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Hello all T2 diagnoses and waiting...

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Annacottonb

Annacottonb

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi all I went for a well woman check when I turned 40 in July and found out I wasn’t quite the well woman I thought lol.
High blood pressure and type2 diabetes!
I have been given metformin for the diabetes (and other medicine for the hbp) which I take once in the morning and my doctor said once I see the diabetic nurse she would explain all but unfortunately my appointment isn’t until November 6th and I feel a little lost with it all. So I am looking really for some simple advice while I wait and what to expect x thanks all x
 
Annacottonb said:
Hi all I went for a well woman check when I turned 40 in July and found out I wasn’t quite the well woman I thought lol.
High blood pressure and type2 diabetes!
I have been given metformin for the diabetes (and other medicine for the hbp) which I take once in the morning and my doctor said once I see the diabetic nurse she would explain all but unfortunately my appointment isn’t until November 6th and I feel a little lost with it all. So I am looking really for some simple advice while I wait and what to expect x thanks all x
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Hi Anna...just wanted to clarify something with you...were you diagnosed with diabetes & started on Metformin in July?...if so...such a long time for your first appointment with the diabetic nurse (DSN)...are you able to give us a little more information...have you any idea what your HbA1c result was when you were diagnosed...and have you had a follow up HbA1c test/review since then (I'm assuming you were diagnosed in July...apologies if I have that wrong)...have any education courses been suggested...any useful information been offered with adjusting your diet/lifestyle to manage/control your diabetes...there is a wealth of information available on how achieve good control of diabetes...diet...exercise...what to do...what not to do...when you say you're feeling lost how much (or how little) you you know about type 2...a lot of questions...but...if you could answer them...provide a little information... it would help members offer the right support/suggestions for you.
 
Hi bubbsie x I had a fasting blood test on July 19th and was called to see the doctor the next day he told me about my hbp and that my blood sugar level was 13.9 after the test and that I had type 2 diabetes he gave me the prescription for metformin to be taken once in the morning and told me the diabetic nurse would tell me everything I needed to know and not to worry about changing anything until I have seen her. That is the extent of my knowledge of my condition at the moment and why I’m really starting to get in a bit of a pickle sorry I don’t know what HbA1c is lol x
 
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Annacottonb said:
Hi bubbsie x I had a fasting blood test on July 19th and was called to see the doctor the next day he told me about my hbp and that my blood sugar level was 13.9 after the test and that I had type 2 diabetes he gave me the prescription for metformin to be taken once in the morning and told me the diabetic nurse would tell me everything I needed to know and not to worry about changing anything until I have seen her. That is the extent of my knowledge of my condition at the moment and why I’m really starting to get in a bit of a pickle sorry I don’t know what HbA1c is lol x
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Anna...firstly I am shocked at how long you have had to wait for any appointment with the DSN...four months...in that time you could have been well on your way to achieving good management of your diabetes...however...lets concentrate helping you manage your diabetes... essentially its about reducing the level of glucose in our blood... i.e our blood sugars (BGs)...the HbA1c test is the test used to diagnose diabetes...it gives your GP the average level of your blood sugars for the last three months...normal levels (non diabetics) should be under 42mmols...anything above that range between 42 to 48mmols is pre-diabetic...above 48mmols is in diabetic range...clearly you are within diabetic range...since you know very little about diabetes (not your fault) I think one of the best things I could recommend is to get yourself a copy of Type 2 Diabetes The First Year by Gretchen Becker...she is diabetic...takes you through her first year from daignosis onwards...month by month...explains clearly what type 2 is...how/why it develops...answers many of the questions we all have...gives advice on what diet is best...what to avoid...one of the most important parts of managing my diabetes has been testing my blood...often referred to as self monitoring blood glucose (SMBG)...sounds daunting...it isn't...she has an excellent chapter on this...my view is we need to understand what diabetes is before we can manage/control it...the book is available on Amazon...you can preview it before deciding whether you want to buy it...its well written & easy to read... it changed my approach to how I manage my condition.
 
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Bubbsie said:
Anna...firstly I am shocked at how long you have had to wait for any appointment with the DSN...four months...in that time you could have been well on your way to achieving good management of your diabetes...however...lets concentrate helping you manage your diabetes... essentially its about reducing the level of glucose in our blood... i.e our blood sugars (BGs)...the HbA1c test is the test used to diagnose diabetes...it gives your GP the average level of your blood sugars for the last three months...normal levels (non diabetics) should be under 42mmols...anything above that range between 42 to 48mmols is pre-diabetic...above 48mmols is in diabetic range...clearly you are within diabetic range...since you know very little about diabetes (not your fault) I think one of the best things I could recommend is to get yourself a copy of Type 2 Diabetes The First Year by Gretchen Becker...she is diabetic...takes you through her first year from diabetes onwards...month by month...explains clearly what type 2 is...how/why it develops...answers many of the questions we all have...gives advice on what diet is best...what to avoid...one of the most important parts of managing my diabetes has been testing my blood...often referred to as self monitoring blood glucose (SMBG)...sounds daunting...it isn't...she has an excellent chapter on this...my view is we need to under stand what diabetes is before we can manage/control it...the book is available on Amazon...you can preview it before deciding whether you want to buy it...its well written & easy to read... it changed my approach to how I manage my condition.
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Welcome to the forum @Annacottonb.
Sorry you have to wait so long for your appointment with Diabetes Nurse (who may may not be diabetic themself).
As you asked for simple advice, here it is:
Diet - reduce carbohydrate content, plus reduce calorie content if you are overweight
Exercise - move more, whatever activity you enjoy
Medication - take as prescribed, read patient information leaflets, ask pharmacist if anything is unclear
Blood glucose testing - very useful for discovering how various foods and exercise affects you
 
Hello Anna, welcome to the forum. 🙂
 
Bubbsie said:
Anna...firstly I am shocked at how long you have had to wait for any appointment with the DSN...four months...in that time you could have been well on your way to achieving good management of your diabetes...however...lets concentrate helping you manage your diabetes... essentially its about reducing the level of glucose in our blood... i.e our blood sugars (BGs)...the HbA1c test is the test used to diagnose diabetes...it gives your GP the average level of your blood sugars for the last three months...normal levels (non diabetics) should be under 42mmols...anything above that range between 42 to 48mmols is pre-diabetic...above 48mmols is in diabetic range...clearly you are within diabetic range...since you know very little about diabetes (not your fault) I think one of the best things I could recommend is to get yourself a copy of Type 2 Diabetes The First Year by Gretchen Becker...she is diabetic...takes you through her first year from diabetes onwards...month by month...explains clearly what type 2 is...how/why it develops...answers many of the questions we all have...gives advice on what diet is best...what to avoid...one of the most important parts of managing my diabetes has been testing my blood...often referred to as self monitoring blood glucose (SMBG)...sounds daunting...it isn't...she has an excellent chapter on this...my view is we need to under stand what diabetes is before we can manage/control it...the book is available on Amazon...you can preview it before deciding whether you want to buy it...its well written & easy to read... it changed my approach to how I manage my condition.
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Will hopefully find it on my kindle x thanks!
 
Welcome to the forum.🙂
 
Hi Anna, glad you found us. Have a read of the forum and you'll find plenty of good advice on here!
 
Welcome Anna - I'm new to this too! Lots of support here.
 
Hello Anna, welcome to the forum. You’ll get lots of info and cyber support from people here. Youve already been given great advise by @Bubbsie and @Copepod. So I won’t go over that again🙂 . Except to say it’s carbohydrates that our body can’t handle to well, sugar is just another carbohydrate.

Fortunately diabetes is a condition that their is an awful lot we can do to control it ourselves.

Take care with fruit, yes it’s healthy but some fruits esp those that originated from hot climates are high in sugar as are fruit juice and smoothies, berries (not grapes ) are often tolerated better.

I think it’s dreadful that you have been left to flounder since your dx (Diagnosis) in July then your first appointment to see the diabetes nurse at the practice in November is disgusting imo deserves an official complaint.

We have a lot of helpful reading and links and a link to the book Bubbsie mentioned here
https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/useful-links-for-people-new-to-diabetes.10406/
Just scroll down to the T2 section. For future reference you’ll find this in the newbies forum, the thread is called *useful links for people new to diabetes*

Ask as many questions as you need to, we’ll do our best to help.
 
I too am new to this was diagnosed early Sept and have my first appt next Wednesday. This forum is really helpful, like you I felt in limbo doc diagnosed over the phone then said don't worry the nurse will explain everything but I then discovered i had to wait nearly 6 weeks. So glad to have had this forum so sit tight and there will be some good advice .
 
Annacottonb said:
Thank you all for your welcome,reply and some good advice x much appreciated! has made me feel not so stuck in limbo already.
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Welcome to the forum and what a dreadful shock it must have been. You have been given excellent advice and do come back and ask anything.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum
 
I didn’t even have the initial option of a DSN.. my numbers were so high I needed to stabilize and then follow up. By that time, I had made some informed decisions about tweaks given both my parents were diabetic, and in three months I almost halved my hbA1C...

So much so the doctor looked at my folder with my stats from Flash Glucose Monitoring (a handy little sensor on your arm and a scanner so as to avoid finger pricking 10-15 times a day), my food and exercise diaries from MyFitnessPal and my blood pressure charts... and he decided I probably would know more than the DSN by the time I got to see them!

I haven’t read the book @Bubbsie recommends but I have spent a lot of time on the forums and there is a lost you can do yourself before you even see your nurse.

I think you are on the right path!
 
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