Type 2 Diabetic rebel...had a wake up call

[matildamay_]

Good Morning

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2013. I will admit I have been going through so many other things; menopause, depression and anxiety that after at first being in total denial, I then went on to be a rebel. I confess I am a sugar addict and food is my comfort. To be told I could no longer enjoy eating foods I want was the last straw for me, on top of everything else. So, like any good rebel I continued to ignore my rising blood sugar levels. I felt fine so I was fine right?

Erm, actually no

I put everything down to menopause and depression and continued to completely ignore my diabetes. I was continually unwell; tired, dizzy and feeling sick.

Recently I have started to experience episodes of feeling like I was going to blackout, mostly after eating. I had a particular bad episode that meant I had to get picked up from work as I didn't feel safe to drive. I went to the doctors yesterday and she checked my blood sugar which was 2 hours after breakfast. It was 19.2 !! Now I'm not completely comfortable with testing as I've never done it, but when I was told it should be below 8.5, I realised I was in trouble.

So, from that I have finally decided to grow up and take it seriously. I'm no youngster, I'm almost 45 with 4 sons ranging from 19 to 24 yrs. I'm not stupid but with this I have been. My family history is full of diabetes, cancer and early onset heart disease (mother had angina from 38 resulting in a heart attack at 40 and a triple heart bypass at 42!).

I will admit it, I can't do this alone, I need help. I am very lucky to have a very supportive hubby and children. I feel like I need the help of people 'in the know', so I've signed up to this forum and already it's been an eye opener for me. I have read with interest how others deal with their diabetes and everything that goes with it. I have also decided that I'm going to sign up to the testing programme and study hard about diabetes. I want to live to see my grandchildren and with a whole body, not with parts of me missing.

After all of that I do have an actual question and that is; when I have eaten something that raises my sugar levels, how do I then lower it?

 

[Liam1955]

@matildamay_ Hello and Welcome to the forum. Well, you could do some exercise as this helps to lower blood sugars, drink plenty of water - it helps to flush out your system and stabilize the glucose in your bloodstream.

 

[matildamay_]

Good Morning

Thanks for your response.

Yes, I read about exercise but what about when I am at work? I will need to let them know how to best help me if I fall ill at work.

@matildamay_ Hello and Welcome to the forum. Well, you could do some exercise as this helps to lower blood sugars, drink plenty of water - it helps to flush out your system and stabilize the glucose in your bloodstream.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Hi and welcome to the forum,

It is never too late to start to take control, and you are in the right place for all the help and support you need. Well done, you have taken the first steps.

You ask how you can lower your levels post meal. Some people exercise if they find their levels have gone up too much after eating. You can try this. A good brisk walk, or even running up and down the stairs several times. However, it doesn't work for everyone, me included. The best action is not to let the levels rise too much in the first place, and that means cutting those carbs right down. All carbs convert to glucose once inside the system, and glucose is what we diabetics do not want in our blood stream.

Do have a good read round and see how everyone is dealing with this, and ask questions.

Good luck.

 

[amgrundy]

Hi matildamay, First of all welcome to the forum and this fabulous website, believe me you are in the best place to be at this time. Ask as many questions as you like, there are so many supportive nice people on here who will try and answer your questions, and advise you if they can. I was diagnosed in Jan this year with a reading of 19.3. I was devastated like you and everyone else too. I had not been well for a long time and always put it down to the stress of my husbands motorbike accident [ which has left him disabled] and then the death of my only son a few years ago also in a motorbike accident.] I found this brilliant site which has helped me as I could not have got to where I am today without this site and all the lovely people here. Now 3 months on lost over 1 and a half stone, BG readings down to mainly 5s and 6s. Go onto the forum " What Have You Eaten Today " I tell everyone this as it is a forum were we all puy our daily meals on, look at what others eat and try and then test 2 hrs after. We are all a bit different in what foods we can tolerate, there are so many ideas that you will never get bored. I think the biggest part of finding we have diabetes is the food and what to eat. God luck .

 

[matildamay_]

Hi and welcome to the forum,

It is never too late to start to take control, and you are in the right place for all the help and support you need. Well done, you have taken the first steps.

You ask how you can lower your levels post meal. Some people exercise if they find their levels have gone up too much after eating. You can try this. A good brisk walk, or even running up and down the stairs several times. However, it doesn't work for everyone, me included. The best action is not to let the levels rise too much in the first place, and that means cutting those carbs right down. All carbs convert to glucose once inside the system, and glucose is what we diabetics do not want in our blood stream.

Do have a good read round and see how everyone is dealing with this, and ask questions.

Good luck.

Thank you so much.

 

[Liam1955]

@matildamay_ -Hello again. Use your blood glucose meter and test 2 hours after eating a meal. It's a good idea to keep a food dairy - record what you have eaten, your blood sugar result before food and then 2 hours after. By doing this you can avoid foods that raise your blood sugars.
Or, have you thought about following the LCHF Diet (Low Carb High Fat) a lot of forum members who are on this diet, loose weight and reduce their HBA1C - just click on this link and have a read.
http://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/60-seconds

 

[matildamay_]

Hi matildamay, First of all welcome to the forum and this fabulous website, believe me you are in the best place to be at this time. Ask as many questions as you like, there are so many supportive nice people on here who will try and answer your questions, and advise you if they can. I was diagnosed in Jan this year with a reading of 19.3. I was devastated like you and everyone else too. I had not been well for a long time and always put it down to the stress of my husbands motorbike accident [ which has left him disabled] and then the death of my only son a few years ago also in a motorbike accident.] I found this brilliant site which has helped me as I could not have got to where I am today without this site and all the lovely people here. Now 3 months on lost over 1 and a half stone, BG readings down to mainly 5s and 6s. Go onto the forum " What Have You Eaten Today " I tell everyone this as it is a forum were we all puy our daily meals on, look at what others eat and try and then test 2 hrs after. We are all a bit different in what foods we can tolerate, there are so many ideas that you will never get bored. I think the biggest part of finding we have diabetes is the food and what to eat. God luck .

Oh my goodness what an awful time you have had. Thank you for your reply, I shall certainly be doing lots of reading over the next few days.

 

[matildamay_]

@matildamay_ -Hello again. Use your blood glucose meter and test 2 hours after eating a meal. It's a good idea to keep a food dairy - record what you have eaten, your blood sugar result before food and then 2 hours after. By doing this you can avoid foods that raise your blood sugars.
Or, have you thought about following the LCHF Diet (Low Carb High Fat) a lot of forum members who are on this diet, loose weight and reduce their HBA1C - just click on this link and have a read.
http://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/60-seconds

I'm going to start testing, I asked the nurse about this and they wouldn't help, so I'm going to get a testing kit myself to do it.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[Mike d]

You have the best resources at your disposal. Use them Be it diet, weight or anything else, we are here As we say to all newbies, just ask. Nothing is off base

 

[Providence 62]

I'm going to start testing, I asked the nurse about this and they wouldn't help, so I'm going to get a testing kit myself to do it.

Thanks for your advice.

Great idea about getting yourself a testing kit. The NHS is rather stingy about kits and testing strips for Type 2s. I bought myself an SD Codefree meter on amazon over a year ago, it's still going strong and the strips are the cheapest. Pretty handy. My doctor wonders why I test so much (i.e. most mornings) but I find that it keeps me on the straight and narrow. If your blood glucose was at 19, no wonder you felt so bad.

Read the great advice from others about diet, etc. This is a great site for learning.

Best of luck


Prov

 

[Liam1955]

@matildamay_ Hi. Have you got a particular blood testing meter in mind? Because testing strips can be expensive. Amazon.co.UK have some good offers. Such as: SD Codefree Blood glucose meter, 50 testing strips and 100 lancets all for £25.97 post free and if you state you are diabetic you don't pay vat. Here is the link:
http://www.Amazon.co.uk/Codefree-Glucose-Monitor-Monitoring-Testing/dp/B0068JAJFS

 

[AndBreathe]

Welcome aboard @matildamay_ . It certainly seems like you have turned an important corner with your diabetes.

When I was diagnosed, I decided to grab it by the throat right up front. you've had a little sabbatical, but you're here now.

To be honest, beginning to test was the best thing I ever did, coupled with using the internet to learn about my condition. Beginning to test showed me, in my home, in front of my very own eyes what was going on in my blood. It really helped me, and my OH, accept my condition. Some person saying your reading is x,y or z is fine, but to take that reading ourselves, and know we did it correctly, for me was better. It also helped inform me, quick quickly what foods I was eating that weren't helping me at that time.

Realising that, I turned to how to eat instead, and found various fora, including this one and my journey really took off.

I decided to "eat to my meter". By that I mean, I spent a short while just getting on with my life, but testing and recording both the blood scores I got, and what I had eaten and drunk. That told me where the safer options were and where the no-nos lay. If the number on my meter was too high, I either had to give up that food, or try eating a smaller portion of it. Over time, I got the idea. Without trying, I also really trimmed up. That had never been a goal, but it was a welcome side-effect for me. I'm not very slim indeed.

Your blood numbers will take a little while to come into shape, but with a following wind it is possible to make big improvements to your overall health.

I've managed never to take any medication and have got my bloods back into a great shape, so now my challenge is to keep them there, but I'm determined to give this diabetes thing a run for it's money. Bolshy, moi? You bet.

I think you'll be fine. I think you're ready for the challenge.

 

[matildamay_]

Welcome aboard @matildamay_ . It certainly seems like you have turned an important corner with your diabetes.

When I was diagnosed, I decided to grab it by the throat right up front. you've had a little sabbatical, but you're here now.

To be honest, beginning to test was the best thing I ever did, coupled with using the internet to learn about my condition. Beginning to test showed me, in my home, in front of my very own eyes what was going on in my blood. It really helped me, and my OH, accept my condition. Some person saying your reading is x,y or z is fine, but to take that reading ourselves, and know we did it correctly, for me was better. It also helped inform me, quick quickly what foods I was eating that weren't helping me at that time.

Realising that, I turned to how to eat instead, and found various fora, including this one and my journey really took off.

I decided to "eat to my meter". By that I mean, I spent a short while just getting on with my life, but testing and recording both the blood scores I got, and what I had eaten and drunk. That told me where the safer options were and where the no-nos lay. If the number on my meter was too high, I either had to give up that food, or try eating a smaller portion of it. Over time, I got the idea. Without trying, I also really trimmed up. That had never been a goal, but it was a welcome side-effect for me. I'm not very slim indeed.

Your blood numbers will take a little while to come into shape, but with a following wind it is possible to make big improvements to your overall health.

I've managed never to take any medication and have got my bloods back into a great shape, so now my challenge is to keep them there, but I'm determined to give this diabetes thing a run for it's money. Bolshy, moi? You bet.

I think you'll be fine. I think you're ready for the challenge.

Thank you for your response. I may have taken a while to get there, but I need to take this seriously now.

I had previously asked about testing as I'd read about it however, the nurse just brushed my comments aside. I think part of my problem is that my GP and diabetic nurse didn't seem to take it seriously so I didn't. I have an appointment to discuss my blood results in 2 weeks and have decided that if it continues then I shall be asking for a referral to the specialist centre.

Thanks again

 

[AndBreathe]

Thank you for your response. I may have taken a while to get there, but I need to take this seriously now.

I had previously asked about testing as I'd read about it however, the nurse just brushed my comments aside. I think part of my problem is that my GP and diabetic nurse didn't seem to take it seriously so I didn't. I have an appointment to discuss my blood results in 2 weeks and have decided that if it continues then I shall be asking for a referral to the specialist centre.

Thanks again

At diagnosis, my nurse also said testing was unnecessary; I would get stressed, wouldn't understand what the results meant (Hello? Did she have any idea of my background at all?) and my fingers would hurt. My follow-up question was to ask her if she would taker her own advice, not to test, if she were diagnosed. The room went spookily quiet, which really told me what I needed to know.

The NHS is so short of cash, it can't support everyone testing. It's just a shame we can't have grown up conversations about that, so that those who could find it useful are at least supported in their activity, if not their supplies.

Few T2s, unless on hefty drug regimes have access to truly specialised support, but that doesn't mean you would necessarily be denied it. I'm just trying to manage your expectations a bit, or give you food for thought (pardon the pun) for preparing for your appointment.

 

[Liam1955]

@matildamay_ The most important and vital piece of equipment for a Diabetic is a blood glucose meter.