important thing to realise is there is a lot to learn and Rome wasn't built in a day. Diet and exercise are the two key things to concentrate on, but no need to rush in and overdo things. Watch carbs in particular - cut back on rice, pasta, potatoes, bread and cereals. Check what your body can handle by testing with your first mouthful and then again two hours later - blood sugars should return within 2 points in that time. Don't be overwhelmed with all the information you receive - it's a marathon and not a sprint. Metformin can affect the digestion a bit to start with, but if it continues over weeks get back to your doctor and ask for a slow - release type which can be better tolerated. Hope you soon settle in here - you are not alone!

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