New to Type 2

[steve medicallergy]

Hi all just got the diagnosies of Type 2 not sure exactly what it means as waiting for another blook test diet control at the moment just looking for more information.

 

[Northerner]

Hi Steve, welcome to the forum 🙂 Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but the good news is that diabetes is something that can be controlled well with the right knowledge and motivation. I would suggest browsing our Useful links thread for some links to good sources of information. In particular, I would recommend reading Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter, and consider getting a copy of the excellent Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker - these should all help put you in the picture 🙂

Please ask any questions you may have and we will do our best to help 🙂

 

[steve medicallergy]

Thanks for the welcome. Sitting at home wondering what it all means Will have a look at the things you metioned. I have a medical alert wristband do i need to indicate the Type 2 even if i am just diet controlled at the moment ?
Steve

 

[shambles]

Welcome Steve 🙂

I'd still indicate type 2 as if affects your body and how it functions so might be something they need to know in a situation where you cannot respond to them.

The book Northerner mentioned is superb and should help you with a lot of the common questions and worries - but the people on the forum are also great for asking things and also support 🙂

 

[steve medicallergy]

Thanks for the welcome Shambles. I have been referred to something called DESMOND by my practice nurse does anyone have any info in regard to this ?

 

[Northerner]

Thanks for the welcome Shambles. I have been referred to something called DESMOND by my practice nurse does anyone have any info in regard to this ?

This is a well-respected diabetes education course, it's good that you have been referred for this so soon after your diagnosis. It will give you the chance to meet others in the same boat and learn about the way diabetes can affect you, and strategies for achieving good blood sugar control and avoiding possible complications 🙂 It's aimed at people with Type 2 diabetes and we have many members who have done it and found it useful, so well worth attending 🙂

 

[yorksman]

Thanks for the welcome Shambles. I have been referred to something called DESMOND by my practice nurse does anyone have any info in regard to this ?

The Desmond course I attended consisted of several talks about what diabetes is and how it affects you and what the complications are if any. Some useful stuff about what is building up in your blood and why your body can't shift it easily.

The afternoon was a bit primary school with plastic models of bacon and fried eggs as if we couldn't visualise them. They went into fats in foods and the different types, fibre and refined and complex carbohydrates. Somewhat of a let down when someone asked what they should be eating and the answer was, we don't say.

The problem is that there are about a dozen people on it with varying degrees of problems and knowledge so it is hard to see how they should pitch such a course. If you go with good questions though, they generally will be happy to answer. I just found the whole food part rather strange, especially since it was given by a dietician and was probably the part most people wanted advice on.

I'd underscore Northerner's point about meeting other people. They were varied and it was interesting to note their different reactions to diagnosis. I have a saying that when two or more men of my age come together, we tend to discuss what heart medication we are taking. Now we can extend the conversation to what blood glucose levels we are achieving.

 

[steve medicallergy]

Thanks yorksman will go with an open mind and try to ask the right questions without looking a complete idiot (no chance of that ). I just read mary's letter lot's to take in but my main question is do i need to be testing my blood now or does that come later ?

 

[shambles]

Hi Steve -

I'd be over the moon if I got to do a desmond course. I got to do HEIDI which was useful still though There is no you can eat this you cannot eat that when it comes to diabetes as everyone is individual - it might be fine for me to have white bread but not someone else. (it's not fine for me to have white bread though :'() hehehe

I recommend you testing your blood as soon as you can get your head round doing it - the earlier you do it the earlier you will learn what you can and can't get away with and how well you are doing. I know a lot of dr's don't advocate testing in type 2 because of the expense but I feel much more in control and better testing than being left 3 months with no idea if it's any good or not. so if you can't get them on prescription (mine is limited to 100 strips a year) buy them if you possibly can 🙂

 

[shambles]

Oh and there are no stupid questions or wrong ones - just the ones you have x

 

[Mark T]

Welcome to the forum Steve 🙂

 

[Steff]

Hi Steve a warm welcome to the forum