Confused and worried

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grufflybear

grufflybear

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I guess I am not the first person confused and worried after recent diagnosis with T2 diabetes. Initially I felt I was getting help and advice, I have an appointment with a dietician and I have a nurse at local surgery for general ongoing advice. My big let down was my appt with a new Doctor who is a diabetes specialist. He looked bored and told me that I would eventually get an appt to have my eyes screened but there is a backlog. He gave me the usual unhelpful limp guff about having treats being ok once in a while and packed me on my way. At the moment I am trying to balance my blood sugar with diet alone but I am still a month a way from promised appt with dietician so I have had to do my own research. I am ready and willing to do what it takes, I don't want wet fish answers about treats - I want to know what to darned well eat for my best health and it looks like the only way to find out is to do it myself.
If there is supposed to be a such a time bomb waiting as has been said recently why is the NHS so limp and pathetic about treatment. I am angry enough that as I was identified as at risk when I was 50 that NHS didn't tell me about, let alone make sure I had screening for glucose intolerance before I became diabetic - If I had known I would acted and got it done myself.
Sorry if the above sounds like Mr. Grumpy, I have a lot to get off my chest but meant to say hello too 🙂
 
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Hi grufflybear. Welcome 🙂

You're understandably angry. You're amongst an increasing group of diagnosed T2s and T1s who find the advice and support inadequate.

Thankfully, we're here to tell you most of what you want to know 🙂

I hope your support improves along with your knowledge and control.

Rob
 
grufflybear said:
I guess I am not the first person confused and worried after recent diagnosis with T2 diabetes. Sorry if the above sounds like Mr. Grumpy, I have a lot to get off my chest but meant to say hello too 🙂
Click to expand...

Morning Mr. Justifiably Grumpy,

you might like to start by reading Maggie Davey's "Open Letter to Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetics" .........

http://www.sequin.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Downloads/openlet.pdf

I hope you have a meter and are testing ? Because the mantras for good control are "Test,test,test" and "Eat to your meter".

In general the Daibetes Uk/NHS advice on diet ... is to have ...
a Low GI, Mediterranean Style diet with ...
-- 45% -60% of calories from carbohydrate depending on level of physical activity/work done
-- 10-20% of calories from Protein
-- and up to 35 % of calories from fats with at least 25% from "Good " fats ( olive oil etc).

Many, including me, find that the Glycemic LOAd diet gives good numbers. You perhaps should investigate the Glycemic Index first and then Glycemic Load diets based upon it.
 
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Welcome to the forum 🙂

I was diagnosed in October, 2009 but my experience has been considerably different to yours, I'm afraid. I found the help available to have been second to none.

That said, I think I was extremely lucky! Anyway, one thing I found very useful was a six week course (1 afternoon per week) called Diabetes X-pert, run by the NHS. There are other courses too depending on the area (DESMOND being one). I found it very useful in giving me a grounding into what diabetes is and what I could do.

Then, of course, there is this forum which has rounded off my knowledge and given me insights that I would not have found easily elsewhere. You may find the sticky at the top of the newbies section worth browsing through too.

Andy 🙂
 
Hi Grufflybear

You've had a lot of links and info to have a read through.

At the end of the day Diabetic control is all about carbs (that's ALL carbs not just cakes/biscuits - spuds, bread, cereals, fruit, pasta, rice, the lot!)

How much you can eat, of what type and at what time of day only your meter can tell you, not me and not your dietician either when you finally get the appointment.

Gretchen Becker's book is well thought of by many T2s on the forum: Type 2 Diabetes the first year, Gretchen Becker

Good luck and keep us updated with how you are getting on

M
 
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Hi Grufflybear, welcome to the forum 🙂 I have heard your story from many others, unfortunately. Some GPs act very blas? about Type 2 diabetes, just churning out standard advice and not considering the patient as a person. The 'diabetes specialist' at my surgery is much the same - I saw hime once and was completely unimpressed so have switched to a different doctor at the surgery who, although not a specialist, is an excellent GP and good listener - the relationship is a partnership, which is how it should be, so don't be afraid to change your GP.

You'll find lots of friendly support and valuable information from the people here, so you no longer need feel alone - ask anything that may be confusing or concerning you, nothing is considered 'silly', and we will try our best to help you 🙂

Lots of information links have already been provided and you can find them all in one place in our 'Useful Links' thread.

I look forward to hearing more from you 🙂
 
Thank you all for quick responses, it is immensely helpful to find friends who can guide me through the huge amount of information available in the internet. My disappointment with my "specialist" doctor was really due to my growing realisation that there is much advice and help about diet etc and all he had to say on the matter was... " if you eat cake have a small piece "... when I had already told him I was looking forward to exploring a new diet and that I don't eat sweets and puds these days anyway...

I will visit the links suggested above and look forward to visiting here often for advice and company 🙂
 
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Hi grufflybear, love the name, welcome to the forum.

In the begining we are all lost and a confused, especially where there is a lack of support. There are people who have been diagnosed for a long time here who are still learning.

The retinal scan will come in time, usually between three months and year. I'd suggest getting an ordinary eye test done too in about 2 or 3 months. I try to have my eye test 6 months after the retinal scan.

Please feel free to ask as many questions as you want, either here or on the general message board and someone will be able to help you before long.
 
Hi Gruffly you have had some wonderful replies so far so i will just add my welcome x
 
Welcome to the forum 🙂
 
Hi Grufflybear and welcome to the forums. I know your story so well I'm afraid, from personal experience. I understand your annoyance completely as it was similar feelings that brought me to this board in the first place. I see you have been given excellent advice already and lots of links to read through. I would expect no less from the wonderful people on here. Stick around and we'll see you right! Lol. Take care. XXXXX
 
Alan Shanley (from Australia) has turned his Blog (the diabetes part not the travel part!) into a book for T2 Diabetics called, would you believe?

"What On Earth Can I Eat?"

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...ipbooks&field-keywords=Alan+Shanley&x=22&y=28

It explains all the principles of how to test, review and adjust, the scientific reasons as to why 'stuff' happens and it's very user friendly. He's not a doctor, he's one of us - a diabetic who has researched his subject intensively and personally, so he was his own gunea pig if you like.

Or if you search for one of his posts on this Forum, the Blog site is in his Sig.
 
Hi Mr Gruff I see you've had loads of advice and links already so just wanted to say welcome - its a lovely place this.

PS are you testing your levels with a meter - it'll really help you decide what's ok for you to eat.
 
Advice from NHS was not to test yet but after thought and research here it seems almost impossible to just guess at how my diet is working by if I feel "well" or not. Then wait for the appointment 4 or 5 months to see how I am doing. No.... that is just not good enough and I have just started testing myself so I can see how I am doing, perhaps NHS advise against it to start with for all kinds of reasons but I cannot see a reason not to if you are prepared to act, with knowledge and advice of course, on the results. Already finding so much help here, really appreciate the contact.
 
Welcome to the forum grufflybear 🙂
 
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