mandy12
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Here is the advice that Ken and I, as Forum Monitors, usually give to newly diagnosed Diabetics. We hope that these few ideas gained through experience help you to gain control and give you some understanding of Diabetes. This forum doesn't always follow the recommended dietary advice, you have to work out what works for you as we are all different.
It's not just 'sugars' you need to avoid, diabetes is an inability to process glucose properly. Carbohydrate converts, in the body, to glucose. So it makes sense to reduce the amount of carbohydrate that you eat which includes sugars.
For more information on CARBOHYDRATE see here:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=20306
This is NOT a low carb diet suggestion, just a reduction in your intake of carbohydrate. You have to decide yourself how much of a reduction will keep your blood glucose levels in control.
The main carbs to avoid OR reduce are the complex or starchy carbohydrates such as bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, starchy root veg and also any flour based products. The starchy carbs all convert 100% to glucose in the body and raise the blood sugar levels significantly.
If you are on Insulin you may find that reducing the carb intake also means that you can reduce your dose of insulin. This can help you to keep weight gain down as Insulin tends to make you put on weight and eventually cause insulin resistance. This should be done slowly so as not to cause hypos.
The way to find out how different foods affect you is to do regular daily testing and keep a food diary for a couple of weeks. If you test just before eating, then two hours after eating, you will see the effect of certain foods on your blood glucose levels. Some foods, which are slow acting carbohydrates, are absorbed more slowly so you may need to test three or even four hours later to see the effect that these have on your blood glucose levels.
Buy yourself a carb counter book (you can get these on-line) and you will be able to work out how much carbs you are eating, when you test, the reading two hours after should be roughly the same as the before eating reading, if it is then that meal was fine, if it isn’t then you need to check what you have eaten and think about reducing the portion size of carbs.
When you are buying products check the total carbohydrate content, this includes the sugar content. Do not just go by the amount of sugar on the packaging as this is misleading to a diabetic.
As for a tester, try asking the nurse/doctor and explain that you want to be proactive in managing your own diabetes and therefore need to test so that you can see just how foods affect your blood sugar levels. Hopefully this will work ! Sometimes they are not keen to give Type 2’s the strips on prescription, (in the UK) but you can but try!!
For TIPS FOR STRIPS see here:
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=19002#p173253
If you are an Insulin user in theory you should have no problem getting test strips.
The latest 2011 NICE guidelines for Bg levels are as follows:
Fasting (waking and before meals).......between 4 - 7 mmol/l...(Type 1 & 2)
2 hrs after meals........................no more than 8.5 mmol/l.....( Type 2)
2hrs after meals......................... no more than 9 mmol/l ......(Type 1)
If you are able to keep the post meal numbers lower, so much the better.
It also helps if you can do at least 30 minutes moderate exercise a day, it can be split into 10 min sessions to start with. It doesn't have to be strenuous.
The above is just general advice and it is recommended that you discuss with your HCP before making any changes. You can also ask questions on the forum on anything that is not clear.
Finally a few QUESTIONS TO ASK AT DIABETES CLINIC.
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=17091
Sue/Ken.
TO LET YOU KNOW CFS STANDS FOR CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME/ ME MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS IT IS A LONG TERM CHRONIC ILLNESS AND SADLY EXERCISE CAN MAKE THINGS WORSE . SO YOU HAVE TO DO GRADED EXERCISE IN VERY SMALL AMOUNTS NEED TO PACE YOUR DAY TO BE ABLE TO BANK ENERGY. THERE ARE MANY SYMPTOMS . MANY PEOPLE ARE BED BOUND A LOT OF THE TIME OF THE DAY. IN CONSTANT PAIN. IT EFFECT MUSCLES JOINTS YOU GET MENTAL FATIGUE KNOW AS BRAIN FOG. HOPE THIS EXPLAINS A LITTLE ABOUT IT. THIS IS JUST A SMALL PART ME/CFS.anna29 said:Hello mandy, welcome to us all here, oh I actually dont know what CFS / ME stands for? is it cystis fibrosis syndrome? I know what MS is, ME help!? is it possible for you to let me know? On the diet n lack of exercise things, is it possible to request a low impact 1-2-1 excercise plan to be put together for you. A trained person can go through your needs, disability and pain management plan [if you have one in place?] and between you both can draw up a do'able low impact gentle fitness regime that could/would work for you. An appt with an understanding dietician you could draw up a low carb plan that your happy with plus enjoy eating thing you like and portion control it too. You can request for these either through your GP or DSN. Hope this helps you and please ask any questions you feel/need to. Were here for you to help n support you along. Anna.x
THANK YOU I HAD HELP WITH PHYSIO AND GAVE ME SOME EXERCISE IT IS JUST SO FRUSTRATING WHEN YOU KNOW WHAT U NEED TO DO AND YOUR BODY DOES NOT WANT TO. THERE IS SOME GOOD ADVISE FOR ME HERE YES NEWLY DIAGNOSED TYPE 2. THANK YOU FOR ADVISErglennon said:Hi Mandy12,
I assume you mean chronic fatigue syndrome / myalgic encephalomyalitis? We're not able to give medical advice here but a quick internet search suggesting considering graded execise therapy. You do really need some professional support though to help get something that suits you. Have you been given any referral for physical therapy? It sounds like your diabetes diagnosis is pretty recent. Is that right?
Reducing your carbs is certainly a good way to go if you cannot be as active as you'd like. We also have a low carb area on the forum, with lots of suggestions and meal ideas. Please do ask any other questions.
THANK YOU ANNA JUST WAITING FOR NURSE TO GET BACK TO ME THEN I WILL UPDATE U . THANK YOU FOR BEING UNDERSTANDIND.anna29 said:Hi, Thank you for your reply mandy, now I know the CFS am so sorry am not familar with the ME , will read up on it n aquaint myself with it. Have you also seen both rglennon and daisy's posts some good pointers there to start you of with. Have you had any referrals to discuss any of these issues with your health care team? if you havent it would be an idea to ask about this via your GP/DSN . They can arrange these for you hopefully. Please do let us know how you go on. Anna.x
mandy12 said:THANK YOU ANNA JUST WAITING FOR NURSE TO GET BACK TO ME THEN I WILL UPDATE U . THANK YOU FOR BEING UNDERSTANDING.anna29 said:Hi, Thank you for your reply mandy, now I know the CFS am so sorry am not familar with the ME , will read up on it n aquaint myself with it. Have you also seen both rglennon and daisy's posts some good pointers there to start you of with. Have you had any referrals to discuss any of these issues with your health care team? if you havent it would be an idea to ask about this via your GP/DSN . They can arrange these for you hopefully. Please do let us know how you go on. Anna.x
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVICErglennon said:Hi Mandy12,
I assume you mean chronic fatigue syndrome / myalgic encephalomyalitis? We're not able to give medical advice here but a quick internet search suggesting considering graded execise therapy. You do really need some professional support though to help get something that suits you. Have you been given any referral for physical therapy? It sounds like your diabetes diagnosis is pretty recent. Is that right?
Reducing your carbs is certainly a good way to go if you cannot be as active as you'd like. We also have a low carb area on the forum, with lots of suggestions and meal ideas. Please do ask any other questions.
mandy12 said::? HELLO I HAVE HAD A FASTING TEST 8.9 .. MY HBCA1 WAS 7.1. I AM NOW WAITING TO SEE NURSE.
I ASLO HAVE CFS/ ME. I FIND IT REALLY HARD TO EXERCISE DUE TO DISABILITY WHICH IS DUE TO THE ME/CFS AND ENERGY LEVELS I AM OVER WEIGHT. I FEEL VERY DOWN ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO EXERCISE. I DO TRY TO KEEP TO A LOW CARB DIET. I WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY ADVICE. THANK YOU....... : :roll:
YES I AM SURE I HAVE ME/CFS FOR OVER 15 YEARS DIAGNOSED BY NEUROLIGIST. IT NOT JUST ABOUT FATIGUE.))Denise(( said:Are you sure you have chronic fatigue Mandy? It is the little box they put you in when you have unexplained tiredness - I know because I've been there got the t-shirt, but in my case it wasn't cf/me it was Vitamin D deficiency. Once I got tested and now take Vitamin D supplements I am nearly back to normal.
You need to also get tested for anaemia, Vitamin B12 deficiency and thyroid as all these cause tiredness. Don't give up with your GP, keep going back until you get answers, refuse to go in the little box.
The upside of being diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency and taking supplements is that my blood sugar levels are much lower, I'm sure there is a connection. I've also reduced the amount of carbs I eat.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME I WILL CHECK THE WEB SITES OUT. THANK YOU ONCE AGAINSynonym said:mandy12 said::? HELLO I HAVE HAD A FASTING TEST 8.9 .. MY HBCA1 WAS 7.1. I AM NOW WAITING TO SEE NURSE.
I ASLO HAVE CFS/ ME. I FIND IT REALLY HARD TO EXERCISE DUE TO DISABILITY WHICH IS DUE TO THE ME/CFS AND ENERGY LEVELS I AM OVER WEIGHT. I FEEL VERY DOWN ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO EXERCISE. I DO TRY TO KEEP TO A LOW CARB DIET. I WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY ADVICE. THANK YOU....... : :roll:
Hello Mandy12
So sorry to hear about your diagnosis and all the other issues you have. I know what it feels like as I too suffer from a myriad of things including CFS/ME and diabetes. I also have spinal issues which make excercise difficult but I can manage Pilates as it is very gentle and you can do as much or as little as you are able to do. I really would recommend Pilates to you, either in a class or privately. Use this link to find someone to help you who is local to you: http://www.pilatesfoundation.com/newsite2/index.php
As for the weight issues you are going the right way by keeping your carbs down and if you can keep them well down your weight will come off. I know this because I have real issues trying to keep my weight up :roll: because of eating as few carbs as I can in order to control my BG level without going on to medication. (I am not anti medication but have allergy/intolerance issues which make medicines difficult.)
Have you looked at The Spoon Theory? I know it isn't actually about CFS/ME but it does help to understand how to live with a long term problem similar to what we have. I have pasted a link:
http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/artic ... serandino/
If I can help in any way do PM me but in the meantime try not to fret about any of it as it does make the CFS/ME so much worse. :cry:
THANK YOU I WILL SEE IF I CAN GET IT CHECKED))Denise(( said:That's fine then, if you've been though all the tests and its not something I've mentioned. I was just misdiagnosed with cf/me, so always advise other tests. Unfortunately if you stay indoors a lot with your cf/me, you can also get Vitamin D deficiency on top of it.
THANK YOU CLAIREClaireG 06 said:Hi and welcome to the forum Mandy
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