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outofmytree

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Type 2
Hi all

My name is Rebecca and yesterday I was informed by my doctor that I have Type 2 Diabetes. Apparently I was diagnosed over 2 years ago but no one told me.

I also have PCOS and was told that any diabetic symptoms I have could be explained by that. I was prescribed Metformin for that (about 3 years ago) but after 3 months of horrendous side effects I stopped taking it and was informed by the doctor that the side effects didn't matter - if I didn't take it I would die. When I asked him why a medication (or rather lack of) I was given for PCOS would have this effect he yelled at me that he knew best... but still no diagnosis.

My mother also has Type 2 so I know how dangerous it can be if it is not managed correctly so any diagnosis would not have been ignored. I recently had to give up my job because of illness and am, well, angry to find that this could have been prevented if a GP had just taken the time to tell me. Would one letter really have made much difference to their day?

Anyway, *waving hello* sorry about the mini rant. Am hoping that I can learn lots about how to manage my illness (is that the right word?) from you wonderful people.
 
Hi Rebecca, welcome to the forum 🙂 Very sorry to hear of the dreadful way you have been treated - the arrogance of some healthcare professionals is outrageous. Did you doctor not try some different form of medication when you found you couldn't tolerate metformin? There is a slow release form called Glucophage SR which some of our members have found has less in the way of side-effects. What medication are you currently on? Are you still with the same GP? I would seriously consider changing as it is clear he does not have your well-being in mind - how could they diagnose diabetes and not tell you?

What are your levels like currently? Sorry for all the questions, but it will give us a better idea of suggestions we might make that you could take to your doctor to improve things.

Have a look at the 'Useful links' here: http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=10406

I'd particularly recommend the book Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker to give you a good grounding in understanding your diabetes.

Please feel free to ask any questions you may have - nothing is considered 'silly'! - and we'll try our best to help out. And a good old rant is also permissable! 🙂
 
Hi Rebecca, welcome to the club🙂

Unfortunately, yours is an all-too-familiar story, regards GP's :(

Myself and several of my family members have suffered at the lack of interest or downright ignorant beligerance exhibited by GP's over the years, some with serious, long term results.

As I get older, my respect for GP's (not to mention solicitors, school teachers etc.) has been tested to the point where, if I'm not happy with the "advice" being proffered, I insist on seeing somebody else. I appreciate that a GP needs to know a bit about a lot of stuff, but sometimes they're a bit reluctant to admit that their knowledge on a particular subject may not be that great.

In my experience with diabetes (28 years and counting) I have found DSN's to be far more knowledgeable and, critically, helpful than doctors and/or consultants.
 
Hi

Thank you all for being so great! When I advised the doctor of the side effects that Metformin as giving me he just dismissed me - I left that practice because of him. My mum is with the same practice though and the Diabetic nurse there is insanely good - shame the GPs can't keep up with her!

I don't know what meds I will be put on - I am meeting with the Diabetic doctor next week.

I was told about my Dabetes yesterday only because a letter was sent to me by the PCT advising that I needed to make an Diabetic Eye appointment - I was confused because as far as I knew I didn't have Diabetes and told the doctor only in an 'oh by the way, there has been an admin error' way. Imagine my surprise!

Have ordered the book (hurrah for Amazon!) - thank you for the suggestion - there are so many out there!

The last test I had showed a level of 11.5 but that was before the massive overindulgence of Christmas (and how I am regretting that now!) - am just scared at what damage I may have done myself over the last two years - have not exactly been good at keeping to diets in the past - had I known though...

It took the doctors 10 years of my complaining of the same symptoms to diagnose the PCOS so I amost used to the being slow on the uptake - am saddened almost that I can write that.

I have become an almost obsessive 'double cecker' when it comes to health stuff - but I always find that the only people who realy know anything are the people who lived with the illness hence my race over here!

Thank you all for putting a smile on my face!
 
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Try not to worry too much about the past - what's done is done now and hopefully there will be no lasting damage. Many people find that their diagnosis really helps them to take a look at their lifestyle and diet and make big changes for the better, resulting in them looking and feeling much healthier than they were before, or might have been had they just carried on as they were. It can be a complicated disease, but a little hard work in the early days can pay huge dividends in the future. 🙂
 
P.S. You should also ask your doctor or nurse what diabetes education courses are available in your area. The main ones are Xpert and DESMOND, but there may be others where you live. 🙂
 
Got in there before me! Yep, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is more or less what it says on the tin - lots of cysts on my ovaries and lots of lovely symptoms that all make up to a big ball of fun!

I am adding everything you advise me into a notebook I will be taking with me to my first appointment. I realy hope I get more than a five minute appointment (the norm now at my GPs) - even if I don't I can talk fast!

I remember how much weight mum lost after her diagnosis and am looking forward to feeling better - the big silve lining to all this/ at least I now know what is wrong with me and I can move forward!
 
Got in there before me! Yep, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is more or less what it says on the tin - lots of cysts on my ovaries and lots of lovely symptoms that all make up to a big ball of fun!

the big silve lining to all this/ at least I now know what is wrong with me and I can move forward!

hi Rebecca.... welcome to the forum. sorry to hear about all the problems you've had with the medical team..... hopefully you have a turning point now.

I'm newly diagnosed with type2 .......... and also have PCOS.... and I'm 60 now.... so goodness knows what that did to my body for the last 45 or so years 😱 in my day (lol) there was no treatment offered for PCOS 😡

anyway...... I wanted to comment on your last sentence and say that it makes such a difference to your management of illness when you know what you are fighting... and the book Northerner suggested is brilliant in helping you understand the big D

people on here are really knowledgeable and helpful so don't hesitate to ask questions
 
I am adding everything you advise me into a notebook I will be taking with me to my first appointment. I realy hope I get more than a five minute appointment (the norm now at my GPs) - even if I don't I can talk fast!

At my GP's, if you tell the receptionist that you need a longer appointment, they'll book a 10 or 15 minute appointment - dont know if the same would apply at yours but maybe worth asking.

PS, welcome to the forum x
 
@ macast

why have you used your daughter's photo?

:D you are a naughty boy Chris :D and by the way my daughter has very dark hair 😉
 
hi Rebecca.... welcome to the forum. sorry to hear about all the problems you've had with the medical team..... hopefully you have a turning point now.

I'm newly diagnosed with type2 .......... and also have PCOS.... and I'm 60 now.... so goodness knows what that did to my body for the last 45 or so years 😱 in my day (lol) there was no treatment offered for PCOS 😡

anyway...... I wanted to comment on your last sentence and say that it makes such a difference to your management of illness when you know what you are fighting... and the book Northerner suggested is brilliant in helping you understand the big D

people on here are really knowledgeable and helpful so don't hesitate to ask questions

Thank you so much! After all the mystery and floundering around in the dark I am really (weirdly) looking forward to finding out about 'the big D' and sorting out my life. 🙂
 
At my GP's, if you tell the receptionist that you need a longer appointment, they'll book a 10 or 15 minute appointment - dont know if the same would apply at yours but maybe worth asking.

PS, welcome to the forum x

Thank you for the welcome!

I gave them a ring after seeing this and managed to get a double appointment so at least I won't have to talk at an inhuman speed now! Thank you for the advice - it realy helped.
 
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