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It never rains.........

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marvkat

Well-Known Member
Messages
49
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hi All,

I was diagnosed type 2 a couple of months ago, massive shock as I'm only 29, and have been tying myself in knots a bit reading lots of different stuff and trying to do everything at once, like address my diet, stop smoking, increase exercise etc all with limited success!
I have a meter and have been testing somewhat sporadically but never getting readings over about 8.5 even if I eat something very carby (although this could be due in part to the sporadic/selective testing!)
I discovered last night that the alopecia I suffered several years ago has started to return, which has completely knocked me for six and made me feel helpless. I know there are things I can do to take control but where to start? Is food/sugar monitoring more important than smoking? Should I really up the exercise and let other things follow? I know the real answer is all of the above but I'm clearly not coping well as my hair is dropping out in clumps!
Also is there any connection between alopecia and diabetes? Does anybody else suffer with this?
Sorry for ranting just sometimes helps to write it all down!
 
Hello Marvkat

The experts will be along shortly with lots of advice. I have only been diagnosed for 12 weeks and felt just like you, in a spin, boggled and not sure what to tackle first.

I found the most important thing was to get my diet right. Then I felt better and more in control and had the energy to tackle the other things. Stopping smoking is a big thing to tackle, I stopped 8 years ago. I would suggest that is the next step to go for.

Testing your blood sugar levels is vital. I test just before a meal and 2 hours after a meal, so I know what food are safe for me to eat, and what food make my sugar levels go high. I keep a record of everything I eat and the quantities so I can trace my blood sugar results to what i have eaten.

The main thing to do is to reduce your carbohydrates a lot. Someone will post a proper message with all the info you need to get started soon.

Best wish, and welcome. Its a great support group here and no question is considered silly. I'm afraid I dont know about your hair loss, but someone here is sure to know something.
 
Thanks for the quick reply Lucy. I've read a lot and have got my head around low carb I think in terms of what I should be eating. I think what is the hardest is that it feel like to do it properly it needs to take over my life entirely which I think I am resisting somewhat, so I have sort of been low carbing half heartedly and testing quite a few meals but not writing things down. I know I need to take the bull by the horns and just get on with it but it all seems so huge.
 
This is probably not what you want to here but:

Yes, it is a complete life-changer. Grabbing the Bull by the horns is one of the more successful ways of dealing with it and getting control.

But you are not alone, we are all here, in this together, learning and sharing and supporting each other.
 
Lucy is right, it's not a short term solution, but a complete lifestyle change. That sounds daunting, but it needn't be. Think of it this way; the lifestyle you have now, had to be 'acquired' so why not begin a completely new one?

My own experience is, once you get into the swing of the new lifestyle, it becomes as day to day and mundane as the one you have now will feel. To get there, sure you will have things crop up. Initially I had quite bad carb cravings, I never get them now. I also went straight to ultra low carbs, so had to deal with 'Atkins flu'. Staying in ketosis means I have never had to go through it again though.

The changes do take a little time, and determination, but my lifestyle now, is as usual and normal as my old unhealthy one was back then. We are adaptable creatures, so once we make the change I found it was pretty easy and comfortable to stick to.

A quick Google found this article about diabetes and alopecia: http://www.alopecia.com.au/articles/221 ... Page1.html
 
Thanks for your replies.

I do understand that their isn't a quick solution and that addressing this requires an entire change of lifestyle. What I am really struggling with is where to start making changes as trying to do everything at once isn't working so I end up giving up on it all. I can only assume that it is the stress causing my hair to have started falling out again. Last time I lost somewhere between a third and half of the hair on my head in patches and was thoroughly miserable and I just know that is what is on the way again.
I feel like I just need some help to make 'baby steps' so I can get to the complete lifestyle overhaul gradually.

I'm sorry for being so whinny, I'm even annoying myself! I'm just terrified I'm never going to get a handle on it all.

Thanks again for listening
 
Hi Marvkat

I have only been diagnosed for around 4ish weeks. As soon as I was I found this site and signed up. I immediately stopped eatin bread, pasta, potatoes and rice. I eat meat or fish with veggies and salads for lunches and dinners and if you snoop round shops you can find quite a lot to eat.

I have gone from levels of 10- 13 down to 5 - 6 and still working on getting them down just a little more.

This is the best place to be as far as I am concerned, everyOne is very helpful.

Scot
 
Hi marvkat, one thing at a time, you can't expect to do it all at once. I was diagnosed 6 mths ago. I began low carbing within days of finding this forum. I am now stopping smoking, it is important you stop not just for the usual stuff but for your circulation too. Worrying can cause bs to rise too.
So don't worry about stopping smoking, get the low carb stuff going first, read the forum, you will find excellent advise. Take care of that and your BS then stop smoking.
Exercise can be a great stress reliever too. Just walking for 15 mins a day then build up.
Good luck
 
Thanks for all your responses. I went 2 and a half weeks smoke free and then cracked at the weekend :( but I think I'm going to try to keep up a no smoking in the car or at work rule and then not worry too much the rest of the time (for now).
I'm also going to get myself a diary and start writing down what I've eaten and my BS regularly as a first step, I think noticing patterns will help spur me on to stick to the right stuff.

I have an appointment with the Dr on saturday about my hair, I've found a few links suggesting there may be a link between alopecia and type 1, anyone any experience of this? I'm pretty certain they've got my diagnosis right (I'm classic type 2 body shape, very overweight and have had polycystic ovaries for years which effects insulin resistance) but would it be worth pushing them to check its not type 1 or LADA in light of this?

I could easily be falling into the 'blame everything on diabetes' trap and it probably is just the stress just want to make sure.

Thanks again everyone for your imput, starting to feel much more positive :)
 
I stopped with the cigarettes 30 months ago before I was diagnosed with type 2, I would be in a right pickle now if I had not, as It would be Diet and smoking to deal with, I don't know what you folks have tried to quit the weed, but if you are anything like I was!! it was the full NHS arsenal of potions and patches and every one failed. Until 30 months ago, I saw an ad for an E-Cig which got me thinking, I had seen them before but just passed them off as a gimmick, but I thought to myself hey what the heck I have tried everything else so give it a shot. 3 days later it arrived, the first time I used it I thought the Holy Grail at last something that I know will work as it gives you that hit in the throat all us smokers miss. I have never touched another cigarette since and while I did have the odd moment of feeling like a cigarette I never gave in. I still use it, but on 5mg of nicotine now and mainly for the flavours I put in, I can have the taste of apple pie and many others but not the Sugars, and at least I am not Killing myself now. I would suggest you read up on them as I did and form your own opinion. They are not marketed as a cessation product for various legal wrangling s with MRSA and FDA because they claim they have not been clinically tested and the major drug companies would lose billions because unlike the **** they throw at you, these work. if you would like more information on them PM me I will be glad to give you some pointers on product and usage.
 
I have tried loads of things to give up smoking but when I first tried there was no help out there now there is but I put on so much weight when I tried before so now I am going to lose weight first and then my next goal is to give up smoking and I may try what you suggested.
 
Hi Marvkat.
It does take time to let things sink in and gradually get your head around things.
You will find you slowly adapt , making daily discoveries and changes to your eating plans
activities, and your everyday routine/ lifestyle.
Taking it all step by step is the 'best' route and way through the confusion and mine field of
living with your diabetes condition.
Try setting yourself 'small doable' goals and read up on as much as you can .
Pick out the issues and bits that bother you the most , its very much an individual self
management journey.
Remember to ask all the questions you feel/need to.
There is always someone who will be willing to help and support you here.
Anna.
 
To maintain your metaphor, "every cloud has a silver lining." Diabetes will motivate you to look after yourself better, & adopt a healthier lifestyle.

While we would much rather not be diabetic, many of us have commented that diabetes did provide that motivation, & our general health has improved.
 
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