Just diagnosed with type 2 HELP!!

[Nasda]

I would just like to introduce myself, My Name is Nancy(Nasda).I am 50 years old and live in Scotland.
I know very little of this condition- last year I was told I was in the grey area but this year I have been confirmed as type 2.
I have an appointment for the diabetic clinic but not untill next month.
I will familiarise myself with your forum and read up on what I can.
I do feel a little frightened and confused at the moment- but I am eager to learn the do's and dont's of this condition.
The Doc told me that If I can control my diet and weight I can hold this condition at bay for a while.
Nasda:confused:

[kgm0612]

Hi Nancy & Welcome to the forum. Nice people and a ton of information to be found here. I'm sure you're overwhelmed with your diagnoses. I think we all were at one time or another.

If you don't already have one, you need to get yourself a glucose monitor and start testing. Also, watch your carbohydrate intake. Try avoiding or at least limiting your intake of pasta, rice, potatoes and anything containing white flour.

Good luck!

Karen

[Dan Gato]

Welcome Nancy.:)

First, try to get your appointment as soon as you can. don't wait.
ask them if you can contact the diabetes educator, so you can start the classes.
Get a glucose meter, or start your research.
when you see your doctor ask her/him for an A1C test, and to examine your feet.

See you !

[princesslinda]

Hi Nancy, welcome. Getting the diagnosis of diabetes is a scary thing, but trust me, it can be managed and it does get easier as time goes by (though we all have our "I hate diabetes!" days.

Hopefully you have a meter to check you blood sugar. Testing is VERY important. If you test 2 hrs after the first bite of your meal, you'll see how different foods affect your blood sugar and will know what to eat and what to avoid based on these results. Foods affect each of us differently, so you'll have to test to find what food trigger your blood sugar elevation.

When you see your diabetes educator, you'll be given guidelines and goals regarding nutrition and acceptable blood sugar levels. Until you see the educator, i'd encourage you to eat a lower carb diet, avoiding bread, potatoes, rice, pasta and sugar. Eat a lot of fresh veggies, lean meats, drink plenty of water and get regular exercise--every little bit of exercise helps.

I have a book i'd like to recommend for you, "Type II Diabetes, The First Year" by Gretchen Becker..it is filled with great advice and information. I've read several diabetic books since diagnosis and this is my favorite, esp. for someone just starting out.

The doctors can give you advice and possibly medication, but YOU are the one who is ultimately responsible for controlling your diabetes...i'd encourage you to resolve now to do anything and everything you have to do to live a long, healthy and happy life. As you'll see on the forum, everyone has different ways of managing/controlling their diabetes; not controlling it is an option you don't want to take.

Look around, ask lots of questions. Remember, YOU ARE NOT ALONE, YOU WILL BE FINE.

All the best,
Linda

[nelehstars]

Im with you! Im 52 with the exact same thing going on! Ihad no side effects......Im learning as I go along, reading everything, and taking chromium picolate and cinnamon.....2 x a day....We get it here in the US in capsule form......I'm told it will help.....Take notes to the docter! Also, Im in in perimenapause, so the weight is an issue. 20 lbs is very hard to get under control!

[GhostRydr]

Hi Nancy,

Welcome to the forum. :hello:

I too was recently diagnosed with Type II, on May 2nd of this year. I agree the testing meter is key to helping you.

There is a lot of great info here and online to help us through this. I too am right now controlling mine thru weight loss, diet and excercise.

Best of luck,
Kurt

[mg_2204]

I was told I was in the grey area but this year I have been confirmed as type 2.

I know the grey area very well! :) Been there after my pregnancies... but after a few weeks I'd do better and go back to normal. It's only after the last pregnancy my body decided to live permanently in that area... :mad:

By the way HELLO! And welcome to this wonderful place Nancy!

Key to a better life with diabetes (in my humble opinion) is :

(1) read as much as you can about diabetes. Knowledge is power!

(2) test! test! and test! and

(3) watch over your health like a hawk. Your health is your wealth!

Of course it's frightening and scary at the beginning. So many questions that go through you mind I'm sure! This is a great place to seek advice, tips, and the greatest place to get the support you need. You'll never be alone when you visit here!

The very best to you,

[xMenace]

Welcome to the club.

[notme]

Hi Nancy, I'm Nancy! Welcome to the forums. I know it is all a bit overwhelming at this point, but read read read. You have come to an excellent place to learn. In our day and time, we have a lot more knowledge than those diagnosed thirty years ago.

Good luck and lots of learning coming your way.

[ladytaz]

Hi Nancy, everyone already said what I would, so just wanted to say Welcome to DF!! :)

[shockme]

welcome nancy!yes-it can be alot at once,just try to take it one step at a timeask any and all questions and we'll help you out the best we can.take care,trish

[Larry H.]

Welcome Nancy,

Best is that you have found your problem early on it seems. From what I have done and others have done, we know it is possible to reduce your glucose levels in a positive way thru the diet and exercise. Mainly I watch my carb total for a meal and stay within the guildlines given by the ADA or maybe a bit less. Doing so will bring down your weight, increaseing your exercise will help your body to use up the carbs after you eat. Just starting out walking for a short period till you get used to it will help. I try to walk a half an hour a day at the least and a bit more if I eat something alittle over the limit. An extra bit of exercise after a meal where I ate more than I usually would will bring down the numbers.
I have learned to use Slenda or other surgar replacement in most recipies, stick to low carb bread and whole grains where possible. And always measure how much your really eating per serving. Eventually it becomes eaiser and for me its better knowing I am preventing or at best slowing down things that could go a lot worse if I didn't.

[Lynne59]

Hello and welcome to the forum. I just signed on today but I have been diabetic for 15 yrs. I am on insulin. I hope you have a meter or you will get one soon. When you do test test test. When you get up, 2 hrs after first bite, b/4 lunch, 2 hrs after, b/4 supper and 2 hrs after. Also b/4 bedtime. Has you dr put you on any meds? Stay away from anything white, rice, pots, spag, bread and peas and corn have a lot of carbs. I have switched to brown rice, whole grain bread, steamed vegs, ect. They take longer to bring up your bs. Don't be afraid to ask any question. The help is here. I wish you the best. I also hope to hear from you again.
lynne59:thumbsup:

[babbydoll27]

Hi and Welcome to the forum.

[amyjo29]

Welcome to the forum! I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes my last trimester of my pregnancy. Everyone told me it would go away once I gave birth but 6wks later at my postpartum I found out my sugars never returned to normal and I'm now a type2. I'm still VERY overwhelemed and scared but this forum has been a comfort to me these last few months. Read up on all that you can but not to much at once time take a little bit in at a time so you don't get to overwhelemed. :)

[Nasda]

Hi everyone,
I must thank you all for your advice-and the welcome I have received from members.
I have been all over the place in my head this last week . I am finding it dificult to be positive in what I can eat and what I can't.
I got a blood glucose meter and I have had readings of between 4.5mmol/l and 11.2mmol/l( not sure if this is good or bad)
My highest readings I noticed were after Granary bread and soft cheese and chive spread!!.
I am reading through this website and I think I am staring to learn(hopefuly).
I still have to wait till next month for the diabetic Doc-I live in a small village so it is really hard to get an appointment asap.
I hope it is okay to post this in this part of the forum -if not I am sure someone will let me know and then I can post in the appropriate place.
Nancy

[daveD]

Hi Nancy, and welcome to DF. I was just diagnosed in mid May and i have learned a lot by reading the different posts in here. I just took a hospital outreach educational class and was amazed at how little some of the other people knew that have had it for much longer. Education is the key. Learn all you can and keep learning.
Dave