New to this.....

[Cate1]

Hi,

I've just been given my fasting blood test results over the phone by my GPs surgery and told that my Glucose is 8.7% and my Hba1c reading is 62. The receptionist said I had to make an appointment to see the nurse for 'diabetic' clinic. This has come as a complete shock to me and as I can't see the nurse until Monday morning, I wondered if anyone out there can explain to me exactly what this means.

I've been feeling pretty fatigued for a while now, but have pushed on, as I'm not very good at visiting the GP. When I finally went it was relating to my concerns about where I was with menopause as I'd been feeling tired etc..., and that's why the blood tests were ordered. Now I'm really worried about what a diagnosis of diabetes will mean? Help. By the way not sure if I've done this correctly by creating a new thread so apologies if I've got it wrong!

 

[Martin Canty]

Hi Cate, welcome to the group you will find us friendly & helpful....

FBG - 8.7 MMol pots you firmly in the Diabetic range, this is the blood glucose level right now
a1c -62 - puts you in the diabetic range, this is the BG average over the last 3 months

The fatigue is normal for people with high blood glucose, add polyphagia & polyuria & those are classic symptoms... Glad to see that you are getting help

 

[Cate1]

Thank you for your response Martin. I'm just a bit overwhelmed although I've been feeling not quite right for a while. I have an appointment with the nurse at my GP practice first thing on Monday morning, so hoping for a bit more information then.

 

[stephknits]

Welcome Cate, it is overwhelming and a shock, especially to be given a diagnosis over the phone. I recommend having a read of the stickies on top of the newbies section - lots of great info and if you have any questions for the. Use, write them down and take the. With you. Also, write down anything of note at the appointment as there is a lot to take in.

 

[Ljc]

Hello Cate Welcome. Finding out you are diabetic is scarey and you are obviously very worried. But with the right advise, and a bit of determination it is a manageable condition!
You have come to the right place for info and cyber support from people who live with diabetes , we also share a few laughs too.
Once your BGs (blood glucose) levels lower you will start to feel better and have more energy.
Feel free to ask questions.

 

[Martin Canty]

I'm just a bit overwhelmed although I've been feeling not quite right for a while

It's good that you have found a great forum, the members here are very helpful...

My story is that just before DX I had been feeling very fatigued, I could barely do 10 minutes of yard work before coming inside for a rest, pee & a large glass (or few) of apple juice.... I had been having night sweats, literally soaking my pillow & falling asleep at my desk after lunch (lucky I work from home so the only witnesses were my dogs)... Looking back I attribute many things over the previous year (or two) which may be attributed to D.

I only got a DX because the Dr. insisted on a blood test; I only went to the Dr.'s because of high BP & needed to treat it so I could pass my commercial drivers medical test.

 

[Ljc]

Hi again. I meant to say that diabetes needn't stop you doing anything you want to do , Just to give you an idea, on here We have Marathon runners, serious cyclists who go out on a 50 mile ride for fun 😱 at least one fireman, to mention just a few.
Exersize and our diet is important for good control , we are probably going to give you a shock on what is good for us to eat and exersize needn't be as strenuous as I've mentioned above.

You will probably find this book helpful
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product...p=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1841198048

 

[Martin Canty]

Yup, along with my day job (computer programmer) I also am a Paid Call Firefighter & active Search & Rescue team member.... Losing 50lb makes it so much easier to carry all my equipment!!!!

 

[grovesy]

Welcome!

 

[Cate1]

Thank you to everyone who has responded, I really appreciate the advice. It is a shock, but now I'm determined to manage this and not let my life be affected any more than I have been for (looking back) the last couple of years. Even though I've tried not to let the fatigue hold me back (I walk a lot and have been doing regular 8 - 10 mile walks on weekends), I keep thinking I shouldn't be feeling THIS tired! I'll go to my appointment on Monday armed with questions and feeling a bit more informed thanks to your replies!

 

[Lindarose]

Welcome Cate1 from another type 2 🙂There's lots of us about!
It's hard to feel daunted at first as there's a lot of info out there. Some good and some not so good. You'll certainly get loads of help on this forum so don't let anything worry you. Just ask on here and someone will always reply soon.

 

[Marsbartoastie]

Hi,

I've just been given my fasting blood test results over the phone by my GPs surgery and told that my Glucose is 8.7% and my Hba1c reading is 62. The receptionist said I had to make an appointment to see the nurse for 'diabetic' clinic. This has come as a complete shock to me and as I can't see the nurse until Monday morning, I wondered if anyone out there can explain to me exactly what this means.

I've been feeling pretty fatigued for a while now, but have pushed on, as I'm not very good at visiting the GP. When I finally went it was relating to my concerns about where I was with menopause as I'd been feeling tired etc..., and that's why the blood tests were ordered. Now I'm really worried about what a diagnosis of diabetes will mean? Help. By the way not sure if I've done this correctly by creating a new thread so apologies if I've got it wrong!

Hi Cate
Don't worry my lovely. I went to see my doctor for exactly the same reason and came out with the same result...T2. While it was disturbing at the time, it proved to be something of a turning point. I feel stronger and healthier now than I have for years.
Onward and upward. 🙂

 

[Bubbsie]

Hi,

I've just been given my fasting blood test results over the phone by my GPs surgery and told that my Glucose is 8.7% and my Hba1c reading is 62. The receptionist said I had to make an appointment to see the nurse for 'diabetic' clinic. This has come as a complete shock to me and as I can't see the nurse until Monday morning, I wondered if anyone out there can explain to me exactly what this means.

I've been feeling pretty fatigued for a while now, but have pushed on, as I'm not very good at visiting the GP. When I finally went it was relating to my concerns about where I was with menopause as I'd been feeling tired etc..., and that's why the blood tests were ordered. Now I'm really worried about what a diagnosis of diabetes will mean? Help. By the way not sure if I've done this correctly by creating a new thread so apologies if I've got it wrong!

Hi Cate...got my diagnosis about five weeks ago...I was in shock for the first couple of weeks...thought there was nothing I could do about it...just take the medication...and hope it went away...now appreciate it won't go away...however... now determined I can try hard to make my life with Diabetes the best it can be...keep things under control...I am a newbie here so won't give you any advice I simply don't know enough...however I have made small changes to my diet...lifestyle and my attitude to Diabetes...already feeling the benefits...sure more learned members will be able to steer you in the right direction...

 

[nomore_Col_Blimp]

Hi,

I've just been given my fasting blood test results over the phone by my GPs surgery and told that my Glucose is 8.7% and my Hba1c reading is 62. The receptionist said I had to make an appointment to see the nurse for 'diabetic' clinic. This has come as a complete shock to me and as I can't see the nurse until Monday morning, I wondered if anyone out there can explain to me exactly what this means.

I've been feeling pretty fatigued for a while now, but have pushed on, as I'm not very good at visiting the GP. When I finally went it was relating to my concerns about where I was with menopause as I'd been feeling tired etc..., and that's why the blood tests were ordered. Now I'm really worried about what a diagnosis of diabetes will mean? Help. By the way not sure if I've done this correctly by creating a new thread so apologies if I've got it wrong!

@Cate1 I was 'badged' in a routine medical when the nurse dropped the bombshell 'oh it looks like you're diabetic' ..... I had NO symptoms at all, and it immediately sent a cold shiver down my spine, and almost fell off the chair in shock! I was (and to a degree still am) very scared. My Original 3 month number (hba1c) was 11% (almost double yours). 4 months on I'm 5 stone lighter, as fit 'as a butchers dog', ALL my 'vital signs' BMI, BP, HR, Chol etc are absolutely normal, and my hba1c level is now 6%. More importantly (well for me), I'm NOT any ANY medication, and would love to keep it way for as long as I can. I was told on Friday had I presented with a number like that originally I would not have been 'badged for life' as diabetic! ..... but I know I will ALWAYS be that way ..... which I do find daunting! As the Dr said, you are now 'normal' but we will keep an eye on you going forward, so I will still get my 'MOT test' of the eye, foot, BS, Chol and Kidney checks routinely - equally I fully realise I need to look after myself significantly better than I ever did before (which again I find quite daunting).

How have I managed this???? Well 3 simple parts to this. Eat very healthily, exercise a lot and be very active ..... both of which contribute to the third element - lose weight, and all 3 of these combined should help reduce your blood sugar levels and help you feel better quickly. This for me has been the difficult bit ...... cos I didn't, (and never have) felt unwell in the slightest. On a physical level having 'shed the pounds' I can do sooooo much more ...... and enjoying it!

@Martin Canty - as a footnote to your story on carrying equipment, today I put on a back pack weighing 50lbs (which is less than the weight I've lost) and ran/walked cross country for 5 miles in just over an hour ......something I haven't done for years (yes I am prone to doing silly things like that).

Cate - good luck with your appointment next week. If your NHS team are like mine, they have been brilliant, and really helped me through a difficult time, physically, emotionally, and mentally. The advice you will get from them is likely to be at odds with that you may receive elsewhere (including in here). The only advice I would counsel is ........ listen to them all, and then make your own mind up and do what is right for you, there are many ways to address this.

Best wishes

 

[Stitch147]

Hi Cate and welcome to the forum.

 

[Cate1]

Hi Cate
Don't worry my lovely. I went to see my doctor for exactly the same reason and came out with the same result...T2. While it was disturbing at the time, it proved to be something of a turning point. I feel stronger and healthier now than I have for years.
Onward and upward. 🙂

Thank you so much for your lovely and very positive response. I've been to see the Nurse this morning and I have been prescribed Metformin, and we've had a long chat. My blood pressure is slightly high, so she thinks Doctor may prescribe statins (I see her on Thursday). We talked diet and I'm eating good things, just need to be more aware of portions etc.... I am really upset and still in shock, but the comments from people on this forum have been so supportive, I am seeing this as a wake up call and I am determined to manage this to the best of my ability. Thank you again.

 

[Cate1]

@Cate1 I was 'badged' in a routine medical when the nurse dropped the bombshell 'oh it looks like you're diabetic' ..... I had NO symptoms at all, and it immediately sent a cold shiver down my spine, and almost fell off the chair in shock! I was (and to a degree still am) very scared. My Original 3 month number (hba1c) was 11% (almost double yours). 4 months on I'm 5 stone lighter, as fit 'as a butchers dog', ALL my 'vital signs' BMI, BP, HR, Chol etc are absolutely normal, and my hba1c level is now 6%. More importantly (well for me), I'm NOT any ANY medication, and would love to keep it way for as long as I can. I was told on Friday had I presented with a number like that originally I would not have been 'badged for life' as diabetic! ..... but I know I will ALWAYS be that way ..... which I do find daunting! As the Dr said, you are now 'normal' but we will keep an eye on you going forward, so I will still get my 'MOT test' of the eye, foot, BS, Chol and Kidney checks routinely - equally I fully realise I need to look after myself significantly better than I ever did before (which again I find quite daunting).

How have I managed this???? Well 3 simple parts to this. Eat very healthily, exercise a lot and be very active ..... both of which contribute to the third element - lose weight, and all 3 of these combined should help reduce your blood sugar levels and help you feel better quickly. This for me has been the difficult bit ...... cos I didn't, (and never have) felt unwell in the slightest. On a physical level having 'shed the pounds' I can do sooooo much more ...... and enjoying it!

@Martin Canty - as a footnote to your story on carrying equipment, today I put on a back pack weighing 50lbs (which is less than the weight I've lost) and ran/walked cross country for 5 miles in just over an hour ......something I haven't done for years (yes I am prone to doing silly things like that).

Cate - good luck with your appointment next week. If your NHS team are like mine, they have been brilliant, and really helped me through a difficult time, physically, emotionally, and mentally. The advice you will get from them is likely to be at odds with that you may receive elsewhere (including in here). The only advice I would counsel is ........ listen to them all, and then make your own mind up and do what is right for you, there are many ways to address this.

Best wishes

Thank you so much for your response. I've been to see the nurse at my GPs this morning, who was lovely and very encouraging. I have been prescribed Metformin, which I'm a bit worried about (having been someone who really doesn't like to take ANY medication). I am in shock, but determined to be positive and I've seen this as a wake up call. Your advice is brilliant, thank you. I've been doing 5 miles a morning on my exercise bike and walking 8 - 10 miles on weekends......I need to keep this up (and step it up!), and combined with a healthy, low carb diet, I know I can nail this. My doctor also offered me a pneumonia jab (is this unusual) and I have to go for a flu jab, eye test and a diabetic awareness course has been offered (which I've jumped at!). Another plus is that the lovely pharmacist in my local High Street noticed I was upset when he asked me if this was the first time for the Metformin and he took me to one side, told me he was Type 2 - diagnosed 10 years ago and was so kind and helpful, said to pop in if I ever have any questions. All in all, I'm still worried, but feeling a bit more positive than I did over the weekend and I'm determined I will manage this and enjoy life as much as I have done (but perhaps feeling less fatigued in the future!!). Thank you again.

 

[Stitch147]

Hi Cate, it takes some getting used to. I was diagnosed just over 1 year ago now and i'm still getting used to everything. I was initially diagnosed as type 2 but that change to a diagnosis of MODY in december. I am still struggling to get to wher I need to be. You sound like you will definately get there, dont be afraid to ask questions. I will be having my flu jab soon (used to have this before diagnosis anyway) and I will be having the pneumonia jab soon.

 

[grovesy]

Yes it is normal to be offered the jabs!

 

[Ljc]

Hi Cate. Try to remember this is a marathon not a sprint. I hope the metformin works well for you. Have you been given a glucose monitor so you can check your own BGs (blood glucose) and see how food affects you, sadly mos t2s aren't