Hi Kimdarren, if you're looking for encouragement and support plus constructive advice, you've come to the right place, so welcome to this group. The feelings you describe will be recognised by many of us in the group. I'm sorry that you've been diagnosed with Diabetes on top of everything else. Take your time to look at the various boards within this and other diabetic support groups on MFP. You've already recognised the importance of losing at least some weight which is a great start. Diabetes affects us all in different ways and you will quickly find that foods which can be tolerated by one person can not be tolerated by another. I agree that it is easy to become overwhelmed and become discouraged. My advice is to start with one aspect of managing your condition and only moving on to another item when you feel confident to do so. If your medical advisers have not already done so, I would suggest that you go on a Diabetes education course as quickly as possibly. Not only will you get reassurance but you will get lots of useful information which you can start applying. Finally, the really good news is that there are a number of really knowledgable and supportive people in this group who are willing to share their expertise with the rest of us. I wish you well and am willing to share what I have learned here if you thinkmight be helpful.

Welcome Kim,

Wow, you really have a lot going on. I can understand why you feel a little overwhelmed. I agree with Robert that you want to pick one thing and work on that then move on to other things. Small improvements are still a step in the right direction so don't feel discouraged. I also agree that a class can be very helpful.

Having been anemic I can tell you that just that will make you depressed and lack energy. I cook in cast iron pans which imparts some iron into the food. I also take iron pills but with your IBS that may or may not cause problems. If it does, you might want to try some of the slower absorbing pills. Eating red meat helps too. I hate liver so won't tell you to eat that although it does have a lot of iron.

As with many other health problem, diabetes is sort of an experiment. Many medical people will tell you that as a type 2 you only need to test once a day. Not so, you need to know what different foods do to you because you will be unique in what elevates your blood glucose and what doesn't. I usually test first thing in the morning and about 2 hrs after a meal. I have also tested after exercise to see what it does to me. I sometimes test randomly at other times. I test more often when I change meds.

Eventually with food logging and testing you can figure out what foods work and don't work for you. Some people put their tests into their food diary by creating their own food and changing the reading number. I try to do this but am not always good about it. It is a great way to see exactly what you ate that triggered a high.

Eventually, you do get over the shock of the diagnosis and if you take care of yourself it is not the worst disease to have. Your eye problem may also improve with your blood glucose if it is diabetes related. About 14 years ago there was some deterioration in my eyes and as my BG got better so did the damage. For the last 9 years there has been no diabetic damage. Also, anemia can cause blurry vision. Mine was horrible until my iron got into the normal range.

Hi Kim,

Sorry that you had to join this club!I think it is a lot if info to absorb at first and a bit stressful. One thing that I have learned, via testing and also reading, is that the key is controlling carbohydrates. There are different theories about this so you should read different sources.

Exercise is also excellent in reducing blood sugar levels, even if you can't do a lot, even a little might help. I have been walking, although slowly but move a little further each day. This site has also helped me to keep better track of my carbs!

Best to you!

mdp

I have a True Result. So far at my pharmacy this is the cheapest for strips. I pay $28 for 100 but usually they have a coupon in the box for $8. I was also able to get these through my insurance but they only cover 100 every 3 months and I usually test 4 or 5 times a day. So i get what I can from my insurance and buy the rest. In fact, i was lucky, someone I know had a bunch of these strips and she doesn't like the meter so now I have a bunch. Her insurance forks out for loads of strips so it wasn't a problem for her. I think Walmart also has this meter.

I'm glad you are feeling better. High blood glucose will cause the tired fuzzy feeling so you are already moving in the right direction if that is gone.

Hi Kimdarren, I'm also in the UK albeit just across the water as we say in Northern Ireland. NICE policy is not to issue meters to Type 2s unless they are on insulin. Having said that you could always simply buy a meter although the cost of strips woulsd be an issue. If you've found DiabetesUK you should be able to find the link to the petition for testing strips for UK Type2s. I'm glad you've got a date for your education course. I found mine to be a real wakeup call. You may have to treat the advice on diet, with it's emphasis on carbs, with a bit of caution. Hopefully you have been lined up for tests for retinopathy and an appointment with a podiatrist. Again Diabetes UK list the tests you should be having regularly. Sadly not all general practices are as up to speed as they should be. Reading as much as you can and exercising discernment is a really necessary part of managing diabetes.