Hello.

[DorindaT]

Hi everyone,
I'm new to this so if I waffle I'm sorry in advance. I got told last week I'v got type 2 diabetes and I'm totally losted and over worrying because my brother he was a year older than me and mum to diabetes complications and now thats in my head and am finding it hard to shake it.
I'm also unsure if I need to tell the dvla as I had to send my licence to them over 18 months ago (medical reasons) and all the dvla say `back log' so I'm unsure if I need to tell them.
I'm so sorry for going on

 

[Drummer]

If you are not taking medication to lower your blood glucose then you do not need to tell the DVLA.
I informed the car insurers as the renewal coincided with diagnosis but they said it was not something they are concerned about.
Many type 2s can minimise problems from diabetes by reducing their intake of carbohydrate to a level where they can cope with it, refining their food choices using a meter to test their responses, as people react differently to various foods. Personally I avoid high carb foods as that gives me a wider choice for meals and I can include desserts several times a week.

 

[Docb]

Hi @DorindaT and welcome to the forum. There is quite a lot to get your head around when first diagnosed and that is where the members of the forum can help. We have all been there and know what it is like. My suggestion is that you take a deep breath and read around the forum to see how others have got things under control. Look at the learning zone (on the red tab above) taking it at a pace that suits you. Above all ask questions about anything you do not understand on the forum. Absolutely no question is considered silly on here.

First off, you do not need to tell the DVLA about your diagnosis. In the very unlikely event hat you need insulin to treat your diabetes then you will, but that can be dealt with if it happens.

My suggestion at the start is that you find out the result of the blood test that will have led to the diagnosis. The number you are looking for is the HbA1c result. This tell you how far into the diabetes range you are and give you some idea of the amount of work needed to get your blood glucose back into the normal range.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @DorindaT

Sorry to hear about your Mum and brother. It’s perfectly natural and very common to feel overwhelmed by a diagnosis with diabetes.

So pleased you have found the forum! it can be so helpful to have a space to share your worries and concerns, among those who are facing the same challenges day to day, to compare experiences and strategies, or just have a space to vent and let off steam among folks who ‘get it’.

Diabetes is serious, but it’s also something that can be managed well - and small changes and improvements really are worth making.

Take things one day at a time, and be kind to yourself. Many newcomers have found Maggie Davey’s Letter to the newly diagnosed to be a helpful introduction to T2 - it’s not medical advice, just an account of how one woman got to grips with her diabetes, and made positive changes to improve her long-term health.