Denial :-)

[LilLady]

Welcome Nick, I was diagnosed in June under similar circumstances to yours, I'd gone in for some bloods to investigate migraines I've had for years, it coincided with my 3 month pill check, where I was weighed and discovered I had lost a stone and a half without lifestyle changes. Red flag.
Anyway the morning after my results were in and I was told I was diabetic.
My nurse originally assumed type 1, although I was overweight by the NHS definition, I wasn't exactly huge and a bit young for a type 2 diagnosis (34). But no there were no ketones in my urine so type 2 was confirmed.
I felt a lot like you do, in fact I was devastated and really scared. I had to ask my GP for diazepam to settle my nerves, I was manic.
Fast forward 3 months, I've lost most of the weight (3 stone now in total) and I've just gotten used to it and accepted that I just need to look after myself and il be fine, my health depends on my actions.
It was probably the best thing that ever happened to me, because it gave me a kick up the bum I needed.
I am just ok with it now, it's part of my life, I feel good and have a reason to take care of my health.
I take my metformin, exercise, eat low carb, check my BG's.
It's just part of my life now.
You will get there.
I think your current feelings are normal, but you will feel better in time.

 

[Leadinglights]

Welcome Nick, I was diagnosed in June under similar circumstances to yours, I'd gone in for some bloods to investigate migraines I've had for years, it coincided with my 3 month pill check, where I was weighed and discovered I had lost a stone and a half without lifestyle changes. Red flag.
Anyway the morning after my results were in and I was told I was diabetic.
My nurse originally assumed type 1, although I was overweight by the NHS definition, I wasn't exactly huge and a bit young for a type 2 diagnosis (34). But no there were no ketones in my urine so type 2 was confirmed.
I felt a lot like you do, in fact I was devastated and really scared. I had to ask my GP for diazepam to settle my nerves, I was manic.
Fast forward 3 months, I've lost most of the weight (3 stone now in total) and I've just gotten used to it and accepted that I just need to look after myself and il be fine, my health depends on my actions.
It was probably the best thing that ever happened to me, because it gave me a kick up the bum I needed.
I am just ok with it now, it's part of my life, I feel good and have a reason to take care of my health.
I take my metformin, exercise, eat low carb, check my BG's.
It's just part of my life now.
You will get there.
I think your current feelings are normal, but you will feel better in time.

Well done for getting a grip on your situation. I can see why they might have thought you Type 1 with sudden weight loss even though overweight.
It is often the other way round, people are presumed to be Type 2 if older and are actually Type 1.
It may be something to keep an eye on if you continue to lose weight beyond where you want to.

 

[LilLady]

Well done for getting a grip on your situation. I can see why they might have thought you Type 1 with sudden weight loss even though overweight.
It is often the other way round, people are presumed to be Type 2 if older and are actually Type 1.
It may be something to keep an eye on if you continue to lose weight beyond where you want to.

There still is a chance I am type 1. Late onset, this was discussed at my last appt.
I was due more tests, but they're delayed due to this blood bottle shortage..

 

[rebrascora]

There still is a chance I am type 1. Late onset, this was discussed at my last appt.
I was due more tests, but they're delayed due to this blood bottle shortage..

Good to hear that they haven't totally ruled out a slow onset Type 1. The absence of ketones is not diagnostic in itself. I didn't have ketones at diagnosis or any time since but I tested positive for Type 1 (C-peptide and GAD antibody tests). The 1.5 stone weight loss is quite common with Type 1 and more telling than the absence of ketones in my opinion. Good luck with your diabetes journey but do monitor your levels closely and seek advice if they start to rise despite your best dietary and exercise efforts.

 

[Betty13]

So I went to the doc's for a unrelated issue and ended up getting booked in for a health check. The result was, after a few repeat tests of my blood and some fasting that I have Type 2 diabetes (45 years old) . I however suffer no symptoms but do eat quite horrendously. The funny thing is that a few months prior I actually started to get out and about on my bicycle daily in a bid to loose a bit of mid life spread. Now in complete denial, a rather gloomy outlook on life. not getting out and about and ignoring it. Might need a bit of a slap to pull myself together. To be fair just writing that down in a place where people might read and go 'Yeah, been there' is quite nice so that's one step forward.

I think it is a bit of a right of passage to be gloomy, it is soo easy to forget you have diabetes, until there is an issue. Be kind to yourself. It has taken me a long time to wobble my head as life gets in the way. So much is known now about diabetes and healthy options. You will get past this.

 

[Burylancs]

Wow ! see this is why I said I didn’t really get it but if I read your post a few times over it might help. See what I don’t get, although all my bits and bobs are optimal that actual total cholesterol is 5.1 which is still fine but I would of thought it would of been lower. Is that the high HDL do you think? I was told LDL was bad fats by the first DN I saw, or was it triglycerides ? This is way too complicated… I think my junction box has overloaded

5.1 total cholesterol is not fine for a diabetic. Edwin Biermann's researches in the 1990s showed that the tipping point for Cardio Vascular Disease was total chols over 5. But for diabetics the same tipping point for the acceleration of cvd was total chols over 4. Because in moments of raised bgs we manufacture lots of Ldl (the stuff that deposits cholesterols in the linings of our arteries). So the recommendations are precautionary preventive medicine - under 5 for ordinary folk and under 4 for diabetics. Most people can't get under 4 without a statin.
You will hear a lot of baloney about cholesterols and statins, even on this group (!) Chiefly from people in denial about cholesterol and the anti-statin Jihadists.

 

[EmmaL76]

Well that has cheered me up no end lol. To be honest I’m at the point of exhaustion with all this. I getting into dangerous territory with my eating. I’m losing weight hand over fist, have never been overweight, I don’t know what kind of diabetic I am, nothing works for me without starvation. I was told my cholesterol was optimal for ratios but obviously not and statins have never been mentioned so don’t know how I feel about that. I can’t eat any better than I do and now I found out I’m gonna have heart failure. I feel like I’m constantly punishing myself when I’m doing everything I should be. This isn’t a rant at you burylancs I appreciate your advice. I’m just having a rubbish time of this at the moment and my health anxiety has gone through the roof.

 

[Cobgirl]

So I went to the doc's for a unrelated issue and ended up getting booked in for a health check. The result was, after a few repeat tests of my blood and some fasting that I have Type 2 diabetes (45 years old) . I however suffer no symptoms but do eat quite horrendously. The funny thing is that a few months prior I actually started to get out and about on my bicycle daily in a bid to loose a bit of mid life spread. Now in complete denial, a rather gloomy outlook on life. not getting out and about and ignoring it. Might need a bit of a slap to pull myself together. To be fair just writing that down in a place where people might read and go 'Yeah, been there' is quite nice so that's one step forward.

Looks like we were diagnosed at a similar ish age. Been exactly where you are right now. One step at a time, don’t rush any changes. And you’ll be good

 

[Drummer]

Well that has cheered me up no end lol. To be honest I’m at the point of exhaustion with all this. I getting into dangerous territory with my eating. I’m losing weight hand over fist, have never been overweight, I don’t know what kind of diabetic I am, nothing works for me without starvation. I was told my cholesterol was optimal for ratios but obviously not and statins have never been mentioned so don’t know how I feel about that. I can’t eat any better than I do and now I found out I’m gonna have heart failure. I feel like I’m constantly punishing myself when I’m doing everything I should be. This isn’t a rant at you burylancs I appreciate your advice. I’m just having a rubbish time of this at the moment and my health anxiety has gone through the roof.

If your cholesterol levels are not being hammered down by medication there is no reason to think that you might suffer heart failure - that is not what was written.
By eating a diet which will keep blood glucose under control type twos seem able to side step the need for medication, and even at my age, 70, I can feel improvements in my strength and stamina which were poor at diagnosis - I can't cope with a 'healthy' diet, and I am still finding that I am getting a bit better after taking the Metformin and Atorvastatin, which affected my body and my memory in the few weeks I took them.

 

[EmmaL76]

I just find the whole thing so confusing. My comments are made out of frustration. I’m happy people on here find a way that works for them but so far I just haven't found mine.

 

[LilLady]

Good to hear that they haven't totally ruled out a slow onset Type 1. The absence of ketones is not diagnostic in itself. I didn't have ketones at diagnosis or any time since but I tested positive for Type 1 (C-peptide and GAD antibody tests). The 1.5 stone weight loss is quite common with Type 1 and more telling than the absence of ketones in my opinion. Good luck with your diabetes journey but do monitor your levels closely and seek advice if they start to rise despite your best dietary and exercise efforts.

As a type 1, what is your opinion on this? I am now on Metformin, low risk of developing type 2 but my BG readings are in the 7-8's on average.

 

[silentsquirrel]

As a type 1, what is your opinion on this? I am now on Metformin, low risk of developing type 2 but my BG readings are in the 7-8's on average.

You have already been diagnosed as diabetic, whichever type it turns out to be, so the risk score tool is not relevant, that is for use by people without a diagnosis of diabetes.

 

[LilLady]

You have already been diagnosed as diabetic, whichever type it turns out to be, so the risk score tool is not relevant, that is for use by people without a diagnosis of diabetes.

I am completely aware of this.
I am simply making a point as Type 2 is often associated with this risk or that risk.
6 months ago I was high risk.
I am not anymore, I am healthy, so would expect my diabetes to be better than it is.

 

[silentsquirrel]

I am completely aware of this.
I am simply making a point as Type 2 is often associated with this risk or that risk.
6 months ago I was high risk.
I am not anymore, I am healthy, so would expect my diabetes to be better than it is.

Have you had another HbA1c since the 139 result? With readings of 6 -9 it should be much lower now.
You are confusing yourself by thinking about risk of diabetes when you are diabetic - your risk is actually 100%, however healthy you are now!

Keep doing what you are doing and your readings should slowly improve further.

 

[LilLady]

Have you had another HbA1c since the 139 result? With readings of 6 -9 it should be much lower now.
You are confusing yourself by thinking about risk of diabetes when you are diabetic - your risk is actually 100%, however healthy you are now!

Keep doing what you are doing and your readings should slowly improve further.

Thanks. I am not confused at all and I 100% understand that I am diabetic and yes the risk questionnaire isn't relevant to me.
As I stated before, the purpose of me mentioning the risk factors was to simply highlight how much my health has changed since diagnosis, no obesity, no high blood pressure, not carrying fat around the middle etc. Fit and active.
Therefore as T2 can be controlled by diet weight etc, I am a disappointed I am not getting lower BG's and wondering why my readings aren't better.
It has been suggested that I may be type 1 late onset, next HBAC1 Thursday .

 

[Christy]

Thanks. I am not confused at all and I 100% understand that I am diabetic and yes the risk questionnaire isn't relevant to me.
As I stated before, the purpose of me mentioning the risk factors was to simply highlight how much my health has changed since diagnosis, no obesity, no high blood pressure, not carrying fat around the middle etc. Fit and active.
Therefore as T2 can be controlled by diet weight etc, I am a disappointed I am not getting lower BG's and wondering why my readings aren't better.
It has been suggested that I may be type 1 late onset, next HBAC1 Thursday .

Great results. Hope your next hbA1c gives you a result you're happy with.

 

[Burylancs]

Have you had another HbA1c since the 139 result? With readings of 6 -9 it should be much lower now.
You are confusing yourself by thinking about risk of diabetes when you are diabetic - your risk is actually 100%, however healthy you are now!

Keep doing what you are doing and your readings should slowly improve further.

Her risk of developing T2 Diabetes is actually 0% - she's already gonandunnit.