need help please

[toffee_01]

i was diagnosed as type 2 not medicated in 2012, i only saw a diatician once, apparently its all your allowed, i am allergice to every antibitotics, i was told at the time that i am a stress diabetic, i have not ever had medication for the diabetes am sat here crying, because i dont want a reaction the same as the antibiotics it was awful, i was told last monday i had to start metaformin 1 x 500 mg once a day next week 2 then up to three, i asked why because of the bloods results which were 12, and i have seen other posts where others are higher i understand everyone is different, i have lost 2 stone this is the best i have felt in a long time, i have not had any advice on the medication because she said she was busy all last week, i will chat next week, we are going away next weekend and i dont want the holiday spoilt not ever been away for a christmas parade, i have not ever monitored my blood sugars i was not asked to do so so am stuck i have not started the meds cos of my fear, i have lost another 3lbs, saw another nurse in surgery yesterday she said most probably your sugars were a lot higher which is why your feeling so well

 

[Copepod]

Welcome to the forum, @toffee_0.
I'm finding it a bit hard to follow your post, so I'm going to try and write what I think you mean, with my questions / comments in italics.
Diagnosed type 2 in 2012. Saw a dietician once only. What advice, particularly about carbohydrates, were you given?
You are allergic to all antibiotics you have taken. Allergies to antibiotics are unlikely to mean you will be allergic to all antidiabetic medications, as they are different groups of drugs.
You have been advised to start taking 1 x 500mg metformin tablet per day, increasing to 2 per day after 1 week and 3 per day after another week. That's the normal way to start metformin, as it takes time to build up, and lessens the chance of side effects. Please read the patient information leaflet in the packet for advice. If you have more questions, then please ask a pharmacist - they're the experts in medicines, and don't need appointments, so they're easy to consult than GPs or practice nurses. If you live in England, then make sure you get a medical exemption certificate, so that you won't have to pay for prescriptions.
You have not been advised to test your blood glucose levels. That's sadly normal for people with diabetes who are taking metformin only. If you want to test, we can recommend a meter with the cheapest strips.
You have lost 2 stones 3lbs. Congratulations. What is your current weight and height? What physical activity do you do?
Hope you feel able to start your medication, perhaps after speaking with pharmacist. Where are you going on holiday for Christmas parade?

 

[Ljc]

Hi @toffee_01 . Well done in the weight loss.
I understand why you’re worried about starting Metformin as your allergic to Antibiotics, hopefully you won’t be with Metformin.
Speaking personally I would wait to see the nurse or a gp who has a special interest in diabetes (some gp practices have one , the receptionists would know) before taking them. You will need to make an appointment.
TBH putting it very mildly it seems to me as though your being give lacklustre care by your nurse.

Your results of 12, was it from a fingerprick or the Hb1ac taken from the arm and often sent to the labs for testing?
The results you see on here could be from our fingerpricks and use a different monitoring system from the Hb1ac.
If your result of 12 was the Hb1ac then I’m afraid it’s far too high , it’s in the red zone on this conversion chart of the old and newish Hb1ac Test.
http://baspath.co.uk/Hba1c_table.pdf.
I was higher when dx back in the 90s.

Feel free to ask questions we will do our best to help.
If you haven’t already done so, try to cut down on carbohydrates, esp the fast acting ones ie, potatoes esp mash, pasta, rice, and bread esp white.
Many of us have found suitable substitutes.

We have Lots of useful info in our newbies say hello here forum, the thread is called Useful links for people new to diabetes, just scroll down to the T2 section
Here’s a few links to info in there.

Jennifer’s advise
http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14045524.php

Maggie Davies letter
https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/maggie-daveys-letter-to-newly-diagnosed-type-2s.61307/

Test review adjust by Alan S
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.co.uk/2006/10/test-review-adjust.html

I believe in self testing , it’s the only way to find what carbohydrates our bodies can and can’t tolerate, without testing imo it’s like trying to drive in the dark without headlight on.
Many here who are refused meters and test strips use the SD Codefree as it’s test strips are much cheaper than high street meters . Eg £8 compared to £15 to £30.

It’s available from Homehealth
http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/
We use the mmol measurement in the uk and you’re entitled to claim VAT relief.
You’ll need to buy more test strips and lancets as they only provide 10 of each in a starter pack.

Sorry for the long post but felt you needed the info quickly.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hello @toffee_01

Welcome to the forum.

Hope the responses so far have given you some ideas.

Keep asking questions 🙂

 

[Ditto]

Hello and welcome to the forum, toffee_0. 🙂 Congrats on the weight loss.

 

[toffee_01]

Welcome to the forum, @toffee_0.
I'm finding it a bit hard to follow your post, so I'm going to try and write what I think you mean, with my questions / comments in italics.
Diagnosed type 2 in 2012. Saw a dietician once only. What advice, particularly about carbohydrates, were you given?
You are allergic to all antibiotics you have taken. Allergies to antibiotics are unlikely to mean you will be allergic to all antidiabetic medications, as they are different groups of drugs.
You have been advised to start taking 1 x 500mg metformin tablet per day, increasing to 2 per day after 1 week and 3 per day after another week. That's the normal way to start metformin, as it takes time to build up, and lessens the chance of side effects. Please read the patient information leaflet in the packet for advice. If you have more questions, then please ask a pharmacist - they're the experts in medicines, and don't need appointments, so they're easy to consult than GPs or practice nurses. If you live in England, then make sure you get a medical exemption certificate, so that you won't have to pay for prescriptions.
You have not been advised to test your blood glucose levels. That's sadly normal for people with diabetes who are taking metformin only. If you want to test, we can recommend a meter with the cheapest strips.
You have lost 2 stones 3lbs. Congratulations. What is your current weight and height? What physical activity do you do?
Hope you feel able to start your medication, perhaps after speaking with pharmacist. Where are you going on holiday for Christmas parade?

i have been given no advice at all on carbs, i saw a ditetician once, and i have had blood tests to be told i would be informed of results but because i didnt hear anythng i thought i was ok, the last two years i wasnt feeling well didnt put it down to sugars being high,( i was my mother in laws carer for a few years thats when i was diagnosed i was told am a stress diabetic by the doctor, the stuff i had to fight for for her, my own mother was going through cancer at the same time and i lost the the pair of them 9 weeks apart, dont get me wrong i had a brill relationship with both of them and when i thnk of them i always wear a smile) i am embarrassed about stating my weight but i got to hit this on the head, i was 20st 6 aand since the summer i have lost the weigt jumped on scales yesterday and lost 6lbs reason being before i just through out all the trash cut down on food we are going to bettws y coed for the break thank you for your reply

 

[toffee_01]

the blood re

Hi @toffee_01 . Well done in the weight loss.
I understand why you’re worried about starting Metformin as your allergic to Antibiotics, hopefully you won’t be with Metformin.
Speaking personally I would wait to see the nurse or a gp who has a special interest in diabetes (some gp practices have one , the receptionists would know) before taking them. You will need to make an appointment.
TBH putting it very mildly it seems to me as though your being give lacklustre care by your nurse.

Your results of 12, was it from a fingerprick or the Hb1ac taken from the arm and often sent to the labs for testing?
The results you see on here could be from our fingerpricks and use a different monitoring system from the Hb1ac.
If your result of 12 was the Hb1ac then I’m afraid it’s far too high , it’s in the red zone on this conversion chart of the old and newish Hb1ac Test.
http://baspath.co.uk/Hba1c_table.pdf.
I was higher when dx back in the 90s.

Feel free to ask questions we will do our best to help.
If you haven’t already done so, try to cut down on carbohydrates, esp the fast acting ones ie, potatoes esp mash, pasta, rice, and bread esp white.
Many of us have found suitable substitutes.

We have Lots of useful info in our newbies say hello here forum, the thread is called Useful links for people new to diabetes, just scroll down to the T2 section
Here’s a few links to info in there.

Jennifer’s advise
http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14045524.php

Maggie Davies letter
https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/maggie-daveys-letter-to-newly-diagnosed-type-2s.61307/

Test review adjust by Alan S
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.co.uk/2006/10/test-review-adjust.html

I believe in self testing , it’s the only way to find what carbohydrates our bodies can and can’t tolerate, without testing imo it’s like trying to drive in the dark without headlight on.
Many here who are refused meters and test strips use the SD Codefree as it’s test strips are much cheaper than high street meters . Eg £8 compared to £15 to £30.

It’s available from Homehealth
http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/
We use the mmol measurement in the uk and you’re entitled to claim VAT relief.
You’ll need to buy more test strips and lancets as they only provide 10 of each in a starter pack.

Sorry for the long post but felt you needed the info quickly.

the blood result was from a proper bood test, the nurse just phoned and said prescription ready you have to take them, nothing else, then the fear set in, i will start them or am not going to hit this on the head thank you for the links i bought a test kit this morning the code free one before coming on here, i was upset i have had to fight all my life and i thought oh bugger not again

 

[toffee_01]

Hello @toffee_01

Welcome to the forum.

Hope the responses so far have given you some ideas.

Keep asking questions 🙂

THANK YOU

 

[toffee_01]

Hello and welcome to the forum, toffee_0. 🙂 Congrats on the weight loss.

THANK YOU