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Hello...and A Bit Of Advice Please

ClaireyW2018

Newbie
Messages
3
Location
Leicestershire
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hello everyone. I’m glad I found you! My name is Claire, I’m 44 and live in Leicestershire.
Was diagnosed a month ago (hba1c 7.1%). Bit of a surprise as the GP hadn’t even told me he was testing for diabetes - I originally went to see him as I’d come down with my third cough/cold virus thing of the year and was getting a bit worried about my immune system and he’d only mentioned doing thyroid and full blood count! Anyway, he sent me away with some paperwork entitled ‘The Type 2 Diabetes Diet’ and told me to book in for further blood tests in three months time to see if my numbers have improved, if not - medication.
So, clearly a bit perturbed but decided to try and be positive and look at this as the motivation I’d been lacking to eat better, do more exercise and get some weight off (12st 7lb at that point, bmi 30).
A week later I read about the relationship between diabetes and high blood pressure and realised the doctor hadn’t taken it. Having suffered with high blood pressure before, I dug out my old home monitor to find it was sky high and it remained so over the next few days. Back to the GP. Saw a different one who immediately put me on Ramipril 1.25mg. ECG followed, this was normal, blood pressure as of Monday this week much better. Weight now down to 11st 12lb, so merely overweight rather than nudging into obese.
So that panic over, trying to bed into better eating habits. This is not easy, I love pasta and rice and toast. Hopefully have done better with breakfast (bran flakes, Oatibix), work lunches okay (salad veg with cold meat or cheese), dinner still needs some work, we eat far too many ready meals in the week.
Was experiencing some mild diabetes symptoms, bit of excessive peeing some days, eyes seemed a little blurry (or maybe I just need glasses). However, went to bed last night feeling normal, woke up around three hours later with appalling prickling in my hands and feet and a dry mouth and didn’t sleep much the rest of the night. Not improved this morning, made it to work for a few hours but continued to feel prickly and eyes worse so typing and screen staring were not working for me and I came home before lunchtime. I’ve been drinking lots of water (and consequently peeing) all afternoon and at this moment the symptoms are improving a little, but I am very nervous about what has caused this sudden increase in symptoms. Could it be the heat? Should I go back to the GP urgently? I’m scared to eat my tea in case it makes me worse again. Terrible timing, I’m going on holiday on Sunday.
Sorry to waffle so, but it has made me feel a little better to get all this out.
 
Hi Claire and welcome,

The symptoms you describe are symptoms of high blood sugars, but could be other things, too. I am sorry you are feeling this way, but we will do our very best to help you.

First of all you need your own blood glucose meter and test strips. With this you can do at least 2 things. When you feel awful you can test to see if high blood sugars could be to blame. Also, you can use it to guide you with your food choices. Testing before and after meals means you can see at a glance what that food has done to your levels and be able to adjust it accordingly.
The sooner you get one, the better it will be for you, I promise.

The most popular meters for self funding T2's are the Codefree and the Tee2 because the strips are much cheaper than other meters, and you need a lot of strips. You can't buy them in pharmacies.

Try here for the Codefree meter
http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-monitor/

and here for the extra strips
http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/sd-codefree-test-strips-to-be-used-only-with-the-sd-monitor/

There are discount codes if you buy in bulk. (applied at the check out stage)
5 packs 264086
10 packs 975833

The Tee2 is here and the meter is free.

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product-category/shop/tee2/

Don’t forget to check the box that you have diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for either meter)

Meanwhile I am tagging @daisy1 for her very useful information post.

Just one point on diet - all carbs turn to sugar once inside the system, and that includes breakfast cereals such as Bran Flakes and Oatbix. Best not to eat any breakfast cereals at all.
 
Hi Claire and welcome!
Just following on from Bluetit’s info about a blood sugar meter, I notice the SD Code Free is out of stock on Home Health but if you want to be sure to receive it before your holiday it is available on Amazon Prime if you have prime:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Codefree-G...F8&qid=1530116587&sr=8-2&keywords=sd+codefree
For me it’s saying delivery Saturday.
Be aware that it only comes with 10 each of the test strips and lancets so here’s a link for a pot of 50 strips not on Prime but Express delivery quoted as Fri or Sat:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/SD-Biosens...16730&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=sd+codefree&psc=1
And here’s a link for lancets on Prime:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/100-SteriL...e=UTF8&qid=1530116903&sr=8-3&keywords=Lancets
For further supplies it’s more economical to order from Home Health with the discount codes, but for now Amazon might be a better option for you.
 
Thank you both for your help. I had toyed with the idea of a monitor before, now I’m feeling rough you are right, I need one so I can see if high blood sugar is the cause. I don’t know why I would get high blood sugar in the middle of the night hours after I last ate. I will order from Amazon so I should have it all to take away with me.

I’ve decided not to rush to the doctor as yet unless I get worse, maybe see how I am by Friday.

I will have a rethink re breakfast. I quite enjoy a cooked breakfast but of course on work days cereal is nice and quick. I suppose scrambling a couple of eggs doesn’t take much longer though, and at weekends when I have more time I can try and come up with more ideas. People on here talk about Burgen soya and linseed bread being good so will have to get some of that, maybe I don’t have to completely give up toast.

What strikes me is how much conflicting information there is around. Clearly if you Google things you are likely to get 20 different answers. It also sounds like a lot of GPs are not very helpful with practical advice. Thank goodness for places like this!
 
For breakfast everyday I have this low carb coconut ‘porridge’, not real porridge, not a grain in sight!
https://www.dietdoctor.com/recipes/keto-coconut-porridge
Once I’d memorised the recipe it’s really quick, get all the ingredients in the saucepan and it takes as long as my Nespresso takes to brew a coffee to cook!
 
People on here talk about Burgen soya and linseed bread being good so will have to get some of that, maybe I don’t have to completely give up toast.

I eat Burgen and it is delicious toasted with lots of butter. However, bread is my main danger food. Half a slice does nothing to my levels, but a whole slice does. You may find you are OK with it, but only a meter will tell you.

The problem with breakfasts is if you suffer with higher levels when you get up (dawn phenomenon) and rising levels during the morning, caused by insulin resistance, eating carbs for breakfast only exacerbates the problem. Eggs are good, a fry up is good, or cold meats, cheese, or anything fatty. A cheese omelette, or a few mushrooms are fine for most of us. Some people have a couple of strawberries with double cream or full fat yogurt (or half a dozen raspberries), but my pancreas doesn't like fruit so early in the day. I just have a decaf coffee with double cream, but I don't have to face a day at work thank goodness. :)
 
First of all enjoy your holiday and try to relax. Then the advice others have given already is sound. If you have time and WiFi spend a couple of evenings exploring this site - it may seem overwhelming but there is a lot of consistency.
It has made a massive difference to me.
 
@ClaireyW2018

Hello Claire and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you need to and someone will be able to help.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 235,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.

  • Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why

  • Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
 
Hi @ClaireyW2018 perhaps see the second doctor again. You might need things like an eye check and some initial advice on diet.
When I was first diagnosed many moons ago in Australia ( and I am sure as most doctors in the UK would do) I had the following checked: weight, blood pressure, examination of my feet, and checking of pulses in feet, and eye check, urine test..
none of this just handing out a 'self-drive' instruction booklet and see you later !!
You deserve better than how you were first treated. And I am uncertain about how you obtain education over in the UK but as others will help there I shall just emphasise there is enormous benefit for you from education about diabetes, diet etc.
 
Thanks everyone for your input. I am now feeling much better than I was the other day, if not quite ‘normal’!

I now have my glucose monitor. My first two attempts to use it resulted in error messages, but third time lucky and now think I’ve got to grips with it. First thing this morning (i.e. fasting) was 8.1, which I found a bit alarming. Three hours later, pre-lunch, having eaten nothing but drunk a lot of no added sugar Ribena (my staple drink, thank god my addiction wasn't to the full sugar variety) it had gone down to 6.5. Two hours post lunch (3 chicken sausages) it was 9.9. I feared it might be higher, but presumably I should lay off the chicken sausages in future as that is still too high according to the guidelines I’m looking at.

I’ve booked a GP appointment for the last week of July, still a few weeks away but better than the follow up due at the end of August, so at least I know I have one if I struggle with symptoms and bad numbers, and I’m feeling a bit calmer.
 
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