I have recently been diagnosed type 2 but was put on metformin without any other information. I'm struggling to find foods to eat if I don't have carbs, as fruit & vegetables don't really fill me up as I can't eat much of it without getting upset stomach. ( the tablets don't help with that either). to top it off my liver function has been affected so I have had to stop my arthritis medication which has caused it to flare up. I feel the doctors don't really care & the nurse only wants to see me in 6 weeks & ive been told I don't need to check my blood even though it was 19 originally, it had gone down to 11.7 after 2 weeks on half medication but had gone up to 14.5 when I was rushed into hospital. I have been told to up my metformin by 1 a week so I will be on 4 but I really don't want to be taking them because of the side effects. I hope I can get some help from this group.
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Type 2 Newly diagnosed
- Thread starter Sandra.s
- Start Date
Lazybones
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 397
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
Firstly welcome to the Diabetes Forum. When you are first diagnosed as having diabetes it can come as quite a severe shock, and you will find that there is so much to take in and learn that at time it might seem too much.
Many of us experience what you have been through, and also have found that the NHS instead of helping and supporting a new diabetic seem to do the reverse and just let them fend for themselves with little support other that a few medications.
You have made the right start in controlling your diabetes by joining our forum. Read and learn all that you can and ask away with as many questions that you have and we'll try to answer them for you truthfully.
Metformin is one of the most popular medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes, but it can take a little time before it becomes effective (sometimes several days) and then it slowly brings B/G levels down, so don't expect an instant miricle cure.
Diet and exercise are fundamental in controlling diabetes and many including myself would reccomend that you look into and then consider following the LCHF diet which is promoted and supported here on this site by many of us diabetics.
Many of us would say to you to obtain a B/G meter for yourself and eat accordingly to the results that your meter shows you. We aren't all the same so some things might not work for you as well as another diabetic.
Unfortunately the NHS policy is not to supply B/G meters or test strips to Type 2 diabetics on prescription, and many diabetics fund their own testing regime using the 'Codefree' B/G meter, where the cost of the test strips a less expensive than other manufacturers.
Controlling diabetes isn't easy, but with time it does get easier, and eventually you too can become the master of it and not a slave to it.
Please let us know how you get on - Best Regards - Lazybones
Many of us experience what you have been through, and also have found that the NHS instead of helping and supporting a new diabetic seem to do the reverse and just let them fend for themselves with little support other that a few medications.
You have made the right start in controlling your diabetes by joining our forum. Read and learn all that you can and ask away with as many questions that you have and we'll try to answer them for you truthfully.
Metformin is one of the most popular medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes, but it can take a little time before it becomes effective (sometimes several days) and then it slowly brings B/G levels down, so don't expect an instant miricle cure.
Diet and exercise are fundamental in controlling diabetes and many including myself would reccomend that you look into and then consider following the LCHF diet which is promoted and supported here on this site by many of us diabetics.
Many of us would say to you to obtain a B/G meter for yourself and eat accordingly to the results that your meter shows you. We aren't all the same so some things might not work for you as well as another diabetic.
Unfortunately the NHS policy is not to supply B/G meters or test strips to Type 2 diabetics on prescription, and many diabetics fund their own testing regime using the 'Codefree' B/G meter, where the cost of the test strips a less expensive than other manufacturers.
Controlling diabetes isn't easy, but with time it does get easier, and eventually you too can become the master of it and not a slave to it.
Please let us know how you get on - Best Regards - Lazybones
Last edited:
Hi @Sandra.s, I am going to tag @daisy1 who will be along with lots of info for our new members.
I would like to say that for me the best thing I did was learn how to take control of my T2 .. I found the advice I was being given by the drs was not working and some of it like not testing was just not making sense. You will find lots of help on this site from people who have diabetes. Getting your own meter and self funding test strips for the meter is the first step in you taking back control, the test strips are the cheapest with the code free meter, and at the start of this taking control you will be using a lot of test strips, so the cheeper the better ! The next step is learning how to take control of your way of eating.
Have a good look around the site and come back with any questions you have, we are here to help.
I would like to say that for me the best thing I did was learn how to take control of my T2 .. I found the advice I was being given by the drs was not working and some of it like not testing was just not making sense. You will find lots of help on this site from people who have diabetes. Getting your own meter and self funding test strips for the meter is the first step in you taking back control, the test strips are the cheapest with the code free meter, and at the start of this taking control you will be using a lot of test strips, so the cheeper the better ! The next step is learning how to take control of your way of eating.
Have a good look around the site and come back with any questions you have, we are here to help.
daisy1
Legend
- Messages
- 26,457
- Location
- Switzerland
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
- Dislikes
- Cruelty towards animals.
@Sandra.s
Hello Sandra and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask questions when you need to 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:
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 free 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
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
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. They're all free.
Hello Sandra and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask questions when you need to 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
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 free 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
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
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. They're all 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.
