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TINA JANE HARRIS

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Hi, i have just found out that i have type 2 diabetes, and im scared about everything, am i going to die soon? Im so confused and scared! Can anyone help me as i have no friends or family to turn to
 
Hi Tina and welcome to the forum :) No you're not going to die soon - we are all still alive here. :) Diabetes is really no big deal once you get used to it. You are not alone either when you are on here with us. Whenever you need to talk to a friend just login here. What you need is some information so you can get started and look after yourself. That way you can help yourself avoid complications as far as possible. It's all up to you...

Here is the information the Forum Monitors give to new members to help them get a good start in their management of their diabetes:

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS.

Postby sugarless sue » 02 Oct 2010, 17:49
Here is the advice that Ken and I, as Forum Monitors, usually give to newly diagnosed Diabetics. We hope that these few ideas gained through experience help you to gain control and give you some understanding of Diabetes. This forum doesn't always follow the recommended dietary advice, you have to work out what works for you as we are all different.

It's not just 'sugars' you need to avoid, diabetes is an inability to process glucose properly. Carbohydrate converts, in the body, to glucose. So it makes sense to reduce the amount of carbohydrate that you eat which includes sugars.

For more information on CARBOHYDRATE see here:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=20306

This is NOT a low carb diet suggestion, just a reduction in your intake of carbohydrate. You have to decide yourself how much of a reduction will keep your blood glucose levels in control.

The main carbs to avoid OR reduce are the complex or starchy carbohydrates such as bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, starchy root veg and also any flour based products. The starchy carbs all convert 100% to glucose in the body and raise the blood sugar levels significantly.

If you are on Insulin you may find that reducing the carb intake also means that you can reduce your dose of insulin. This can help you to keep weight gain down as Insulin tends to make you put on weight and eventually cause insulin resistance. This should be done slowly so as not to cause hypos.

The way to find out how different foods affect you is to do regular daily testing and keep a food diary for a couple of weeks. If you test just before eating, then two hours after eating, you will see the effect of certain foods on your blood glucose levels. Some foods, which are slow acting carbohydrates, are absorbed more slowly so you may need to test three or even four hours later to see the effect that these have on your blood glucose levels.

Buy yourself a carb counter book (you can get these on-line) and you will be able to work out how much carbs you are eating, when you test, the reading two hours after should be roughly the same as the before eating reading, if it is then that meal was fine, if it isn’t then you need to check what you have eaten and think about reducing the portion size of carbs.

When you are buying products check the total carbohydrate content, this includes the sugar content. Do not just go by the amount of sugar on the packaging as this is misleading to a diabetic.


As for a tester, try asking the nurse/doctor and explain that you want to be proactive in managing your own diabetes and therefore need to test so that you can see just how foods affect your blood sugar levels. Hopefully this will work ! Sometimes they are not keen to give Type 2’s the strips on prescription, (in the UK) but you can but try!!

For TIPS FOR STRIPS see here:

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=19002#p173253

If you are an Insulin user in theory you should have no problem getting test strips.

The latest 2010 NICE guidelines for Bg levels are as follows:
Fasting (waking and before meals).......between 4 - 7 mmol/l...(Type 1 & 2)
2 hrs after meals........................no more than 8.5 mmol/l.....( Type 2)

2hrs after meals......................... no more than 9 mmol/l ......(Type 1)

If you are able to keep the post meal numbers lower, so much the better.

It also helps if you can do at least 30 minutes moderate exercise a day, it can be split into 10 min sessions to start with. It doesn't have to be strenuous.

The above is just general advice and it is recommended that you discuss with your HCP before making any changes. You can also ask questions on the forum on anything that is not clear.

Finally a few QUESTIONS TO ASK AT DIABETES CLINIC.

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=17091



Sue/Ken.
Click to expand...
 
Hi Tina and welcome to the forum, I too felt like you and thought it was the end of the world and what would my kids do without me. I am now getting used to the idea but had a few bad weeks. Am back on track now and am sticking to the low carb diet (cant remember the name of the lady that has written it but am sure Sue or Ken will let you know who (the cheese and ham muffins are yummy and so are the blueberry muffins). Just wanted to let you know that its not that bad even tho some have bad times (mostly me). Please feel free to pm me if you need to, this forum is about support and information and I have certainly used it today :) Really hope you can get the help you need and deserve - ask to speak to a Diabetes Nurse and/or dietician, they will be able to help you sort out what you need to do.
 
Cheese & Ham muffins? I'm off to look for them!
 
Hi ,
I first showed symptoms about 15 years ago (weight loss , thirst etc ) and after a really bad case of 'flu I was diagnosed whilst working in Germany and spent a couple of weeks undergoing a full MOT in a Munich hospital - so to be honest I know how you feel ; a little scared , a little more mortal and totally confused between the horror stories and the overwhelming information.

Initially I went on to Insulin , which I found to be OK ; just a balancing act of numbers.

However when I moved back to the UK I was moved onto Oral medication , it is still a balancing act between medication , food and activity ; just over a longer period.

The secret is to remain positive , sort out the correct medication , keep taking them , cut down on the carbs (easyier said than done ) , keep an eye on the blood sugar and work closely with your doctor / nurse.

With Diabetes you are in it for the long hall ; life goes on , it is just more inconvenient.


"When wrestling with an aligator you don't stop when you get tired - you wait for the aligator to give up"
 
just to add on to the replies you may find some older people may ask you what your gonna do .
The answer is your going to live live your life quite normally just with a few tweeks of meds and a more healthy diet . You may find the elderly have got the persona of diabetes wrong (this is only to lack of understanding ) For once you can teach them something they don't fully understand . :lol: :lol: :lol:
Be happy. JF.
 
Re:new to insulin

Hi all .... Am due to start on insulin and wish to know can you just 'basal only' with insulin??? or do you have to do a 'basal and bolus regime together' ? Please can anyone advise? Anna.x
 
Hi Nigel and welcome to the forum :) Now that you have joined you are not alone any more and you can share your worries. Anything you need to know, just ask. Scroll up this thread and read the information I posted for Tina or, for your convenience, I have also put the link below. It will really help you to control your diabetes well. The information on diet and testing is particularly important.

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=17088#p155405
 
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