Hello, Everybody. I am new to the forum and will be interested in your comments. I had an appointment to see a Diabetes Nurse for the first time today, allow 30 minutes. I had a blood sugar reading of 50 in April and had agreed with my GP by 'phone that I would aim to rectify my situation via improved diet and have another Hba1c test in November. Usually my annual reading is 38-42. However, I have always used chocolate/cake as a stress buster and an ongoing house sale has been stressful for the last 6 months - one example of the buyers from hell. All the nurse wanted to do today was take another blood test. I was somewhat taken aback as I had been expecting discussion/advice and a leaflet or two. Obviously, I have to cure my bad sugar habit pronto. I am quite clued up on eating healthily generally. The nurse said protocol had changed, no discussion and I was out of the surgery within 10 minutes. So I am a bit confused/feeling let down. What has been the experience of others in this situation, please?
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Likely confirmed diagnosis of Diabetes Type 2
- Thread starter WendyO
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Leadinglights
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It is quite soon to have a repeat test if it is to see if lifestyle changes have got you on the right track in reducing your HbA1C however sometimes if borderline or just into the diabetic zone which 50 would be then some surgeries repeat the test quite soon to confirm the diagnosis especially if it has changed significantly from your usual result.
Catbanj
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My experience is the same as yours .... no advice, no support. I asked where to find information, was told to google. It seems to vary by area as other do get advice and guidance. My Dad did when he was diagnosed 40 years ago ... I guess things have changed.
.... as a PS I was at GPs weeks afterwards for another reason and overheard a nurse discussing diabetes with a patient (she had opened the door- I wasn't eavesdropping) . Her advce was to replace while bread with brown etc so perhaps I was better off with google.
.... as a PS I was at GPs weeks afterwards for another reason and overheard a nurse discussing diabetes with a patient (she had opened the door- I wasn't eavesdropping) . Her advce was to replace while bread with brown etc so perhaps I was better off with google.
Leadinglights
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Sadly a not uncommon story. Better off with the DUK site and this forum.
Also try this link for info and meal ideas if you are wanting a low carb approach. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
I was left to my own devices with a prescription of metformin too and the promise of more drugs to follow. To be fair though my HBA1c was far higher than yours. I did eat things with sugar and soon realised the remainder of my diet was very carbohydrate heavy once I actually looked at the carb content of things I was eating. So I too had a fairly obvious action of cutting out the sugar and the high carbohydrate foods. Sure enough it meant my blood sugar improved fairly rapidly. You are only just over the 48 mark and so just into the diabetic range so it could well be that dietary changes will get you back under.
I am sure stress played a part with me too and, although it wasn't easy or immediate, where I could address that I did that too.
I am sure stress played a part with me too and, although it wasn't easy or immediate, where I could address that I did that too.
Hi I was recommended a course that you can self refer onto that helps to explain some things. I had the same as you - no real info forthcoming and googling scares you to death!
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Sorry to hear the appointment wasn’t quite what you were expecting @WendyO
Sometimes I think HCPs forget how ‘built up’ with expectation we can get with our appointments, which might be one of only a handful in the year - where the Dr or nurse sees an end-to-end sequence each day!
For an intro resource that you can work through gradually at your own pace, you might want to sign up for the Learning Zone (orange tab in the main menu). Alternatively, Gretchen Becker’s book T2 Diabetes, the first year, has a good reputation on the forum 🙂
Good luck, and keep asking away with any questions 🙂
Thank you for taking the trouble to respond. I've seen my HbA1C test result today on line, which was 46, so on the right track downwards already and encouraging (and that surprise test had been delayed three weeks as the nurse was sick). I didn't see a Diabetes Nurse as I'd been told. Since found out, she was the Phlebotomist hence lack of willingness to answer questions. House sale still being a bummer and even the estate agent seems to be losing interest as our buyers string things out - like telling their solicitor not to communicate. We CAN just walk away but we are seven months in now and the market is difficult. I am not a veggie but I do love veg and have over my Five A Day by weight easily. My current "treats" are buying vine tomatoes and nuts (unsalted) and making time for creative sewing. I've cut out choc/cake for the moment. I am finding the website helpful.
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