Hello all.

[Cyclist]

Hello all.

Just been told I am type 2 diabetes.

I am a fit man, cycle and walk every day. Lost a bit of weight. So I went to
the doctors. They took the usual amounts of blood, over three months. Eventually
I got told I was type 2. Given a few sheets of information about it. And sent home!!!!!

Read the 5shhets of information. Where I got the details of this site.

What next?

No follow up. No meter. No referral to anywhere.

Is this the state of play with any help?

Anyway. I have found good likes and places to read up on the
symptoms now.

Regards
From the Cyclist

 

[Northerner]

Hi Cyclist, welcome to the forum 🙂 How have you been feeling? Are you still losing weight? The reason I ask is because, although around 20% of people with Type 2 do not fit the stereotype usually promoted of being obese and lazy, there are also quite a lot of misdiagnoses. Several of our members were diagnosed as Type 2 simply based on their age, but later had their diagnosis changed to Type 1 when the medications, diet and lifestyle adjustments failed to bring their blood glucose levels under control. Type 1 is usually associated with children and young people, but there is a type of diabetes called LADA - Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adulthood - which may initially appear to be Type 2, but is a gradual loss of insulin production from the pancreas.

None of this may be true of you, of course - as I said, thousands of people who appear fit and otherwise healthy get diagnosed with Type 2 - but it is something to bear in mind and do go back to your doctor if you start to feel worse. I estimate that it took me around 18 months to develop Type 1 to the point of ending up in hospital and needing insulin injections.

I would recommend getting a meter so you can monitor for yourself what is going on. The cheapest option we have come across here is the SD Codefree Meter with test strips at around £8 for 50. (Some meters need strips that can cost as much as £30 for 50). To get a handle on Type 2 diabetes, I would recommend reading Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter, and it would also be worth getting a copy of Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker. Far more useful than (I'm guessing) the 5 sheets of info you were given - when my Auntie was diagnosed the information she was given was worse than useless

Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S will help you understand te reasons why testing is so useful (in fact, essential in most people's opinion).

Please let us know if you have any questions and we will do our best to help! 🙂

 

[Amigo]

It's pretty shocking how we get dx with Type 2 then sent away with little idea of what's supposed to happen next. I was at least given a meter (albeit with the wrong lancets but it was a start!

You should be referred as a matter of course to the local Podiatry/Retinal Screening Service for a foot check and retinal screening. I received that in the first month. I wasn't told when I would be reviewed and 5 months later am not aware that I have been though I did suggest a follow up HbA1c from my surgery. To my honest my GP seems to take the view, 'just tell me what you want me to do and get on with it'. I've had to drive this every step of the way but I'm happy to do that now I know what I'm doing.

I think you need to contact your surgery and ask what happens next. Are you on meds? When is the follow up HbA1c and is there a specialist diabetic nurse you could consult if necessary. I'd ask these questions. Also ask for referral to a Registered Dietician if you feel you need the advice and an education course which the NHS put on.

Hope you get sorted and don't fall for the 'lard-ass' stereotyping the Press seem keen to perpetuate about all Type 2's. It makes my blood boil! 😡

 

[Mark T]

Welcome to the forum Cyclist 🙂

 

[Bloden]

Hi Cyclist and welcome.🙂 Hope you get some action from your GP...let us know how you get on.🙂

 

[Northerner]

Here is a list of what you should expect from the NHS in terms of support 🙂

 

[pav]

Hi Cyclist, welcome to the forum. Unfortunately your not alone in wondering what happens next, as the others have posted the very useful information links, take your time to go through them and ask any questions that you want.

Diabetes though a common illness effects everyone differently. It can be that you have to drive your doctors or Diabetic nurse into action. Some GP's appear not to care about type 2s if this is turns out to be the case with yours, for your long turn health its best to ask around which GPs do offer good support for us.

It's worth asking if the GP will supply test strips on prescription as these are a great way in helping identify what food effects you and how. Meters you can normally get free from direct from the suppliers. My doctors will only supply one manufactures test strips, but at least I get them.

Even though my present GP was a a highly recommend Diabetic helpful one, the specialist Diabetic nurse left and has not been replaced. It's now taken me over 12 months to get referred to hospital as I have been trying to get onto insulin due to me having problems with meds.

A good book to get as well is carbs and cals, to help with meals and how many carbs at in foods.

You may find that they will start you off with a med call Metformin, which comes in two types a normal version and a slow release one. The slow release one is more gental on you as the initial side effects can give one wind and the need to be by the loo.

 

[HOBIE]

Welcome Cyclist 🙂