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Learning So Much!!!

A

aly 657

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Hi everyone,
I joined the site two weeks ago, as a very confused newbie (still am somewhat confused, but much more informed that i was!) i wanted to say how fantastic this forum has been in helping me learn the ins and outs of diabetes, and to dos and donts. Im really shocked by the differing advice everyone seems to get from their HCP, its a really worrying theme, and i still have had no advice whatsoever from any HCP about how to get sugars dwon, its only through reading on this site that i am managing them, as far as i can tell, im keeping them between 6.5 and 8 most of the time, the odd lower and higher, but no extremes,i think this is this what im meant to be aiming for???
trouble is, it really feels like im on an actual diet, as i feel very restricted about what i can and cant eat, and really feel like im going to need help from a dietician soon, because its unrealistic for me to think i can carry on like this, its a recipe for failure when i feel so restricted!! i need to know how to live with diabetes, rather that it be my life!
I sometimes think the doctor has got my diagnosis wrong, as my sugars seem ok, but then i remember they are only ok because im making them that way, and if i ate as i used to, (which really wasnt that unheathily anyway) i guess they would just go up again, and i would feel poorly all the time again!!
Sorry, guys, im just trying and sometimes struggling to get my head around it all, its just hitting home that this is forever!
This site is such a great place for a vent of steam, sorry if ive gone on a bit, it reads like a bit of a rant now!!
aly
 
My HCP instructed me that my morning reading (fasting) should always be UNDER 6.0. Initially they averaged around 6.2-6.3 and I was ticked off soundly. At the moment I can be anywhere from 4.4-5.8 and would like them under 5.0 as often as I can. My personal choice is to be under 6.0 at any time.
Sounds like you are doing very well for a newly diagnosed with little advice from you HCP to date. Well done!
 
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines recommends bg targets for Type 2s as follows:

4 - 7 mmol/l fasting or before meals;
less than 8.5 mmol/l 2 hours after eating

Fasting in the 5s would be great, but I seldom manage it first thing in the morning because of something called the 'Dawn Phenomenon', which is basically your liver giving you extra blood glucose as you start to wake up, to make sure you're ready for the day. There's lots of info about that on here if you search for it. Under 7 is satisfactory; lower would be great.

If you stick to controlling your carbohydrates your blood glucose will come down. It is difficult at first to get used to limiting carbohydrate foods, but instead, think of what you CAN eat - eggs, cheese, meat, fish, a lot of vegetables including salads, some fruit particularly berry fruits. It's a lifestyle not a diet, and some things that you used to eat every day are now relegated to 'occasional treat' :(

I nearly succumbed to a chocolate digestive after cutting the lawn this morning, but at nearly 11g carb per biscuit I put the packet back into the cupboard unopened. I'll save it for when my brother comes next month. You have no idea how heroic I feel for that! :lol:

Keep at it, Aly - cut the carbs and keep testing. It gets easier as you get accustomed to it. Use your meter and your carb counter book, and don't despair.

And if you need a rant, this is the place to do it!

Viv :D
 
Hi im glad your getting to grips with your diabetes. I was diagnosed last week and nobody has even talked to me about testing, maybe they are letting me get over the shock first. I am on the british diabetic site diet and have lost about 8 lbs in a week, i dont know if this is even right but???? Im sure ill learn more as i go along, take care, Mike :wink:
 
Hi,
Confusing isnt it, bg levels, carbs etc etc etc. Shame how frail we are at the end of the day. Good luck with your diet and I hope that you can become someone with a 4.5 reading :P every day
 
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