Confused

[Massive183]

hi all

I am newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and I was with the nurse this morning talking through everything etc , one of the questions i had was do I need to inform dvla she was certain I must notify them.

I have been on there site today and found the relevant section for medical changes and inputted the questions I was asked but it states that I don’t need to do anything and no mor follow up is required , I have not entered my driving license number so I’m confused about this ? Any one and same issue before ?

 

[Ljc]

Hello @Massive183 welcome to the forum. It depends on what medication if any you are on whether or not they need to be notified.

 

[Massive183]

Hello @Massive183 welcome to the forum. It depends on what medication if any you are on whether or not they need to be notified.

Hey thanks

I’m on metformin at present
1 tablet a day first week and it’s my second week so it’s now two tablets but it doesn’t increase from there.

 

[Robin]

This is the official guidance.
https://www.gov.uk/diabetes-driving
You’ll see that the 'medication other than insulin' section is a bit of a grey area, telling you to 'ask your nurse' but if you click the link through to the guidance leaflet, you’ll see it’s really concerned about whether you are in danger of hypos or have other complications. The gist of the leaflet is, if you don’t have any of the conditions listed,(and you aren’t likely to on Metformin) you don’t have to inform the DVLA.

 

[Ljc]

I found this
https://assets.publishing.service.g...vers-with-diabetes-treated-by-non-insulin.pdf

With Metformin you don’t have to notify the DVLA though I think it’s wise to inform car insurance,

How are you managing with Metformin. Due to the gastric effects they usually start us on low doses at first then gradually build up to the maximium dose if needed.
What have you been told about dietary changes.

Feel free to ask any questions about diabetes, we’ll do our best to help.

We have some very informative threads and blogs on here that I am sure you will find helpful
Take your time going through them as it takes time to assimilate everything and diabetes is a marathon not a sprint, you don’t have to learn everything yesterday !

These two are rather long
/maggie-daveys-letter-to-newly-diagnosed-type-2

test-test-test originally by Maggie Daveys

I recommend self testing to find out how the various carbohydrates affect us
Sadly many GPs will not prescribe a glucose meter and test strips unless we are on meds that can cause hypo’s ( low blood glucose) Metformin normally doesn’t.
If you want to test and find this is the case, the SD Codefree meter only available online is the cheapest one to self fund the ongoing cost of the test strips £8 for a pot of 50 where high street brands are over £15. All meters sold in the uk have to conform to the same standards.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Codefree-G...&linkId=f39210144fdc26c27738e45b6d957003&th=1
You’ll need more pots of test strips and one box of lancets as they only provide 10 oe in starter packs.

I seem to have given you an awful lot of homework, sorry .

 

[Massive183]

Yes that is a lot of info but best to have more
Info then lack of it .

My stomach is all over the place I do get cramps but I suffer with these ( lack of water )

Not a massive amount was explained need to got to this class Or something at hospital but said to eat little carbs as poss as this turns to glucose , butnin a boon it says pasta is fine but I’m sure pasta has a lot of carbs in still less then potatoes or bread , so it’s something I’m trying to look at when I get 5 mins


Down side for me is I’m fitting a kitchen at present in my house so I have no cooker or oven till this Friday all being well , not the best timing to replace a kitchen

They not said anything about testing myself they want to test in 3 months time , they said my level was 51 or 52 and 48 was the line where you need to start taking tablets

My bad habit is drinking Diet Coke I’m addicted to it , but I’m trying to come off it , had a good day yesterday and only had a can this morning so going well so far just need to keep to it

 

[Pumper_Sue]

My bad habit is drinking Diet Coke I’m addicted to it , but I’m trying to come off it , had a good day yesterday and only had a can this morning so going well so far just need to keep to it

Diet coke wont affect your blood sugars, so why are you giving it up if you like it?

 

[Massive183]

Diet coke wont affect your blood sugars, so why are you giving it up if you like it?

I drink a lot probally 2-3 litres a day, nurse said it can affect levels as it turns it to glucose which I presume effects sugar levels ? If that is correct

 

[Pumper_Sue]

I drink a lot probally 2-3 litres a day, nurse said it can affect levels as it turns it to glucose which I presume effects sugar levels ? If that is correct

As it's sugar and carb free and no protein either, I fail to see how it can.

I used to drink loads of the stuff and it certainly never affected my blood sugars. I've not drunk any for ages now as went off of it. Mind you 2 or 3 litres is rather a lot by anyone's standards 😱

On a cheerful note though all the acid would probably rot your teeth

 

[Ljc]

I think your nurse is a bit muddled about Diet Coke lol, I like it myself but not in that quantity.

It’s great to hear that she knows carbs are our enemy the word is slowly going round the nhs , erm many of us have to avoid pasta.

Basically we are usually fine with protein and good fats , we try to find suitable substitutes for starchy carbs .
The trouble is Diabetes is so individual ie one person can have a nice healthy bowl of porridge for brekkie and another has to avoid it like the plague as it spikes their blood glucose (BG) far to high, this is why we recommend self testing to find these things out also the Hb1ac blood test they do only gives an average of our BGs over the last 12 or so weeks.

 

[Lilian]

Only if you are taking medication that lowers your blood glucose. So if you are on diet alone or on Metformin there is no need to inform them. If you are on a sulphonylurea type drug such as Amaryl (Glimepiride), Diamicron (Gilclazide),Diamicron MR (Gilclazide),Glibenese (Glipizide) or insulin then yes you do have to inform them. You will also have to inform your insurance too.

 

[HOBIE]

I drink Diet Tonic Water for England. Good for blood flow without Gin.