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I have a request for help with research I am doing

S

shehnaz

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hello
I am a type 2 Diabetic and though I was diagnosed in 2011 I suspect I had the condition much longer. I have had a hard time first accepting the diagnosis and then getting my head around life living with the disease. I try really hard to control it through diet and I started off on one metaformin and am now up to three. I try to get in some yoga practice a few times a week but I still have the neuropathy, I've developed acne, eczema, gum lesions and adhesive capsulitis and await whatever else because I can't seem to stop the inevitable.

Anyway in September last year I started a masters degree in psychology, for interest more than anything and I have to do research. I decided to do research on the disease in an attempt to understand myself and it a little better. I need to find participants who would be willing to help me out. So if you wouldn't mind helping me out then I would appreciate it. I just need to know you are willing and once I get the clearance for me to begin I will get in touch. For those of you who reply, thank you in advance.

On a personal note, and I have no idea why I didn't do it sooner, I am glad I have finally done this because there are times when I have needed to know I wasn't alone.
 
While your on the forum why don't you research the low carb diet ,because there in nothing inevitable about dieing from diabetes,you can lower your BG to healthy levels, mayby even reversing it like many forum members, start now
 
Hi @shehnaz

Welcome

I would be happy to help when the time comes. I think also that from what we can see in your introduction there will be many on here who think you could be getting much better results in your diabetic journey than you are to date. I suggest you have a look thru some of the forums re diet etc and if you have any questions or would like any suggestions just ask.

Also for you research @daisy1 will send you an information pack that may be of use
 
Thank you for responding. I am still finding my way around the forum and the site and its contents and I hope to find out more than I currently know now.
 
Hi, I may be interested but would need further info when you have it. feel free to contact me when you know the criteria & thesis you would be studying.
 
@shehnaz

Hello and welcome to the forum :) To help you with your diabetes and research, here is the information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you like and someone will be able to help.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

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 150,000 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

LOW CARB PROGRAM:
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/low carb program


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 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.
 
shehnaz said:
Hello
I am a type 2 Diabetic and though I was diagnosed in 2011 I suspect I had the condition much longer. I have had a hard time first accepting the diagnosis and then getting my head around life living with the disease. I try really hard to control it through diet and I started off on one metaformin and am now up to three. I try to get in some yoga practice a few times a week but I still have the neuropathy, I've developed acne, eczema, gum lesions and adhesive capsulitis and await whatever else because I can't seem to stop the inevitable.

Anyway in September last year I started a masters degree in psychology, for interest more than anything and I have to do research. I decided to do research on the disease in an attempt to understand myself and it a little better. I need to find participants who would be willing to help me out. So if you wouldn't mind helping me out then I would appreciate it. I just need to know you are willing and once I get the clearance for me to begin I will get in touch. For those of you who reply, thank you in advance.

On a personal note, and I have no idea why I didn't do it sooner, I am glad I have finally done this because there are times when I have needed to know I wasn't alone.
Click to expand...

If we can help in any way, just drop us a PM to @Giverny
 
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