Newly diagnosed with Type 2

[Ali58]

Feeling a bit overwhelmed as just been diagnosed over the phone by a GP, my last HBa1c was 49, recently been having symptoms of thirst, extreme tiredness, nausea etc. have also been home testing with results of 12.6 after 2 hours since eating. Just been prescribed Metformin. Now it’s official feel very emotional and scared, is that normal?

 

[Sued24]

Hi. Yes, I think it is. I was diagnosed a month ago and am still emotional and scared.

 

[Ali58]

Hi. Yes, I think it is. I was diagnosed a month ago and am still emotional and scared.

Sorry to hear that. I’m very grateful for this forum to be able to express honestly how we feel.

 

[Pura Vida]

when i was diagnosed 30 years a go i read many Diabetic books and got depressed ,
since participating on this forum feel much better, i have learned a great deal
thanks to all.

 

[Ali58]

Are there any resources you could recommend to inform but not depress?

 

[Antje77]

Are there any resources you could recommend to inform but not depress?

This forum!

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Are there any resources you could recommend to inform but not depress?

Feeling a bit overwhelmed as just been diagnosed over the phone by a GP, my last HBa1c was 49, recently been having symptoms of thirst, extreme tiredness, nausea etc. have also been home testing with results of 12.6 after 2 hours since eating. Just been prescribed Metformin. Now it’s official feel very emotional and scared, is that normal?

It's entirely normal, and any life-changing diagnosis can lead to feelings of grief, so... Yeah. Been there, done that, as have many here. Good news being, you now know there's a problem, what that problem is, and soon, you'll also know what to do about it so you'll start feeling better!

https://josekalsbeek.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-nutritional-thingy.html I'm hoping the Thingy is informative and far from depressing, and if you're done there, try The Diabetes Code by Dr. Jason Fung. You're going to be fine. Your HbA1c isn't dramatically bad and you'll likely be back into the normal range soon, if you're willing to make a few adjustments in your life.

You've got this. And we've got you.
Jo

 

[PocketRocket]

I'm newly diagnosed too. I had bloods at the end of November, non fasting came out at 58 and I was advised to return to repeat in 4 weeks. I haven't as yet. I've hooked up with the GP practice health coach, I'm walking 2 miles every day (with the exception of Christmas Day!) and I'm eating low Carb. I've not gone back for repeat bloods because I am frightened and I am emotional about it and I'm trying to fix it. I will go back, more than likely at the end of the month, I just feel I need a head start and also to get my head around the right things to do as there is so much conflicting advice out there, including from the NHS. The nurse at my pre diabetes appointment telling me to eat low fat for the past 2 years being an example. I'm so relieved to find this forum and so grateful for the honesty and support of this community.

 

[Sued24]

I'm newly diagnosed too. I had bloods at the end of November, non fasting came out at 58 and I was advised to return to repeat in 4 weeks. I haven't as yet. I've hooked up with the GP practice health coach, I'm walking 2 miles every day (with the exception of Christmas Day!) and I'm eating low Carb. I've not gone back for repeat bloods because I am frightened and I am emotional about it and I'm trying to fix it. I will go back, more than likely at the end of the month, I just feel I need a head start and also to get my head around the right things to do as there is so much conflicting advice out there, including from the NHS. The nurse at my pre diabetes appointment telling me to eat low fat for the past 2 years being an example. I'm so relieved to find this forum and so grateful for the honesty and support of this community.

This forum is really great. I'm doing low carb, have battled with misleading information from a diabetic nurse and a clinical pharmacist. My HbAc1 was only 51, the GP has told me I can reverse it, and has agreed no drugs, we will re-check everything in 3 months. Stick with the low-carb and exercise, I'm finding it really good, and good luck!

 

[PocketRocket]

This forum is really great. I'm doing low carb, have battled with misleading information from a diabetic nurse and a clinical pharmacist. My HbAc1 was only 51, the GP has told me I can reverse it, and has agreed no drugs, we will re-check everything in 3 months. Stick with the low-carb and exercise, I'm finding it really good, and good luck!

That sounds so hopeful and helpful, thank you for sharing

 

[PocketRocket]

Can I just ask, has anyone here tried yellow pea pasta and does anyone know if it is compatible for a low carb diet? I'm only just looking into it now. Also does anyone here follow Dr Michael Moseley's blood sugar diet recommendations?
Thanks in advance!

 

[RhythmInside]

Feeling a bit overwhelmed as just been diagnosed over the phone by a GP, my last HBa1c was 49, recently been having symptoms of thirst, extreme tiredness, nausea etc. have also been home testing with results of 12.6 after 2 hours since eating. Just been prescribed Metformin. Now it’s official feel very emotional and scared, is that normal?

In August 2023 I was diagnosed with used with a Hb1ac of 108.
I reduced carbs as much as I could, cut out chocolate, sweets and sugar drinks (I consumed lots of these) and found low/zero sugar alternatives.
I also went onto 2000g of Metformin a day
In November 2023 my next blood test came back at 42.
I am now reducing my Metformin and adjusting my diet because my blood sugars are dropping below 4 quite often.

My approach was quite drastic but you will find a way that works for you.

Good luck.

 

[aylalake]

Can I just ask, has anyone here tried yellow pea pasta and does anyone know if it is compatible for a low carb diet? I'm only just looking into it now. Also does anyone here follow Dr Michael Moseley's blood sugar diet recommendations?
Thanks in advance!

I know nothing about Dr Moseley, so cannot comment on that.

As for yellow pea pasta I personally couldn’t eat it as it is very high in carbs, around 80g /100 as far as I remember.

However, there is only one way to find out if you can tolerate it and that is by testing with your glucometer.

 

[jjraak]

Hi @Ali58 & @Sued24

It's pretty common from what I've read on here.

My 2018 DX had me feeling same way (58 HBA1c)

If it helps, my journey went like this

DX, horrified by what I read on T2D, I finally found this forum, thank god...(and by that, Dr Fungs Diabetic Code..5 stars)

After all the info I had read, it was hard to believe just a change of diet could make such a difference.

A determination to do 'something' had me gently dipping a toe in the waters of LCHF.

Result matched what others had said.
And as the FBG dropped, I slid a little more into LCHF until I was fully commited.

Nov 2018 ...58 HBA1c...T2D
June 2019...40 HBA1c...non T2D.

Still T2D, but at that point IF tested I'd have passed on blood test as non T2D I believe.

I did worry about all the conflicting advice, so began taking a LOT more notice of what all the blood test markers meant.

Got pointed to a 'lipids' calculator.
(While LDL, HDL, trigs etc important, seems it's the related ratios that matter most )

Back tracked mine to 2010, where I had issues

Calculator said I was in 'high danger' across all my lipids from 2010 until DX 2018...8 Years of eating the Eatwell diet, basically.

Cue my calculator scores post DX on LCHF diet Nov 2018-Jan 2019...3 months of lchf.
Scores came back as GOOD or OPTIMAL.

So...I got a diet that helped me get back to normal numbers.
A way to test and prove my health was improving.
Cured/eased my asthma.
( I Had suffered with asthma on a daily basis aged 11-18..then it resurfaced aged 36 until 2018.
Advice was to avoid dairy.

Yet a diet with more dairy in than I'd ever eaten, had my asthma not only easing, but become so unnoticeable in my daily life, i almost forgot I suffered from it )

Oh, and a nice letter from surgery saying "jolly well done" on getting back to 40 HBA1c..
(But sadly no one curious about how the heck, I managed it..ho hum..really took the wind out of my sails, that every T2D at the surgery got WAY better results than I did....)

A small note about my HF intake.

I didn't eat buckets of lard, etc.

I simply used butter, (tastes great btw )
kept fat on meats (marbling in steaks just adds SO much flavour) and used double cream for a dessert treat or for cooking occasionally.

That was pretty much the extent of it for me...plus no low-fat anything.

I make no scientific claims or offer any guarantees.
Just saying how my journey looked & turned out .

Other people's mileage might vary.

A big thumbs up for the forum & the lovely members willing to offer advice & help to strangers, from me.

I hope you both stay & do similar after what I pray is your successful journeys.

& best wishes to every newcomer from me, that each finds a way to make this WOE work for them & aids their journey back to a healthier & more normal/lower FBG.

 

[PocketRocket]

Hi @Ali58 & @Sued24

It's pretty common from what I've read on here.

My 2018 DX had me feeling same way (58 HBA1c)

If it helps, my journey went like this

DX, horrified by what I read on T2D, I finally found this forum, thank god...(and by that, Dr Fungs Diabetic Code..5 stars)

After all the info I had read, it was hard to believe just a change of diet could make such a difference.

A determination to do 'something' had me gently dipping a toe in the waters of LCHF.

Result matched what others had said.
And as the FBG dropped, I slid a little more into LCHF until I was fully commited.

Nov 2018 ...58 HBA1c...T2D
June 2019...40 HBA1c...non T2D.

Still T2D, but at that point IF tested I'd have passed on blood test as non T2D I believe.

I did worry about all the conflicting advice, so began taking a LOT more notice of what all the blood test markers meant.

Got pointed to a 'lipids' calculator.
(While LDL, HDL, trigs etc important, seems it's the related ratios that matter most )

Back tracked mine to 2010, where I had issues

Calculator said I was in 'high danger' across all my lipids from 2010 until DX 2018...8 Years of eating the Eatwell diet, basically.

Cue my calculator scores post DX on LCHF diet Nov 2018-Jan 2019...3 months of lchf.
Scores came back as GOOD or OPTIMAL.

So...I got a diet that helped me get back to normal numbers.
A way to test and prove my health was improving .
Cured/eased my asthma.
( I Had suffered with asthma on a daily basis aged 11-18..then it resurfaced aged 36 until 2018.
Advice was to avoid dairy.

Yet a diet with more dairy in than I'd ever eaten, had my asthma not only easing, but become so unnoticeable in my daily life, i almost forgot I suffered from it )

Oh, and a nice letter from surgery saying "jolly well done" on getting back to 40 HBA1c..
(But sadly no one curious about how the heck, I managed it..ho hum..really took the wind out of my sails, that every T2D at the surgery got WAY better results than I did....)

A small note about my HF intake.

I didn't eat buckets of lard, etc.

I simply used butter, (tastes great btw )
kept fat on meats (marbling in steaks just adds SO much flavour) and used double cream for a desert treat or for cooking occasionally.

That was pretty much the extent of it for me...plus no low-fat anything.

I make no scientific claims or offer any guarantees.
Just saying how my journey looked & turned out .

Other people's mileage might vary.

A big thumbs up for the forum & the lovely members willing to offer advice & help to strangers, from me.

I hope you both stay & do similar after what I pray is your successful journeys.

& best wishes to every newcomer from me, that each finds a way to make this WOE work for them & aids their journey back to a healthier & more normal/lower FBG.

Great info here and very reassuring, thank you for sharing. I'll look at Dr Fungs Diabetic Code. The amazing thing about this forum is what I've already discovered in just 2 days from lived experience. Mind blown. Thanks to all.

 

[PocketRocket]

I know nothing about Dr Moseley, so cannot comment on that.

As for yellow pea pasta I personally couldn’t eat it as it is very high in carbs, around 80g /100 as far as I remember.

However, there is only one way to find out if you can tolerate it and that is by testing with your glucometer.

Thanks for replying. Yes I think I'll swerve the YPP, I'm aiming for 30g of Carb a day, which I know is a bit ambitious for a newbie, but I'm a bit, 'go big or go home'.

 

[ajbod]

We are all different, and our personalities dictate how we go about tackling problems. Some take the cautious bit at a time way, others like myself have to go all in. I don't measure my carbs, but having previously done strict Keto to lose weight, i know what not to eat. It still doesn't stop the temptation when it comes along, and now Christmas is out of the way, i really need to get fully back on the wagon.

 

[becca59]

@PocketRocket personally I think retesting after 4 weeks would be a bit pointless. You do not want the results of the last month in with the other two months of your previous way of eating. Three months down the line will encompass your new way of eating and exercise and the new determined you. By which time the results will hopefully be much improved.

 

[jjraak]

@becca59

Good advice, but if I recall for those newly DX'd, I think it's protocol to do a 2nd test a few weeks later to ensure DX is correct ?

Which is how I read the post...
Perhaps they could clarify ?

But I'd say your thinking is right about the impact of the diet.

I didn't find the forum before my 2nd test, so doubled down on the Eatwell Advice....and found it rose my HBA1c from 57 to 58 for my sins.

 

[jjraak]

Thanks for replying. Yes I think I'll swerve the YPP, I'm aiming for 30g of Carb a day, which I know is a bit ambitious for a newbie, but I'm a bit, 'go big or go home'.

A funny for the "go big" line

A win for the attitude.

A big believer here, in "it has to suit YOU " in the long term.

It's not a diet for chrimbo or a summer holiday, it has to be one that's sustainable over years.
A proper C change in thinking

I went 60g of carbs...and guesstimated not measured.

Though I did measure on scales exactly how 'much' some items were for guidance

Shocked how little 30g of cereal was, for example...so that was my first NO NO.

I'd say good luck but
I think you'll do fine.