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Newly Diagnosed

I have just been diagnosed with type 2, and the nurse just told me to get it round my head, read the booklet and will see me in 3 months! Well I have read the booklet and got it round my head now, and I want to start doing something! What can I do besides adjusting my diet which obviously I will start doing. I am thinking of going private, my employee provides private medical cover which so far I have never used. Is it going to help me get to grips with diabetes more quickly? Advice please.
 
Hi Moniki
It's a lot to get your head round don't worry we will help
@daisy1 will be along at some time with her brilliant post for the newly diagnosed
In the meantime ask us anything you would like to know about
 
Hi @Moniki and welcome

The NHS has particular guidelines for dealing with type 2 patients, and on the whole these are followed. I doubt you would get any different privately. (It is different for Type 1's who attend specialist clinics)

What you have experienced is normal and within the guidelines. GPs devolve our care to nurses who see us every 3 months initially, then at longer periods once things settle. They also prescribe any medication they deem necessary, give us (dreadful) dietary advice and refer us for our annual retina eye screening and foot checks, plus an invitation to attend a course at some point well in the future. At each review you should be weighed, BP taken, and blood tests for HbA1c, cholesterol, liver and kidney functions. Some nurses are better than others.
There is no need to see a consultant unless things have got really bad or we have a peculiar diagnosis. It is a disease that we have to self-manage.

If the booklet your nurse gave you tells you to eat lots of carbs, wholemeal bread and pasta, potatoes, bananas, low fat, no red meat and so forth, please consider ignoring this completely and read round this forum then come back with any questions..
 
Thanks for the detailed answer. Yes that is exactly what the nurse described and the booklet was exactly as you said, eat what you want as long as it is balanced, but what is 'balanced'? Based on what I read here, I should really cut down on the carbs.
I am still keen on understanding about the meds and hoping to get an analysis earlier with private medicine. Can't do any harm to check.
If I need meds then surely earlier is better. Can I ask what is the percentage of people that are treated with diet only and no meds?
 
Sancho panza said:
Hi Moniki
It's a lot to get your head round don't worry we will help
@daisy1 will be along at some time with her brilliant post for the newly diagnosed
In the meantime ask us anything you would like to know about
Click to expand...

@Moniki
Hello and welcome to the forum :)

You will find this information further up the thread as I posted it for Carl. For convenience, you will find the link in my signature. Ask as many questions as you need to and someone will be able to help. I suggest you open your own thread, that way you will get personal advice.
 
Get a blood monitor today, check your bg every day and you will see how bad your diet has been if you cant get your bg levels down you will seriously have to look at your carb intake, which you will be doing anyway, it will be one of the best things you can do for yourself, your longevity and your family. My dads a T2, loves his cakes, he's terrible and addicted to sweets, stay off the carbs, wish i was a T2 life would be a dream im a T1 and its much more difficult to manage.
 
Moniki said:
Thanks for the detailed answer. Yes that is exactly what the nurse described and the booklet was exactly as you said, eat what you want as long as it is balanced, but what is 'balanced'? Based on what I read here, I should really cut down on the carbs.
I am still keen on understanding about the meds and hoping to get an analysis earlier with private medicine. Can't do any harm to check.
If I need meds then surely earlier is better. Can I ask what is the percentage of people that are treated with diet only and no meds?
Click to expand...

Do you know what your diagnosis results were? The best 'medication' is a low carb diet, demonstrate progress with that and you may not need any other meds.
 
Moniki said:
Thanks for the detailed answer. Yes that is exactly what the nurse described and the booklet was exactly as you said, eat what you want as long as it is balanced, but what is 'balanced'? Based on what I read here, I should really cut down on the carbs.
I am still keen on understanding about the meds and hoping to get an analysis earlier with private medicine. Can't do any harm to check.
If I need meds then surely earlier is better. Can I ask what is the percentage of people that are treated with diet only and no meds?
Click to expand...

I have never had any meds and hope it stays this way. Whether they are prescribed at diagnosis depends on the level of the HbA1c test. Acceptable levels - no drugs, just diet and exercise only for 3 months, then consideration of drugs depending on the 3 month HbA1c. This is normal. Diet is the key to control, not Metformin alone. The danger with drugs is that some people think they will do all the work. They won't. You still have to implement the diet, with or without drugs.

Initial meds such as Metformin (the first drug prescribed to Type 2's) help to a limited extent with weight loss and by reducing some of the glucose produced naturally in the liver. It doesn't actually lower BS levels on its own and is no way a miracle drug. If it were we would all be clamouring for it rather than trying to avoid it.

What was your HbA1c?
 
The nurse did not give me the results and I was a bit stunned so forgot to ask. So ok, as Spencer67 recommended I will go and get a blood monitor and start checking the bg levels. Thank you for all your replies.
 
Found a handy shopping list to point newly diagnosed in the right direction on what to buy until you get the hang of things.
A Sample Low Carb Grocery List for Dieters

low carb grocery list
If you’ve just started a low carb diet, then your refrigerator probably needs an overhaul. So many common foods are packed with more carbs then you need.

Time to hit the grocery store!
If you’re looking for a ready-made low carb grocery list, here is one that you can print out and have on hand while shopping for groceries. Experience has taught me that low carb dieting involves a big portion of impulse control along with a decent-sized pinch of planning ahead. I have started shopping on a full stomach, armed with a low carb grocery list. This has made grocery shopping quick and effective. No longer do I feel threatened by the bakery at the super market!

low carb grocery list bakery

I prefer to shop aisle by aisle, and that is how this list is put together. Please note, this list does not follow one particular diet. I would suggest you read every label for net carbohydrate count before you purchase anything. On average, foods that contain up to 5 grams of healthy carbohydrate per serving, are considered moderate to low carb. How you incorporate these healthy carb choices into your diet will make all the difference. The low carb dieter also has to shop for protein, fiber, grains, beverages, snacks, dessert and supplements.

Essential Foods on a Low Carb Grocery List

Fresh Vegetables You Should Buy

low carb grocery list broccoli
Broccoli is inexpensive and very healthy!
Alfalfa sprouts – .45 net grams per cup
Avocados – 3.65 net grams per medium avocado
Spinach – .39 net grams per cup
Artichokes – 7.09 net grams per medium globe
Bell Peppers – 4.78 net grams per medium pepper
Broccoli – 3.64 net grams per cup (chopped)
Basil – .01 net grams per tablespoon
Parsley – .14 net grams per tablespoon
Cauliflower (makes for excellent imitation mashed potatoes) – 2.8 net grams per cup
Cucumbers – 1.59 net grams per 1/2 cup slices
Celery – .59 net grams per medium stalk
Cilantro – .04 net grams per sprig
Ginger – .36 net grams per teaspoon
Garlic – 0 net grams per clove
Eggplant – 1.87 net grams per cup (cubed)
Lettuce – .93 net grams per cup (shredded or chopped)
Mushrooms – 1.6 net grams per cup (sliced or chopped)
Radish – 2.04 net grams per cup (sliced)
Hot peppers – 1 net gram per tablespoon


Low Carb Fruits You Can Eat

low carb fruits fructose
Berries and melons are sweet and especially low on carbs.
Apples – 15.76 net grams per medium apple
Oranges – 12.29 net grams per medium orange
Grapefruit (if you are on thyroid medication, check with your physician before eating grapefruit) – 8.94 net grams per half medium grapefruit
Raspberries – 6.69 net grams per cup
Strawberries – 8.67 net grams per cup (halved)
Blueberries – 17.51 net grams per cup
Honeydew – 14.69 net grams per cup (balled)
Peaches – 7.85 net grams per medium peach
Limes – 5.16 net grams per medium lime
Lemons – 3.81 net grams per medium lemon


Salad Dressings and Toppings to Use

Sesame oil – 0 net grams per serving
Other seasoned oils
Balsamic vinegar – 2.55 net grams per tablespoon
Nuts and seeds: All nuts are permitted in most low carb diets. The key is to stick to the assigned portion sizes.
Great Proteins for Low Carb Dieters

low carb grocery list protein
Lean proteins are essential in any diet
Meat
Fish
Eggs (especially egg whites) – .38 net grams per large egg
Poultry
Other seafood
If there are no other health issues, the low carb dieter will benefit from eating some red meat in the week. This will help with iron stores. Also, if you are going to buy processed meat like sausage, read the label carefully. Often, these may have significant quantities of starches in them. Breaded foods do not belong on a low carb grocery list!

Dairy Products You’re Allowed to Have

Cottage cheese – about 6 net grams per cup, depending on the brand
Sour cream – about .5 net grams per tablespoon, depending on the brand
Cheese
Heavy cream – about .5 net grams per tablespoon, depending on the brand
Low-carb yogurt (yes, there is such a thing, and it’s delicious too!) – depends on the variety and brand

Oils and Fats with Few Carbs

Olive Oil – 0 net carbs per serving
Canola – 0 net carbs per serving
Butter – ~0 net carbs per serving
Ghee (clarified butter) – 0 net carbs per serving
Cooking sprays – most have 0 net carbs per serving
Coconut oil – 0 net carbs per serving


Broth
Spices
Mustard – .19 net grams per teaspoon
Mayonnaise (full fat/regular) – 3.51 net grams per tablespoon
Tomato ketchup – 5 net grams per tablespoon
Tomato paste – 2.33 net grams per tablespoon
Black olives (black olives are lower carb than their green cousins) – 1 net gram per 4 olives
Sun dried tomatoes – 3 net grams per tablespoon
Pesto – depends on variety and brand
Read the labels of all your condiments to make sure they are sugar free.

Grains with a Low Carb Count

low carb grocery list lentils
Lentils are one of the best low carb grains!
Lentils (for vegetarian low carb dieters) – 22.21 net grams per cup (cooked)
Chick peas (also known as garbanzo beans) – 13 net grams per 1/2 cup

Bakery Items You Can Purchase

Smart & Delicious Low Carb Tortillas – The nutritional value of these tortillas is great. It has 3 gms of net carb per tortilla. Not bad! use these for quick, healthy wraps.

Black rye bread (if your diet permits it) – depends on brand

Other Low Carb Options

Lindt’s Excellence Intense Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa has 14 net carbs in every 4 square serving.

To get more bang for your buck remember that you can buy all your vegetables and meats from the frozen section. They are less expensive and as nutritious as the fresh items.
http://www.easylowcarbdesserts.com/low-carb-grocery-list/
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thanks Paul59! This newly diagnosed certainly appreciates this amazing list very much!
 
Moniki said:
The nurse did not give me the results and I was a bit stunned so forgot to ask. So ok, as Spencer67 recommended I will go and get a blood monitor and start checking the bg levels. Thank you for all your replies.
Click to expand...
Hello. You're entitled to have a printout of your test results. If we know what your HbA1c result is we will be better placed to offer advice. Do you need to lose weight?
 
I will go and get the results and post it, and I definitely need to lose weight!
 
Moniki said:
Thanks Paul59! This newly diagnosed certainly appreciates this amazing list very much!
Click to expand...
Your welcome, found it while browsing at least it gives some idea of what your looking for to begin with then as time goes by you can add things to it.
 
Hi everyone:).. I'm newly diagnosed type 1, just 3 days ago. I'm getting used to the blood tests and injections, but I do have a question... I was diagnosed after complaining that my eyesight had got blurry distance vision in the last three weeks, this prompted my doctor to test me for diabetes and the ketones in my urine were ++++, so type 1. Will my eyesight get better when blood glucose is under control? Thanks, worried, Hartlepool
 
LaineyK said:
Will my eyesight get better when blood glucose is under control?
Click to expand...
Hello. The short answer is yes, judging by the experiences of others on the forum. Hope this leaves you less worried :) and other Types 1s can fill in the details.
 
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