Hi

[Maj]

I was diagnosed with type2 diabetes last year
I have only just “accepted”diagnosis and am now on metformin 500mg twice a day
Initially my levels were co trolled by diet/exercise but suddenly out of control
I have other health issues and the diabetes is a side effect of surgery to remove cancer
(Get rid of one problem and gain another)
I live in Tottenham London and am looking for some groups for diabetics to go walking together - does any exist?
Still trying to get my head around it all (my mum and grandad were diabetic so I thought I knew about diabetes but knowing and doing are two different things)
I find the sudden feelings of what I assume are a hypos or hypers difficult to decide if they are true hypos or hypers - I feel weird almost all the time and am exhausted
Anyone who can offer any advice and guidance would be greatly appreciated
My concentration and energy levels are low most of the time (I also have arthritis) it’s like the diabetes is final blow I can’t seem to get my head around - for me diabetes is a new problem, it’s difficult and no matter how much I say to myself it’s diet and exercise the more difficult I find it to get under control which makes me feel really stupid and angry at myself (it’s simple diet and exercise) I am gaining weight instead of loosing it and becoming a recluse instead of going out walking to be honest I am just exhauste

 

[khskel]

Hi there, do you mind me asking what surgery you had? The reason I ask is that removal of the pancreas is the one we come across most commonly on here.

Do you have a meter to test your levels? Hypo and hyper can feel a bit similar but it's best to know which you're having.

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum @Maj

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis on top of other health issues.
This is a manageable condition, it just seems complex at the start.

As @khskel says it is useful if you know what is happening to your glucose levels between. Your surgery will monitor your levels at intervals during the year, but if you know what is happening in between it gives you the chance to make changes to your food choices and portion size, to suit the amount of insulin that you are making.

Your medication should not make you have hypos, but people who start to reduce their glucose levels sometimes feel a bit weird initially as their body has got used to the higher levels, and then starts get stroppy when you bring them down back in target. Again a test kit would help you to see what is actually happening.

If you have any questions at all just ask on here.

 

[Maj]

Welcome to the forum @Maj

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis on top of other health issues.
This is a manageable condition, it just seems complex at the start.

As @khskel says it is useful if you know what is happening to your glucose levels between. Your surgery will monitor your levels at intervals during the year, but if you know what is happening in between it gives you the chance to make changes to your food choices and portion size, to suit the amount of insulin that you are making.

Your medication should not make you have hypos, but people who start to reduce their glucose levels sometimes feel a bit weird initially as their body has got used to the higher levels, and then starts get stroppy when you bring them down back in target. Again a test kit would help you to see what is actually happening.

If you have any questions at all just ask on here.

Hi
Thanks for your message
I will have to have a serious try at using testing kit at home
I haven’t been given a kit - does it come from GP or from diabetic clinic (which I haven’t been to yet as I cancelled appointment due to surgery)
Plus there is a diabetic clinic walking distance from my house but was referred to one three bus rides away

 

[SB2015]

Good morning Maj

They don’t often fund test kits for those with T2 unless they are taking mads which could cause hypos (very low blood glucose). For those wishing to test, but not able to get strips prescribed, the following are the cheapest option we have come across: SD Codefree Meter which has test strips at around £8 for 50....

I was referred to clinic some distance away for my retinopathy test, but a new one was set up 5min walk away. I just phoned to ask them to transfer me, which they did.

 

[Maj]

I am on metformin does this count?
I hate needles can’t imagine being able do the self testing
I spoke to diabetes association and they said the hbc1a (is that correct) would work if I do it every three months which is how I have been getting around the issue

 

[grovesy]

Metformin in theory does not cause hypos but some report it occasionally.

 

[Maj]

Thanks

 

[CathyB]

Hi and welcome. Testing is the best way to work out what foods work or don’t for you, tracking your results with a food diary is a great way to take control and see where you need to make changes. Testing is not like having an injection, its a much smaller needle and much less painful
I also struggled with the walking as I also had other health issues so had to build up slowly, I felt a bit of a numpty walking on my own so I borrowed a neighbours dog, this gave me a reason to walk, let me catch my breath when the dog stopped to pee and stopped me from getting slack as I didn’t want to let the dog down 🙄 It didn’t take long to see results and that was a huge incentive to keep going

 

[Maj]

Thanks for your encouraging reply

 

[Drummer]

The testing doesn't involve what I think of as a needle - it is a tiny little pin in a plastic holder, which is hidden inside the plastic doo dad which is set so that it only goes into the skin deep enough to get a tiny bead of blood to test. Once you've done it a couple of times you'll probably wonder what the fuss is about.