Hiya everyone

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amentalcat

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Type 2
SO glad i finally found the forum🙂.

I'm Ali from Hertfordshire and was diagnosed with type 2 about 3 months ago. I'm still learning all about trying to live and study with type 2, although i am 43!
One thing i did find a bit off-putting was the attitude of the nurses when they told me i had it, yes i am overweight, but i am also fit and active and an adult! Having done some reading up on the condition i have found that some things are genetic, and i did wonder what percentage this could be, i'm adopted so i have no idea about my birth parents and whether they were diabetic or not.

Ho hum, lots of reading to do.

Ali x
 
Hiya
I'm fairly new to all this too, diagnosed with type 1 in late January at the grand age of forty. I'm sure one of the more experienced folks will be able to answer your questions, just wanted to say hello and welcome :D
Cath
 
Hi Ali, welcome to the forum 🙂 It's a shame that so many healthcare professionals put on their judgement hats regarding Type 2, don't let their negativity upset you. There is clearly a big genetic factor in Type 2, given that something like 50% of the population are overweight, but only 8%v have diabetes. I would recommend reading Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter to get a better understanding of what it all entails, and Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker comes highly recommended by many of our members 🙂

Please feel free to ask any questions you may have, there are lots of friendly, experienced people here who can help 🙂
 
Welcome the forum 🙂

It is typical of this attitude I am afraid, it is not your fault nor should you feel responsible in any way!

I hope you get the right care you need.
 
Hi Ali, welcome. There is often a family history of diabetes that can be a driver for it, but not always. No knowing your birth family's history makes it impossible to tell for sure what your chances would have been, but you've got it an dealing with it is what really counts.

Here are some links that you may find useful. First is a book called "Type 2 Diabetes; The First Year". Next is Jennifer's Blog; "How to Lower Your Blood Sugar". And finally, "Maggie Davy's Open Letter". These should give you a good start but don't be afraid to ask any questions you may have.

One more thing. Are you able to test your blood sugars? If you are that' good, it's a very useful tool for any diabetic as testing will help you learn how food and exercise affect you and thus take control of your diabetes. Ask your GP for a meter and strips, many won't let T2s test, but some do and you won't know till you ask. If not, here's a link to a good basic meter whose strips aren't too expensive.
 
Welcome Ali, I was diagnosed at 43 and am adopted also! Great that you found the forum, everyone has been a huge help to me. 🙂
 
Welcome to the forum Ali 🙂
 
Hiya Ali

You sound like you could maybe be a candidate for 'Do Something Different' - there's a thread about it somewhere on here, and it's only available in Hertfordshire.

And no-one has a clue about the genetic bit really. I mean eg my own grandparents for instance, my paternal grandma died when dad was about 12 or 13 and it was always said to be heart trouble. But who knows? Maybe it's her my sister got the T2 gene from? And much more recently my husband's mum actually died of pneumonia - but there again she also had terminal bowel cancer and it was really that which she died of - even though the pneumonia saw her off, IYSWIM.

So being adopted and therefore not knowing your blood line's health record, is not necessarily any hindrance ! What would you have done differently ? probably not a lot, because you ARE fit.
 
Thanks everyone for making me feel so welcome. I am slowly making a list of what books to look out for and the 'first year' one seems to be a bit of a hit!

Ali x
 
Welcome to the forum Ali 🙂. Sorry to hear the nurse was so unhelpful and judgmental when you were diagnosed - encouragement and sympathy would have been more appropriate!
 
Hi Ali welcome to the forum, over the years have encounter DN's who care very much about the person to the opposite where one is to be preached at and dictated to what one must do.

Unfortunately this is not an un commen thing, DN's should support you other advice an treat you as an individual and not just a number. Its should be a two way conversation after a DN appointment last year I voted with my feet and changed GP's to one that had a good diabetic patient reputation.
 
Hi Ali a warm welcome to the foum


Steph 🙂
 
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