Managing diabetes : Hi, I have just been... - Pain Concern

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Managing diabetes

Amarachi profile image
14 Replies

Hi, I have just been diagnosed with diabetes. Type 2. How can I manage diabetes for the rest of my life. Please advise how you have been coping. Tips to lower blood sugar levels.

Thanks

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Amarachi profile image
Amarachi
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14 Replies
Petrina_gmfc profile image
Petrina_gmfc

Hi there you will be ok . My friend just found out that she has the same as you and she is ok with it .

Darkin profile image
Darkin

Are you on insulin ? If so then you will be given a glucose tester. This by far the best way to check glucose level. If not then get some test strips which provide a rougher guide. It is essential you keep you levels above 4 and below say about 7 , on average. You will soon find out which foods push up the glucose levels. The consequence of a much higher average glucose level can be devastating, loss of lower limbs just one of them. Think of it as a slow acting poison flowing to every organ in the body.

The consequence of it being far too low may render you lethargic and possibly unconscious as the body runs on glucose. I found out the insulin was the easiest way to control my levels, irrespective of what i eat .

No special diets needed. and my average 6 month levels are about normal.

Bevvy profile image
Bevvy in reply to Darkin

Insulin these days is given as final option. They will possibly try with diet first or if that doesn’t work or not a possibility then many oral medications that can be taken before insulin. There is even now a once weekly injection that can be taken before resorting to insulin. As well as being positive medication there are lots of negatives in relation to it. That’s why usually will try other options first that previously weren’t available.

Darkin profile image
Darkin in reply to Bevvy

Depends on the diagnosis. I was put on it i mmediatly, fairly recently, whi lst in Hospital . Anyway my original advice stands whatever that is to keep the Glucose levels near to normal irrespective of the medication or advice.

Bevvy profile image
Bevvy in reply to Darkin

Yes I 100% agree on need to keep glucose levels near to normal with whatever method.

Bevvy profile image
Bevvy

There are specific sites on Health Unlocked for Diabetes. You would get good support from there because is more specific.

Darkin profile image
Darkin in reply to Bevvy

What can be more specific than keeping ones blood sugar within limits. Simple .

Bevvy profile image
Bevvy in reply to Darkin

Because in recent years it has been found that control is NOT just about sugar in foods but is more about not eating carbohydrates. When newly diagnosed this can be complicated and often specialist Diabetic nurses / dieticians are still giving incorrect advice. Don’t get me wrong I am struggling to keep carbs low enough. It really isn’t easy.

The reason I suggested looking at specific diabetes sites on this website is because as newly diagnosed will get far more advice and support then this site which is predominantly (as title suggests) about dealing with pain issues.

Bevvy profile image
Bevvy

You asked about tips for lowering blood sugar levels. A major thing known these days is to reduce carbohydrate amounts. Have a look at Keto diet BUT I would suggest you have a lot to work out and come to terms with. Take some time before doing anything drastic. So for now just try to reduce carbs.

DavidMacD profile image
DavidMacD

You don’t say how old you are. When I was diagnosed with type 2, 23 years ago, my doctor almost said “congratulations”. When I asked him what was there to be happy about, he pointed out that I now had the motivation to manage my diet and exercise like everybody should be. If I responded to the motivation, I would be luckier than a lot of people who are ignorant of their health issues. It has worked, by and large

Darkin profile image
Darkin

Diets are simply a commercialisation of the condition. You must test regularly either with a meter or test strips.

Irrespective of your diet keep the glucose levels between 5 and 7 (blue colour on the strips).

Every 6 months a blood test will detect changes in the blood and indicate average glucose levels. This does not lie.

Sadly I was not aware of my diabetes and recently spent 2 months in Arrow Park

hosp. whilst they tried to save my foot.

Since returning home I have kept my average glucose levels normal regulating my food intake only, not the contents and certainly no fad diet nonsense.

Being a high risk patient, I am acutely aware of the dire consequences of not accurately controlling the glucose levels by regular testing and in my case insulin.

Bevvy profile image
Bevvy in reply to Darkin

We can agree to disagree re diets. I’m just following what is now known/current thinking. However you need to be aware most GPs will not prescribe meter/test strips unless on insulin or new medications such as once a week injection. If person on oral meds or diet will not prescribe. This is now NICE guidelines.

I totally don’t agree with this. I believe testing gives a person more control and can aid to working out what works for themselves. Luckily in my case when I was originally diagnosed my gp surgery at the time prescribed/issued me testing strips. Sadly when I moved surgery this was no longer an option. However much I argued the case. So for 6 years haven’t been able to test apart from 6 monthly blood tests. Recently my medications have changed so now can test. For me testing is vital and keeps me on the right track.

Darkin profile image
Darkin

I was also given a machine in hospital. This machine is no longer supported. and the practice gave us a new model just a few weeks ago.The 'colour' test strips i bought myself as a fallback . Small price to pay.

Also you can pick up a machine pretty cheaply nowadays if they won't prescribe. There are dozens of makes. I think the criteria is if you are a high risk patient which means essentially you have had operations on your feet, or suffered a loss of toes etc.

BeanMan profile image
BeanMan

When I had my diabetes diagnosed I was asked to exercise a lot. So if you don't exercise all that much now, you're gonna have to start doing a bit or running, cycling, tennis or whatever you like. I also would advise cutting out processed food all together. Ive noticed that processed foods contain a lot of unnecessary sugar, and once you stop eating them you don't even feel like going back. Youre going to have to make some lifestyle changes that are not only going to help you with diabetes, they're going to improve your overall health. Additionally, I also recommend grape seed extract. It is very good for regulating blood sugar alongside using insulin. Its not a substitute for insulin, but its good to use as a booster. I get it from vitaminexpress.org/uk/opc-v...

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