Hi I am on here because for 18 months now I haven't taken my diabetes seriously taken tablets eaten food I shouldn't I have had a terrible time my husband died last year he had skin cancer was told there was nothing they could do said he would live for aprox 8 months he lasted 5 months I just wasn't bothered about me I don't drink don't smoke so I get my comfort from food I am sorry to be on such a downer on here but I know I need help I want help my body aches from my feet to my head but I am now needing to sort my self out I want aqua aerobics yesterday and was due to start on insulin was shown how to inject in belly then was given prescription got pen , needles, yellow bins and not one instruction didn't realise insulin was in pen worked out to screw needle on end then turn to 10 units but to scared to it in case wrong seems only way to do it and not sure when best to do morning or evening can someone help please thank you Elaine
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Hi iam scared not taken my diabetes seriously enough
- Thread starter Elainehg
- Start Date
- Messages
- 11,767
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
Hello @Elainehg
Welcome.
@daisy1 posts info for new members, so expect that soon.
So sorry for your loss of your husband. I understand how difficult it is to care for yourself when someone you care for needs so much of your time. No wonder you are 'on a downer'. You have made the first step to helping yourself by joining here.
I don't know anything about insulin pens, but expect someone will offer advice soon.
I recommend aqua exercise as one who has limited mobility and a lot of joint pain. It really helps.
Hope you soon start to feel better.
sanguine
Well-Known Member
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- 3,340
- Location
- Devon
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
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- Diet only
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- Intolerance, career politicians, reality TV and so-called celebrity culture, mobile phones in the quiet carriage.
Hi Elaine, welcome and well done for coming on here 
I'm very sorry about your husband, and it's understandable that you have put your diabetes on the back burner recently. But you can get yourself back on track, and in time even reduce and minimise your meds with the right diet choices. I'm sure your husband would have wanted you to get your diabetes control back.
Have a good read around on here and ask any questions you want. Do you know what your history of HbA1c numbers is?
I'm very sorry about your husband, and it's understandable that you have put your diabetes on the back burner recently. But you can get yourself back on track, and in time even reduce and minimise your meds with the right diet choices. I'm sure your husband would have wanted you to get your diabetes control back.
Have a good read around on here and ask any questions you want. Do you know what your history of HbA1c numbers is?
I am really sorry I don't even know what you hbA1c numbers meanHi Elaine, welcome and well done for coming on here
I'm very sorry about your husband, and it's understandable that you have put your diabetes on the back burner recently. But you can get yourself back on track, and in time even reduce and minimise your meds with the right diet choices. I'm sure your husband would have wanted you to get your diabetes control back.
Have a good read around on here and ask any questions you want. Do you know what your history of HbA1c numbers is?
Thank you for taking the time to reply to me yes aqua was good going walking tomorrow I think once my body stops aching will do more
- Messages
- 23,618
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
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- Pump
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- Disrespectful people
So sorry for your loss Elaine.
It's terrible that they have not given instructions on how to take your insulin, we can't advise on such matters so you need to get in touch with your diabetes team and ask them how you should take your insulin and at what times.
Ok thank you I am going to go chemist where I got from this afternoon as doctors closed see if they can help thanks
daisy1
Legend
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- 26,457
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- Cruelty towards animals.
@Elainehg
Hello Elaine and welcome to the forum. I am so sorry to hear about your husband. To help you to look after yourself better, here is the information we give to new members even though you are not newly diagnosed, and I hope this will be useful to you. Ask as many questions as you like 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 over 130,000 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 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
Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes-and-whole-grains.html
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
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
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
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 bloodglucose 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.
Hello Elaine and welcome to the forum. I am so sorry to hear about your husband. To help you to look after yourself better, here is the information we give to new members even though you are not newly diagnosed, and I hope this will be useful to you. Ask as many questions as you like 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 over 130,000 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
Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes-and-whole-grains.html
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
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
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
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 bloodglucose 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.
sanguine
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 3,340
- Location
- Devon
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
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- Diet only
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- Intolerance, career politicians, reality TV and so-called celebrity culture, mobile phones in the quiet carriage.
That's OK - they are the 'average' blood glucose concentrations based on blood tests that you should have had at 6 or 12-month intervals. They will be numbers either in a range from 48 upwards (newer system using mmol/mol units) or from around 6% upwards (older system). Your GP practice should be able to provide you with them and it would help us understand where you are at the moment. We can help you manage this.
Hang in there Elaine, there's lots of people on this site that will help and support you.
K
Kat100
Guest
Hello Elaine
Firstly I am so very sorry for the loss of your husbsnd ...
You must be going through such a sad time , I don't expect putting yourself first came to your mind you have had very sad issues to cope with .
Hope you have support for yourself ...emotions and feelings are all powerful and sharing them as you know is often helpful ....
Don't blame yourself about food isues , just focus on getting the right advise on your insulin and or medication ...
Then when medication is all in place start to think of all the goals and things you want to do for yourself , and take one step at a time ...
Chat and ask as much as you like , you are always welcome here ...take care ...best wishes Kat ...
Firstly I am so very sorry for the loss of your husbsnd ...
You must be going through such a sad time , I don't expect putting yourself first came to your mind you have had very sad issues to cope with .
Hope you have support for yourself ...emotions and feelings are all powerful and sharing them as you know is often helpful ....
Don't blame yourself about food isues , just focus on getting the right advise on your insulin and or medication ...
Then when medication is all in place start to think of all the goals and things you want to do for yourself , and take one step at a time ...
Chat and ask as much as you like , you are always welcome here ...take care ...best wishes Kat ...
Patricia21
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 1,764
- Location
- Rochester Kent
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
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- Animal crualty
Hello and welcome.
So sorry to hear of your loss of your husband.
Everyone here will try to help you,stick with us.
Take care
So sorry to hear of your loss of your husband.
Everyone here will try to help you,stick with us.
Take care
- Messages
- 4,789
- Location
- Preston Lancashire
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Insulin
- Dislikes
- Cruelty to Animals/Children
Liars/Manipulators/Bullying
@Elainehg
You turned to food for comfort whilst scared when your husband was so ill .
Totally understand this - now you need to get yourself on track .
Time to care a little for you - yourself . (hug)
(bet he will be watching over you doing it)
Did a nurse or doctor teach you to inject ?
With the lack of instruction's you mention of .
Maybe you need to pop back and ask them to take you
through them all "again" if possible .
DSN - is a diabetic specialist nurse .
Just to explain this in case you are unfamiliar ?
Read through Daisy's welcome post - it is a good place to start at .
In terms of a guide to begin with .
Do keep asking any questions you feel/wish to here .
No question is a silly question either .
You turned to food for comfort whilst scared when your husband was so ill .
Totally understand this - now you need to get yourself on track .
Time to care a little for you - yourself . (hug)
(bet he will be watching over you doing it
)Did a nurse or doctor teach you to inject ?
With the lack of instruction's you mention of .
Maybe you need to pop back and ask them to take you
through them all "again" if possible .
DSN - is a diabetic specialist nurse .
Just to explain this in case you are unfamiliar ?
Read through Daisy's welcome post - it is a good place to start at .
In terms of a guide to begin with .
Do keep asking any questions you feel/wish to here .
No question is a silly question either .
Robinredbreast
Oracle
- Messages
- 18,446
- Location
- Planet Earth
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
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- Bullies, Liars, Trolls and dishonest cruel people
Stick with us, it's a wonderful forum for support
Take good care RRB x
Take good care RRB x
Daibell
Master
Hi. I'm very surprised that you haven't been given more support from your surgery. You must ask them to give you guidance or if they don't have a suitable nurse available then ask to be referred to the local diabetes clinic. If you have a pen then normally you dial up a small number and operate it to remove any air in the needle and then dial up the number of units you have been told by the GP/nurse, inject the needle and operate the pen. If you don't feel confident then any GP/nurse in the surgery ought to be able to guide you on this. The surgery should have told you when to inject i.e. morning or evening or twice a day; this will depend on the type of insulin prescribed. The pharmacy who prescribed the insulin should be able to help a bit in the absence of help from the surgery. When you have been given this guidance then do ask more in the T1 forum. I would be guessing to provide more advice at this stage as there are several insulin types and 'regimes'.
- Messages
- 11,592
- Type of diabetes
- I reversed my Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
I would be inclined to make an appointment as soon as possible to see whoever started you on insulin.
Before you go, write down every single question you think of, and get answers to those at your appointment. At the appointment, ask for clarification on your regime and ask them to write down what you are supposed to do; when you should inject, and how much.
Right now, I can understand tying thoughts together may be a challenge. Bereavement is such an all-consuming emotion. Many moos ago, I can recall receiving a phone call from my Mum, as few months after my Dad had died. She told me she had received the renewal for the house insurance, and she asked what she should do about it. My Mum was a lovely, smart, savvy, go-getting woman who had always worded as my brother and I grew up, and held down some serious jobs, but her grief sort of put her brain into slow motion for a while. My response to her question was to tell her to just pay it, and we'd do comparisons next time.
I feel for you, but of course if your bloods are running high (which I assume they must be for them to start you on insulin), that won't be helping your awareness either. So many people have commented here on starting insulin, and almost without exception they have said they have felt so much better, almost immediately. As soon as their bloods came into some sort of shape, everything just got better. Of course, that's not going to help you with your loss, but if underlying it all you're felling a bit better, the world might just seem a better place.
Stick with us though. This forum is a great support to it's members, and you will have experiences to offer us too.
Last edited by a moderator:
- Messages
- 4,789
- Location
- Preston Lancashire
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
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- Dislikes
- Cruelty to Animals/Children
Liars/Manipulators/Bullying
This will be a great step in the right direction @Elainehg
As you say your doctors was closed today.
Thank you so much kind words I took my insulin for the first time about an hour ago so see how we go and been on a good healthy shop salads and fruit and chickhen tested my blood before my dinner and my insulin and it was 8.9 best in 3 days so I am going to try my hardest go back doctors 20th February thank you Elaine
Thank you so much yes I must say my brain doesn't always work how it should but hopefully with a bit of hard work and a few changes I should feel a little better soon thank you
K
Kat100
Guest
I am so glad you are going back to your GP @Elainehg
Your meal,sounds nice ...
I can't really comment on insulin sorry about that ...because I don't have the experience ....
But will be here for support ...
There are many threads to chat on here ...you won't feel alone
And sometimes just having a chat about the weather , or anything you choose really helps ....
A great sense of belonging here ....x nice meeting you , chat anytime ...kat
