Hi. I'm a newbie too, and we sound like we're in the same boat. I also have horrible health anxiety, and it has caused me a severe mental health crisis. I'm sorry I don't have any words of comfort or advice. I don't know what I'm doing, and have just been told I have high cholesterol too. Talk about insult to injury! Good luck to you. I hope things will get better
Many of us have been in the same boat as you and
@Bless M. I was diagnosed in July and the first couple of weeks were a whirlwind of fear, confusion, and numbers.....endless numbers.
I lurked here for 3-4 weeks, read through the forums, made some major changes to my diet and lifestyle based on the (what I know is now) amazing advice, and it's changed my life already.
It's difficult, but try to not panic and stress. This diagnosis doesn't have to be a death sentence, despite the best efforts of the NHS to make it feel like it for me. As you learn how to manage things, life becomes easier bit by bit, symptoms (if you have any) ease, and you start to see positive improvements. Don't see the numbers as good or bad, they're just information and you can then make informed choices based on them - that's the mindset I've tried to adopt.
Check out the Low Carb area on the forum (this is the diet I'm doing), loads of good info there. There's also a section for Low Calorie too, if low carb isn't an option for you. Don't be scared to ask any questions, you've found a resource here with so many helpful and amazing people!