Newbie

[janwhy]

Hi everyone,

I had my GTT done 2 weeks ago and have been diagnosed today with type 2 diabetes. I have been prescribed Metformin @ 500mg twice a day. I have to see the Practice Nurse on Friday for her to go through everything with me. I also have quite a few other medical conditions which don't help with exercise etc.,.

High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Sleep Apnea, Asthama, Sarcoidosis in both Lungs, Fibromyalgia, Planta Faceitis, Dry eyes,. I take a lot of meds. including Steroids, which I have read are not good for weight or diabetes. I think that's about it or I forgot I now have DIABETES. I am 54 years young ( dreaming again) feel 90 some days.

I have some knowledge about Diabetes as my mother was a diabetic and also my uncle is, they were/are on insulin, which is what my GP said I would eventually have to go on in the future. Still need help as this is my problem and I have to deal with it'

Look forward to reading posts and will join in as when I am able to.

Janwhy

 

[daisy1]

Hi Janwhy and welcome to the forum I expect you have a lot of questions even though you have already got some experience of diabetes. The Forum Monitors have written some basic information for new members containing advice which you might find useful. Then ask as many questions as you like as there is always someone here who will have an answer for you.

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 2011 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.

 

[Sid Bonkers]

Hi janwhy and welcome to the forum have a good look around the place and any questions you may have just ask

Steroids can indeed lead to weight gain and diabetes as they did to myself after 3 years on pred for my Bronchiectisis, but they did save my life so I cant really complain Is there any chance you can come off the steroid?

 

[janwhy]

Thanks to all who replied, I hope to be able to reduce the steriods over the next few months, but this will be down to my consultant and my test resulsts.

Will have a look at the webb sites suggested, thanks for the encouragement to take control, no idea how I will get on with this, but I am sure I will get there eventually.

Thanks again

Janwhy

 

[Sid Bonkers]

Hi again Jan, if and when you are weaned off the steroid you should find a marked improvement in your blood glucose (bg) levels. Steroids are great tool for respiratory problems but are well known to raise bg levels.

Good luck