Confused newbie..

[karinagal]

Just diagnosed.. doctor phoned me with the glucose tolerance test result (fasting 7.2, 13.4 after 2 hours) and told me that I am 'mildly' diabetic..

Have an appointment with the practice nurse tomorrow to get a diet sheet..

Not sure what to expect or what's supposed to happen next?

Karina

 

[Steff]

hi karina and welcome to the site, firstly midley diabetic im not to sure what that means are you between the two, well anyway good that your seeing nurse tomorrow she will tell you what you need to know are you on medication? I t will all seem so hazy at the beginning loads of questions running around in your head etc we have all been there but just keep calm and take all the help you possibly can . This place will help you along most things and if you ever need any advice or just need a good rant we're all here

 

[Northerner]

Hi Karina, welcome to the forum!🙂 There is a lot to take in at first, but try not to get too overwhelmed by it all. There are many, many people who have been in your position and they have learned to cope with it and understand things, but it does take time, so don't think you need to know everything straight away.

You've made a great move by seeking help and support here, so please do ask anything that you are unsure of!🙂

 

[karinagal]

Thanks!

Wow, didn't expect replies so quickly! I hope I'll know more after I see the nurse tomorrow, I haven't a clue as to what the doctor meant when she said that I was 'Mildly' diabetic... I suppose she meant that the reading wasn't so high as to cause immediate concern. She hasn't made any mention of meds, I don't even know if I'm expected to monitor my blood sugar levels. All she said was to see the nurse about a diet sheet and to repeat the blood tests in six months!

However, the day after she told me, I received an appointment to go for a diabetic retinopathy screening test? Go figure..

Karina

 

[Steff]

Wow, didn't expect replies so quickly! I hope I'll know more after I see the nurse tomorrow, I haven't a clue as to what the doctor meant when she said that I was 'Mildly' diabetic... I suppose she meant that the reading wasn't so high as to cause immediate concern. She hasn't made any mention of meds, I don't even know if I'm expected to monitor my blood sugar levels. All she said was to see the nurse about a diet sheet and to repeat the blood tests in six months!

However, the day after she told me, I received an appointment to go for a diabetic retinopathy screening test? Go figure..

Karina

hmm i must admit the retinopathy screening was the first thing i had i was diagnosed feb and by april i had had that i think, some people have the blood test every 3-6 mnth so that diff for all i guess,i think that will be something the nurse will say to you some test some dont , if she happens not to mention it you could X good luck with it hope it goes well , let us know what happens

 

[Northerner]

Wow, didn't expect replies so quickly! I hope I'll know more after I see the nurse tomorrow, I haven't a clue as to what the doctor meant when she said that I was 'Mildly' diabetic... I suppose she meant that the reading wasn't so high as to cause immediate concern. She hasn't made any mention of meds, I don't even know if I'm expected to monitor my blood sugar levels. All she said was to see the nurse about a diet sheet and to repeat the blood tests in six months!

However, the day after she told me, I received an appointment to go for a diabetic retinopathy screening test? Go figure..

Karina

Hi Karina, don't worry about the retinopathy check, it's a standard thing. Some doctors do talk about 'mild' and 'severe' diabetes, but really it's the same condition for all of us with the same potential problems. You may be in a position to control your blood sugar levels with adaptations to your diet and activity levels, rather than using medication. Sometimes I get the impression that doctors and nurses get so used to treating this increasingly common condition that they forget that newly diagnosed person probably knows little about it and can be very fearful and apprehensive.

There's a lot of experience here to help you, from people who have lived with it for weeks, months or years, and they're a lovely bunch of people happy to help, so settle in - you're not alone!🙂

 

[twinnie]

hi there i noticed that you are not far from me i stay in north lanarkshire too yippee another scot i hope everything gos okay tomorrow at the nurses i am sure it will

 

[MartinX123]

Hi Karina & welcome.
I also got told im mildly diabetic when I was diagnosed a couple of years ago. My doctor meant it as Im my blood test wasnt that high. He also kept going on about the fact that the guidelines had changed and if they hadnt then i wouldnt be considered diabetic. They can be unhelpful at times!
Least you have found the boards early on, there are lots of helpful people here & a daft question really isnt all that daft so dont be scared to ask

 

[HelenP]

Hi there, welcome to the forum. It's early days for you but take it from me, you will learn SO much in a short time, especially if you stick around and browse the threads on here, and ask as many questions as you feel like, you'll get all the answers you need! (and if not, you'll be advised where you can find any answers that aren't readily available. But I don't spose that's gonna happen, lol).

Take care.

xx

 

[karinagal]

Even more confused now...

The practice nurse gave me the usual diet tips and talked about increasing activity levels. Everything was fine up to a point but I got the distinct feeling that I had outstayed my welcome and got the bums rush out the door!

She seemed a bit reluctant to give me a monitor but I understand that as I'm not on insulin or meds so don't need to be testing on a daily basis. She was quick to point out that the strips etc are expensive, so to go easy..

As instructed by her ladyship, I picked up a form for referral to a podiatrist. Do you think I would be being unreasonable if I ask for a referral to a dietician? I work evenings and could do with advice on how best to plan my meals so that I'm not carrying a heavy glucose load into the next day by eating too much too late..

Gee I thought breast cancer was to be my undoing, but all the treatment etc for that is just a distant memory and diabetes has stepped in to claim its crown! My husband reckons if I was an animal I'd have been put down by now and if I was a car after failing multiple mot's (as I have!!) I'm in line for being scrapped..

Still, mustn't grumble eh? (Whistles: Always look on the bright side of life!!)

Karina

😉