Would like reassurance...have been told I have diabetes

[CheeryCherry]

Type 2 was diagnosed today after 2 high fasting blood tests. Am terribly overweight so have had a shocking jolt to kick start a serious healthy eating campaign. Have been prescribed metformin.
Anyone gone through all this? Its fairly new to me, though my dad has had it for 30 years and he has injected for 20 years. The thought of injections is scaring me. Is it possible to hold that at bay?
Would like advice/support please. Thanks.

The most important part of the treatment is sticking to the recommended diet - have you been referred to a dietitian?

With strict control of diet and taking meds carefully you will reduce the risk of diabetes related complications eg eye problems, circulation issues.

Sometimes losing a lot of weight, if you are obese, will make your blood sugars levels return to 'normal' and possible stop medication, using only diet to control it.

Diabetic foods are a rip off, an expensive con, and are just as calorific as their standard equivalents so don't bother with them. hth, any particular questions I will try to answer?

Thankyou for prompt reply! Yes I have been referred to a dietition and am due back to the GP in 4 weeks. She has also mentioned a podiatrist. Have read the printout she gave me, am bit concerned about my eyes. I forgot to mention it today - there was a lot whizzing round my head - but they have been a bit -painful, feeling odd at times, am hoping its not linked?
Are you a gp/nurse? Thankyou for bothering!

Yep am a nurse. You can get free eye tests when you are diagnosed with diabetes, as it can be linked to retina problems. Most likely a coincidence as I expect things have been quite stressful but I would get a checkup anyway.

Footcare v important for several reasons - mostly because your feet can have reduced sensation when diabetic, so you can injure/damage them without realising, plus healing can be impaired due to poor circulation etc, so don't hack at your toe nails

Thankyou again, didn't know I would get free eye tests - not had one since I was at primary school! May look into that this holiday. Will get my ass into gear and lose some weight!

A friend told me he was Type II at the weekend. He told me about his strict diet and and how he lost a fair bit of weight. He look in great shape and says he feels great too. He eats normal food but goes very careful with sugar.

He said after 2 years, he feels he can live with it quite happily now. He uses Metformin but only needs to use it every few days because he now knows the warning signs and can stop his blood sugar going up (he has high blood sugar) by fasting and going to do a bit of exercise.

Don't dispair. He too felt it a massive jolt at first but turned it into a positive.

Thankyou, am feeling ok about it now. For now!
x

As I have not seen a dietition yet (will dread that appointment), and I realise that sugary food now must not be eaten...where do crisps/nuts/other naughty savoury snacks fit in? Are they pretty much as bad as chocs/biscuits etc? I realise the latter are more sugary but just how bad are crisps? (I need putting off them if I am honest!)

I was going to suggest you look up the term 'Low GI Diet'.... because it's not just the sugary foods you've to cut right back on, you should also try to reduce the amount of refined starches and heavily processed foods in your diet in favour of more wholegrains and unprocessed wholefoods. Jennie Brand-Miller and Rick Gallop both have excellent books that explain the 'whys' as well as the 'hows'. I'm not a diabetic but I've followed a Low GI diet for several years and it's a pretty pleasant, normal and healthy way to eat.

Second thing I'd suggest is that you start getting regular exercise. Diet is important but you can really improve both the diabetes symptoms and the overweight problem with daily activity. A simple thing you can do straight away is to get hold of a cheap pedometer and then aim for 10,000 steps a day. You'll find that to get to 10,000 steps you have to consciously be on your feet more than normal... a walk at lunchtime, parking further from your destination, taking stairs rather than using lifts etc. Formal exercise is also really good for you but the pedometer trick means you're getting more activity into your every day.

You're lucky to get an early warning sign so that you can change your lifestyle for the better. Many don't get that chance. Good luck

Should add .... crisps and savoury snacks made with cornstarch or potato starch fall into the category of "heavily processed foods". You're better off replacing them most of the time with something like fresh fruit, unsalted nuts (in small amounts if you are overweight) or raw vegetables with a salsa dip if you fancy a snack.

A dietician once told me that one of the reasons that people often crave salty and savory snacks is that their diet lacks good quality protein.

Raising the quantity of fish, meat, eggs, pulses and nuts in my diet suddenly made me feel a lot less hungry and not want snacks.

Your dietician will I am sure tell you that.

(Am a vegetarian...)
x

Cheery - am a nurse and also a type 2 diabetic. Going to give you a few tips.

Look up the website diabetes UK. They have loads of good tips/ideas information.

Make sure you get free prescriptions (you can get a form from the local chemist, your gp needs to sign it.) Then send it to the Prescriptions agency.

Your gp has prescribed metformin. Make sure he/she has prescribed the slow release formula. It has much less side effects. Does cost more, so gp likely to prescribe normal metformin first. I make it my mission in life to educate all diabetics about that.

Make sure they have checked your cholesterol as well.

Have been a diabetic about 5 years now. At first it is really daunting, but it gets easier and you know the foods to avoid. Most important to eat regularly and of course avoid sugary, fatty processed food.

If you need anymore info just ask.

agedknees (great name!) thankyou, yes it does feel daunting, and I am scared to tell anyone as I am feeling it is my fault as I'm so overweight etc etc. My gp was lovely and kind and denied that was the case but I still doubt it!
I don't know if I am on slow release metformin, have to take 1 tablet for a week, then up it to 2. Only had a dash to the loo on day1, it has been ok since then.
Have been at friends for a meal tonight and it has just sunk in that I will never be able to have puddings/most desserts ever again! All these bloomin easter eggs I can't eat now! And yes I know that is a good thing diet-wise, but wow what a sudden change in track! I know I have will power when needed - I became veggi overnight as a teen when I became all ethical, I stopped smoking after student life. So I know its possible. Its just sad!
Sorry for rambling...are you still on tablets? The fear of injecting will make me do it!

In answer to your question, yes she checked cholesterol but said she would deal with one thing at a time - that sounds ominous!
Am going away for a few days tomorrow so sorry if there is a delay in responses.
Thankyou.