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Just diagnosed Type2, almost no advice or help given!

Hi. Low-carbing is pretty important to keep blood sugars at a good level. You don't have to have a high level of fat, but you will need enough with proteins to give you the calorie intake you need. If you have been gaining weight that possibly indicates your calorie intake is more than you need? I realise everyone's metabolism is different. You can try to keep the fats unsaturated such as oily fish and obviously statins can be taken if you are worried about cholesterol.
 
thanks Daibell, all ideas and suggestions welcome at this stage!

Think I will cut Cals down to 1300 (currently average c.1700) and keep on with te low Gi and see how I go, until I see Practice Nurse again early December and get my first Hba1c and Cholestrol results.

I do have a pretty healthy diet , and partner is Mediterranean, so lots Olive Oil, Fresh veg, Fish, Nuts & Seeds etc. I think until I start testing with a meter I can't be sure of anything, but do I think my diet is pretty healthy. Tho' I am quickly realising that reducing Calories and quantities of "good" carbs is probably the first thing to try.

Btw, anyone know if there's a "poll" function on the forum, so we can research/poll members' views on things such a "Best Meters" or "which diet works best for you?" etc. ??

:D
 
Conventional Wisdom also once said that the earth was flat, so I tend to be quite cynical about it these days :lol:

If you are worried about fat in the diet, I'd suggest reading 'The Cholesterol Con' by Dr Malcolm Kendrick or 'Why We Get Fat & What To Do About It' by Gary Taubes or even watching this Youtube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vr-c8GeT34

There are a lot of misconceptions about the HF part of LCHF. If you check out the Beginners Guide site, you'll find that it's probably very similar to the Mediterranean Diet in many ways. Personally I don't chow down on buckets of lard and don't particularly like really fatty cuts of meat. I get most of my oils from coconut oil, nut butters, olive oil, macadamia oil, avocados and full fat dairy.

http://www.dietdoctor.com/lchf

There is a guide to glucometers at the main site: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care ... guide.html

Best wishes,
 
Hi, Sorry to hear about your experience. My experience was completely different and i am being very well looked after by local medical centre. I'm booked to go on DESMOND course in 2 weeks time so hope to fill in any gaps or ask more questions then.

Nik
 
Thanks for the info Indy51 :D I'll add those to my already huge Diabetes/Diet book wishlist!

I decided to get a BG meter this afternoon, rather than wait 3 weeks for appt. with Nurse. Did my first test, 2 hours after lunch, and got a reading of 9.9, which seemed high given what I ate (1 slice toasted Burgen bread, 1tsp buttermilk spread, 2 slices ham, topped with egg fried in half tsp Olive Oil)? I waited an additional 3 hours and re-tested and was down to 5.6. I ate no sugars, bread or other starches at dinner, just a cheesey egg concoction, and still got a 9.1 after 2 hours. I realise the numbers aren't very high(compared to some!), but they are above the recommended 7.8, and with no carbs at dinner, so was a bit concerned/perplexed.

How often I should test as a newly dignosed Type 2 (can't afford loads of strips), and also which readings are the most important to monitor - the individual ones (i.e. after each mea)l, or the daily/weekly average?

Lastly, how many of you follow a "3 meals a day" plan, and how many of you eat smaller meals more often (e.g. a light bite every 4 hours or something?) and is there any evidence on whether frequency of eating/meal size has an impact on overall BG levels and Type 2 health?

Thanks again for help so far.
 
Hi, don't be too hard on yourself to begin with. i was diagnosed type 2 back in middle of september when my BS numbers were very high. it's taken until last couple of weeks to get them down to 5/6s. certain foods still spike my numbers and you are likely to be the same, so as the folks say on here eat to your meter. i only test once or twice a day now. are you taking medication?

good luck with it.

Nik
 
World Hereafter said:
thanks for your reply Dede, it's helpful to hear other people's experiences. Sounds like you have a good Nurse who is inerested in being pro-active in helping protect your health! Hope it goes well with your GP!

It amazed me to hear my nurse musing that quite a few symptoms of my "mystery illness" (her words!) of past 5 years very clearly match Diabetes symptoms .... yet I had never been tested, in spite of having so many signs - such as regular protein in urine, regular infections, recurring dizzy spells, recurring UTI's, rapid weight gain, Boils & chronic itchy/sore skin, extreme/sudden fatigue (yet I used to be out weekends hiking, swimming, dancing, Gym etc. prior to this illness), plus shakes, weird fuzzy headaches, regular numbness in hands and feet, terribly dry mouth (even my Dentist commented), constant thirst, plus I've developed kidney and foot problems last 2-3 years. Yet, I'd been told by more than one Doc that these symptoms were "probably hormonal" (I'm mid 40's and just had early menopause) and also been diagnosed with "extreme fibromyalgia" by hospital consultant. Not one Doc or Consultant or Nurse suggested or thought to check for Diabetes.

This has all happened while I was on a long term low Gi diet, which is why I now find the whole Gi/Carbs issue somewhat confusing, and am left wondering what on earth I should be eating, as I seem to have developed Type 2 Diabetes, and put on loads of weight, whilst being on the Gi plan 85% of the time for the past 10 years! Yet this same diet is the one I was told to stick to! :crazy:

I'm sure the learning curve for many of us newbies is going to be rather steep and eye-opening over the coming weeks and months!
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Didn't you realise that the moment a woman turns 40, everything from spots on your nose to rapid and irregular heartbeat is down to 'your age'? :wink: Women don't get sick, they get menopaused! :roll: Believe me, I've had just about every bl***y diagnosis but the right one over the past two decades and I feel like screaming at every doctor I see
Why the hell don't you DO something about the stupid diagnostic criteria for diabetes because you KNOW there are thousands of us walking about undiagnosed and taking stupid medications for the complications we're experiencing but NOTHING for the actual diabetes itself.
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... aaaaaaaaannnnnnd breaaaaaaathe ... :D
 
thanks Nik,
How are you managing your T2 since diagnosed?

And yes GraceK, it is infuriating when the Medical Profession just put everything down to being a "woman over 40" and write you off, without investigating your symptoms... grrrr! :wink:

Thanks to all responses so far.. this forum has been a Godsend since I was diagnosed last week and left in the dark by Nurse.

Tis hard to know what to expect, especially with BG tests at first... I have SO many questions still :crazy:

I'm not sure, but does BG test reflect only what has just been eaten, or does it reflect a kind of "cumulative effect" of meals over past days/weeks/months? Will these spikes lower over time as I stick to new diet? or do I need Meds?

I'm trying low carb/low calorie diet, eating under 100g carbs past 3 days, but still spikes up from 5.5's (pre-food) to high 9's on the 2hr tests, even after meal of just eggs/cheese. I'm not on any meds as yet, just told to diet and lose weight to start.

I know this probably sounds a bit thick, but can you use a lanclet for a whole day (cleaned with an antibacterial wipe), or do they have to be changed at every test?

Also, the test strips, is it REALLY essential to use a new strip for every singel test? They are SO expensive (my partner went out to get me some today and came back £28 poorer for a box of 50 .. GULP!) so I know that unless I get a prescription, I simply cannot afford to test pre & post each meal as many seem to recommend (that would be 6 strips per day - even more if i tested after snacks!) .. so does anyone have any handy hints and tips on the best way to use strips? or perhaps views on the most essential (bare minimum) times to test each day??

All answers most welcome!

:D

p.s. Diabell and Indy52, am now trying the Low carb plan you recommend.. rather than just low Gi.. am new to it, but am going for under 100g carbs, under 1400 cals, and only healthy fats (due the heart disease issue in family)... I'll see how it goes!
 
You can definitely re-use lancets - and since I have the trigger kind, I don't even bother to clean between 'cos it's not in contact with anything but me. I've heard lots of different advice about lancets, but the most common practice seems to be to keep using them until they get blunt or change (both before and after) if you're testing someone else's blood. I've even heard some people say they only change them on St Swithin's Day :)

You may find the following link useful re. testing and achieving normal blood glucose levels:

http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14045524.php

Actually, the whole Blood Sugar 101 site has a wealth of information and I'd certainly recommond new people read as much of it (or the book) as they can.

Personally, it didn't really make sense to me until I also started testing before meals as well, because that way you get both the "before and after" picture. I know strips are pretty expensive in the UK if you're self-funded, so here is also a link for testing on a budget:

http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com.au/20 ... udget.html

In my experience, it can take a few days or even longer for the changes in diet to have a sustained effect. Some people find it helps to eat small meals more often to "even out" the BG level. I also found it helpful to always try to eat a balanced meal, ie. similar amounts of carbs, protein, fat at each meal. Carbs eaten by themselves will generally have a much higher effect on BG than eating them in combination with other macronutrients. Also, it seems a fairly common experience that the fasting BG level is the last to normalise (if it ever does) because of dawn phenomenon.

Good luck with your quest for BG control :thumbup:
 
The HBA1C blood test which you'll have at your 3 month review is the one that measures the cumulative effect more or less. Our blood cells renew every 3 months and it measures how much glucose has 'stuck' to your blood cells over that period of time.

Here's a youtube video about it -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVp8P1Wx1TA
 
Hi. The spikes should reduce as the low-carb diet progresses but meds may be needed if that fails to get you down to the right level. Ref lancets, I personally wouldn't re-use them after, say, 1 day as the needle will be contaminated with body fluids, bacteria etc and re-using after a long period could increase infection risk a bit. Note that you can buy strips, and lancets, on the web at a discount and do go for suppliers that remove the VAT; they normally ask you to tick a box saying you have diabetes. You should be able to get near £20 possibly inclduing carriage. Some on the forum use the SD Codefree meter from Amazon which has very low-cost strips. Some have queried the accuracy but probably good enough.
 
Just wanted to say, Amazon do a BG test kit which is supposed to be very good, and the test strips for it are only £6.99 for 50. The meter itself is only about £12 too. I am planning on buying that one if I have no joy getting one from my nurse on thursday!

Hubby has an NHS test kit and he was told to change the lancet every 3 uses, and def a new test strip every test as they dont work twice.
 
Hey , I was diagnosed yesterday , been feeling terrible for months , although it was a shock I now feel confident that in time I will feel better , my experience wasn't amazing yet awful , middle of the road , but I think more questions will get answered next time when there is less to do and more time to chat , well hoping so !!
I've started on the drug metformin , I've had serious tummy trouble today , is that normal when starting ?? X
 
Upset tummy is very common when first starting to take metformin. Hopefully someone who has taken the drug successfully will be able to give you some tips on how to adjust your dosage and food (I believe a lot of carbs can make the side effects worse).

Good luck with it and welcome to the forum :)
 
Thanks again for the answers and help... this place should be where the NHS refer all newly diagnosed Diabetics!! :D

Have got raging head cold, sore throat, cough and temperature since yesterday, and am waiting to see if that affects my levels.. shame all my 'old' winter cold/flu meds have got sugar/glucose in them, so arre no use.. plus I'd normally have one or two hot toddys, or hot lemons with lots of honey, but that's out the window too now :roll:

btw, I contacted the manufacturers of my meter (Abbot, Freestyle Light) asking why their test strips are SO expensive to buy (Lloyds Chemist £28, Sainsbury's Chemist £30 etc) and they sent a nice reply stating that they charge £15 per box of 50, no more, and it's the chemists and retailers adding the 100% mark up, over which they have no control.

They said customers can buy direct from them, at £15 per box, half the price of 'over the counter' . Nice to know, and might be useful info for some of you (hopefully!)... but still too dear for me for regular testing as a newbie T2, so will be pleading with both the PNurse and GP when I see them, to give me some on prescription, at least for first few months, or I'll be getting the Codefree one as a few of you have suggested.

ok.. am off to make some Garlic-laden, flu-fighting, low carb soup! :D
 
Sarahbarker161 said:
Hey , I was diagnosed yesterday , been feeling terrible for months , although it was a shock I now feel confident that in time I will feel better , my experience wasn't amazing yet awful , middle of the road , but I think more questions will get answered next time when there is less to do and more time to chat , well hoping so !!
I've started on the drug metformin , I've had serious tummy trouble today , is that normal when starting ?? X
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Hi :)
and welcome.. and am sure you'll get lots of help and answers here.. I certainly have, only diagnosed last week.

like you, I was feeling ill for a long time before diagnosis. Looking back over past 4/5 years, ALL the signs were clearly there of Diabetes, but was never suggested or tested and my symptoms were constantly put down to other things, "older women's" stuff or just "complex" or "mystery" illness!

I'm wondering if I'm likely to be given metformin at next appt, as in spite of a week of utlra healthy eating, low carbs (under 110g most days) and and regular meals, am still getting BS spikes in the low teens on the 2hour tests, although first morning BS is a better 5 or 6 most days.
 
HI. Metformin standard version very commonly causes stomach upset which normally does settle eventually. I would be inclined to ask your GP to prescribe the Slow Release (SR) version which is much kinder. It is a bit more expensive but why the NHS keeps prescribing the plain version when it gives so many people problems is beyond me. For the plain version it is always best to have with food and possibly split the dose morning and evening if it's not split already; in principle you should check this out with your GP.

Hi World Hereafter. It's quite likely that you will be prescribed Metformin if you are having spikes in the teens and now you know to ask for the SR version!
 
Hi,

Unfortunately I have been newly diagnosed and now very confused due to lack of advice!!! I have been diagnosed with steroid induced diabetes and in hospital was started on tablets then it changed to a daily injection of insulin. however, on discharge a nurse came to see me and said that this was not appropriate and changed to a tablet and arranged for me to see my GP a week later whos only advice was to check my blood and book in with the diabetic nurse. however she never explained what I should be looking for..... the diabetic nurse said she thought it may pass and would treat me as a diabetic for now?? and would see me in six month for a review. The following weeks I was feeling quite poorly and was noting my bloods which were between 25-32 then my meter just said high. I went back to the GP who said it might be an infection, which it was but still I still have no idea what is normal, she said 25-32 was a bit high and gave me another tablet to takeso now I take two different tablets twice a day. I then saw the diabetic nurse who has said if the numbers are between 20-30 to test my urine and if it shows on the sticks she has given me to go back as I may need to take some insulin again, but if my urine is fine just to carry on. However, some days when it is very high I don't feel very well is this normal, as I new to this I have no idea?

Any advice much appreciated,

Newbie! :P
 
Hi Nichola :)

welcome, I'm newly diagnosed and new here too (last week) , and not on any meds just yet, so I hope some more experienced/knowleadgable folk will come along with some answers to help you.
 
World Hereafter said:
Hi Nichola :)

welcome, I'm newly diagnosed and new here too (last week) , and not on any meds just yet, so I hope some more experienced/knowleadgable folk will come along with some answers to help you.
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Probably best to introduce yourselves in a separate/new thread as you are more likely to get noticed and your specific questions answered there.

Welcome to the forum to the newcomers who are posting on this thread :D
 
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