Newly Diagnosed T2 and Feeling Overwhelmed

Hi,

I was diagnosed with T2 about a month ago by my GP. I’ve been prescribed Metformin and my gp has increased my dose to 2000mg. She didn’t tell me what my levels where when my test came back, just that I needed metformin now. She also advised that my vit d, calcium and folic acid were incredibly low, so I was prescribed additional tablets for this. She said I am young (I’m 41), but she’s seen numbers really drop with metformin and weight loss.(There was also another medication she mentioned but she said that would need to be prescribed by the hospital). She apologised that she was unable to give me a timescale for a diabetes education course or an eye test. And sent me on my way telling me to google it. T2 does not just run in my family it gallops. My Mum had it, so did my Grandmother and great grand mother, along with 2 out of 4 of my uncles and at least 1 of my cousins, so she feels there is a strong genetic connection and my genes basically want me to remain in ‘caveman starvation mode’.

I’ve had a couple of phone appt with her since - she’s been checking on how I’ve gotten on with the metformin. It’s not SR and apart from a bit of wind and an incident with a boiled egg I seem to be tolerating it quite well. However since my dose was increased from 1000mg to 2000mg 2 days ago I just don’t want to eat. I’m just not hungry. I know I shouldn’t take metformin if I’m not eating. It feels like a catch 22.

On top of that I’m really really struggling with what to eat - my diet before wasn’t perfect I’ll be the first to admit, heavy on the carbs. I’ve a veggie in the house and two other very picky eaters, I’ve definitely been going for the path of least resistance. I don’t tend to eat a lot or sweet stuff though - (I can take or leave things like sweets and biscuits and often won’t buy them unless darling family mentions it). Will admit to being really bad for not staying hydrated enough and only eating once a day. I had no symptoms what so ever, and it was only picked up on the blood test. I’m so overwhelmed by conflicting advise I’m actually scared to eat anything! I was advised not to get a BG monitor, but after reading advice on here I have purchased one, because my logic is, how am I supposed to know the effects of what I do eat?

Sorry for the rambling and slightly incoherent post, I just needed to vent and hopefully somewhere that is supportive and understanding. I’ve only told my closest family, friends and employer.

Anyway, if you have made it this far, thank you
and any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

danziger said:

Welcome! I’m so sorry your GP has left you feeling confused, but you’re in the right place. Testing with a meter and reducing my carbs really helped me get good control of my diabetes and feel more hopeful about my health and many others have had similar experiences.

You might not find your doctor approves of testing but it’s really up to you, and either way you have a right to know your HbA1C. Please know you’re not alone, most of us struggled with the diagnosis but it does get easier.

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I have another face 2 face apt on Thursday so I’m gonna ask for them then.

Resurgam said:

I bought glasses from Specsaver and drove around with the wrong prescription for a while, until I went back to my former opticians and they were horrified to find that when one eye was covered, the other wasn't 'seeing' anything for several seconds - my brain had turned it off as the two views were out of sync - the prism was wrong, even though Specsavers said that they had phoned them to request details of my precious prescription. It took a while to restore proper vision, but no wonder I had been clipping the curb when driving.
Sufficient to say - I would not go back to Specsavers. Do take anything they tell you with a large pinch of salt, and let others give a second opinion.
Above all, in the first weeks after diagnosis don't buy new glasses. If you are following a low carb diet it will probably result in changes to the focal length of the lenses, so your eyesight might be a bit blurry. It should return to normal once your blood glucose levels settle down, so no need to worry.

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I have regular eye tests anyway due to an existing eye issue, and I don’t use spec savers. I’ve had no blurry vision at all ‍. I’ll check with my current optician if they do diabetic screening. I hadn’t thought of that

EllieM said:

Well congratulations on doing the first thing that many of us on these forums would recommend to any new diabetic! A cynical person might say that the NHS advise you not to buy one because they don't want to pay for the testing strips....

Not sure whether it worse for the doctor to say "google it" or just "eat more healthily" which seems to be a common suggestion that new members report. Maybe yours is being more honest?

My reason for recommending the low carb that has been adopted successfully by so many on these forums is that it genuinely seems to lower blood sugar levels, and as a side effect that often lowers weight, remembering that insulin resistance and T2 is a cause of weight gain. And on a personal level, low carb works for me (T1 with a T2 dad so some T2 genetics) and my dad (got him off diabetes drugs at the age of 89 by low carbing). I have a vegan son and while it's difficult when he visits it's not impossible (vegetarian is so much easier).

Final point, please remember that T2 is not your fault, it's a combination of your genetics and the fact that the modern diet and food industry concentrate on carbs, which are a cheap form of energy.

Lots of excellent advice from the previous posters so I'll stop now.

Edited to add: I forgot to say the most important thing , welcome to the forums.

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Thank You for the welcome.

That’s it, isn’t it? People see it as a fat person disease, never mind I’m the 4th gen in my family to have it (that I know of!)

I’m trying to low carb but keep stumbling on stuff I didn’t even know had carbs..

I think my GP told me to google it because she doesn’t treat her patients as if they are stupid (and that’s precisely why I see her over other GP’s ) She’s got a treatment plan in place already with a rough time, depending on how I respond to metformin and changes to diet etc.

HSSS said:

Oh dear. Another new type 2 left to flounder amid confusing information.
Well you’ve found the right place to sort that out. First call your surgery and get your diagnosis numbers. It should be the hba1c test. Even better get online access to test results sorted out at the same time. You are legally entitled both, unless some rare und exceptional circumstances apply. They are your results and understanding your condition is key to managing it effectively.

next click on the links below this message. Lots of explanations, how to and more links to food lists, recipes and generally really useful info at this stage to guide you.

Metformin has a bit of an appetite suppressant effect, obviously quite pronounced for you. Depending on your levels and the changes you make to diet it’s perfectly possible you can come off it entirely or at least reduce it to manageable levels.

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My GP has been the only medical professional that has actually sat and looked through my records and especially around my weight and not treated me as if I’m stupid and listened to what I had to say. She’s been positive that once I make the changes my numbers will improve.