newly diagnosed type 2

[della]

hi everyone! i am della and i am coming up to my 26th birthday and was just diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It has come as a shock as it doesnt run in the family, i know i am overweight but i have lost alot from being at my biggest size. i am struggling to come to terms with it and because the metformin doesnt agree with me i have been told just to diet and excersise which is really frustrating as it feels i have just been left to do it alone. My nurse did tell me to think about daily injections to help with the weight loss but after thinking about it and deciding to give it a go she just hasnt been very helpful in getting me started. Aswell as all this i have a 7 year old daughter i am supposed to reassure her everything is going to be fine and i dont even know myself. I do have a few other health problems but this one is driving me crazy, has anyone else had a bad experience or could possiblt tell me more about what might be done now? thank you so much for reading and thanks in advance for any advice x

 

[robert@fm]

Hi and welcome to the forum! 🙂 Unfortunately your experience of being left high and dry is a far too common one.

I believe there's a slow-release formulation of metfartin which some find useful if they can't tolerate the standard variety; it's more expensive hence isn't prescribed by default, but should be available on request (in theory at least — your nurse sounds like the type who has to be prodded).

You can be assured (and can assure your little one) that this condition is manageable in the long term. Sorry I'm not very good at giving advice, but others will be along soon.

 

[della]

thank you for your advice, i have tried the slow release metformin and had really bad reaction to that aswell, i am hoping there is something else that can be done as i am just feeling lost and still struggling to come to terms with it all.

 

[AlisonM]

Have they tried you on any other T2 medications such as Byetta, Victoza, Gliclazide or Sitagliptin? It's possible that if the Metformin doesn't work, another medication might.

 

[della]

no they havent and when i asked the nurse what we would we try next she just said diet and excersise... i have another appointment with her next week so i might just mention the other medication and see what happens.

 

[Mark T]

Welcome to the forum della 🙂

Usually you start on diet and exercise and move onto Metformin - so I'm surprised your nurse thought to go the other way. I guess if she wasn't helpful she hasn't mentioned about watching carbs in food (like bread, potatoes, rice, etc) since those are what makes your blood glucose levels go up.

There is a useful book mentioned in the newbie help thread by Gretchen Becker which is a good read, and if you can get hold of a glucose meter for self testing there are lots of strategies to help you along!

Once you get things under control don't worry too much about the future, most of the issues are to do with long term high levels!

 

[della]

i have got a meter and check daily on my glucose levels, i reffered myself into a diabetic education programme and they did talk about carbs ect, but not alot about other possible meds and so on as the rest of the group were on metformin. i was perscribed metformin before i even had diabetes for my pcos (polycystic ovaries) had to stop taking it as it made me ill then the nurse put me on it again once i had been diagnosed until the same problems happened again.

i know i probably shouldnt worry about what could happen long term but i just cant help it at the minute as it just feels like i am stuck like this.

 

[Andy HB]

Hello there welcome to the forum.

I was diagnosed in October 2009. I want to give you some words of encouragement and to paint a rosier picture for you.

There is every chance you can get your diabetes under control. Losing the weight is key along with regular simple exercise (I just went for walks more often). Getting your diet right is also important. Eat regular meals, don't miss breakfast especially and eat 'normally' (whatever that means! For me, I continued to eat everything, just reduced the portions and kept a close eye on the carbohydrates).

I was off medication after three or four months and have been diet and exercise only ever since. My last HbA1c test being the best since diagnosis. So, don't fall for the 'progressive disease' mantra that most medical types suggest. There is much you can do.

I also want to say that I am now literally healthier and fitter than I was in my thirties (I am in my fifties now).

Good luck and 'get to it'! 🙂

 

[della]

thank you i am doing more excersise and eating healthier and managed to quit smoking so i just hope it all pays off now 🙂, i struggle with eating "normally" as i am a fussy eater at the best of times and i cant seem to keep anything down in the morning (been that way for 7 years after having my daughter), i was told it was progressive so obviously that didnt help in me worrying about it even more.

Has anyone ever noticed that they seem to look bloated alot of the time?? my partner mentions it to me now and again and wasnt sure if that is another thing down to the diabetes?