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How did you feel on being given your diagnosis?

Interesting thread

October 2024 was diagnosis

I sort of expected it..........routine mot blood test confirmed it........went thro cancer treatment in 2024 and one of the lesser common side effects of the meds is T2 as well as excessive weight gain......and also when i was going through radiotherapy the diet advice was 'just eat to keep up strength......if you struggle eat high fat content.....oh and very important avoid green veg and tomatos at all costs'.......in other words total opposite of what i have to do now!!

Ive been through a lot of crap in the last few years and being told i had T2 was the third life changing diagnosis in a year.......at that point i was emotionally drained any way so it just wasnt in me to feel down.....or anything......i was just numb

But id just gone into remission from cancer so i just said 'ive beaten cancer and that trumps anything else so diabetes is going to get its arse kicked'........must have had my positive head on that day lol

I think worst thing was total lack of support from the doctors.....learnt everything from here or the mydesmond program

Ive never felt any stigma attached to diabetes.......if i can openly talk about cancer and the benefits of getting tested then i certainly talk about diabetes.....and once you do talk about it its very surprising how many other people admit to it

Song in my head?
 
mashedupmatt said:
When was yours?
July 2022
  • How did you feel?
Same as @everydayupsanddowns and @helli I've never been an "ill" person so it came as a big shock - Went through all of the emotions as described in the change curve:
View attachment 33600

What were the circumstances that led to it?

We'd just sort of got over COVID and I started to get some itchy skin, in various areas - worst was painful cracked sin on hands, but flaky skin on legs too and also behind the ears and on the eyelids - I consulted Dr Google and determined I had Psoriasis - managed to get an online consultation with my GP and sent her pictures of the affected areas - she asked me to come straight down to the surgery for a face-to-face appointment - she took some more pictures to send off to a dermatologist for a full diagnosis, and also had the practice nurse take some blood and checked my BP (which was high), plus height and weight - I was sent away with a precription for some cream to help with the symptoms until it was confirmed
Got a call from her again 2 days later and she asked me to come in to see her again - she said that my blood had come back in the diabetic range (only just - with HbA1c of 49) - she also confirmed Psoriasis diagnosis and precribed me all manner of steroid and Vitamin D creams for this (which cost me a fortune!) - she said she was going to speak to the diabetic team at the local hospital as she didn't think I was a classic type 2
A couple of days later I was called in again and prescribed slow-release Metformin (can't remember the exact dose but had a to have a large tablet before every meal) and a BG Monitor and test strips and was told to monitor my levels - was sent away again - another couple of days past (with ahem, insteresting digestive problems), and was called back in again, for another blood test - she was convinced I was type 1 as over the past week or so she'd noticed that I'd lost even more weight and had also been diagnosed with another auto-immune condition (Psoriasis) - this one was an antibody test which would take a couple of weeks to come back - in the meantime I was finger-prick testing 8-10 times a day and what was clear was that the Metformin was doing nothing, other than giving me bad stomach problems, to put it politely!
2-3 weeks past and I had another phone call from her - the Antibody test had come back positive for 2 auto-antibodies and I was now officially type 1 - was given an appointment the next day at the Diabetes Centre and was sent away with a Libre and 2 insulin pens that I didn't really have clue what to do with!
Then the learning began - I bought the Carbs & Cals Book and started eating more carbs as instructed by a dietician as my weight was concerning - I also bought the "Think Like a Pancreas" Book and literally read it from cover to cover in a day or two - I found the online BERTIE Course and did that too, literally in one or two sittings
The rest is history - eventually got on to a face-to-face DAFNE course which started on my 49th birthday last year and since then have more than doubled my insulin intake as the "honeymoon period" has gradually come to an end (I hate that phrase, as it's anything but a honeymoon!
I found this forum and have found it brilliant, with some wonderful people offering great advice - so much so, I now volunteer for DUK, to give something back and help others - This has been great for my mental health as it is so rewarding

To lighten the mood: What song is in your head right now?
I'm a bit of an old school raver at heart and this one is one of my faves:
Click to expand...
Was just thinking some honeymoon, feels more like a roller coaster ride
 
Quill said:
  • When was yours?
  • How did you feel?
  • What were the circumstances that led to it?
  • To lighten the mood: What song is in your head right now?
Click to expand...
1.October 1978
2. Extremely unwell, I'd had a flu like illness over the summer and didn't feel better. Started losing weight, unquenchable thirst - drinking out of any tap anywhere, needing the toilet every half hour, exhausted, nauseous, falling asleep at school.
3.My Mum took me to the Drs I had some blood taken and sent home it was pre blood glucose machines for an instant result.I got more unwell through the day and couldn't sit up or hold my head up, thankfully the GP came to the house and took me to hospital.I can't remember much for the first few days, I didn't initially understand that it was forever and I would be taking it home with me, I lived in hopes that I'd be sorted and life would go back to normal. Pre internet the only information I had on diabetes was in my biology O Level text book - I remember learning that dogs & cats could get it.
4. Break my stride Matthew Wilder- who knows why!
 
Flower said:
1.October 1978
2. Extremely unwell, I'd had a flu like illness over the summer and didn't feel better. Started losing weight, unquenchable thirst - drinking out of any tap anywhere, needing the toilet every half hour, exhausted, nauseous, falling asleep at school.
3.My Mum took me to the Drs I had some blood taken and sent home it was pre blood glucose machines for an instant result.I got more unwell through the day and couldn't sit up or hold my head up, thankfully the GP came to the house and took me to hospital.I can't remember much for the first few days, I didn't initially understand that it was forever and I would be taking it home with me, I lived in hopes that I'd be sorted and life would go back to normal. Pre internet the only information I had on diabetes was in my biology O Level text book - I remember learning that dogs & cats could get it.
4. Break my stride Matthew Wilder- who knows why!
Click to expand...
Just out of interest Flower.
Dogs essentially are Type 1 and need insulin.Whereas Cats are essentially Type 2 and have a choice between Non insulin and insulin medications.
 
Wendal said:
Just out of interest Flower.
Dogs essentially are Type 1 and need insulin.Whereas Cats are essentially Type 2 and have a choice between Non insulin and insulin medications.
Click to expand...
I didn’t know that.

At the time of my diagnosis & O Level text book there was only juvenile onset diabetes (Jod) & maturity onset diabetes (Mod) not Type1 or 2. I went to a Jod clinic.
 
Quill said:
Just curious as to how you all felt on being given your initial diagnosis of Diabetes, whichever type you fall under.
I’ll be honest - until I landed here I thought there was just 1 & 2 so my mind has been blown!
  • When was yours?
  • How did you feel?
  • What were the circumstances that led to it?
  • To lighten the mood: What song is in your head right now?
Obviously no need to answer if it’s not something you like to discuss.

13 days until my repeat bloods and I’m still going over how I might feel and process things when the time comes and just wondered how everyone’s came about.
Hashtag Nosey Northerner 🙂

((( squidges to all )))

Q xo
Click to expand...
I was diagnosed with Late Onset Type 1 a few years ago: my initial reaction was disbelief. I then thought, "Right, whatever strengths and privileges I've got that have helped me with other challenges in my life now need to be focused on managing this life-long condition as best I can".

The song: 'Sweet Virginia' by The Rolling Stones. It plays over the credits of 'Knives Out', which I watched on Friday. However, a couple of the lines resonate with me now. "Drop your reds, drop your greens and blues" makes me think of all the (prescribed) pills that many of us need to take and "Got to scrape that s*** right off your shoe" makes me think of our ongoing battle to deal with excess sugar! More generally, I've realised that, if I want to live healthily into old age, I don't have the luxury of the lifestyle of swaggering debauchery celebrated on the whole of the 'Exile on Main Street' album that that song's on :(.
1737293545889.png
 
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Flower said:
remember learning that dogs & cats could get it.
Click to expand...
My wife ( to be at the time) had a kitty that became diabetic.......i had to give her an injection twice a day.......she would sit and not make a move while i did it......if i was 5 minutes late she would walk up to me and start meowing....she knew it did her good......little Tiff turned me into a catdad and i still miss her 15 years on
 
  • When was yours? 13 December 2022. A double whammy : T2D (HbA1c in three figures) and hemochromatosis (to be confirmed by an ultrascan).
  • How did you feel? Angry at a peremptory order to take maximum Metformin for the rest of my life, with no discussion allowed. Anger replaced a few minutes later by absolute determination to prove, if I could, that diet would be better. I had found one of Michael Mosley's books on the kitchen. That introduced me to Professor Roy Taylor's work at Newcastle University.
  • What were the circumstances that led to it? At the end of the first 'annual GP review' for 10 years I was assured everything was OK. I said, "Just one thing. How do I know I am not at risk of a stroke like my father?" "I'll arrange blood tests!"
  • To lighten the mood: What song is in your head right now? Alim Beisembayev is playing Schumann on a piano, recorded at Wigmore Hall.
 
paultrose said:
My wife ( to be at the time) had a kitty that became diabetic.......i had to give her an injection twice a day.......she would sit and not make a move while i did it......if i was 5 minutes late she would walk up to me and start meowing....she knew it did her good......little Tiff turned me into a catdad and i still miss her 15 years on
Click to expand...
Yep Paul the insulin option in cats is still twice a day but a once a day SGLT2 inhibitor is now available.
 
When was yours?
February 2019

What were the circumstances?
In ICU, having come round from over a month of sedation and ventilation due to severe acute necrotising pancreatitis. I was told that I now had diabetes due to extensive pancreatic damage. On the same day I was told I would need Creon (digestive enzymes) for life.

How did you feel?
Not too bothered. There was a lot going on and I think the large quantities of drugs I was still receiving may have had quite a bit to do with my calm response at the time!
Not quite so calm about it over the next few years after I took on board that it was for life.

Song?
I spent a lot of time in hospital listening to ABBA GOLD on repeat.
Now, anything upbeat. At Dancefit classes, one of my favourites is I'm a Survivor. It puts bad days into perspective.
 
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  • When was yours? Diagnosed in 2022 as Pre T2D, Did not start taking meds till 2023.
  • How did you feel? Slightly shocked if I'm honest, I knew I had put on a bit of weight, and was feeling very tired, and had a few night time trips to the loo, but I had never really connected the dots.
  • What were the circumstances that led to it? As above, I had some symptoms, but I think it was just a routine blood test that highlighted it. But we (my wife and I) were both eating a fair bit of rubbish, ready meals, snacks, treats, takeaways, etc. We can both cook, but had just got in the habit of eating stuff that was not healthy!
  • I started dieting right away, and initially lost about 1.5st, but my HbA1c had still not come down enough on its own, so started taking metformin. Then put on the T2D pathway and have been losing more weight since then, now not on any medication for T2D, so its all good ATM. We are both eating much more healthy stuff and have both lost weight, in fact it helped that we were doing it together TBH.
  • To lighten the mood: What song is in your head right now?
  • Erm nowt really, am watching tv (snooker)....and browsing T'internet.... 😎
 
CliffH said:
The song: 'Sweet Virginia' by The Rolling Stones. It plays over the credits of 'Knives Out', which I watched on Friday. However, a couple of the lines resonate with me now. "Drop your reds, drop your greens and blues" makes me think of all the (prescribed) pills that many of us need to take and "Got to scrape that s*** right off your shoe" makes me think of our ongoing battle to deal with excess sugar! More generally, I've realised that, if I want to live healthily into old age, I don't have the luxury of the lifestyle of swaggering debauchery celebrated on the whole of the 'Exile on Main Street' album that that song's on :(.
Click to expand...
I see it more as a protest song? “A little bit political.” 😉 The state of Virginia joined the confederacy during the civil war. “Shake the …. From your shoes.” The reds green & blue is a uniform thing, I believe. Or maybe I’m reading too much into it?
 
Quill said:
Just curious as to how you all felt on being given your initial diagnosis of Diabetes, whichever type you fall under.
I’ll be honest - until I landed here I thought there was just 1 & 2 so my mind has been blown!
  • When was yours?
  • How did you feel?
  • What were the circumstances that led to it?
  • To lighten the mood: What song is in your head right now?
Obviously no need to answer if it’s not something you like to discuss.

13 days until my repeat bloods and I’m still going over how I might feel and process things when the time comes and just wondered how everyone’s came about.
Hashtag Nosey Northerner 🙂

((( squidges to all )))

Q xo
Click to expand...

  • Mine was during a phone call - a GP called me (Late) as I was leaving work in 2021 (September?) about a week after a blood test.
  • I wasn't surprised. I'd suspected it.
  • I had been suffering from a pain in my right thigh for months, stress with work and had not been able to sleep for around 4 months. I contacted the GP after it got so bad I was in permanent pain. Eyesight had also gone blurry. They said I needed a '50 year old' checkup, so I arranged a blood test and went in for a checkup. When I turned up at the surgery, my resting heart rate was 120 so they did an emergency ECG (Which was fine.). Blood test showed a hba1c of 83.
  • The Zealot Gene by Jethro Tull.
 
Satan’s little helper said:
I see it more as a protest song? “A little bit political.” 😉 The state of Virginia joined the confederacy during the civil war. “Shake the …. From your shoes.” The reds green & blue is a uniform thing, I believe. Or maybe I’m reading too much into it?
Click to expand...
You could well be right - although I didn't think that grammar school boys of that time from Kent were particularly exercised by the ins and outs of the US Civil War!
 
CliffH said:
You could well be right - although I didn't think that grammar school boys of that time from Kent were particularly exercised by the ins and outs of the US Civil War!
Click to expand...
Hiding the speed inside the shoe is an interesting line in the song. Maybe Richmond international airport security was pretty lapse in the late 60s? 😛
 
When ? august 2023, admitted to hospital with kidney infection, sepsis and coli, bloods came back HbA1 of 87.
How did I feel ? to be honest to ill to care they put me on insulin and it took 3 weeks before I was sorted out re kidney infection, still on insulin and HbA1c now 39 don’t want any oral meds prefer to stay on insulin
What were the circumstances that led to it? Nothing apart from the infection which put me in hospita
To lighten the mood ? Blank cannot think of any right now
 
Feb 22 2021 was my diabetes diagnosis birth day, I was not surprised as I could pee for GB olympic team. After the 3rd visit to loo in 40 mins I said to myself and I quote....am I f"""""" diabetic or something. My earworm is Baby Shark, my neighbours grand daughter was singing it the other day and now its driving me nuts.
 
Satan’s little helper said:
Hiding the speed inside the shoe is an interesting line in the song. Maybe Richmond international airport security was pretty lapse in the late 60s? 😛
Click to expand...
Having Googled it since your post, it sounds like it could also be partly a plea to Gram Parsons to clean himself up - although he was from Georgia :confused:.
 
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