Just been told this afternoon that i have diabetes.

[Ann100]

I have just found out this afternoon I have diabetes. I feel shell shocked, embarrassed, ashamed, scared, angry and guilty. And I feel alone….. I am on my own and don’t want anyone to know, so, how do I deal with this????

 

[sally and james]

Welcome Ann100! Everyone feels just like you are doing at the moment at first. It takes a while to sink in, but you can deal with it. For many on this forum it has been the beginning of a new, healthy, slim and active life. A wake up call. Someone will be along soon with the official information for newly diagnosed, which is really helpful. Meanwhile, dip in and out of a few things on the main site, there is loads of information there and ask all the questions you want to - even silly ones!
In a few months time, you will be comforting new arrivals and answering their questions, so don't despair - it can only get better.
Sally

 

[Bluetit1802]

Hello Ann and a warm welcome to the forum.

What you are feeling is perfectly normal, and is down to shock, because it is a shock. However, these feelings shouldn't last long and you have arrived in the right place for help and support. Have a good look round, do as much reading as you can, and please, please, ask as many questions as you wish.

 

[Crimsonclient]

Hi and welcome ann it may seem like a lot to get your head around and to be honest it is. But it's not the end of the world and you shouldn't be ashamed of it hopefully @daisy1 will be along soon to give you her normal welcome message


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

 

[Squire Fulwood]

I have just found out this afternoon I have diabetes. I feel shell shocked, embarrassed, ashamed, scared, angry and guilty. And I feel alone….. I am on my own and don’t want anyone to know, so, how do I deal with this????

One thing is for certain, you are not alone.

Acceptance of the diagnosis is difficult at first and most of us go through a "why me" stage followed by "they have made a mistake".

Read as much as you wish to of posts on this site to see if there is something practical you can do right now. Once you understand more about your condition you may not feel so bad.

 

[minidvr]

Hi Ann, welcome. Just remember that you aren't alone, everyone here has had a similar shock at some time and it does take time to adjust. There is a lot of scare mongering goes on in the media about diabetes and while there are risks, if you are sensible and determined, you can gain good management, particularly through diet and exercise (my choices that are working) and lead a relatively normal life.

There is loads of information here on so many topics that exploring the forums is recommended. And my only advice is that listening to the health professionals, who trot out the party line about diet is advised, but some of the advice may not be up to date with the latest ideas on treatment, diet or medication.

There is a forum where they provide a list of questions to ask your doctor or diabetic nurse (DN) when you next see them to clarify things. They might tell you that you don't need to test blood sugar as type 2, but that doesn't give you any peace of mind. I bought my own testing machine and test strips and test regularly to get to know what foods effect my blood sugar (the list isn't exhaustive) so that I can either avoid them in future or moderate my consumption of them.

The other thing to be aware off is that getting a cold or infection of some sort can push you blood sugar up, but normal levels will resume as the infection clears.

Good luck as you get used to the diagnosis and treatment and management regime. And use the forums, there is a huge fount of knowledge on them, loads of people who can answer any conceivable question that you might have.

 

[Drummer mum]

Hi Ann. It is a shock. I am newly diagnosed (4th week now) but I must say you will find lots of reassurance and help through others on this site. I've been dipping in daily and reading through all the great information available.

I can honestly say that since being diagnosed I have never felt so many different emotions and they change hour by hour! Take it day as it comes and things will settle. As I said I'm only four weeks post diagnosis and I started on Insulin but yesterday came off that and went onto tablets as my pancreas is still producing a little of it's own insulin.
don't be worried about asking questions as on this forum you will get lots of support.

Best wishes


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[mo53]

Hello Anne. You are in the right place here. The people on this forum are kind, knowledgeable and actually have their own experiences to draw on. I was feeling just like you a minth ago but feel so much better now.

 

[Daibell]

Hi and welcome. You may not yet realise just how many diabetics there out there so you are not alone. In one sense think of it as just another condition or illness. Although, yes, it can be serious, it is a condition you can take control of whereas there are so many other conditions you can't easily control. Over the next few weeks as your thoughts settle and they will, do ask questions so we can help you take that control.

 

[Ann100]

Thank you so much, each and every one of you for taking the time and trouble to try and reassure me and lift my spirits.
I am in shock, that’s without a doubt. I have a million negative emotions and unanswered questions running through my mind. I feel exhausted to be honest. But it is encouraging to know that this will ease and hopefully pass over the next few months. So thank you.
I have read a lot on this site already and still feel confused…. I see the nurse next week so I am in the dark really till then!
I asked GP, if once I have lost the excess weight, would I still have diabetes, or would I then no longer be labelled as such. He said, I wouldn’t be, but this site says it’s a life long illness. Can anyone clarify please?
Also, when he did my first blood test two weeks ago, my result said I was 53, but when he repeated it this week it was 49. I have lost 101bs since my first result. Is this why my result has dropped? And, if so, does that not suggest that as I loose more weight, it will drop more and more, taking my result well below the 48 diabetes indicator?
I am a vegetarian, and I am currently counting points with weight watchers. Can a diabetic diet work along side these other two diets?
Do I have to avoid carbohydrates or increase them?
Can I still have the occasional treat i.e. chocolate?
If anyone could please answer these initial questions it would help. Thanks

 

[daisy1]

Hi and welcome ann it may seem like a lot to get your head around and to be honest it is. But it's not the end of the world and you shouldn't be ashamed of it hopefully @daisy1 will be along soon to give you her normal welcome message


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

Hello Ann and welcome to the forum

Here is the information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask all the questions you like and someone will be able to help you.

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 100,000 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

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.

 

[Squire Fulwood]

Diabetes can be controlled by diet and exercise and you could possibly appear to be non diabetic if your control is good but if you go back to your old ways then you are likely to get the sugar levels of a diabetic again. Yes it is a life long condition but you can do a great deal to stop it getting worse.

Losing weight certainly helps but you have to be prepared to continue in that vein. A change in life style which is sustainable is needed and definitely no yo-yo dieting.

The drop in your numbers from 53 to 49 could be due to your weight loss but could be due to what you have been eating. If you continue with a new lifestyle then you could go below the magic 48. This indicates good control and not a cure.

 

[JohnD54]

Ann100, I am no Expert on the matter as was only diagnosed my self mid May, and went though the whole gambit of emotions that you described, not so any longer.

I have along with many other on this forum decided that it will not control me and am taking it by the horns as best I can.

Diet wise I don't know how to advise a vegetarian but I am sure someone will give you information shortly.

As to what not too eat that's a bit easier, anything with high carbs or sugar.

Has anyone suggested a meter to test your BG, that way you can test what foods are good and bad.

Don't let it get on top of you, fight back and control it.

Good luck and ask away, I have most probably,posted some silly questions, but always get a response.


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[Ann100]

Thank you for all this info. It is very helpful. And thank you for explaining my test results to me and the future re lifestyle changes. I really cant let my weight slip back up can I. I have yo yo'd all my life so its a big change in that way alone

 

[Ann100]

Thank you John. Your post too has been very helpful. I have seen a few messages about a meter. What is BG though? And I have looked on google and there are so many different meters.... its a mine field.

Sugars and carbs... right..... it really will be a total change for me. I have no option other than tackle it head on and make changes

 

[Crimsonclient]

BG is blood glucose, when I comes to meters it depends if your gp will supply you with strips. If they will, then there are plenty on the manufacturers websites free of charge but tell them you take insulin then you won't have a problem getting one. If they won't a lot of members use the sd code free meter as the strips are cheap to buy yourself


Type 2 diagnosed 24/01/2013.
NovoRapid, Lantus, Victoza, Metformin (sr), Simvistatin

 

[JTL]

I have no option other than tackle it head on and make changes

That's the perfect attitude ... not the one I had I must confess.
The changes as you start making them aren't all that drastic.
Seems daunting at first but as you slowly change things you discover you're still you and you're still enjoying your food ... slightly different food but plenty of it usually.

 

[jack412]

Most people go nuts the first week, I know I did. It's a hell of a shock.
The second week you go on a health kick and clean out your pantry of carbs. lchf is a term you will come to understand

 

[Ann100]

Thanks Jack, but what is ICHF?

 

[Ann100]

BG is blood glucose, when I comes to meters it depends if your gp will supply you with strips. If they will, then there are plenty on the manufacturers websites free of charge but tell them you take insulin then you won't have a problem getting one. If they won't a lot of members use the sd code free meter as the strips are cheap to buy yourself


Type 2 diagnosed 24/01/2013.
NovoRapid, Lantus, Victoza, Metformin (sr), Simvistatin

Ok, thanks. Its all confusing at the moments, but once I see the nurse on Tuesday, I hope it will make more sense