Hi Newbie here

[Minnie51]

Hi
I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes
On Friday . I am 65 year old with arthritis . This diagnosis has come as a complete shock. I have been put on Metaformin one 500 mg tablet in the morning.
Since starting tablets a few days ago I have the upset stomach which I was told would happen but I am finding I can't sleep very well and also taking bad panic attacks during the night . I haven't had a panic attack for a long time as use to suffer greatly with them but was able to manage them the last few years.
I am not worrying about anything except my diabetes.
Is sleeplessness and panic attacks common among newbies.
Thank you for any advice.

 

[grovesy]

Welcome.

 

[Bubbsie]

Hi
I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes
On Friday . I am 65 year old with arthritis . This diagnosis has come as a complete shock. I have been put on Metaformin one 500 mg tablet in the morning.
Since starting tablets a few days ago I have the upset stomach which I was told would happen but I am finding I can't sleep very well and also taking bad panic attacks during the night . I haven't had a panic attack for a long time as use to suffer greatly with them but was able to manage them the last few years.
I am not worrying about anything except my diabetes.
Is sleeplessness and panic attacks common among newbies.
Thank you for any advice.

Hi Minnie...yes it can be a shock when diagnosed with diabetes (at any age)...difficult to get your head around what it means...how did it happen...what can/do I do about it...I'm not surprised you feel anxious...shocked...it's only been a couple of days since you were diagnosed so that may well be the cause of your anxiety/sleeplessness...as for the Metformin...tummy upsets...digestive problems are common when first starting on the medication....I had them...fortunately they only lasted for a week or so...then my system got used to them...you may find it settles down...however...if it continues speak to your GP...there is a slow release version of Metformin that many here say is 'gentler' on the body...you may find that works better...I would give it a few days...see how it goes...since you are taking one metformin daily...I'm assuming your BG (blood sugar) levels are not too high...apologies if I've assumed wrongly...have you been given much support with how to manage/control your diabetes yet?...there is a lot of information available...here & elsewhere...this forum is a great source of support...you can ask whatever question you need to...others will be happy to offer guidance on any issues you raise...reluctant to start suggesting what might be advisable for you right now...why not tell us a little more about yourself...what particularly worries you...how much you've been told...how diagnosed...what support you may/may not have been given...that would help other members with the advice they give...hope the anxiety/sleeping problems improve...there is a lot you can do to control/manage your diabetes...it may not feel like it right now...it can...does get better...honestly...keep us updated.

 

[Minnie51]

Hi Bubbsie
Thank you for your reply it was reassuring. I got a phone call on late Thursday afternoon to say my blood sugars where high and had to go and see dietician and diabetes nurse the next morning both of them were so nice but I think the word diabetes gave me fright . I have go tomorrow to see doctor about new medicine for arthritis as my arthritis is in all joints and it doesn't help me being so overweight but I had lost 14 lbs. before being told I have diabetes also getting my feet checked tomorrow after doctor appointment
The diabetes nurse told me I should 53 and mines was showing 100 which took the feet from me . Does everyone need a blood testing kit if so I will get one from the link that's on forum ?
Thank you for reading my text

 

[Bubbsie]

Hi Bubbsie
Thank you for your reply it was reassuring. I got a phone call on late Thursday afternoon to say my blood sugars where high and had to go and see dietician and diabetes nurse the next morning both of them were so nice but I think the word diabetes gave me fright . I have go tomorrow to see doctor about new medicine for arthritis as my arthritis is in all joints and it doesn't help me being so overweight but I had lost 14 lbs. before being told I have diabetes also getting my feet checked tomorrow after doctor appointment
The diabetes nurse told me I should 53 and mines was showing 100 which took the feet from me . Does everyone need a blood testing kit if so I will get one from the link that's on forum ?
Thank you for reading my text

Still very very early days for you yet Minnie (not meant to patronise)...there are a couple of ways our blood sugars can be measured...the testing kit you mention will give you a spot check...what your BG is at the time you do the test...then the HbA1c test...which involves taking a blood sample...sending it for analysis...this will give your levels for the previous three months...these results are compared to the expected/desired recommended ranges within the NICE guidelines...the new measurements are usually given in mmols...however sometimes the measurements are given in % (mine were at diagnosis)...see below

Non-diabetic* 4.0 to 5.9 mmol/L under 7.8 mmol/L
Type 2 diabetes 4 to 7 mmol/L under 8.5 mmol/L
Type 1 diabetes 5 to 7 mmol/L 4 to 7 mmol/L 5 to 9 mmol/L

Those are the ranges you should be aiming for...but...you will need some time to find out what diet works for you...what kind of routine suits you best...very often type 2 diabetics are advised by their health care professionals there is no need to test...unless you are on medication that may cause your blood sugar to lower...Metformin (to my knowledge) does not have this effect...so I would imagine the DSN (nurse) will advise you no need to test...I ignored this advice...have tested since a couple of months after my diagnosis (my BG was far in excess of yours by the way)...since you are seeing the nurse tomorrow...you can ask her to explain your results...what your BG level is...whether they will supply a meter/testing strips...what diet is suitable and so on...many of us here have had little support from our health care teams...but some practices seem more enlightened than others...some GP's more pro-active in supporting type 2 patients...its a bit of a lottery...don't panic if you come away with little or no information...you can come here & speak to others that have had similar experiences...can advise you how they managed...there is a lot you can do to improve your condition...don't despair...good luck with your appointment...come back...let us know how you fare...anything you don't understand...or need help with...thank goodness you found the forum...it is a great source of help & guidance...you will get there...no need to rush.

 

[Bill Stewardson]

Hello to you Minnie.

Testing is the way to go.

I made an error with my diet, that came to light due to people in here,

Testing anables me to track whether my intake is suitable.

Good luck with everything.

 

[Steff]

Morning minnie a warm welcome

 

[Bubbsie]

Hi Bubbsie
Thank you for your reply it was reassuring. I got a phone call on late Thursday afternoon to say my blood sugars where high and had to go and see dietician and diabetes nurse the next morning both of them were so nice but I think the word diabetes gave me fright . I have go tomorrow to see doctor about new medicine for arthritis as my arthritis is in all joints and it doesn't help me being so overweight but I had lost 14 lbs. before being told I have diabetes also getting my feet checked tomorrow after doctor appointment
The diabetes nurse told me I should 53 and mines was showing 100 which took the feet from me . Does everyone need a blood testing kit if so I will get one from the link that's on forum ?
Thank you for reading my text

Minnie...I meant to say many of us here started in a very similar way to you (my diagnosis in a telephone call too)...unfortunately there is no easy introduction to diabetes...some are more 'brutal' than others...fortunately you've come to the forum in the early stages...wish I had...possibly you may get confused by a barrage of information from whatever source...it can happen...however...take heart from the positive accounts you read here...most of us have been there...I'm not saying it's easy...we all have to put the work in...can be frustrating/confusing at times...however...it is worth it...hopefully you will look back at your earlier posts here in a while...realise how far you have come...and...in time be advising others...good luck...deep breath...if you need to write down the points you want to address with the nurse...before you see her do...I nearly always forgot most of mine just as I entered the consulting room!

 

[Minnie51]

Thank you to you all for making me so welcome

 

[Ditto]

Hello and welcome to the forum Minnie. 🙂 It is a shock isn't it? I don't think I'm over it yet! 😱

 

[pav]

Welcome Minnie to the forum. As Bill has found out a meter is the way forward it helps so much with food identifying whats going on. If you can't get any joy from your GP practice supplying test strips on prescription, most on here who self fund use the SD code free available from here, remember to select the I have diabetes option and in the UK we use mmoll measurement. The kits only come with 10 strips to get you going, so may be worth ordering some more strips at the same time. https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/

 

[Barbara W]

Hi Minnie and welcome to the forum.

 

[Lucy Honeychurch]

Hello and welcome 🙂

 

[Pine Marten]

Hi Minnie, welcome to the forum. Sensible advice already given by others - I would second pav's suggestion of getting the SD Codefree meter, as it's quite easy to use and is perfectly good.

Diagnosis certainly can come as a shock, but this forum is a wonderful help - I wish I'd found it sooner! Have a read around the different threads. There are lots of good recipes and food suggestions, but only testing your levels with a meter will give you information about which foods affect you and which don't. It's a long haul journey, but we're all on board the same train, so feel free to ask any questions, have a moan, or generally chat 🙂

 

[Wirrallass]

Hi Minnie & welcome to our forum - we are a friendly supportive bunch so feel free to ask as many questions as you want/need to ask - there's always someone who will willingly answer & give you advice. Being dx (disgnosed) does come as a shock as most of us have learned too but dont despair minnie you are amongst friends here.

If you take a look at the top of this thread you will see the thread called "Useful links for people new to diabetes" Click on that - the thread offers you an enormous amount of information & links to help you understand diabetes.

Take care and please do stay in touch as to your progress x
WL

 

[Ralph-YK]

Hi Minnie from a fellow T2. Sorry it's such a rough time for you.