Newbie needs a bit of help

[sdgray22]

I have just been diagnosed type 2 fasting blood level of 12. I had my first appointment with the practice Nurse last Thursday. What a disappointment. I knew more than she did. On my original visit I had been told by a doctor to go on a low sugar diet, which I did gave up everything sweet in any way whatsoever. I thought I would get help and supervision and at least some instructions what to do. Not a bit of it. she asked me when I had last eaten and i said hour and half ago a bowl of cornflakes semi skimmed milk and no sugar. She did a blood test with her monitor and it was 18 she immediately started writing prescription for Metformin two tablets a day to start. Gave me three leaflets and said see you in two weeks. Not a word about what to eat, exercise or what happens next. Oh she did give me a number for DESMOND (some sort of nutrition course at the local hospital) When I rang them they said there are no courses at the moment and they do not know where or when the next one is. Basically they are just ticking boxes. Have you done a diagnostic fasting blood test tick yes, has your practice nurse seen the patient tick yes. Have you given them the required information tick yes Have you prescribed medicine tick yes. Have you given them the next appointment tick yes. Have you helped them or made them feel more comfortable or knowledgable about their condition NOT EXACTLY. and the tablets give me almost uncontrollable diarrhea after eating. Not happy at the moment, sorry about the rant.

 

[daisy1]

Hi sdgray and welcome to the forum Unfortunately newly diagnosed diabetics often don't get much advice about what to do. Never mind, we are here to help. Here is some information which we give to new members which, I hope, will fill in most of the gaps. If you have any questions, please ask as there is usually someone who will have an answer.

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 30,000 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

Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes ... rains.html

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

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.

 

[Grazer]

Hi there! It's a nightmare at first, but it does get easier. Remember, ALL carbohydrates turn to sugar in the blood, some worse than others, so it's not just about cutting out sugar. Cornflakes have the same carbs as other cereal, but on the packet you'll see "of which sugars are...", and there's quite a high sugar content. I tend to eat shredded wheat - same carbs, almost zero sugar. Others go carb-free at breakfast and have eggs, ham etc. Daisy will be along soon with her advice for newcomers, so do look at that carefully, it's good advice.
By the way, some things can have NO sugar, but their carbs can be almost as bad as sugar. White bread is a classic! Even brown bread isn't much better!
Good luck and welcome!

 

[Grazer]

Said Daisy would be along soon - didn't know it would be before I finished sending!! Well done Daisy!

 

[alliebee]

Hi there and welcome,

I do understand what you are going through at the moment, as I am still a newbie to the site, of just a couple of months, There are some fantastic friendly people on here, who will gladly give you lots of sensible advice and support just like they did with me ( and are still doing :lol: )

I think you will find that most questions you have will be answered, sometimes with posts that will make you laugh and, you wont feel alone, I promise, we have all been where you are, and remember it well.

Things will get easier once you start to understand it all, and wont seem so bad/

Wishing you all the best
Alisonx :thumbup:

 

[sdgray22]

Thankyou. Rant over, I am off to buy a meter so I can check my levels and work out what is going on. Sure that will help it will probably frighten me at times though. I have read about carbohydrates just have to study it all a bit more. I will keep reading the forum thanks again
Sharon