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Newbie type 2

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SJK311

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Type 1
Evening all. So, today I was diagnosed with type 2 folllowing urine sample and blood tests yesterday. Symptoms were raging thirst, multiple toilet visits during the night and blurred vision. It’s all happened in the last few days so a bit of a shock.
The nurse practitioner I saw yesterday was brilliant, my GP today not so much. I have been prescribed Gliclazide and my HbA1c was 68.
I’m 51, female and slim. GP said I cannot reverse it as I’m not overweight - it’s chronic and for life.
My appointment with the diabetes support team isn’t for 3 weeks(!) so I’m just a bit unsure and overwhelmed really.
Looking for some support - anyone out there?
 
Hi, welcome 🙂 I remember those symptoms so well, it was awful 😱 but you most certainly can do something about it by making a few changes to your diet. My GP gave me the same sorry news saying my life would never be the same now I was diabetic 😳 She was right but not in the way she meant it!! The first step is working out what foods work for you, so testing your bloods is essential although as type 2 your gp is unlikely to provide a kit, the code free is the cheapest to buy and for the testing strips. Testing first thing in the morning, then before meals and two hours later will show you how your body has coped with that meal, you can then adapt and adjust until you are getting a rise of no more that 2 afterwards. All you need to know is on these pages so do take some time to read as much as you can, then ask any questions you have. Everyone is lovely and we have all been where you are now 🙄
Remember it’s not just obvious sugars you need to avoid, carbohydrates are also the enemy as they push your levels up, rice, pasta, potatoes and bread are the worse although many of us do tolerate Burgen bread, a low carb soy and linseed loaf.
 
Thanks so much for your response. My GP told me that I would never need to test as that was only for type 1s...
This why I posted, to hear real experiences from real people
Just taken my first tablet so I’m officially part of the club now!
I’ll order a testing kit and strips. I’m going to miss some of those lovely carbs tho.
 
I suppose it all hinges on what you consider diabetes to be - if it is an inability to deal with carbs, yes it is probably for life, but if it is having the symptoms of diabetes, then no.
By reducing carbs a lucky type two can get by without medication - I was eating 50 gm a day and got my Hba1c down to 41, not even prediabetic.
I don't get prolonged elevated blood glucose or high spikes, and the only diabetic label I have is on my notes at the GPs surgery.
 
I hear you. It’s all so new, it’s a lot to take in I guess.
Congrats on your stats and your weight loss. You must feel great.
I’m looking forward to speaking with the support team at my GP surgery. I feel I’ll be better prepared after that.
 
It has been suggested that you will not be prescribed a blood glucose testing kit because you are T2. If you are taking gliclazide then I am pretty sure that you should be given the kit because there is a risk of hypo on that drug. Check it out with your surgery when you see them. Look up the NICE guidelines and take a copy with you if you want some backup!

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng...in-adults-with-type-2-diabetes-pdf-2185604173

Part way down there is a table with a section highlighted in green. Read the last sentence.
 
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Thanks Docb. Very useful information and good to have facts to backup advice.
 
No problems. Altough diagnosed a few years ago I was a bit like you when I went for my annual check and was told my HBA1C had jumped to 82. I was put on gliclazide and given a meter - my surgery might be a bit more enlightened than yours. I am not overweight but having read things on here I have headed for a low carb eating strategy as well as taking gliclazide and as a result considerably reduced my BG levels. As the levels came down I was able, with the agreement of the GP, to cut back on the gliclazide. This could only be done with my monitoring BG levels, and if I had not been doing so I would almost certainly gone hypoglycemic.
 
SJK311 said:
Thanks so much for your response. My GP told me that I would never need to test as that was only for type 1s...
This why I posted, to hear real experiences from real people
Just taken my first tablet so I’m officially part of the club now!
I’ll order a testing kit and strips. I’m going to miss some of those lovely carbs tho.
Click to expand...
I honestly thought I would starve to death when I first started, but now I have never felt better and just can’t imagine eating them again! Don’t get me wrong, there are times I look at a cream cake and dribble 😛 but potatoes, rice, pasta....nah 😉
 
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