Newly diagnosed type 2

[Ifyouseekay]

Hey everyone

I have been diagnosed type 2 diabetic for over a week now and still trying to get my head around it all

I am 32 and had gestational diabetes 3.5 years ago while pregnant with my son and have a strong family history so am waiting to be tested for LADA diabetes as the nurse at my GP surgery thinks it may be that rather than type 2. My hba1c was 48 a few months ago, was told I needed a second test to confirm diabetes which was 47 so classed as pre-diabetic then 3 months later was 52 so I have been put on 2 500mg tablets of Metformin a day (slow release). I’m currently on day 4 of taking them and last night felt like I had a stomach bug and was kept awake until 3am this morning please tell me this passes in days rather than weeks?

I have not yet seen or been contacted by the diabetic specialist nurse (but have seen a nurse at my GP who checked my feet ect) typically how long did it take for you all to see the diabetic nurse? Will I need to check my levels with finger pricks like when I had GD?

Sorry for my life story there but from reading other posts it seems helpful for all of you wise ones to know the full story to give advice.

Thanks for reading this far and really appreciate any help or advice you may be able to give ❤️

 

[Leadinglights]

With an HbA1C of only 52, I know it has gone up but I would have thought you could have been given opportunity to make dietary changes first, this link may help you do that, it will be needed anyway even with the metformin if you turn out to be Type 2.

Freshwell Low Carb Project - Home

lowcarbfreshwell.com

If indeed you are LADA then a different approach may be needed.
The stomach should settle down but it helps some people to take the medication mid meal.

 

[Alan44]

Welcome to the forum @Ifyouseekay I'm sorry that you have had to join the forum, but you have come to the right place for answers to some of your questions.
We have many knowledgeable people who can help and advise from personal experience.

Ask as many questions as you wish, no question is silly or irrelevant

Alan 😉

 

[Felinia]

Hello and welcome. With your own and family medical history I think I can see why Metformin was prescribed. Although as has been said, people just into the diabetic range are often given the opportunity to reduce their blood glucose by lifestyle changes. Regarding finger pricking, it is a good idea to do them immediately before eating and 2 hours afterwards. If you keep a food diary, you can then try and identify which foods put up your glucose levels. I did that, until I worked out what was good and bad for me. If you are indeed Type 2, it is suggested to aim for less than 130gm carbs in total per day. It's surprising how high in carbs some foods, even smaller portions, are. Are you a busy mum who snatches quick food while you can - often high carb?
Lots of helpful information and suggestions here.

 

[saffron15]

@Ifyouseekay welcome to the forum. Must be a strain with a young son coping with this. Are your relatives type 1 or type 2? The Freshwell site is excellent. Do enjoy reading it.

A fortnight after diagnosis i saw the DN I found her uninspiring but also I found it difficult to take in the information. I wanted to know about groups and education I think she mentioned something but despite asking reception several times to leave her a note to email with info I haven't heard and think she may be on sick leave. I'm due a foottest Tuesday on my annual review despite it only being 4 months since diagnosis. As I asked for diabetes check as I had symptoms of neuropathy thought I would have had one earlier.
I went on metformin after seeing DN. I started 1 tablet for a week then 2 until I reached 4. On one tablet I didn't poo for 5 days on 2 tablets I didn't poo for 8 days then produced smooth small stools. I was never every day more like 3 x a week. On 3 it got a bit looser on four more. I didn't have a stomach ache. Three days later I was put on an SGLT2 and metformin reduced to two tablets as some of the functions are similar. Since then apart from once every time I poohed it was diarrhea but never watery and no ache. I don't know if that was metformin or SGLT2.
In the last week it has stopped, I am poohing more often sometimes daily but it's not diarrhea, but in the last month I have had oral steroids and last week antibiotics. I am on the slow release which are supposed to be kinder.
I'm surprised you have gone straight onto 2 tablets. My first test was 69 and I then changed my diet but without being aware of this forum and it went to 64. I suspect with or without medication you will be able to lower it. Why not ask for 6 weeks without medication or on just one metformin?
Good luck

 

[silver minion]

Hello @Ifyouseekay and welcome to the forum. As you say getting your head around everything when first diagnosed can be bewildering. Signing up to this forum is one of the best things you can do. There is so much information and support from people who have collectively decades of experience of living with diabetes. Whatever type of diabetes you have, somebody on here will have similar issues and can offer non medical advice. The follow up medical support seems to vary a lot from area to area. Your local surgery may give you a better idea of timescales.

 

[pjgtech]

Hi and welcome, relatively new here myself. I'm sure lots of good advice will be along soon. I've already received loads of help and info, so keep posting here and keep reading and asking questions. Cheers

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Ifyouseekay

Hope you get some clarity over your diabetes type soon, and are able to get an appointment with the nurse for a good introduction to diabetes, and the options available to you in terms of diabetes management.

If you find the stomach upset continues, do go back to your surgery and mention how difficult you are finding it. Some gastric upheaval is quite common, and for many people it seems to settle fairly quickly, but others find their bodies have a more dramatic reaction which continues as long as they take it. At your relatively modest HbA1c you may find that some careful menu changes and adjustments might have a significant effect.

 

[Mark72]

Welcome to the forum. I'm relatively new and the people here have been wonderful and very helpful. I wasn't as bad as you with metformin, just a bit unsettled feeling tummy but it has improved. It does seem to contribute to quite a lot of gas though 😳

I was given a kit for finger prick tests when I was diagnosed but others don't always seem to be. I was a bit high though and the medical team discussed starting me on insulin right away but they gave me the benefit of the doubt and I was able to track it normalising over a couple of weeks. If they do give you a test kit then it may be useful with what my next steps are going to be, checking how I respond to different foods.