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Help! I have type 2 diabetes

83 replies

Diabetesnewbie · 04/02/2025 09:50

Hi All

Newbie here, posting because I have lurked for a while and I need a virtual hug and some clear info. I just got my blood test results (a reading of 50) and the receptionist says that means diabetes. I am seeing my GP this week but I am freaking out and finding conflicting info online.

  1. I am not going to tell my family or friends. I am so ashamed. My weight has been an issue by whole life.

  2. Clearly I need to overhaul my diet. Are you allowed to take occasional days off diet with Type 2? I’m thinking specifically about family meals etc where family members don’t know my diagnosis (see 1)!

  3. I am confused as to whether my priority should be low calorie/fat to lose weight (so low fat yoghurt), or low GI index (so full fat yoghurt!)

  4. I am a chocoholic (why is there no official diagnosis for this kind of thing, like alcoholism? Not actually joking) but in fact the thought if not having chocolate isn’t that awful. I hate the thought of never eating Christmas cake and mince pies again though 😞

  5. Should I monitor my blood sugar at home or wait for blood tests at intervals?

Thanks for bearing with my random list of initial thoughts. Feeling pretty fed up and could do with some wise help!

S.

OP posts:
Meltedcandlewax · 20/02/2025 13:06

DancingFerret · 18/02/2025 19:47

Sounds like you're in the right path and your doctor is something of a dinosaur when it comes to T2D.

From reading others' experiences, it appears most GPs are usually willing to give patients who just tip over into T2 diabetes territory three months to get their act together before suggesting medication (mine did, and I was also diagnosed with blood glucose of 51). Also, Metformin has a reputation for causing quite severe stomach issues for some people.

I saw that about Metaformin. I asked the doctor about side effects and she said there were none!

Meltedcandlewax · 20/02/2025 13:06

Diabetesnewbie · 20/02/2025 11:03

I slept badly last night and my bs after breakfast was higher than with the same breakfast yesterday (8.5 today)

I found this online “High blood sugar levels can make it harder to sleep, and poor sleep can affect blood sugar levels”

Gosh this is hard

It really is a minefield, isn't it?

Meltedcandlewax · 20/02/2025 13:15

This is what I have learned I think:

Intermittent fasting for as long as possible is the best way to tackle diabetes along with exercise and changing diet.

Eat nothing, i.e. nothing but water and herbal tea after 6 pm , and try to leave 16 hours before eating again, 18 if you can.

Cut out bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, oats altogether.

Cut out alcohol altogether, it's sugar in liquid form.

Try to stick to veg that grow above ground.

Eat lots and lots of veg with every meal, before any carbs. Eat protein with every meal, i.e. meat, fish, cheese, yoghurt (Greek yoghurt), nuts in small quantities.

Don't eat fruit alone, only at the end of a meal or with yogurt , avoid melon, mango, grapes. Eat apples in moderation at the end of a meal. Don't eat bananas. Berries are best.

Exercise after meals if possible to burn off excess glycogen.
Do exercise that builds muscle as muscle burns off glycogen. So weights, body pump etc.

Don't snack. Either eat two meals a day, or three, but don't eat in between.

Cider vinegar may help . One tablespoon in water before a meal once a day. Use CD with the mother and make sure it is raw and unfiltered, as well as organic.

Exercise everyday and try to keep as active as possible generally. Don't sit around for long, keep moving. Even vigorous hoovering is helpful. We aren't designed to sit and lie around as a species.

Wear a Continuous Glucose Monitor for two weeks to see what spikes blood sugar for YOU. Everyone is different.

tigger1001 · 20/02/2025 13:35

I was diagnosed last year with a reading of 50. Will be due my next test in April I think,

They say not to test your blood sugar for type 2, and everyone will be different in this respect, but I bought a testing kit and it's been hugely helpful to me, to work out what spikes my blood sugar, as we are all different. No way could I have just waited and hoped the changes I made were positive.

I've cut carbs right down, but not out completely. Still allow myself the occasional treat - but it is genuinely occasional. If I know I'm going out for dinner etc I really watch what I eat the few days prior and on the day, so I can indulge in a treat meal.

Like you the guilt factor meant I didn't want to tell people. And really only am becoming more open about it now.

MujeresLibres · 20/02/2025 13:40

PinkPonyClub25 · 18/02/2025 11:22

Fats & proteins will raise your blood sugars later on it's a delayed effect. It's not just carbs that raise blood sugars.

There's 42 factors that raise bs in all.

This. OP, after a protein- or fat- rich breakfast, you might be better off testing at the 4 hour mark rather than 2 hour.

MujeresLibres · 20/02/2025 13:47

Meltedcandlewax · 20/02/2025 13:15

This is what I have learned I think:

Intermittent fasting for as long as possible is the best way to tackle diabetes along with exercise and changing diet.

Eat nothing, i.e. nothing but water and herbal tea after 6 pm , and try to leave 16 hours before eating again, 18 if you can.

Cut out bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, oats altogether.

Cut out alcohol altogether, it's sugar in liquid form.

Try to stick to veg that grow above ground.

Eat lots and lots of veg with every meal, before any carbs. Eat protein with every meal, i.e. meat, fish, cheese, yoghurt (Greek yoghurt), nuts in small quantities.

Don't eat fruit alone, only at the end of a meal or with yogurt , avoid melon, mango, grapes. Eat apples in moderation at the end of a meal. Don't eat bananas. Berries are best.

Exercise after meals if possible to burn off excess glycogen.
Do exercise that builds muscle as muscle burns off glycogen. So weights, body pump etc.

Don't snack. Either eat two meals a day, or three, but don't eat in between.

Cider vinegar may help . One tablespoon in water before a meal once a day. Use CD with the mother and make sure it is raw and unfiltered, as well as organic.

Exercise everyday and try to keep as active as possible generally. Don't sit around for long, keep moving. Even vigorous hoovering is helpful. We aren't designed to sit and lie around as a species.

Wear a Continuous Glucose Monitor for two weeks to see what spikes blood sugar for YOU. Everyone is different.

Edited

I would agree with most of this. I would say that consistency rather than intensity is more important when it comes to exercise. Something you can do every day, preferably at the same time, is more valuable than a really hard but less frequent workout.

I have type 1, but I've worn a CGM for over 5 years now, so I have a good handle on how my body reacts to many types of food and exercise. I find that extended fasting tends to make me more insulin resistant, so look out for that if you decide to try it. Also, your mileage may vary. Some diabetics say that, e.g., pasta raises their blood glucose faster than things more commonly thought of as 'sugary'.

Diabetesnewbie · 28/05/2025 18:59

Hi All
l am having my repeat HBA1C test tomorrow, 3 months after diagnosis.

I have lost 2.5 stone and am eating a very low carb diet so hoping things will have improved, but my stress about this is high.

About an hour ago I ate a bowl with 1 avocado, about 10 cherry tomatoes and a large dollop of Greek yoghurt, with paprika sprinkled on it.

Now, I am a bit shaky and my heart is racing but my blood sugar is 4.5. Any ideas what is going on?!

OP posts:
EBearhug · 28/05/2025 20:33

Your blood sugar is probably a little too low for you. I find I start getting shaky if I go lower than 4.5.

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