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Newly Diagnosed T2 and Feeling Overwhelmed

G

GothicDiva

Member
Messages
8
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
GothicDiva said:
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?
Click to expand...

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.
 
Hi. I am newly diagnosed too. I have to wait till end of august for foot check and to see a dietician. I have booked myself in for an eye test at Specsavers. They do a diabetic eye screen and it’s free on NHS if they do it in your area - may be worth taking a look.

I understand feeling overwhelmed and afraid of what to do. My Hba1c was 59 but with two weeks of eating better it has gone down to 57. I am now on 500mg of metformin. However if I didn’t have such good GP’s two of whom understand me and want to help then I would be in a far worse place now.

good luck
 
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.
 
We may be veering off topic slightly but I had a great experience with Specsavers after a previous optician insisted I had astigmatism and gave me glasses that made me dizzy! Obviously the best option is to get the NHS referral when you can but I know there have been delays due to Covid.
 
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.
Click to expand...


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.
Click to expand...

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.
Click to expand...

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.
Click to expand...


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.
 
Hi and welcome. Yes do buy a meter and go low-carb. Even non-SR Metformin can be taken with low food intake but follow the leaflet for the best time to eat and it may give more bowel issues; if it does do ask for the SR version which can be taken at any time. Do get online access to your test results so you are in control. If you have excess weight then the low-carb diet and to some extent the Metformin should bring that and your BS down.
 
Hi @GothicDiva

At first I thought doctor was rather dismissive, but I see you are ok with that .

Though I do think fat too many get a rather cursory DX, and left floundering for what of the literature I have seen, is a pretty horrid disease

But you are ok and moving on, so all good

The food...mmhh

An issue at first for many , me included.

I agree the family dinners, least resistance sounds appealing

Quite lucky here, missus eats at work, so it's only usually me to feed & cook for.

Currently down to 2 meals a day and sometimes one of those is a biggish snack rather then a full meal

I worked through the egg bacon sausages, quite nicely, happily progressed to steak, chops, etc with a variety of vegetables to replace the more carby options.

Dabbled in the homemade .mug bread, low carb biscuits, etc..all ok but a lot of faff, imo

So took the route of more cheeses, deli meats, jalapenos, ryvita etc fur the smaller snacks

For hot mains, Settled for broccoli, leeks, topped up with more meat then before with more veg then usual.

But found life was getting a tad boring, especially once back at work.

So I was relieved to find courghetti, nice simple.
to replace spaghetti -ish
Cauliflower rice
Cauliflower roasted & grated to replace rice,
More often have it as small roasted pieces rather then 'riced'.
We've adapted the food and recipes to suit ourselves, there are no hard & fast rules about how a recipe must look in our house

So some old favourites back on the menu
Curries, chilli, Bolognese.wuth s slight low carb twist.

And yesterday I made pizza using cauliflower, mozzarella & egg as a base...very impressed.

Plenty of low carb friendly recipes on the forum if you search,
And recipes on the web, just put in keto or low carb before your search choice.

If and how you incorporate it, is of course up to you.

A way many offer up is to do the food for all, simply have more meat for yourself and a more appropriate veg, on the side just for your plate.

While I'm quite please with myself how well stocked my new menu now looks,
I rather think the hardship early on did do me good.

I lost weight, lowered HBA1c to normal, inside 6 months..(pre diabetic by month 3 DX was 57 mmol)..
And from what I've read I was fairly slow getting there.

Plenty of choice on offer, I found I just had to read up and spread my food net, just that little wider.

Here a link to that pizza and how I made it.
Good luck finding your way

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/th...se-full-on-chat.163627/page-2334#post-2419163
 
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