Newly diagnosed but honestly not surprised

How about first thing - are you able to eat a low carb breakfast or pack some food which will not cause blood glucose spikes?
Could you stick some meat and veges into a slow cooker before you go out the door so you come back to a meal ready to eat?
I am almost two years from diagnosis and have lost weight and size too, got a lot more energy. I was retired but am back at work and also going out more.
I just got back from doing work at the local university and it is band practice tonight. Beef stew in the fridge and some frozen berries in the freezer so ten minutes in the kitchen and it will be done.

Hi Neil and welcome!
First as is tradition here I’ll tag in @daisy1 for her intro post which contains loads of useful info.
I was diagnosed nearly 18 months and by adopting eating low carbs I have got my HbA1c down to non diabetic levels and have maintained them there for over a year now. I have also lost over six stone in weight and had to drop one of my BP meds as my BP dropped to the point that I was getting dizzy. I started out on 3 x Metformin a day but have recently dropped down to 2.
On your busy days there are some quick easy low carb meals, such as eggs and bacon or omelettes. Take a look at this website for meal ideas:
https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb
Even some take aways are ok if you pick carefully:
https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/dining-out#fast-food

Hey Neil, and welcome,

First off, I'm sure someone'll tag @daisy1 while I'm tying, but just to be sure: she's got a load of information that'll help, and will post it soon.

So, T2. You've got options, actually. Meds only, which means you can keep things under control, but the diabetes will be progressive and there most likely will be complications. You can go for a diet, which could be combined with meds (depends on which though, as you might hypo with some), or you could go diet-only. The perk of a diet: you could hit remission. As in, no progression, and less chance of complications. I had a lot of problems with metformin, and when I found diet was an option, I dove straight in. Made loads of mistakes along the way of course, but in 3 months the doc took me off medication, including my statins. My cholesterol's fine, even with eating bacon once or twice a day. (Yes. Bacon. Seriously.)

All carbohydrates, so the sugary stuff as well as the starches, turn to glucose once ingested. And as T2's, we can't process it back out again. It ends up floating around our bloodstream doing damage left and right, and being stored in fatcells (So the whole "T2's are fat" thing is really a chicken-egg discussion. And then there's 10% who are slim T2's. Stereotypes rock, eh... Not.). So the most logical step: Cut the carbs. And while cooking from scratch is best, there are options for you, honest. But really, how long does it take to fry three eggs, toss in some bacon or mushrooms, high-meat content sausages or cheese? I whip a breakfast like that up in 5 minutes. Want it quicker? Couple of berries, walnuts, maybe some coconut flakes or something in full fat greek yoghurt and you're done before you can yawn. And it'll keep hunger at bay, no problem. Lunch is about as easy, leafy greens, can of tuna in sunflower oil (I do drain it tho)', some olives, avocado, mayonaise, capers... Or if you rather have leafy greens with geat's cheese, chicken, whatever.... Just experiment. In the evening some meat or fish with above-ground veggies and you're done. Notice things missing? Yeah... Bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, cereal, corn, fruit (save for berries and avocado's, maybe the odd cherry tomato), all that stuff'll spike your bloodsugars. I don't spend more than 20 minutes getting dinner ready in the evening. Just fry up the meat, and toss the cauliflower rice with cheese and bacon into the juice when it's done. maybe some herbs and I'm, again, done.

So yeah, you're out, you're busy... But it's no reason to go straight for the carbs. Hamburgers are so much juicier when you order them without a bun! (And the difference? A bunless Whopper is about 5 grams of carbs. 47grams with the bun. See the difference? Add some extra veggies and bacon for the heck of it, it'll fill you right up.). They won't even blink behind the counter when you order it bunless. Steaks, nothing wrong with those. Juicy salmon? And if you really, really have to go for KFC, tear off the coating. Their salads are carby too, with the corn and the dressing, so maybe just ignore those as well and just peel off the coating from your chicken. If you really, really have to do KFC. I'm Dutch, so I had to look up Nando's, but their chickenwings are fine, breast seems okay too, whole chicken even... Their burgers and such without the bread, wraps and pita's (save for the one with the crispy chicken of course), the mixed leaf and mediterranial salad are fine, and just have an excellent coffee for dessert... You've got options. Or even Subway... Have a salad based on their subs. Just refuse th sides like potato wedges and coleslaw, and you'll be fine.

It'll help you drop weight, it'll keep your bloodsugars level, and could quite possibly help with your other issues as well. You're not the only one with multiple issues, I had a couple of boxes to check before I became a T2, but I'll never enjoy taking pills for anything.. I have enough of them alreay, and for me, the metformin, glic and statins were no fun. So... I've been in remission for almost 2 years now, no complications, no medication... Not for T2 and cholesterol anyway.

You can do this. If you want to, of course, as the choice is absolutely yours. But it made a 25+ kilo difference for me... And I can actually do stuff on the weekends I couldn't do before, like walk a distance without collapsing in a weeping heap. (And that is while carrying camera equipment.).

Do yourself a favor and get a meter, so you know where you're starting from and how you're doing. Test before a meal and 2 hours after to see whether that meal agreed with you... If you go higher than a 2.0 mmol/l rise, then that is considered a spike, and that meal is carbier than you can handle. After a few months you'll be adept enough to be able to do pretty good guesstimates. Most people here self-fund, but you can always ask your doc for a perscription. No harm in trying.

In any case, welcome... And good luck!
Jo

Hi @NeilHewitt welcome to the group. What was your HbA1c numbers? At my appointment with Dn for my 3 monthly check up my HbA1c was 82 Blood glucose (Bg) 16.6 and weight 157 Kg. Was on 2000 mg Metformin, 240 Mg Gliclazade, (was on Simvastatin but stopped them months before test) 2 lots of blood pressure and a beta blocker every day. I started doing Low Carb High Fat (LCHF) and intermittent fasting. Also started doing my BG every morning. On my next 3 monthly test my HbA1c was 41 Bg 4.7 average over 30 days and a 4 stone weight loss! Now off all diabetes meds and one blood pressure med. You are in the right place for all the advice, help and support that you need to help you with your journey. Have a look around the forum and ask as many questions as you like.

Hi and welcome,

I won't add to what the others have said, but would like to ask which medication are you on for your ectopic heart beats? Beta blockers? Which sort? I ask because some are not suitable for diabetics. They raise blood sugar levels. In trials, somewhere around 25% of people at risk of diabetes actually became diabetic due to the medication. They inhibit the pancreas from producing insulin. There are some Beta Blockers that are better than others. Atenalol is pretty bad but is the most commonly used one.

And the statins will raise the bg up too

NeilHewitt said:

The odd time I forget a dose I wake up in the morning with a pulse 120+, BP through the roof and a monster headache. Not nice.

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This is normal withdrawal, and why someone being taken off beta blockers must do it gradually. It wears off after a while by all accounts. Its a shame you can't change types. Have you discussed all this with your doctor?

https://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/simplepage.cfm?ID=x20120516081816351223

Beta blockers in diabetes and insulin resistance:

• studies, such as the Losartan Intervention for Endpoint Reduction in Hypertension Study (LIFE) (3) with atenolol, the Carvedilol or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET) (4) with metoprolol have shown a 22% to 28% increase of new-onset diabetes with traditional beta beta-blockers that can increase insulin resistance (and hence hyperglycaemia) (5)
• side effects of beta -blockers in the patient with diabetes include increased insulin resistance with worsening glycemic control
• increased frequency of hypoglycemia and its lack of recognition can also be a problem in the insulin-deficient patient but is a minimal problem with the patient with type 2 diabetes (5)
• there is evidence that some beta-blockers may have 'insulin-sensitising properties' (5)
  • carvedilol, a nonselective beta-blocker had vasodilating and insulin-sensitizing properties, and is the ideal beta-blocker for the patient with diabetes (5)
  • carvedilol is a third generation beta-blocker in comparison with atenolol which is a second generation beta blocker

NeilHewitt said:

Oh, and @JoKalsbeek - my cholesterol numbers are pretty much normal, despite my fat-laden diet. Always have been. My dad was the same. I figure it's genetic, like so much else. It's a lottery. I also managed to inherit genes for lots of bad stuff too!

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Glad that's one worry less! For some reason my bloodpressure is low, while with metabolic syndrome (the combo of diabetes T2, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, high cholesterol) it's supposed to be high. It really is the luck of the genetic draw eh. I just put emphasis on cholesterol because recently I got a bit of a stern talking to about one of my welcome-messages from a new member... Because "everyone knows" what eating fat does to cholesterol. (As it turns out, recent studies proved "what everyone knows" about fat & cholesterol wrong, but I still felt a bit like I was treated like a deranged, dangerous idiot). Oh, and about sweeteners; that's another luck-of-the-draw things. Some people get a reaction in bloodsugars, some don't, which is, again, where testing comes in handy. For me, my bloodsugars were fine using them, but then I used them so much (30 to 50 doses a day in bucketloads of tea, and of course diet coke) they killed off my gut-bacteria. Was in agony for a month and a half before I found out what the problem was. So water isn't such a bad idea.

Hi @NeilHewitt and welcome.

Some great advice above so won’t add to that, but will comment on a couple of other things. If Nandos is an option for you during a busy working day, it’s totally fine no breading on the chicken, so very low carb (especially if you avoid adding their sauces). I eat there pretty frequently. They grill everything so no trans fats or seed oils to avoid.

The key with a busy schedule (I have one) is to plan and prepare - take food with you, look at food options close to meetings and so on. Editing to add a few more suggestions. When you do have time batch cook meals that can then be frozen for quick meals when you get home late or to take to work and heat in the microwave. If there’s o microwave then the wide necked flasks will keep a meal hot for ages.

Some simple low carb foods take very little preparation time (bacon and eggs, meat or fish with very simple sauces, or some good seasoning, for example). It’s a question of finding strategies that work for you and sticking to them. That’s much harder when you’re starting out, but if you can turn these into habits, it’ll be much easier in the long run.

It’s a lot to get your head around early on but standard nutritional advice is not terribly helpful for type 2s. The low carb programme is a great place to start. You may also be interested in the diet doctor.com website.

Hi @NeilHewitt welcome to the forum.
Do what you’ve made obvious you need to do and know you need to do.
Follow all the great advice in this thread from the lovely helpful Ladies and Gentleman in this group and I’m sure you’ll crack it. Good Luck!!!

@NeilHewitt

Hello Neil and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope it will be useful for you. Ask as many questions as you like and someone will 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.
  

Hi Neil. You sound like a similar bloke to me, and in a similar boat to me. I'm not a mega cook either, but I've found things like eggs, bacon, steak...etc are easy to do, as are frozen veg.

For snacks I've:

Replaced lager with red wine & spirits
Replaced crisps with nuts and pork scratchings
Replaced chocolate with 90% dark chocolate

If I eat out, I try to get meat or fish and ask the waiter to replace any carby stuff (chips, bread, spuds...etc) with extra veg.

As a result I don't feel I'm missing out too much.

You seem like you're approaching this with determination and a good dose of humour, so I'm sure you'll succeed.

NeilHewitt said:

HbA1c - I'm not absolutely sure. The doctor kept quoting a number which I think was the fasting glucose - 6.4, 6.7, 7.0, with 7.0 being the threshold of Type 2. I definitely had HbA1c tests done, several times, but usually also with a fasting glucose + liver and kidney function tests because of the HBP. I know that when I had my GTT done a couple of months back my fasting glucose was 8.4, which is a dramatic upsurge from the previous December. I guess that's when I tipped over into full blown T2. Will find out what my HbA1c is when I have it done in 3 months time.

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I think I'm right in saying that Doctors have to give you copies of all of your past results if you ask. I got 10 years of history when I asked.

It sounds like you've had experience with being disciplined and losing weight in the past so I'm probably just reminding you of something that you already know and that is pretty soon most people get into a virtuous circle where they feel better about themselves as they start taking action and feeling that sense of self-empowerment. Changing a mind-set or a thought pattern is sometimes easier that you might imagine, for example cooking bacon and eggs actually takes less time than waiting for food delivery, all it is is standing up for a few minutes and hopefully you are able to do that? Changing the way that you think about the "chore" of cooking can really help - for example, I don't know about you but when I want alcohol I can always find the energy to go and get it...!!!

Again sorry for teaching you how to suck eggs but it needs to be said just in case: whatever you do don't blame yourself for losing your will to be disciplined - it happens to us all when life really gets us down - but there is hope, and it doesn't take as much effort and pain as your mind is probably currently screaming at you!

All the best.

NeilHewitt said:

No, please keep trying to teach me to suck eggs... it's a skill I never mastered

You're right, it's all about self-reinforcing behaviour. When I get on a diet and start to do well, I feel rewarded and it pushes me to do better. What always happens in the end, though, is that something gets me really down - maybe it's a life event, maybe it's illness, maybe it's work - and I let myself off for a day, and that day becomes two days, and that becomes a week, and suddenly I'm stuffing my face and thinking 'I'll get back to that diet next week'. Yeah.

Now, with Type 2, there's no 'cheating'. You can't borrow today and pay it back later. If I eat badly and push my blood sugar levels up, it does actual damage to my body. It has been, probably for years. So the stakes are so much higher. Not that they weren't before - I mean, the weight I am has already caused serious problems for me and not all of those can be rolled back by losing weight.

I'm very much of the opinion that you can't change what you can't change, so focus on the things that you can. And that's what I'm going to do!

(For the curious, I didn't manage to cook for myself the other night, but I did buy a decently-nutritious ready meal from M&S and skipped the potatoes. Small steps!)

I think this is probably long enough for an introduction thread

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You're being realistic and proactive... I think you're on your way!

NeilHewitt said:

......I think this is probably long enough for an introduction thread

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Oh don’t you worry, my first thread on this forum ran to eight pages!
Ask away, that’s what we’re here for