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Hello there, just lifting my head from out the sand!

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Kerryade

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi there, I'm 36 and was diagnosed type 2 about 9 months ago. Since then I have started taking metformin, 4 a day (when I remember). I had 2 appointments with the diabetic nurse, attended a Desmond day and then pretty much ignored the fact I had diabetes and buried my head in the sand.

I know it's there and that I should address it but felt quite overwhelmed by the whole situation and I guess I found it easier to ignore it and pretend that it wasn't a thing. I kept telling myself I would look into diets and eating plans and that I would lose weight and everything would be okay but I kept putting it off and using the excuse that I was busy with family (boys 2 and 6, husband 38 going on 8) and now here I am 9 months later with no idea what I'm doing still, no idea what my bloods are because I haven't had a test since June, I havent been asked to monitor at home so I never have and now I think there's a chance that other issues I am dealing with have possibly been caused or effected by my diabetes and things are finally starting to dawn that this is real and I have to address it.

Any way. There's no real point or question to my post but I do feel a little better for just getting my thoughts out there somewhere as I tend not to discuss it with family/friends or anyone in fact, as it's easier to pretend it's not there that way.

This is my first step to making me a priority, getting info and acknowleding that I have to make changes to get results.
 
HI @Kerryade welcome to the forum 🙂. Thankyou for your post and realising your Diabetes ain`t going away, just needs self controlling. I`m afraid the only way you will know how you are doing is by testing your own Blood Glucose Levels (BGL), other members will be along shortly to advise you of the best meter to obtain if you are able to self fund. You can ask your doctor or DSN if they can supply you with a meter as you are on Metformin and wish to monitor your BGL while adjusting to a healthier lifestyle to control your Diabetes. Please take time to read through the forum but don`t become overwhelmed just a little and often, take care 🙂.
 
Hello Kerryade, and welcome to the forum that no-one wants to join!

You've made your first good move by realising that you would like some kind of advice, or support, or encouragement

Although you will get some advice from medical staff, in practice you will have to be responsible for most of your own control and diabetes management; and that, as you've said, can be quite overwhelming and daunting
Try not to get too bogged down with rules and the finer detail to start off, instead try to understand what's happened, then things like weight loss, diet, and what you can or cannot eat will fall into place

Here are some suggestions to start you off -

Join Diabetes UK. They have - a useful & interesting magazine; a good helpline; an introductory pack for newly diagnosed Type 2 Diabetics, usually abbreviated to T2 on this forum

Read through old threads on this forum, especially for Newbies, as many as you have the stamina for. You will see that most of your questions and problems have been asked before.
However, don't be nervous or embarrassed about asking questions or telling us about your concerns - we've all been there.

Get books on diabetes from your library. some of them might be a bit dated, or have different styles & approaches, but they will all help you to understand, and get used to the jargon

Try to get a BG meter from your doctor or clinic

Don't be frightened by any scare stories you might see in the media, or from friends. If you look after yourself you will avoid complications

You say you have other issues. Some of the early side effects of diabetes include tiredness and confusion, and worry or anxiety. You might well find that as your diabetes becomes more controlled, these problems lessen considerably

" ......no real point or question to my post....." ? I'd say that just being here is every point
 
Hi Keerydale, and welcome to the forum.
You have come to a good place to seek advice and support from people living with Diabetes day to day.

Ask anything you like. Someone will come along with and idea, as you have already seen, and there is also plenty of support from members in here. I know that I have learnt more from others on here than I have from health care professionals.

I look forward to reading of your progress. A good star to the year, and timeto take control. Well done.
 
Thank you all for your understand and encouragement. It's great advice and I am taking it all on board x
 
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