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Just diagnosed

M

Morningbird

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi,

Sadly I’ve just been diagnosed with diabetes as my HbA1c came back at 76.

I‘ve bought a blood glucose monitor but haven‘t used it much yet. I have been reducing my carb intake and exercising. The weight is dropping off a bit if I skip breakfast but doesn’t seem to reduce if I don’t . Doctor was quite keen to get me on metformin but I really don’t want to take it. Feeling pretty low at the moment but keen to educate myself. I will have another HbA1c test in 6 months and a diabetic review. I’m 59.

Any advice on the best way to manage my diabetes? Thanks in advance
 
Hi and welcome to the forums. The best way to manage your diabetes is the way that works for you. High blood glucose is a symptom, not the disease, but high blood glucose over time can cause physical damage to nerves and capillaries.

There are options, though. My way was to refuse medication, reduce carbs to 20g/day, test my BG in the mornings, before eating and at +two hours afterwards, and at other times if anything out of the ordinary happened. The BG readings give you the information you need to focus any changes on the things that make the biggest impact. I kept a food diary and recorded my BGs in that as well. That worked for me. I didn't exercise at all then, although I do now, for fun.

I'm sure other people will have their own stories to share. The important thing is that any lifestyle that you can't work with long term will be of limited help.
 
Welcome @Morningbird
Most Type 2s adopt a low carb diet. There are lots of resources here on this website. Definitely ignore the diet sheet you’ve probably been given from your GP practice, as it’s usually antiquated. Also look at the posts on the forum that have suggestions on what to eat. Dr Ken Berry on YouTube has lots of advice on low carb/keto
 
Welcome @Morningbird and if it helps what works for me is not to eat in the mornings until at least mid morning or later. I also don't eat after 6pm at the latest so in effect I am fasting for 16 hours. This lowers my insulin which in turn keeps my blood glucose stable. This is just what works for me though, so you may be different. Ask lots and lots of questions on here so that you feel supported. It makes a world of difference x
 
Thank you so much for your quick and helpful replies. You’ve certainly given me food for thought, which is a lot lower in carbs than the real stuff. Felt pretty low yesterday but feeling more positive today.

Planning to increase my exercise and improve my diet and skip breakfast. Getting a bit less stressed about testing my blood. It was 11.3 two hours after dinner last night and 9.4 this morning when I woke up.

Going to read a lot on the forums and it feels a very supportive place already
 
You're only just starting out, and those numbers aren't as dramatic as some members have seen, post meal. ("Like 22.0..." She said, while looking as innocently as she possibly could, which wasn't very convincing). You're asking the right questions, and if you're going to go low carb combined with intermittent fasting, I do believe you'll see a change in those blood sugars very, very soon. It won't happen overnight, but it WILL happen.

https://josekalsbeek.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-nutritional-thingy.html might help some.

Good luck!
Jo
 
Just thought I’d update you on how things are going. The last two dates my blood sugar has been in the normal range before and after dinner and it was normal after dinner the day before that.

I am fasting 16+ hours, just black tea or coffee or water and my weight is going down. I noticed my gums haven’t bleed since I’ve been reducing my carbs so googled that and discovered bleeding gums are related to blood sugar being too high.

I was so over the moon at having two normal blood sugar days and am feeling much more motivated and positive. I am also trying to walk after every meal and introducing strength training along with other exercise.

This feels like a sustainable lifestyle and thanks once again for your support
 
Excellent stuff. Yes, blood not clotting is a high glucose thing as well.
 
@Morningbird that's wonderful news and will inspire you to keep on the right path. Intermittent fasting really does help enormously. I usually don't eat before at least 11am when I have a light meal/snack of something like a tablespoon of Greek yogurt mixed with some chia seeds and a couple of fresh raspberries or blueberries, or maybe even just a hard boiled egg, and half a dozen mixed Pecans and Walnuts. Fasting gives us control I feel and I have lost the urge now to snack between meals Keeping insulin from spiking is the incentive with me, so I just have one main meal per day and believe me I do feast then! I've lost a stone in a month without really trying too
 
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