New and terrified

[Wendyjoy18]

Thank you so much for your encouragement.
I’m working hard at losing weight and taking the Metformin. Hopefully I’ll have the same outcome as you! Fingers crossed... and well done.

 

[aparsonsmoore]

Not sure I can offer any reassurance but was diagnosed about 3 months after rapid weight loss, blurry vision etc. Notified at 2am in the morning by a doctor whose first language was not English and who opened the conversation with "you are diabetic". Vision now OK and focused on taking a more proactive approach to my health.

 

[adrian1der]

Hi @Wendyjoy18 and welcome although we all wish we didn't need to be here. I was diagnosed at the beginning of September. 1x500 metformin with evening meal currently. Did they give you the modified release? I have learnt that it can give less side effects.

Low carbs, exercise and weight loss seem to be the way to go together with monitoring your BG. I check first thing in the morning (I also get weighed as I find a graph that goes down very motivational), just before meals and two hours afterwards. Keep a food diary along with your BG levels. I use the app mySugr on my iPad (which I think someone recommended it to me on here).

There are lots of very motivational people on the forum who have managed to get things under control. If I'm feeling a bit down about the condition having a browse and finding other people who have managed to get on with their lives and at the same time control their BG is a great pick me up!

And ask questions. The forum is a gold mine of useful information

 

[NotPink]

If the government and Health bodies are so concerned about the rises in Pre diabetes 2 why don't they give more info. at initial high readings? I was given a piece of paper. Some are given the internet search suggestion. But not all internet responses are the same. I have found out more sensible info. on this Diabetes UK website in the past 2 weeks than a years random searching online. And I went on the training course which although was delivered well it was long and often complex. Even if the NHS recommended this site it would reassure people and help them to obtain the information they need to fit their specific concerns in an informative, experienced and friendly manner. Most people are shocked and confused Thank you.by their diagnosis which also highlights the need to change the scientific data taught early on to make us aware of the over consumption of carbohydrates we all have been encouraged to eat by big food companies.
Thank you for all your support to me and each other. 🙂 Thank you.

 

[Drummer]

I advise discounting weightloss and medication as a cure.
Diabetes is all about blood glucose. If you are an ordinary type two and you eat less carbohydrate your blood glucose ought to go down, your Hba1c tests with show that as they give more normal levels, and then you will most likely gain a happier metabolism and also lose weight as a side effect.
A blood glucose tester will really help with food choices.

 

[Wendyjoy18]

Hi @Wendyjoy18 and welcome although we all wish we didn't need to be here. I was diagnosed at the beginning of September. 1x500 metformin with evening meal currently. Did they give you the modified release? I have learnt that it can give less side effects.

Low carbs, exercise and weight loss seem to be the way to go together with monitoring your BG. I check first thing in the morning (I also get weighed as I find a graph that goes down very motivational), just before meals and two hours afterwards. Keep a food diary along with your BG levels. I use the app mySugr on my iPad (which I think someone recommended it to me on here).

There are lots of very motivational people on the forum who have managed to get things under control. If I'm feeling a bit down about the condition having a browse and finding other people who have managed to get on with their lives and at the same time control their BG is a great pick me up!

And ask questions. The forum is a gold mine of useful information

 

[Wendyjoy18]

Thank you. Sounds like you are doing well. I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it in due course. I’m sticking to a strict diet and started going to the gym with my husband. I have a good knowledgeable personal trainer who is giving me lots of encouragement.
I’m just surprised that I’ve had no literature or contact from my doctors surgery! Just a case of getting on with it!

 

[Wendyjoy18]

Hi @Wendyjoy18 and welcome although we all wish we didn't need to be here. I was diagnosed at the beginning of September. 1x500 metformin with evening meal currently. Did they give you the modified release? I have learnt that it can give less side effects.

Low carbs, exercise and weight loss seem to be the way to go together with monitoring your BG. I check first thing in the morning (I also get weighed as I find a graph that goes down very motivational), just before meals and two hours afterwards. Keep a food diary along with your BG levels. I use the app mySugr on my iPad (which I think someone recommended it to me on here).

There are lots of very motivational people on the forum who have managed to get things under control. If I'm feeling a bit down about the condition having a browse and finding other people who have managed to get on with their lives and at the same time control their BG is a great pick me up!

And ask questions. The forum is a gold mine of useful information

 

[Wendyjoy18]

Thank you. I certainly will use this forum for information.

 

[adrian1der]

Thank you. Sounds like you are doing well. I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it in due course. I’m sticking to a strict diet and started going to the gym with my husband. I have a good knowledgeable personal trainer who is giving me lots of encouragement.
I’m just surprised that I’ve had no literature or contact from my doctors surgery! Just a case of getting on with it!

I had a telephone conversation with my doctor. You should have had two HbA1c's to confirm diagnosis. I then had an appointment with a health care assistant for blood pressure, foot test, weight but not much information. The doctor also had a cholesterol test done. He is meant to also be sorting out a referral to retinopathy but haven't heard anything yet. If you haven't been in for a check it would be worth raising with you surgery.

The other thing is to pick up a form for your prescription charge exemption. Our pharmacy has them. Fill it in and hand it in at reception of the surgery for the doctor to countersign.

 

[Drummer]

I had only one test and was then told that I was a 'very bad diabetic'. I left the room with a prescription for Metformin and Atorvastatin with no warning about possible side effects or contraindications.
I was really ill for a few weeks, then threw out the tablets. There was no problem as I went low carb from the time of diagnosis so was no longer diabetic in 80 days, normal in 6 months, but I have had no communication from the diagnosing Dr or any of the others in the practice. I have had a couple of eye and foot checks and two more blood tests.
I was sent on a three session course run by the local hospital but it was of no use at all - very bad advice, such as a lunch of potato and beans being a good choice.
I think that basically, NHS treatment of type twos could be summed up as 'could do better' with a few getting good advice and others being failed very badly.

 

[grovesy]

I found very strict dieting can be difficult to maintain, and had to find a way that worked for me I could maintain long term.

 

[Squirrel768]

Thank you for the info... Jesus 16.4 is really high. My eyesight changed. I wear glasses for driving but could read perfectly close up. One day in July I woke up and couldn’t read my phone at all! Left it a week as I thought is was eye strain. (Reading a lot during lockdown).
Finally went to optician who confirmed by prescription had reversed! He suggested getting a blood test. I had test early August but it was only when I phoned doctors to arrange flu jab that they said the nurse needed to speak to me. She called, told me my count, prescribed Metformin, told me to look on line for more info and that’s it!
hence I’ve scared the hell out of myself reading what could go wrong!

Hi Wendy, and welcome 🙂

Lockdown etc. has made so many things difficult, but I think that your surgery could have offered more advice and support, even if only by phone! You have been dropped in at the deep end!! Have you had any follow-up since August?

There are a lot of people in here, with far more experience of T2 which I am not able to give as a T1, and are very willing to encourage, and share their own experience. I hope that you can quickly learn the ins and outs of getting to grips with your diabetes. It is your own diabetes - there will be things that you have to adjust or adapt, sometimes it will be hard, but you can do it. Don't expect an instant miracle, but be prepared to keep working at it, and celebrate the little goals and achievments as they come, then on to the next 🙂

 

[Wendyjoy18]

Hi Wendy, and welcome 🙂

Lockdown etc. has made so many things difficult, but I think that your surgery could have offered more advice and support, even if only by phone! You have been dropped in at the deep end!! Have you had any follow-up since August?

There are a lot of people in here, with far more experience of T2 which I am not able to give as a T1, and are very willing to encourage, and share their own experience. I hope that you can quickly learn the ins and outs of getting to grips with your diabetes. It is your own diabetes - there will be things that you have to adjust or adapt, sometimes it will be hard, but you can do it. Don't expect an instant miracle, but be prepared to keep working at it, and celebrate the little goals and achievments as they come, then on to the next 🙂

 

[Wendyjoy18]

Hi. Thanks for the encouraging words. Since I had the phone call from the nurse saying I was diabetic and need to go on medication immediately... I have had no further communications from my doctors surgery.
I've been researching information myself and bought a really good book called the diabetes weight loss cook book by Katie & Giancarlo Caldesi. Very informative.
I’m taking the medication and have lost 18lb so far. Hoping that when I have another blood test in January that my results are a lot better.

 

[Pine Marten]

Hi @Wendyjoy18, welcome to the forum from another type 2.

I won't repeat all the excellent advice except to say well done on the weight loss so far! Come and ask any questions you like, this is a great place for information.

Like some others, I managed to stop taking Metformin when my GP suggested it as my control was good - it's a great incentive to keep going even though it gets hard and tedious at times! all the best to you 🙂

 

[Wendyjoy18]

Hi @Wendyjoy18, welcome to the forum from another type 2.

I won't repeat all the excellent advice except to say well done on the weight loss so far! Come and ask any questions you like, this is a great place for information.

Like some others, I managed to stop taking Metformin when my GP suggested it as my control was good - it's a great incentive to keep going even though it gets hard and tedious at times! all the best to you 🙂

 

[Wendyjoy18]

Thank you so much. Well done you. You give me hope for the future.

 

[Annemarie]

@Wendyjoy18 if you’re like me you’re used to being ill and getting over it. When suddenly it’s Diabetes (particularly type 1) acceptance doesn’t come easy - it’s a whole new way of managing your own body. Remember knowledge is power! Since joining this site I have learnt SO much and already, me and my diabetes are learning to jog along although there’s still bad days and even bl______y awful days but there’s always tomorrow as it will still be there. Good luck

 

[Wendyjoy18]

Hi. Yes totally agree. Being a control freak I’ve found it hard to cope with. Also I’ve been kind of in denial that I’m overweight. But hey ho... this is a bit of a slap in my chubby cheeks and I’m rising to the challenge to lose weight and get this under control! Nice to know I’m not alone though...