To feel so ashamed?

[Hugomcwooferton]

I had a phone call from the Drs today, yes. On a Saturday because I had routine bloods done recently and they found I'm deficient in Folate- they told me that on Thursday but they forgot to mention I also have pre- diabetes.

I'm 26. That's disgusting. I've been referred to the diabetes dietitian, I'm so ashamed that I've done this to myself. They were very nice in explaining that it's reversible/ controlled by diet but I just feel so disgusted that I've abused my body to this point.

I know I need to do something about it, and quickly. My therapist says I use food like a form of self harm.. which does make sense as my Dad passed away when I was 12 and I was 'the girl who's dad died' then I moved across the country and didn't have a label and as I started eating my feelings away I became a bit bigger and became the 'chunky new girl' which was SO much easier to deal with! Now 13 years later I need to deal with it all.

Fuck.

Im 26. How the hell do I even start? It feels so overwhelming. I know it's been entirely self inflicted but I still feel so shocked and awful.
Sorry not sure why I'm even posting, I just needed to get it out of my head.

AIBU to feel ashamed that I did this to myself?

Italian and anyone else interested , this is our support thread on mumsnet for the low carb high fat bootcamp. There is a new one starting in October bur you can start any time. You will want to read the previous threads for full info. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/low_carb_bootcamp/3016036-Between-bootcamps-support-thread-Summer17

Hey my husband is type 1 so I know what a nightmare diabetes is.

Please join the forum on diabetes.co.uk and look into a low carb high fat diet, make this change now and it may save you from this horrible disease xxx

Thank you for all the lovely comments. Yes I am ashamed but this is not going to define me. I've spent the day researching diets and how to get this sorted.

My Husband is being so lovely and even though he's like a rake he's going to help me with the healthy eating and we're going to start the couch to 5k together, and I am going to go to the class next week, even though it's run by a colleague!

This is a huge wake up call and I will be making all the changes I can to stop this from defining my life

Gramgram - how long ago did your dietitian give you that leaflet? I'm interested to know because it irritates the fuck out of me that some dietitians STILL don't know the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes and are STILL giving the wrong advice about type 2/pre-type 2.

If ANYONE has dietetic advice for pre-type 2/type 2 diabetes that is NOT yet regulated by insulin that suggests eating lots of carbs, then this is wrong and outdated. The dietary advice for pre-type 2 diabetes, and indeed type 2 before insulin is involved, should most definitely be to REDUCE carbs.
The only time it becomes important to have enough carbs is when people are taking insulin injections, because if they don't balance the insulin with the carb intake, then they run the risk of a "hypo" - going hypoglycaemic, which can be very dangerous.

It staggers me that this advice is still not being dealt with correctly by SOME dietitians.

OP, try the r/loseit subredddit. It's super informative and supportive.

You really shouldn't feel ashamed, it's because of what you went through in losing your dad so young. I have food issues as well, yoyo dieting, and in the last year I have battled against a full scale eating disorder because of dealing with memories of childhood abuse.

There is help out there and your GP can refer you for counselling and/or for CBT to deal with your eating issues. And you can lose weight; I think with your health needs you'll get help from your GP and advice on the best way to go about it.

Thumbs, the information booklet was given to me in March 2016. It was the same booklet my neighbour was given 10 years ago. I wasn't at a level that required medication, so just given the booklet and left to my my own devices.

I'm so glad I read the advice on MN, as I have reversed the situation. I'm getting normal glucose readings now, only by testing myself as the NHS only gives me one test a year.

Jeez. I'd really hoped that they had sorted this shit out by now, but obviously not :(
It IS ridiculous that there are still some dietitians out there without the basic understanding of how the 2 types of diabetes work and are treated, and why the diets should be different.

Should add that my mother was type 2 diabetic but also had a colostomy, so the diet had to be modified to deal with that - and her dietitian basically threw her hands up in the air and said "i can't deal with this, you need to find out what works for you by yourself". That was over 10 years ago though, more like 13 years ago - but clearly demonstrated that not all dietitians know as much as they should about their subject!

Glad you sorted yourself out and turned yourself around.

i don't think you can go far wrong by testing your glucose after each new meal or snack to see what works for you and what doesn't. I'm pre-diabetic and know that a supermarket pizza sends my levels spiralling out of control (hardly surprising) but I can eat a chunk of (good quality) baguette or (again, good quality!) milk chocolate or a small portion of pasta or porridge without too much disruption.

i think it's a shame to leave people in the dark between HbA1c tests when they could be doing something proactive like working out for themselves how they react to certain foods and also times of stress/illness, etc.