So many Questions!

[Nikki1111]

I have type 2 Diabetes and take Metformin to control this. I have only been diagnosed for a couple of months, sometimes i find it hard to get my head round and dont feel i have anyone who understands me and who i can talk too. I have so many questions and find myself looking on the internet at symptoms,complications etc and it really scares me. I also suffer from Anxiety, especially relating to health for which i take anti depressants.
I'm finding it hard to control my eating, ie i love my crisps, bread and abit of chocolate. I am starting to give up smoking and trying to do some walking every day. The thing that is bothering me at the moment is i have tingling and pins and needles in my arm, hand and foot sometimes (usually the left side) and i'm worried about strokes, heart attack. I've had the tingling for sometime, before i was diagnosed with Diabetes. Also when im in bed, sometimes my legs (whichever side i'm lying on, feels numb.
Also i have an aching pain/feeling in my left side behind my left breast, this is making me think about heart disease/attack. Should i ask the nurse who i see if she could send my for a scan to check this out? Im very worry and not sure what to do or who to turn to.

 

[dawnmc]

Hi Nikki, welcome to the forum. You need to start cutting out the white stuff, bread is a bad un. Rice, pasta, potato, sugar Start snacking on olives, cheese, avocado, nuts esp almonds.
Keep looking around the forum for food ideas, it's basically a lower carb diet you need to be on.

 

[GraceK]

Hi Nikki ... if you're new to the forum, welcome ... and I hope you keep coming back because you'll get a lot of information and support from Daisy who'll probably be along later with some great information.

I'm recently diagnosed T2 myself and on Metformin and following LCHPF food regime (low carb/high protein/fat) so I know how scary it is and how overwhelming it can be when we start doing some research. I've learned to treat my information search and intake like I do my diet - ie don't try to 'eat' it all at one sitting, little and often is enough and don't worry if you can't take it all in at once. There really is no rush and no need to worry. I'd suggest you start with looking at eating regimes and don't scare yourself reading about complications as most of them will probably never happen.

Priority is to know what to eat and what not to eat in my opinion and I've only learned that by joining this forum and getting myself a BG meter and testing my own blood.

Try the FOOD AND NUTRITION section of the forum and go into LOW CARB DIET FORUM. The low carbing sounds drastic at first, but I can assure you it's NOT, once you realise you can eat all the protein and fat (I don't mean you have to have lashings of fat and oil, just not low fat foods) you'll find you're NOT HUNGRY (it's the carbs that make us more hungry and make us want to eat more) plus you'll start losing weight. Just try for now to concentrate on your eating programme and let the Metformin do its work too, it suppresses appetite.

Hope we'll hear more from you.

 

[andrew_333]

Hi Nikki

I also suffer from an anxiety disorder, and since I was diagnosed last month my anxiety has gone through the roof. The fact that my first foot exam and retinopathy exam were both clear reduced the anxiety a bit.

I am constantly amazed at the physical symptoms of anxiety. I have also suffered from strong sensations of pins and needles - usually in my right arm and hand. I have feelings of muscle weakness in my legs, and a feeling almost of vibration in my feet. On days of high anxiety my head feels like it's full of concrete, and I feel that the ground I am standing on is moving. I know it is all in my head, but the physical manifestations are very real. If I went to see my doctor about every new physical symptom I experienced I'd be living at the surgery :lol:

It's quite possible that you are just suffering from anxiety. In my experience the anxiety will fade as you come to terms with the diagnosis and realise that you're not going to suddenly suffer from all the complications. For me, though, I know it will take a good few weeks.

Keep telling us how you feel - there is reassurance in sharing experiences.

Andrew

 

[daisy1]

Hi Nikki

Here is the information for new members which Dawn mentioned although you may have seen it since I see that you have been a member since April. I hope it answers some of the questions you may have. Ask anything you like as someone will be able to help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

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 30,000 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

Reduce your 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

Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes ... rains.html

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

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

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)

• Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l

However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

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.
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Please sign our e-petition for free testing for all type 2's; here's the link:
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/petition/

Do get your friends and colleagues to sign as well.

 

[Defren]

I have type 2 Diabetes and take Metformin to control this. I have only been diagnosed for a couple of months, sometimes i find it hard to get my head round and dont feel i have anyone who understands me and who i can talk too. I have so many questions and find myself looking on the internet at symptoms,complications etc and it really scares me. I also suffer from Anxiety, especially relating to health for which i take anti depressants.

Ok Nikki, one thing at a time. Firstly, you can talk to us to your hearts content, not only will we listen, but we do understand and we will do all we can to help you.

I'm finding it hard to control my eating, ie i love my crisps, bread and abit of chocolate. I am starting to give up smoking and trying to do some walking every day. The thing that is bothering me at the moment is i have tingling and pins and needles in my arm, hand and foot sometimes (usually the left side) and i'm worried about strokes, heart attack. I've had the tingling for sometime, before i was diagnosed with Diabetes. Also when im in bed, sometimes my legs (whichever side i'm lying on, feels numb.

Touche from many of us. When first diagnosed and it's suggested you low carb, or reduce your carbs, your mind goes into overdrive about things you can't have. The best way to deal with that is to look at the nice things you can eat. Firstly, the old mantra about reducing fat and eating low fat can go out of the window. If you reduce your carbs and up your good fats, you will feel full and you won't feel deprived. I believe the feeling initially of deprivation is a diabetics worst enemy, but when you look at eating lots of dairy, eggs, cheese and cream etc, then you realise that the crisps and other carbs are what is making you feel so grotty. Also, once you begin to low carb the problems with pins and needles etc may very well ease. We have a poster here who once he began to low carb, found after a long time of feeling very ill and suffering a whole host of problems he was back playing tennis, he still does and he is in his 70's. He is called IanD and hopefully he will see this and add his experience.

Also i have an aching pain/feeling in my left side behind my left breast, this is making me think about heart disease/attack. Should i ask the nurse who i see if she could send my for a scan to check this out? Im very worry and not sure what to do or who to turn to.

I fully understand what you are saying, and these feelings if left to carry on will become a self fulfilling prophecy. Once you get control of your diabetes, these symptoms will likely ease. Try a low carb approach for a while. Cut out the white nasties, bread, rice, potato, pasta and foodstuff with flour, increase the fat you are eating and see if you feel better. I am sure you will, but if for whatever reason you don't, then I would certainly advise a word with a member of your health care team.

The very best of luck, try not to worry.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. Welcome to the forum which I've been using for the last few years. You will find you are not alone and the sheer amount of advice means you become in control of the illness which will do a lot to reduce your anxiety. Whilst there are extreme problems for some in old age, this tends to happen to those who ignore the illness or who blindly follow NHS advice. If you take control of your diet this will have a major effect on the state of your blood sugar. Some of us need medication as well as we are all different, but diet is the first stop. Replace ordinary bread with a low-GI variety, for chocolate I have Green & Blacks 85% Dark which is very low carb, and so on. It's not all bad news on the food front.

 

[Grazer]

Hi Nikki1111
It is difficult. When we're first diagnosed, i think we tend to think that every ache and pain, tingle or numbness is down to diabetes and things like neuropathy. The way to deal with this I believe is to say "even if they are, the ONLY way to treat neuropathy and other complications is to have consistently low blood sugar, as near to normal as possible" Then, you can concentrate on diet and exercise and forget about the complications - there's nothing you can do more anyway! That's all the doctors can do as well, apart from giving you metformin (which they are already) as it's good for protection against cardio vascular problems.
Having sorted this in my mind, this is what I did for my blood sugar levels:-
In general terms you will need to reduce the total number of carbohydrates you eat per day. All carbohydrates turn to sugar when we eat them, and no type 2 diabetic on diet only, or on diet and metformin only, can control their blood sugars (BGs) without controlling their carb intake. Even those on strong medication normally choose to control their carb intake to keep the level of medication they take down. The total number of carbs per day you can eat depends on how advanced your diabetes is. It’s perhaps worth starting at about 50% of normal levels for a non-diabetic then adjusting up or down according to how you get on. So that means eating 150 grams of carbs per day for a man, 125 for a woman. You can read the total carb content of food under “nutritional info” on the packet or wrapping, or look it up on the internet for loose food. Just google “carb content..”
You also need to stop or reduce the bad carbs; that is the starchy ones that make your BG go up quickly.
So obviously no sugar or glucose! But also no white bread, white rice, pasta, flour products like pastry, cake and batter. You can eat a little basmati rice, wholewheat pasta or the tri-color pasta fusilli ones in small quantities. Boiled new potatos (again not too many) are OK but not old pots mashed, boiled or in their jackets. (Roast is not so bad, the fat slows their absorption and conversion to glucose in the blood) Amongst other veg, parsnips are about the worst for BG, and carrots not great but ok in smaller amounts.
Multi grain bread (not wholemeal) is not SO bad, but lots of us eat Burgen soya and linseed bread from tescos and sainsburys, although all bread should be in limited amounts.
All fruit has carbohydrates, and needs to be included in the amounts of carbs you eat in a day. For most people, bananas are about the worst for pushing our BG up and berries (like strawberries, raspberries etc) are the least bad.
No sweeties!
Exercise is important. I tend to exercise about an hour after eating when I know my BG will be peaking. This helps to bring it down quicker and further. I do ten minutes hard work on an exercise machine, but you could run up and down stairs for ten minutes or go for a brisk walk.
Returning to types of food and quantities of carbs - you can only find out how many you can eat by testing. Most type 2’s are not given access to testing equipment, so you should get your own – although try arguing with your Doc that you want to manage to NICE guideline blood sugar levels, and can’t do that without testing! If you have to buy a meter, they are cheap and most manufacturers will give them away for free. They make their money on the strips you have to use! So go for the meter with the cheapest testing strips. The SD Codefree available on the internet is about the cheapest at the moment. Some people test before and after eating, on waking (fasting test) and before bed. But if you have limited strips because of cost, the key to me is testing 2 hours after eating. If your BG is above, say, 7.8 at that stage, you need to cut down on the carb content the next time you have that meal. Test after various different meals and you soon get to see a pattern of what you can and can’t eat, and in what quantities. Keep careful records of what you ate and when, together with the result, so you can refer back at a later date. You can then reduce your testing. I said “below, say, 7.8” because NICE guidelines are below 8.5 but most of us think that’s a little high. 7.8 is the max. level at 2 hours after eating that a non-diabetic normally gets to so is perhaps a better target. Some then set progressively lower targets.
Do ask lots of questions; there is normally an answer on here. The more you get to learn about your diabetes, the better it will be.
Good luck!

 

[Nikki1111]

Thankyou to all who have replied. I do appreciate your feed back, its made me feel alittle better. I will continue to visit this site and this forum, thankyou once again!

 

[GraceK]

Thankyou to all who have replied. I do appreciate your feed back, its made me feel alittle better. I will continue to visit this site and this forum, thankyou once again!

Good on ya! How are you doing?

 

[Nikki1111]

Hi GraceK,

I'm fine thanks, you? I am reading through all the replies to my post and an finding alot of useful information with regard as to what i can eat. Im very grateful to all of you for the helpful information x

 

[GraceK]

Hi GraceK,

I'm fine thanks, you? I am reading through all the replies to my post and an finding alot of useful information with regard as to what i can eat. Im very grateful to all of you for the helpful information x

I'm doing the same thing Nikki. Lamb chop for brekkie this morning ... cos for once I was hungry when I woke up. So it will be a lighter tea for me tonight. Happy scrolling!