New Member

[blackphoenix]

Hello,

Just been diagnosed as prediabetic and waiting to be referred to a program being run by my local health service. I’m 47 years old but have quite a few medical issues - deafness, Alopecia Universalis, Myasthenia Gravis and arthritis. I believe my major issue is the amount of weight I have gained over the last couple of years (about 2.5 stones) due to being limited on the amount of exercise I can take due to the Myasthenia. To give you an idea of the limitations, we have a small picket type fence in the front garden and I decided to repaint it last summer - I took it easy, it wasn’t a particularly hot day and I sat on a bucket to do it but the activity ended up knocking me flat for four days. It has made me very wary of overdoing things, last year I had to have more time off work due to ill-health than I ever have before and it is getting me down a lot. It basically takes all my effort to make it through the working week before being wiped out with fatigue at the weekends due to the MG. My medication also makes me vulnerable to being predisposed to diabetes too.

My mum was diabetic in her later life as was my nana and my husband was diagnosed as diabetic last May (2017) so I know the risks involved which make me very determined to fight back against this disease - I don’t want to add it to my growing list of ailments so any help and advice I can get will be greatly received.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Hi and welcome aboard!

I am tagging @daisy1 to come and post her introductory information for new comers. Please read it as it is full of useful and important information. Meanwhile, have a good read round the forum and ask as many questions as you like.

I can also add that whilst exercise is good for our general health, it is not essential for losing weight or controlling diabetes. There are many members here that can testify to that! It is more what we put in our mouths that matter.

 

[Rachox]

Hi blackphoenix, I can testify for diet and self testing with very little exercise leading to weight loss and control of blood sugar levels. My arthritis prevents me from intensive exercise. I’ve achieved this by adopting low carb eating which may be appropriate for you too. As I have lost weight I have found walking easier too perhaps you would get similar results?

 

[blackphoenix]

Thanks for the info x

 

[daisy1]

@blackphoenix

Hello Blackphoenix and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it both interesting and useful. Ask as many questions as you like and someone will be able to help.


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 well over 235,000 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

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.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

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 blood glucose 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.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.

• Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why
  
  
• Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
  

 

[blackphoenix]

Wow, fantastic thanks so much for all the information x

 

[Brunneria]

Hi and welcome @blackphoenix

I will tag in @JohnEGreen he has MG, and has successfully put his steroid induced diabetes into remission.

 

[blackphoenix]

Hi Brunneria, that’s very helpful, thank you so much, it’s really appreciated x