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westyoh

westyoh

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
...or as they say round my way, Eyup.

I'm new to all of this, diabetes, forums, and it's all a bit, well, you've all been there. I desperately need advice and I will be extremely grateful for any offered.
I received diagnosis 22/09/11 after a blood test, and was told my blood glucose was over 18 but I could control the diabetes with diet and exercise, great. I don't get to see the diabetes nurse until 14/10/11 (cut backs), but, after a week of super healthy living I felt more ill so managed to get 5 minutes with the nurse today. It was about 80 minutes after I had eaten lunch. She checked my BG which was 17.1. I now have a supply of Metformin, (yes I'm obese too 🙄) which I will commence taking on Saturday but I still don't see the diabetes nurse until 14/10/11. I asked about BG monitoring and was told I don't have to worry about it. Marvellous.
I've been ill for ages, I only went to the Dr as I could harldy walk 2 minutes without needing a sit down. I am expecting to start feeling better now I have medication (excluding side effects of course), but I don't want to wait 2 weeks to see how my BG is coming down. Its frustrating.
Should I get a home testing kit? I mean really, should I bother? Yes, I will have a really tough 2 weeks completely in the dark but equally, if my BG is acceptable (what ever that is) when I see the nurse won't I have wasted all that time and effort?
The problem is, I haven't a flippin' clue. Oh, and I'm crying loads, is this normal too?
Ha, this is a long first post!
Any advice appreciated.

Thanks, Westy.
 
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Hi Westy, welcome to the forum 🙂 A lot of your story is familiar, it's a shame that people are dissuaded from testing when newly diagnosed as it canreally help to understand diabetes and how different foods affect you. Have a look at the Useful links thread, and in particular Maggie Davey's letter to newly diagnosed Type 2s and Jennifer's good advice. The book by Gretchen Becker Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year is also highly recommended. All these will recommend getting testing kit as a means to discovering how different foods affect you.

No question is 'silly' here, so please do ask anything that is concerning or confusing you 🙂
 
Hi Westy, or should I say Eyup, Ah tha doin?

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis and that you're not feeling any better yet. Please be assured that you will when you get your BG levels down to nearer where they should be.

That by the way is between 4 and 7 before meals and less than 8.5 2 hours after meals for most people.

You say you have an appointment with the diabetic nurse on 14th October. Is this at the hospital or at your surgery? Chances are if it's at your surgery it will be the practice Nurse and not a DSN ( diabetic specialist nurse). As you are Type 2 that's most likely. I've been Type 2 for almost 8 years and saw a DSN for the first time this April! So if it is at the hospital with an actual DSN think yourself very lucky indeed!. 🙂

As for getting a self testing meter, well I can't tell you what to do but most people on here will tell you they think it's the most important piece of equipement you can have, despite what the docs and nurses tell us. And I don't think you will be wasting anyones time by getting one. You can usually get a meter for free from the manufacturers, it's the strips that are expensive, unfortunitely.

The thing is, controlling your diabetes is mainly a 3 way thing. Diet, excercise and medication. The aim is to get your levels down to a safe place in order to feel better and fend off complications. So, it's only by testing what effect different foods have on your levels that you can find out what suits you. We are all different. Have a read at some threads on here as there are loads about testing and what foods to eat.

By the way, what have you been told about diet? Have you been given any information as to what to eat and what to avoid?

And yes, crying is normal, especially in these early days when you have been given a diagnosis but not the tools to deal with it. You will also feel angry, guilty, lost and mourn for the non diabetic life you have lost. We've all been there and still get bogged down with it all sometimes. But you will manage this, it will get easier and you will feel better. XXXXX
 
Thanks

Thanks for getting back to me guys. Its so nice just to get a response from other people going through the same. Woooo. Cheesey but true. Barely slept for a week with so many questions in my head. You are spot on Blythespirit, I am seeing the Practice Nurse.
I am going to research self testing; not only do I have to lower my BG but I also have to shift 6 stone of fat so seeing the BG decrease as well as the weight will give me extra motivation for staying off the cakes, biccies, sweeties, pizza, Pepsi and crisps (mmm crisps, my old friend how I miss you already). That is my theory anyway ha.

I had doubts about posting never having used a forum before, but I really do feel better already. Thanks ever so much.

(Apologies to my dear friend Pepsi, I miss you too)

Cheers.
 
Welcome to the forums Westy 🙂
 
Hi Westy. Am too a relatively new member of the forum. The advice already given is great advice and you will find loads of support here. I joined the weight loss group and have found the support really helpful with my weight loss journey. For me, testing has been a valuable and informative way to get to know what I can and cannot eat (we are all different). No questions are too small or silly so ask away! The advice I have gained here has been invaluable and I have made some great new friends too!🙂 Good to have you on board. Katie
 
Hi Westy, welcome from another newbie🙂

You will get a lot of support here and help with the problems we all face when first diagnosed. I am clearer now about things after nearly 2 months, so dont panic, take your time, and you will surely get your BG figures down.

You will learn a bit each day and then it will all begin to fit into place. Bit it is a bit of a nightmare at first, and a shock with me. So treat yourself gently, and ask away on here.🙂
 
Hi Westy

Its normal to feel upset when diagnosed with a lifelong condition, Its a combination of mourning for the life you expected to have, shock and having to make changes to your lifestyle. You also hear lots of horror stories about diabetes complications and it can be easy to think you will get them all.

So take a little time to gather information - the sooner you have your blood sugars under control the better. As good control reduces the risk of complications.

Part of the care for people with Diabetes is meant to be screening for depression and some Drs will offer you counselling so that you can come to terms with the changes in your life.

Metormin can cause some unpleasant side-effects and if you suffer from then ask if you can try the slow release version (its known as glucophage)
 
westyoh said:
...or as they say round my way, Eyup.

I'm new to all of this, diabetes, forums, and it's all a bit, well, you've all been there. I desperately need advice and I will be extremely grateful for any offered.
I received diagnosis 22/09/11 after a blood test, and was told my blood glucose was over 18 but I could control the diabetes with diet and exercise, great. I don't get to see the diabetes nurse until 14/10/11 (cut backs), but, after a week of super healthy living I felt more ill so managed to get 5 minutes with the nurse today. It was about 80 minutes after I had eaten lunch. She checked my BG which was 17.1. I now have a supply of Metformin, (yes I'm obese too 🙄) which I will commence taking on Saturday but I still don't see the diabetes nurse until 14/10/11. I asked about BG monitoring and was told I don't have to worry about it. Marvellous.
I've been ill for ages, I only went to the Dr as I could harldy walk 2 minutes without needing a sit down. I am expecting to start feeling better now I have medication (excluding side effects of course), but I don't want to wait 2 weeks to see how my BG is coming down. Its frustrating.
Should I get a home testing kit? I mean really, should I bother? Yes, I will have a really tough 2 weeks completely in the dark but equally, if my BG is acceptable (what ever that is) when I see the nurse won't I have wasted all that time and effort?
The problem is, I haven't a flippin' clue. Oh, and I'm crying loads, is this normal too?
Ha, this is a long first post!
Any advice appreciated.

Thanks, Westy.
Click to expand...

Hi there; I was diagnosed in August this year so can relate to how you feel; I was given a leaflet on Type 2 and told to come back in 2 weeks for a blood test (HbA1c) and see the diabetes nurse in another 2 weeks (4 weeks in total). I went away; spent most of the time in tears; and didn't know what to do. I really felt my life was falling apart. The one piece of advice I was given was to look at the Diabetes UK website. I did - and haven't looked back. At my appointment with the DN nurse I was told not to test because as a type 2 I didn't need to; but I'm one of those people who like to be in control (my husband calls me a control freak....). I bought a home tester; asked for advice from the marvellous guys on this website and haven't looked back. I have dark days but I'm trying to overcome them by making changes to my life; I've cut out all crappy foods; saturated fat and decided to lose 3 stone -I've lost 2 stone since July and have another to lose by Christmas. I walk 10,000 steps a day; have a treadmill which I go on 30mins weekend's only and after 30 years have just starting 'swimming lessons' 😱 this is my care plan for ME. Diabetes is a very individual condition but you need to take control of your own care, you will receive a lot of advice but the advice you will get from the guys on this website is brilliant - I have a copy of Gretchin's book you can have if you want. Good luck and remember to take one day at a time and ask as many questions as you want. As a newbie I'm always asking questions..its the only way to learn.... Amanda x 🙂
 
Hello Westy,

I agree with Slipper 😉

Welcome to the forum - this place has been a non-denominational deity send to me for the last 5 weeks. Far more useful than the help and advice from my GP.

Just take it steadily.

Ian
 
Smutmeister said:
Hello Westy,

I agree with Slipper 😉

Welcome to the forum - this place has been a non-denominational deity send to me for the last 5 weeks. Far more useful than the help and advice from my GP.

Just take it steadily.

Ian
Click to expand...




We have a trend setting in here:D
 
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