Where do I start? Overwhelmed.

[EmmyKittyPhoo]

I was diagnosed with Type 2 a week ago and I am so overwhelmed. My doctor literally said “take these pills twice a day, eat less carbs and call me in a month.” It was a 2 minute conversation. I haven’t been given a blood sugar reader, I have no idea how low “low carb” is ... I’m so confused. There seems to be a LOT of conflicting information online.

I’ve ordered a blood sugar reader on Amazon and so far I’m just avoiding the big carbs - pasta, bread, etc. - because I don’t really know what I’m meant to be counting or when. Carbs per day? Per meal? And I have no idea what a good blood sugar reading is. I ordered a reader that lights up red, amber and green in order to help me understand it. Is it as simple as that?

Can anyone give this overwhelmed newbie some pointers please? Or direct me to some good literature? I keep crying because I just don’t understand and I want to get this right.

(I know I should probably talk to the doctor again but it’s difficult getting an appointment at the moment with covid.)

 

[jjraak]

Aw @EmmyKittyPhoo ..what a tale and all too common, sadly.

And yep, that was me too, after my short meeting with the doc.

Sure others will kick in with great ideas.


You got the gist of this, T2D are not very tolerant of carbs, so best we avoid too many at meals.

And counting carbs, Google will help with fresh produce, and on most packs the carbs is listed on back normally.



The range of carbs you eat is up to you, but it sort of goes from 100/150g of carbs a day, right down to sub 20g of carbs for those aiming for a ketogenic diet.

Personally I aim for 50/60g carbs a day so I aim for 30g per meal, and I eat twice a day, and rarely snack now



@Rachox , does a nice post on the variety of meters.sure to be listed soon.

Mine displays the number so 5.0 if I'm lucky, but it does fluctuate

Meter range in mornings (fasting blood glucose)
Is one most posts mention
It's the one before you eat or do any real exercise.

I take mine as I wait for kettle to boil
After getting up in morning

Ideal is around the 5 range, but you'll find for others the numbers may be higher or lower, depending on type and other conditions

When I started i was at 9.0 for ages, but it slips down the more you stick to a lower carb diet, usually.

Many posts asking for your daily FBG, most friendly and some more chatty then others.
Do post up, someone will say hello.
And you'll soon get a feel for what's common and how well yours is progressing.

It's a great way to meet online with others treading the same path

Just remember we're all individuals, with differing needs, health etc, so don't feel bad if your not as low as others.
I feel poorly if I dip too far under 5.0

Diet doctor was a great source of info early on,
It helped me to decide if a food i liked was a good choice or not..lower numbers best.

And for my money, you'll learn more here in a month then in a year at the doctor's.

Good luck and finding this place, means your on your way to getting a handle on this

 

[Happy ME Nutrition]

All newly diagnosed type 2 DM is entitled to see a state registered NHS dietitian. Ask your GP for referral.
In the meantime, Diabetes UK is a helpful resources online nationally. Its no need to blood glucose monitor yet unless your diagnosed glycaemic control, HBA1C was extremely high. (Above 76mmol/mol)

Carb and cal book will be useful if you want to learn carbohydrates portion in sizes. Its app as well.
If you dont want to wait for referral, private dietitian will be an option. Good luck.

Usual blood glucose reading targets are between 4-8mmol/L.

 

[MrsA2]

HI Emma
First of all do not panic. Type 2 is a manageable condition that takes some learning about and trial and error to see what suits your body best. Its a marathon (lifelong) not a sprint so don't beat yourself over not knowing it all at once.
Most of us arrived here in a state of uninformed shock and we've all learned together.
Testing your blood sugar (bg) is crucial as well as moving to a low carb diet, and increasing mild exercise, if you can.

Do feel free to read around the forum, the search box is invaluable as its rare that someone else hasn't already encountered what ever you want to know, but do ask questions if you need too. The abbreviations are like learning a whole new language!

It would help us if you could share you HBa1c result, and your age and whether you have an amount of weight to lose. It just helps tailor replies. You can put them in your profile or signature so they are easily visible.

So welcome, and breathe

 

[jjraak]

All newly diagnosed type 2 DM is entitled to see a state registered NHS dietitian. Ask your GP for referral.
In the meantime, Diabetes UK is a helpful resources online nationally. Its no need to blood glucose monitor yet unless your diagnosed glycaemic control, HBA1C was extremely high. (Above 76mmol/mol)

Carb and cal book will be useful if you want to learn carbohydrates portion in sizes. Its app as well.
If you dont want to wait for referral, private dietitian will be an option. Good luck.

Usual blood glucose reading targets are between 4-8mmol/L.

Sadly I found that the advice on offer officially meant more carbs then I could really handle.

Sure many docs are up with the Unwins but many also are not

I went eatwell for 6 weeks and got worse.
6 weeks of being hungry ..never again

It was only trying the advice on here that I began to get a handle on what to eat that I began making improvements.

But each to their own.

the HBA1c under members signatures tells the tale of people's success.

 

[VashtiB]

Hello and welcome,

Confused and overwhelmed is very common when diagnosed. I certainly felt that way. Many here helped me.

To start read the following links- I found them very useful:

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/blog-entry/the-nutritional-thingy.2330/

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/basic-information-for-newly-diagnosed-diabetics.17088/

Well done getting a meter- it will be the tool that will let you know how many carbs your body can tolerate.

Read around, keep posting- ask questions vent when needed and feel free to ask for support- many of us have been in your shoes and most of those are here because this site is awesome. I found some of the best people I know I 'met' on this site.

It will get better I promise- it is tough at first but with the help of the people here you will soon look back and realise how far you have come.

Welcome.

 

[Sam95]

I was diagnosed with Type 2 a week ago and I am so overwhelmed. My doctor literally said “take these pills twice a day, eat less carbs and call me in a month.” It was a 2 minute conversation. I haven’t been given a blood sugar reader, I have no idea how low “low carb” is ... I’m so confused. There seems to be a LOT of conflicting information online.

I’ve ordered a blood sugar reader on Amazon and so far I’m just avoiding the big carbs - pasta, bread, etc. - because I don’t really know what I’m meant to be counting or when. Carbs per day? Per meal? And I have no idea what a good blood sugar reading is. I ordered a reader that lights up red, amber and green in order to help me understand it. Is it as simple as that?

Can anyone give this overwhelmed newbie some pointers please? Or direct me to some good literature? I keep crying because I just don’t understand and I want to get this right.

(I know I should probably talk to the doctor again but it’s difficult getting an appointment at the moment with covid.)

I am in the same boat as you.. I've just been researching many forums and trying to get answers as quickly as possible. My diagnosis was 4 months ago, I have been using a meal plan for about 3 weeks and I've been keeping steady. Seems to be lots of info on here, and lots of good people! Chin up! If you want a link to the plan let me know!

 

[Andie79]

I was diagnosed with Type 2 a week ago and I am so overwhelmed. My doctor literally said “take these pills twice a day, eat less carbs and call me in a month.” It was a 2 minute conversation. I haven’t been given a blood sugar reader, I have no idea how low “low carb” is ... I’m so confused. There seems to be a LOT of conflicting information online.

I’ve ordered a blood sugar reader on Amazon and so far I’m just avoiding the big carbs - pasta, bread, etc. - because I don’t really know what I’m meant to be counting or when. Carbs per day? Per meal? And I have no idea what a good blood sugar reading is. I ordered a reader that lights up red, amber and green in order to help me understand it. Is it as simple as that?

Can anyone give this overwhelmed newbie some pointers please? Or direct me to some good literature? I keep crying because I just don’t understand and I want to get this right.

(I know I should probably talk to the doctor again but it’s difficult getting an appointment at the moment with covid.)

Hi there, I’m also recently diagnosed (January).. and am on insulin so know how u feel.
Luckily a friend of mine is a nurse so let me know as the diabetes nurses in hospital didn’t tell me but you’re entitled to free prescriptions- before ticking the box you need to apply for (and get) a medical expedition certificate.. you need to get a form from your GP and then return it for them to sign and stamps. You should also be able to get your test strips added to your prescription request (it all adds up!)

 

[Duffer2020]

Me too! I was diagnosed last week. Turns out it was mentioned in passing 18 months ago that I was pre-diabetic but no follow up or information at the time so I didn’t realise the seriousness at the time.
This time I went to the doctor on another matter (skin related - but turns out a symptom of diabetes - who knew!).
All I had was a call back from the surgery saying how high the reading was and that I was diabetic! No advice on what happens next!
I started googling and luckily got onto diabetes.co.uk and started going through their learning zone.
Nothing more from the doctor until I pushed for an appointment to discus. I had 10 minutes of his time snd was told what medication he was going to prescribe. No details on what it does etc! I felt totally ‘dumped’!
I have had to push for an appointment to see the diabetic nurse.
I asked about bring referred to a dietician and was told ‘no need’
I asked if I should get a monitor to check my blood sugars and got told ‘not for Type 2 no!
I asked if I lost weight and got the levels under control was there a chance I would be able to come off medication and was told ‘probably not’
No word about seeing a podiatrist or retinal screening either!
It seems as though the only way to get information is to search for it ourselves - all I can say is thank goodness for this website.
I was able to write down a lit of questions that I needed to asked and phoned the helpline and got to speak to a lovely lady who took the time to address all the questions I had. It made me feel so much better to actually feel that I was starting to take back some control!

 

[jjraak]

Me too! I was diagnosed last week. Turns out it was mentioned in passing 18 months ago that I was pre-diabetic but no follow up or information at the time so I didn’t realise the seriousness at the time.
This time I went to the doctor on another matter (skin related - but turns out a symptom of diabetes - who knew!).
All I had was a call back from the surgery saying how high the reading was and that I was diabetic! No advice on what happens next!
I started googling and luckily got onto diabetes.co.uk and started going through their learning zone.
Nothing more from the doctor until I pushed for an appointment to discus. I had 10 minutes of his time snd was told what medication he was going to prescribe. No details on what it does etc! I felt totally ‘dumped’!
I have had to push for an appointment to see the diabetic nurse.
I asked about bring referred to a dietician and was told ‘no need’
I asked if I should get a monitor to check my blood sugars and got told ‘not for Type 2 no!
I asked if I lost weight and got the levels under control was there a chance I would be able to come off medication and was told ‘probably not’
No word about seeing a podiatrist or retinal screening either!
It seems as though the only way to get information is to search for it ourselves - all I can say is thank goodness for this website.
I was able to write down a lit of questions that I needed to asked and phoned the helpline and got to speak to a lovely lady who took the time to address all the questions I had. It made me feel so much better to actually feel that I was starting to take back some control!

It deserves a Hug..
BUT i went winner, because you persevered so well.

sadly it is incumbent upon us to become experts in ourselves, particularly re type 2.

and this wonderful site IS the catalyst for that learning.

I'm preaching to the choir, but a meter imho is an essential.
It was, as you put it, the start of taking back control.

so well done you.

the journeys long, but there are many on here only too willing to point us in the right direction.

( whether we listen is, as always, up to us.)

 

[jjraak]

Hi there, I’m also recently diagnosed (January).. and am on insulin so know how u feel.
Luckily a friend of mine is a nurse so let me know as the diabetes nurses in hospital didn’t tell me but you’re entitled to free prescriptions- before ticking the box you need to apply for (and get) a medical expedition certificate.. you need to get a form from your GP and then return it for them to sign and stamps. You should also be able to get your test strips added to your prescription request (it all adds up!)

Great points @Andie79

perhaps IF on insulin that may be so for test strips.

But if not, the meter & test strips are normally up to us to provide.
wrong and SO cost ineffective, in the long term.
but there it is, sadly

 

[Andie79]

Great points @Andie79

perhaps IF on insulin that may be so for test strips.

But if not, the meter & test strips are normally up to us to provide.
wrong and SO cost ineffective, in the long term.
but there it is, sadly

I must be fortunate then as I get mine on prescription. Definitely worth asking.. as they say if you don’t ask you don’t get

 

[EmmyKittyPhoo]

HI Emma
First of all do not panic. Type 2 is a manageable condition that takes some learning about and trial and error to see what suits your body best. Its a marathon (lifelong) not a sprint so don't beat yourself over not knowing it all at once.
Most of us arrived here in a state of uninformed shock and we've all learned together.
Testing your blood sugar (bg) is crucial as well as moving to a low carb diet, and increasing mild exercise, if you can.

Do feel free to read around the forum, the search box is invaluable as its rare that someone else hasn't already encountered what ever you want to know, but do ask questions if you need too. The abbreviations are like learning a whole new language!

It would help us if you could share you HBa1c result, and your age and whether you have an amount of weight to lose. It just helps tailor replies. You can put them in your profile or signature so they are easily visible.

So welcome, and breathe

Thank you for this - my age is 38 and I am considered overweight. The doctor mentioned a score of 56 which I assume is the HBa1c but I don’t remember her exact wording. I’m not sure what else it would be though!

 

[EmmyKittyPhoo]

Me too! I was diagnosed last week. Turns out it was mentioned in passing 18 months ago that I was pre-diabetic but no follow up or information at the time so I didn’t realise the seriousness at the time.
This time I went to the doctor on another matter (skin related - but turns out a symptom of diabetes - who knew!).
All I had was a call back from the surgery saying how high the reading was and that I was diabetic! No advice on what happens next!
I started googling and luckily got onto diabetes.co.uk and started going through their learning zone.
Nothing more from the doctor until I pushed for an appointment to discus. I had 10 minutes of his time snd was told what medication he was going to prescribe. No details on what it does etc! I felt totally ‘dumped’!
I have had to push for an appointment to see the diabetic nurse.
I asked about bring referred to a dietician and was told ‘no need’
I asked if I should get a monitor to check my blood sugars and got told ‘not for Type 2 no!
I asked if I lost weight and got the levels under control was there a chance I would be able to come off medication and was told ‘probably not’
No word about seeing a podiatrist or retinal screening either!
It seems as though the only way to get information is to search for it ourselves - all I can say is thank goodness for this website.
I was able to write down a lit of questions that I needed to asked and phoned the helpline and got to speak to a lovely lady who took the time to address all the questions I had. It made me feel so much better to actually feel that I was starting to take back some control!

Oh I’m so sorry you had that experience. But I won’t lie, it’s good to know I’m not the only one! What was the helpline, if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[Happy ME Nutrition]

Sadly I found that the advice on offer officially meant more carbs then I could really handle.

Sure many docs are up with the Unwins but many also are not

I went eatwell for 6 weeks and got worse.
6 weeks of being hungry ..never again

It was only trying the advice on here that I began to get a handle on what to eat that I began making improvements.

But each to there own.

the HBA1c under members signatures tells the tale of people's success.

Eatwell is general start point but wont fit everyone. It needs professional assessments to work on individual cases. Glad to hear that you are finding your own ways.

I personally like the Canada guidelines, food snap guide for visual meal portion plate suggestion.

 

[Geordie_P]

I was diagnosed with Type 2 a week ago and I am so overwhelmed. My doctor literally said “take these pills twice a day, eat less carbs and call me in a month.” It was a 2 minute conversation. I haven’t been given a blood sugar reader, I have no idea how low “low carb” is ... I’m so confused. There seems to be a LOT of conflicting information online.

I’ve ordered a blood sugar reader on Amazon and so far I’m just avoiding the big carbs - pasta, bread, etc. - because I don’t really know what I’m meant to be counting or when. Carbs per day? Per meal? And I have no idea what a good blood sugar reading is. I ordered a reader that lights up red, amber and green in order to help me understand it. Is it as simple as that?

Can anyone give this overwhelmed newbie some pointers please? Or direct me to some good literature? I keep crying because I just don’t understand and I want to get this right.

(I know I should probably talk to the doctor again but it’s difficult getting an appointment at the moment with covid.)

Don't panic about it: I was diagnosed at about the same age and put it into remission fairly quickly. In some ways there was a big upside to it- I had struggled with my weight for years, and felt unwell for some time. It was all the carbs: I'd been trying to lose weight by skipping meat and eating brown rice, peas, oatmeal- but the 'better' I ate, the worse I got. Once I was diagnosed, my doctor told me to 'eat mediterranean' and I deep-sixed the carbs for fish, green veg, meat, eggs, cheese (I ignored him on the pasta and bread) I went from 16 stone to 12 in a very rapid time and got my blood-glucose numbers back to normal. Now, everyone is different, but I'm sure your weight has been affected by undiagnosed diabetes for a while now, and I'm sure you can and will feel a lot better in yourself and about yourself if you simply adapt to the fact your body doesn't handle carbs well.
There's a friendly and knowledgeable user who has made a good blog that will keep you on the right track: I'll include the link below in case someone hasn't already done so

JoKalsbeek's blog | Diabetes Forum • The Global Diabetes Community

Good luck and don't worry: you can absolutely get on top of this!

 

[jjraak]

Eatwell is general start point but wont fit everyone. It needs professional assessments to work on individual cases. Glad to hear that you are finding your own ways.

I personally like the Canada guidelines, food snap guide for visual meal portion plate suggestion.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.chatelaine.com/health/canadas-new-food-guide/amp/

Interesting

Still not sure that's best for T2D, but probably healthier for most

Liked :
cook more often, eat meals with others, be mindful of their eating habits, and enjoy food

Disliked :
The focus on filling one-quarter of your plate with whole grains will also get some pushback, .......from advocates who believe that grain-free or low-carb diets are a preferred dietary pattern

So for me, I'm out,
As they say on dragons den..

Good luck on your journey.

 

[Andydragon]

I must be fortunate then as I get mine on prescription. Definitely worth asking.. as they say if you don’t ask you don’t get

If you are on medication for diabetes then prescriptions are free. If you are on medications that can cause hypos then test strips should be free. Outside of insulin, the latter is a little hit and miss

So, Many type 2s will not get free strips, NHS says no... But of course you can ask, just don't be surprised if doctor says no

What medications did you get @EmmyKittyPhoo

 

[PenguinMum]

My first 3 months or so after dx was one big lesson and this forum was my text book. The folk on here have walked the walk. A meter is ESSENTIAL to find out the effect of anything I eat on my BG. To me its like would I take my chances crossing a busy road with my eyes closed? I used about 7 strips a day in the beginning while I built up a record (I wrote it all down, the good the bad and the ugly) of food and meals that I could tolerate. Its different for individuals but by “eating to the meter” I went from 70g to 50g to and settled at 30g a day to keep my levels in check. Starches (bread, rice, pasta and potatoes or any grains) are common offenders, some can get away with a small amount but your meter will soon tell you.
Ask any questions on here and someone will always be around to help. Hope that helps. I’m now 3+ years in and though no saint maintain an HBA1c in the 30s and though I don’t use as many strips now I test FBG and look out for spikes especially if I eat something new. Good luck it can be done.

 

[VashtiB]

Eatwell is general start point but wont fit everyone. It needs professional assessments to work on individual cases. Glad to hear that you are finding your own ways.

I personally like the Canada guidelines, food snap guide for visual meal portion plate suggestion.

Hi and welcome,

Are you a diabetic? if so what type? are you on any medication?

For me- I'm a type 2 in my 50s- only on metformin. I cannot tolerate any level of carbs- the eatwell plate is what gave me diabetes. My meter tells me that I can cope with less than 20 grams of carbs a day which results in my blood sugar levels being well within the normal range.