It was a bit of a shock

[Bookworm]

I have just been diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes - and I do mean "just", two hours ago to be precise.

It came as a shock to me, because I have no symptoms, I am not overweight, I am reasonably fit and my sugar intake is minimal.

Perhaps I will get some answers when I see the diabetes nurse next week.

 

[itsallgood]

Sounds not unlike me at diagnosis - I went to see the doc about a bad knee and a week later I got the shock news!

I was only about a stone overweight, reasonably fit and haven't got a sweet tooth at all (not that that is relevant).

I think it comes down to genes for a lot of people.

 

[itsallgood]

Sorry, meant to say... a warm welcome to the most useful site for diabetics on the net

 

[SimplesL]

Welcome to the forum Bookworm.

I'm impressed you found it so quickly; I took a couple years before I came across it.

My diagnosis similar to yours; not overweought pretty active sensible diet etc.

Mine was picked up on pre-op blood tests for an early breast cancer (now cleared & already 3 years into my 5 years of monitoring).

T2 is very strong in our family; my dad (now deceased) his brother and my older brother all have T2. I'm crossing my fingers my younger brother & sister don't "inherit" it as well. But they have been forwarned so they now monitor by having an annual blood test via thier GP's.

 

[robert@fm]

I have just been diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes - and I do mean "just", two hours ago to be precise.

I wonder if this is a record?

It came as a shock to me, because I have no symptoms, I am not overweight, I am reasonably fit and my sugar intake is minimal.

The idea that "obesity causes diabetes" is a classic bit of tabloid sensationalist nonsense (which coincidentally I just a few minutes ago debunked on another, non-D forum) and a textbook case of the cum hoc fallacy ("with this, therefore caused by this"); the true scientific vievpoint is that "there is a link (exact nature unknown) between obesity and type 2 diabetes, but not any of the other types", and from what is currently known it would be just as (in)valid to conclude that type 2 causes obesity. 🙂

Anyway, welcome to the club nobody wanted to join, and congrats on finding us so fast! You will find it friendly and helpful here.

 

[Northerner]

I have just been diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes - and I do mean "just", two hours ago to be precise.

It came as a shock to me, because I have no symptoms, I am not overweight, I am reasonably fit and my sugar intake is minimal.

Perhaps I will get some answers when I see the diabetes nurse next week.

Hi Bookworm, welcome to the forum 🙂 Wow, very early days for you then, in fact - today! Around 20% of people who are diagnosed with Type 2 are not overweight at diagnosis. Do you have any family history of diabetes? How did you come to be diagnosed and do you know what your levels were?

There is a wealth of experience here, including members who would match your description very well. As has been mentioned, diabetes is not as simple an equation as fat & lazy = Type 2 diabetes, there is considerable variation. Hopefully, you will find out more when you have your appointment. One thing you may consider asking is whether you might in fact be a slow-onset Type 1, which can present in very similar circumstances to an early diagnosis of Type 2.

One thing to bear in mind is that diabetes is not about sugar consumption, but is in fact about the body's difficulties in dealing with carbohydrates of all kinds - rice, potatoes, bread, pasta, as well as sugary items - sugar is simply another carb, albeit one which will have a very fast impact on your blood glucose levels.

I would highly recommend getting a copy of Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker, which well help you to understand more about your diabetes.

If you have any questions, please do ask away. There are lots of resources available to help you manage your condition, and lots of friendly and experienced people here to help you out should the need arise. The good news is that diabetes is a condition that can be managed well and there is a broad range of treatment options available to meet every eventuality. You can be very pro-active in managing the condition yourself, and many people find that they feel happier and healthier after diagnosis than they did before.

Let us know how things go for you. 🙂

 

[Bookworm]

Thank you!

Many thanks for the kind responses to my post.

To answer some of your questions - I have an annual GTT because I am on blood pressure tablets. Last year's was within the acceptable limits but this year's was not. I think the figure was 15.7 on the second reading.

I have no family medical history of anything because I was adopted when very young (I am now 61) and never knew my natural parents.

 

[stephknits]

Welcome bookworm

As everyone has said, you will find lots of people who are similar to you - like me! I too am a healthy weight etc and adopted! I think we have a need to seek answers as to why me? Unfortunately, from reading the excellent book Northerner has recommended, I am coming to realise that we can never really know exactly why we ended up with diabetes.
Anyway, this place is great - lovely people giving fantastic advice and support.

Wishing you lots of luck.
Best bit of advice given to me when I started here in November - get a meter and test you blood sugar regularly. It not only helps to make reductions in your BS, but certainly made me feel I had some sort of control back... Not like I am a control freak or anything🙂

 

[Mark T]

Welcome to the forum Bookworm 🙂