Hello, diagnosed today.

[Rachael Clarke]

Hello, saw my GP today who has confirmed my diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Feeling quite guilty as I could have prevented this and also confused as he has started me on statins for cholestorol even though my cholesterol levels are low. He says research says this is an effective way to treat diabetes. He has also asked me to lose weight and exercise more of course. I will be referred to a dietician etc.. I think. Am seeing the nurse next week and have a blood test booked in a month. X

 

[Stitch147]

Hi Rachael and welcome to the forum. Im no expert but ive never heard of statins being used to treat diabetes before! Dont feel guilty about your diagnosis. This forum is a great place for help and advise, or just a friendly chat.

 

[Rachael Clarke]

Hi Rachael and welcome to the forum. Im no expert but ive never heard of statins being used to treat diabetes before! Dont feel guilty about your diagnosis. This forum is a great place for help and advise, or just a friendly chat.

Thanks I am sure will have loads of questions. It's nice to have somewhere to ask people who are experienced at dealing with it. X

 

[Stitch147]

Plenty of experienced people on here. Im 18 months past diagnosis and have learned a lot from the people on here.

 

[Bubbsie]

Hello, saw my GP today who has confirmed my diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Feeling quite guilty as I could have prevented this and also confused as he has started me on statins for cholestorol even though my cholesterol levels are low. He says research says this is an effective way to treat diabetes. He has also asked me to lose weight and exercise more of course. I will be referred to a dietician etc.. I think. Am seeing the nurse next week and have a blood test booked in a month. X

Hi Rachel...first don't be so hard on yourself...there is no guarantee you could have prevented it...likely a combination of factors led to your diabetes...weight and lifestyle does play its part...however...you are likely to have a genetic pre-disposition for diabetes...otherwise everyone we know who is overweight and inactive would be diabetic...don't worry about why you are diabetic...concentrate your energies on a strategy to control/manage it...I agree with Stitch...never heard of using statins to treat diabetes...I am of course not medically qualified but slightly suspicious about that...when you go back no reason why you cannot ask him how it helps with your diabetes...you have a reasonably early appointment with the nurse...some DSN's are informative and forward thinking...sadly others are not...when I was diagnosed in July last year I read a book called Diabetes The First Year by Gretchen Becker...she is diabetic herself and takes you through her first year month by month...so informative...will answer many of your questions...have you been given any advice on testing your blood to check your blood glucose levels (BG)...most GP's DSN's do not provide meters for type 2's unless you are insulin dependant or on medication which could cause you hypos...are you on any medication...and what was your BG or HbA1c levels at diagnosis...don't worry it is a shock...and confusing initially...it does and can get better with the right management.

 

[Rachael Clarke]

Thanks really helpful I will get that book. No info about.testing apart from he has booked me a blood test for a months time. As I understand it my HB levels were 49 and 50. No other medication apart from the statin.

 

[Bubbsie]

Thanks really helpful I will get that book. No info about.testing apart from he has booked me a blood test for a months time. As I understand it my HB levels were 49 and 50. No other medication apart from the statin.

Those HbA1c numbers are not so bad...in the diabetic range but would be classified as good control on the NICE guidelines...likely why no medication indicating at that level can be controlled with diet & exercise...if you want to test your BG better to self fund it if you can afford to...the benefits of testing are worthwhile...your HbA1c test shows what your average BG level has been for the last three months...the meter will give you a spot test telling you what your BG is at that moment...so if you test before eating...then two hours after eating this will show you what effect the foods you are eating have on your BG...there are all sorts of excuses given for not providing type 2's with meters...but I believe the reality for most surgeries is the cost...I use the SD codefree meter...available on Amazon...the testing strips for the codefree are about the cheapest t £8 for fifty...whereas other test strips can be more than double that...if you do order one best to order more test strips and lancets at the same time...you only get samples sizes of both in your starter kit...ask lots of questions...lots of advice available here...I have lowered my BG's with advice & support from this forum...the book I recommended...my GP was not helpful...little support and guidance from most of the health care professionals I've seen about my diabetes...but...you may fare better...very much a lottery...don't get down hearted...your BG levels are at a reasonable level... with the right management and a little hard work... you should be able to bring those down reasonably soon.

 

[grovesy]

Welcome.

 

[Northerner]

Hello, saw my GP today who has confirmed my diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Feeling quite guilty as I could have prevented this and also confused as he has started me on statins for cholestorol even though my cholesterol levels are low. He says research says this is an effective way to treat diabetes. He has also asked me to lose weight and exercise more of course. I will be referred to a dietician etc.. I think. Am seeing the nurse next week and have a blood test booked in a month. X

Hi Rachael, welcome to the forum 🙂 I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but from what you say it appears you may have caught things early so hopefully just a few adaptations will enable you to get things under control and manage things well 🙂

I'd recommend having a browse of our Useful Links thread, where you will find lots of good resources to help you. As mentioned earlier, Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker is an excellent iintroduction and guide through the early months - many of our members have found it extremely helpful. I'd also recommend reading Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter for more guidance 🙂

Diabetes is principally concerned with carbohydrates - all carbs will raise blood glucose levels, so things like potatoes, rice, pasta, bread and, of course, sweet things, need to be eaten in moderation - it's better to (for example) eat more vegetables and less potato to be kinder to your levels 🙂 Ideally, you want to be eating a diet that will have a slow, steady impact on blood glucose levels, and the GL Diet (Glycaemic Load) describes how to achieve this. The GL Diet for Dummies is a very good introduction 🙂

Please let us know if you have any questions! Diabetes is a serious condition, but thankfully one that can be managed well with the right knowledge and application so that it does not have to cause you problems. Many people find that the adaptations they make to their diet and activity levels actually result in them feeling happier and healthier, so I hope this is the outcome for you also 🙂

I would question what your GP says about statins - they are not a method of controlling diabetes, they stop your body manfacturing cholesterol. If your cholesterol levels are already low (do you know what the numbers are?) then I'd get a second opinion before taking them. Cholesterol gets a very bad press, but we all need it as it is essential to life, and there is such a thing as not having enough! I was started on statins when diagnosed but stopped taking them after a few months as my levels had fallen very low.

 

[Pine Marten]

Hi Rachael, welcome to the forum - and I must say I'm well impressed that you found us the same day as diagnosis 😎 !

Good stuff already said so I won't repeat it, so please ask away, have a rant, or just chat, we are happy to help in any way.

 

[Drummer]

I think that there is something going on with statins - they are prescribed to so many people and can have really sad consequences.
I stopped them as they have affected my memory and ability to learn, my brother in law will not stop taking them even though my sister asks him to - but very cautiously. He has a nasty temper now and she daren't suggest that they go out anywhere or do something like decorating inside. He no longer reads, just stares at the TV all day.

When I stopped taking them, along with Metformin, I saw no alteration in my BG level reduction.

 

[Amigo]

The possible link between statins, cholesterol depletion and low mood has apparently been established. Not necessarily a common link but not to be discounted either it seems;


http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/moo...erol-depletion—and-mood-disorders-what’s-link

 

[mikeyB]

No, Amigo, it has not been established -.at least by that study, which is ropy is in the extreme for all sorts of reasons. You can prove anything causes anything if you try hard enough. The danger of someone thinking "I've got a low mood and I'm snappy and bad tempered so it must be the statin" is that it might well not be. Not every condition is a side effect of medication, or diabetes for that matter.

That said, there is no established reason why a diabetic with normal cholesterol should take a statin. The only folk who've shown benefit from taking a statin are those with established cardiac problems.

 

[Lucy Honeychurch]

Hi Rachael and welcome 🙂

 

[Amigo]

No, Amigo, it has not been established -.at least by that study, which is ropy is in the extreme for all sorts of reasons. You can prove anything causes anything if you try hard enough. The danger of someone thinking "I've got a low mood and I'm snappy and bad tempered so it must be the statin" is that it might well not be. Not every condition is a side effect of medication, or diabetes for that matter.

That said, there is no established reason why a diabetic with normal cholesterol should take a statin. The only folk who've shown benefit from taking a statin are those with established cardiac problems.

Agree on the second part of your answer Mike and fully expected your response to the first part. You didn't disappoint me!

My response was, 'not necessarily a common link but not to be discounted either it seems' which seems an entirely reasonable open minded response to the possibility.

 

[Amigo]

Incidentally, hello Rachael and aplogies for the divergence from your subject. Welcome and you've had some excellent advice that I can't really add to. At 49 you've just tipped over from the 48 diagnostic cut off most doctors use for diabetes so there's plenty you can do to bring it down to lower levels. I'm a firm believer in testing but not statins. I think your GP has simply thought diabeties equals possible cardiac risks equals statins. Many do. I hope you can get your BG's down without diabetic medication and wish you luck. Amigo

 

[Rachael Clarke]

Hello everyone thanks for the excellent advice and reassurance. I think I've probably oversimplified what the Gp said on reflection I think what he said was that the statin will treat the possible complications associated with diabetes that makes more sense. I'm uncomfortable with it anyway so will give it more thought and concentrate on bringing the BG down with diet and excercise. Many thanks. Xx

 

[Bubbsie]

Hi Rachael, welcome to the forum - and I must say I'm well impressed that you found us the same day as diagnosis 😎 !

Good stuff already said so I won't repeat it, so please ask away, have a rant, or just chat, we are happy to help in any way.

I thought that too Pine Marten🙂.

 

[Manda1]

Hello Rachel and welcome. I am six months post diagnosis and have found this forum most helpful. Please don't feel guilty there is no point looking backwards only forwards x good luck x

 

[Ditto]

Hello Rachael and welcome to the forum. 🙂