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New and confused T2

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
M

meenie

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi, a new type 2 here and currently confused!

Been given metformin 2x 500mg a day with a supply for 28 days. Also have Gliclazide 80mg (1/2 tablet twice a day) and told to take these until I run out (about 2 weeks worth).

I have been started on these without any previous attempts at diet/exercise management.

I tried to book an appointment with my GP's diabetic nurse as I was told to by the hospital Dr but been told I've got a wait of 27 days for my appointment, is that normal? I will run out of metformin the day after the appointment.

Am I supposed to be monitoring my blood over this time? I've been given nothing other than "Eat healthy and exercise".

To be fair it was all a bit of a blur!:confused:
 
Anitram said:
What was your Hba1c? Your medication suggests it might have been high. If so finger prick testing will help you manage it.
Martin
Click to expand...
The only figure I remember the doctor saying was 18 but didn't say what that referred to. I know I should have asked more but I think it was the shock of the diagnosis took over. I think they were hoping I would get a quick appointment with the DN to explain it all. I think I should push for an earlier appointment.
 
meenie said:
The only figure I remember the doctor saying was 18 but didn't say what that referred to. I know I should have asked more but I think it was the shock of the diagnosis took over. I think they were hoping I would get a quick appointment with the DN to explain it all. I think I should push for an earlier appointment.
Click to expand...
Hi I think it took a few weeks for me to see anyone to have a conversation about my results which I was given over the phone,my results were high a figure of 95Hba1c(no idea what that) is in mmol,I was told to diet and exercise until I could see them,after my consultation about 3 weeks later I was directed to take 2 metformin,it did seem a long time to wait without any information,I had to rely on this forum for support.
 
Were you given the meds in hospital? If so then I would try to get an early appointment with your GP to get repeat prescriptions organised because you are going to need them. Gliclazide comes in 40mg so if you get those, you will not have to be chopping up tablets. Also, Gliclazide promotes insulin production so there is a tiny risk that you might go hypo and because of that your GP, if he/she is enlightened, should also prescribe a blood glucose meter so you can keep an eye on what your blood glucose is doing by testing yourself.

Lots to take in and get your head round but if you read around the forum you will find lots of people who have been in the same position as you. "Confused" is a very common word used in this section of the forum. Take your time to read and think about things and some common themes will emerge and you will be able to work out the best way forward for you.
 
Anitram said:
The number you were given refers to the level of glucose in your blood. 18 is quite high. Was this the result of a finger prick test or did you have a proper blood test with a sample taken from an arm and sent to a lab?
Martin
Click to expand...
Hi, it started with a finger prick in the GP surgery in the morning as I had some symptoms and that was 14. I then got sent to the hospital who did a proper blood test and as I said they mentioned 18 but didn't really quantify on what that related to . I think I will try to get an earlier appointment with the DN.
 
Hello @meenie, welcome to the forum.
I suggest you try to get an earlier appointment with the diabetes nurse at your practice. With Gliclazide you should be given a glucose meter . I expect the hospital assumed you would have a much earlier appointment
If this fails try phoning the diabetes clinic at the hospital you attended .
 
Hello @meenie

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. It certainly can come as a shock and take some getting used to, but diabetes is very manageable and quite slow moving so you have time to get your head around it.

Hope you can get an earlier appointment and get some clarity - 27 days does seem a long time to wait for a follow up.
 
If you drive then you should take your blood glucose level if you are taking Glicazide - you might not be legal to be on the road.
 
I think you need to tell your GP practise booking clerk you will run out of medication and insist on an earlier emergency appointment to get your medication set up properly. Otherwise they just assume it's not important and put you in the queue. Our waiting time for standard appointments is 6 weeks.
 
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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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