Type 2 - Hello

[Energize]

Hi
I've been 'lurking' for some time but eventually got around to posting. So, firstly, Hello!!!

I was diagnosed Type 2 about 18 months ago but knew this diagnosis was imminent (long story). However, I'm still struggling to control sugar levels, for a variety of reasons, so hoping you will be able to give me some guidance.

I'm currently on Metformin 500mgs 3 times a day.

Essentially, I suffer with depression and am on long-term meds for that; take Thyroxine for underactive thyroid; meds for slightly high blood pressure; meds for gastritis; glucosamine to help joint pains/arthritis. I have had particularly difficult and stressful time over the past 2 1/2 yrs causing much of this, including quite severe depression and associated problems. I'm also overweight, very limited regarding exercise, having mobility problems due to various injuries.

I live on my own, being single, although 'mature' and, at the best of times, found it hard to prepare meals for one. For various reasons, I don't eat properly, nor regularly. I don't have an enforced daily structure to stick to, in spite of trying to impliment one.

I still have stressful issues going on but I'm also very concerned about my blood sugars being too high. I just feel generally weary, with no motivation, and am depressed. I know, in theory, what I should be doing, ie eating properly/low carb, exercising but, in practice I'm just 'in a muddle', don't know where to even start to work around the various issues.

Thanks for reading all this. I suspect it is quite muddled but that's just typical of me at the moment.

Oh, and by the way, I'm a chocoholic, obviously a very sweet tooth, so not eating chocolate is incredibly hard, especially when I have a 'wobbly' (mood).

Cheers


I will post in the Type 2 section, probably, with more specific circumstances

 

[Gappy]

Forgive me it's late and I've had a drink or 3! I typed a reply but it got lost! Like you it was no surprise when I was diagnosed type 2, however I'm an awkward type of person who likes to prove people wrong! I made some changes (very basically cut out bread) Lost 1 1/2 stone and my sugars are 5.8 & 5.9 last readings. I have increased my exercise but it's worthwhile as I've also increased my facebook friends too!

So my advice, don't panic diabetes aint the end of the world you can still have lots of fun. And with a bit of change you can also feel better than you ever have before, it's really a lot easier than you imagine

 

[daisy1]

Hi Energize and welcome to the forum You're in good company here and we'll all try and help you to get better control. Here is some information written by our friends Sue and Ken, former monitors, for new members, even though you are not newly diagnosed, to help you get back on track. The depression of course is making it difficult for you - I wonder if you should consult your GP or whoever you have been seeing to see if things can be improved as it doesn't sound as though your treatment is very effective at the moment.

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.

 

[ailz]

Hi,

Have you tried cutting out lots of carbs - I was a chocoholic - well a fattening food aholic really - and after following Viv's Modified Atkins diet from this forum - viewtopic.php?f=18&t=18803 - have managed not to even think about chocolate for over 2 months. Even when I'm 'wobbly' - I have fibromyalgia plus other things - and I would have had chocolate to give me some energy I've not bothered. I'm also finding that my wobbles are happening less because carbs are part of a vicious circle for me.

Cheers
Ailz

 

[Energize]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm trying to work out where to start, and what questions I need to start with. I've decided I must walk a bit each day, so will start with 10mins and see how I manage. I know this will be a good thing to be doing. Never mind the thunder storms we're having at the moment, eh? LOL

Also, going to take a serious look into what different foods I can try which will be more appropriate and am going to have a concerted effort to avoid chocolate things!!! I did resist at a social gathering this evening - all those chocolate brownies!!! I took strawberries and just had some of them instead! So, I didn't really eat much this evening, certainly only a minute amount of carbs (in a tiny sausage roll) and, as a result, my stomach is now rumbling so I will have a banana, as it's late - 11.40pm. (hope that's the right thing to be doing???)

Thanks again, for your support

 

[Gappy]

When it comes to diet I keep out of the debate and do just what feels right for me but I don't like bananas! The thunder storms will do a favour walking as if you got hot most drinks available in shops are sugar packed-that's me though always look for a positive!

 

[Energize]

LOL

Don't need hot drinks when walking in the thunder storms - just look up and you can drink as much as you like - no carbs, no cals!!!

:roll: