Hi everyone

[RebelT]

Just been diagnosed with type 2.

Was a bit disgusted at the lack of info to be honest. Went something like this.
Diagnosed by the doctor then saw the nurse at local GP.
Next Tuesday come in for an exam and we'll do your height, weight etc. Bring in a urine sample.
Wednesday we'll do a fasting blood test.
The following Tuesday we'll go through the results and I'll give you some leaflets.
Take one of these (metformin) after breakfast, excercise and drink plenty of water, avoid sweet foods.
So I've left the doctors thinking what? why? how?

Basically I'm now probably like many newly diagnosed diabetics. Confused and angry.

Sorry, If this turned into a rant.

 

[Copepod]

Welcome to the forum, RebelT.

You've found the right place for information, advice, understanding etc.

One tip for now - there's a patient information leaflet [PIL] in every pack of medicines, so read that for metformin, plus you can ask pharmacist when you collect medicine - explain it's the first time you've taken metformin and ask for interview booth for privacy. GP is not the only source of advice - pharmacists are experts in medicines, and often practice nurses are good and have more time for explanations.

Increasing your physical activity and reducing intake of sugary foods is vital in managing type 2 diabetes, as well as taking medicines as directed. Taking metformin on an empty stomach would not be a pleasant experience - it often causes farting, but slightly less as your gut adapts.

 

[Northerner]

Hi RebelT, welcome to the forum 🙂 Don't worry about ranting, quite acceptable here - we can fully understand, particularly when so little information and support is forthcoming from your GP/nurse. Unfortunately, that is often the case, although some healthcare professionals can be very good - luck of the draw, I suppose - shame they can't all be good!

Can I suggest having a look at our Useful links thread? In particular, I would recommend reading Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter, and getting a copy of Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker - these should help to put you in the picture of what to expect and the approaches you can take to get things under control.

Diabetes is a serious condition, but the good news is that it is something that can be controlled well, and the adjustments you make to your diet and activity levels can actually result in you feeling happier and healthier than you may have done for some time, so try to stay positive. Please ask any and every question that arises, and we will be very happy to help 🙂

 

[Robin]

That's how I felt when I first left the doctors surgery. 'oh you're diabetic. it'll be type 2 because of your age ( it wasn't). It might be a weird type, because you're thin. I'll refer you to the hospital, they'll see you in about three months, meanwhile make an appointment with the Nurse. bye! Not quite that bad, but nearly!
(I must add, in my GPs defence, that when she saw that the metformin and Gliclazide were having no effect, she rang the hospital,and got me squeezed in earlier)
but nobody at the surgery told me about free prescriptions, I found out from our local pharmacist when she saw what I was being prescribed. So I visited my local bookshop and armed myself with the Gretchen Becker book, and carried on from there.

 

[Northerner]

...
but nobody at the surgery told me about free prescriptions, I found out from our local pharmacist when she saw what I was being prescribed. So I visited my local bookshop and armed myself with the Gretchen Becker book, and carried on from there.

No-one told me about free prescriptions either, and I was treated like some kind of idiot for not knowing when I went to get my frst one sorted out. Erm...prior to my diagnosis my previous need for a prescription was in 1979! 🙄

Just to clarify for RebelT - if you are prescribed any medication to treat your diabetes, then ALL your prescriptions are free (in England - they are free in Scotland and Wales anyway). You need to get an Exemption certificate though - ask at your surgery if this hasn't been arranged for you.

 

[RebelT]

Thanks guys.

Just ordered Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year and a codefree tester.

Anyone know of some computer programme/software so I can log meals, blood/sugar levels etc

The more I can log the clearer picture I'll have.

 

[KookyCat]

Dreadful isn't it, I think they forget that we literally know nothing until we're diagnosed. I was packed off out of hospital with a walking frame three insulin pens, 4 test strips 🙂eek🙂 and a blood sugar of 29 and a phone number that was only available Monday to Friday and I was set free at 4pm in a Friday. It's a miracle any of us make it through.

Anyway you've found the right place, loads of useful info and good people so welcome aboard 🙂

 

[Mark T]

Welcome to the forum RebelT 🙂

 

[stephknits]

Hey there and welcome, RebelT. Knowing what I do now (which still isn't a huge amount) about diabetes I'm amazed how little info is provided on diagnosis. I was told over the phone, but not what type - didn't know at the time to ask and told to make an appointment with the nurse, which I got around 2 weeks later. By then I had read up a bit and asked what type, she said 2 (which turned out to be wrong). I was given a leaflet about diet which basically said eat a healthy balanced diet and told to come back in 3 months.
It was only by coming on this place, realising that it would be good to get a meter and then seeing how high my numbers were that I pushed for appointments sooner, which led to meds (Metformin and then Gliclazide) being upped. I never (and still haven't) seen a gp. I did have a call from one at my practice when the nurse wanted to put me on gliclazide and checked with a gp who asked for some urine samples to test for ketones. The gp rang me at work 2 days later to say take myself to casualty as he thought I was type 1 and had high ketones.
Without this place I would never have tested, would never have gone back to the nurse twice and I dread to think what sort of state I would have ended up in.
Sorry, that sounds like a huge rant! I don't mean it to be, just an illustration that it is basically down to ourselves to manage this condition, with the help and support of anyone medical we might see.
Best of luck, the book Northerner recommends is great 🙂

 

[Bloden]

Hi and welcome, RebelT. 🙂 Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. 😱 You're off to a flying start by the sounds with the book and the tester - no thanks to your health centre's 'whatever' attitude. You'll learn A LOT here, and there's quite a few laughs too. 🙂

 

[Northerner]

Thanks guys.

Just ordered Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year and a codefree tester.

Anyone know of some computer programme/software so I can log meals, blood/sugar levels etc

The more I can log the clearer picture I'll have.

This is a useful guide to efficient testing:

Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S

Are you looking for an App, or something for e.g. a laptop to record things in? I think the App mySugr receives quite good reviews, although I don't use them myself, I just use an old-fashioned diary and the software I got with my meter 🙂 There is also the Diabetes UK Tracker App:

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/How_we_help/Diabetes-UK-apps/Tracker-app/

 

[banjo]

For logging meals i find MyFitnessPal a god send - so easy to use - but be aware that some foods are public logged so may be erroneous - but belive my within a few weeks you will soon stop those lol if u come across them. Ie if 300 grammes of mash poatoe is 0 calories you know its wrong lol - but i find it to be 99.99 perc acurate and a good guide.
there are programmes out there to log blood sugar levels but i just wrote them down and after 4 months since diagnosis i can usually guess where they will be from what i have eaten.
Good luck persevere dont let all the information clog u down and ask away cos the folk here are ace.