Scared I’m diabetic. Not about the condition but how people around me will be

[LucyPrestonsSister]

I have had a few possible symptoms. I’ve dodged getting tested (stupid I know) because I’m scared.

Not so much of the condition itself although I know it has to be taken very seriously but more how my gp and similar will react.

I’m on medication for other conditions that can be not good for diabetes and I really really really don’t want to come off it as even though the conditions aren’t dangerous this would seriously lower my quality of life a lot

I also don’t like being fussed over and bugged about appointments etc and I’m worried I won’t cope with check ups etc

also and I know this is really petty and stupid of me I’m worried I’ll have to stop eating my favourite foods. Food is one of the very few pleasures I have at the moment and I think it would affect my mental health really badly

I know this all may sound daft and trivial but it’s honestly why I’ve been avoiding getting tested when I know I should

can anyone reassure me or has had similar thoughts?

Am I worrying unnecessarily?

what actually happens if I am diabetic? Will it mean loads of appointments and tests and having to stop eating loads of the foods I like?

I think fear of the unknown really

 

[ianf0ster]

Hi @LucyPrestonsSister and welcome to the forum.

What probable Diabetes symptoms do you have?

With the vast majority of diabetics, all Type 1 's and most Type 2;s, it is not their fault that they have become diabetic.
In the case of Type 2's it is simple (though not always easy) for us to put it into remission (normal Blood Glucose levels).
Even if you do need to cut down on (or give up) some foods that you like there are lots of foods that diabetics can eat - ones that are better for us in general, not just for diabetes.

We get used to certain foods, but if we replace them with other foods (e.g. sweet foods for more savoury ones) then after a while our taste changes and the original foods we loved are now too sweet for our changed sense of taste.

So don't fear the result of a test - either way it will be a good thing. Either to re-assure you, or an opportunity to greatly improve your health .

 

[trophywench]

We're all scared of the unknown - BUT! - once you know you have reached a bridge, only then can you cross it, rather than living in fear - because living in fear gives you many more mental and physical health problems than you could ever imagine!

Plus - I can guarantee there have been acceptable substitutes found by others on this forum for all sorts of foods which simply will never have occurred to you before in your life - so once you and we know you do have diabetes and what foods you think you need to find substitutes for - the forum will do our best to assist you !

 

[Drummer]

The foods I eat to keep my type two diabetes are far nicer than the things listed as being a 'healthy' diet to lower cholesterol, and they did not even do that.
Having got my blood glucose levels back to normal it is actually fairly difficult even to get my GPs attention for the usual appointments.

 

[Inka]

@LucyPrestonsSister If you are diabetic, finding out might allow you to improve things. If you are and you don’t find out, you’re more likely to develop problems because of it, then there’ll be more appointments.

You know you should have a test. Please don’t be afraid. Most things can be dealt with. You won’t have to eat boring food, and you can still enjoy life.

 

[kevinr]

Hi Lucyprestonsister. Everything that's been said on here is true you need to find out if you are Diabetic and then you can get on with your life and start making changes to it you don't have to do it all in one go take it easy and just slide along with it just think you are gliding along on a Galaxy moment but not with the chocolate bar in your hand. Everything will be fine and if you have got true friends or family they will understand and stand by you.

 

[Ljc]

For your own sake please don’t delay in getting tested.
Their is an awful ot of misinformation and misunderstanding about diabetes of any type.
With T2 . You do need to make some changes to food, but that does not mean living on lettuce and fresh air, nor does it mean living on what I believe is called the healthy eating plate.
You do get to eat good tasty things ,
Now We have no idea what foods you enjoy , perhaps you could give us an idea, then we could suggest swaps.
Or head on over to the https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/forums/recipes.21/ section which is bound to give you a few ideas.

As to the medications you are on, not being good for someone with diabetes , this needs to be discussed with your medics, I am on a couple myself, one can mask hypo signs .

Diabetics initially have blood tests , up to 4 times a year
The other checks are done once a year.

When your research on dr Google , please be aware their is an awful lot of wrong info out there. Plus conmen just ready and willing to grab your hard earned dosh.

 

[Felinia]

Hi and welcome
Please don't worry about how people will react. I was upfront right from the beginning and everyone was very positive. I have friends who are diabetic and they gave me support, but this Forum is just great. We are all in the same boat, and have all had to learn how to cope. And you might be worrying for nothing. I've always felt much better when I know, rather than suspect I know.
I'm on lots of medications for other things (see below!) which are well controlled and now on the diabetes medication which seems to suit me and goes with my other medications. Once you have the initial test and find out where you stand you can deal with things. You might just need minor changes or none at all.
You don't have to give up all the foods you love, but might just need to moderate the portion sizes. For example, I have a couple of new potatoes, or a slice of wholegrain bread, but not a plateful of chip butties!! I've never been one for drinking fizzy sugar laden drinks, but there are sugar free alternatives. I drink mineral or soda water with a dash of lime cordial, and lots of de-caf tea or coffee. I love cooking and trying out new foods and recipes is fun (for me). I make lots of soups and traybakes (veggies and chicken/fish).
As for testing, you will need regular blood tests - most people say 3 or 6 monthly at first, then annually. You will also need an eye test and foot test. These are annual. They are important as they show how you are coping, and they are reassuring as well.
One way you can help yourself without GP help, is looking at your weight and exercise programme. I was a couch potato, but now get to the swimming pool 2/3 times a week and feel so much better for it. It might help your mental wellbeing. My waist has reappeared and my clothes are slowly getting looser. All done gradually which is far better than going overboard (and not sustainable).
But of course, first things first - ask for an HbA1c blood test and see where you go once you have the result. Best wishes

 

[What the..?]

Hello LucyPrestonsSister - you're worrying but until you see the doctor about it you won't know what it is you are dealing with. It could be far less bad than you think. If it is something of concern then the best way to deal with it is to face it head-on, grab it by the scruff of the neck, and make it clear you aren't going to let it bully you. But at the moment it must seem like you are being intimidated by an unknown (and perhaps not that threatening or even non-existent) enemy. You mentioned worrying about how those around you will take it if you are diabetic. I understand that, as one of my initial thoughts on diagnosis was that I didn't want to worry my son with it. I didn't tell him anything until I understood myself what my situation was. I simply said my blood sugar was a bit high and I was adjusting my diet to sort it out. The point is, once you know what you're dealing with then you'll feel less panicked, which means you won't transmit that feeling of panic to those you care about. As you can see from people on this forum, with different types of diabetes, it really, really, is not the end of the world. I don't like the fuss of appointments and the like, but that helped motivate me to do everything in my power to get as well as possible. Please don't worry, but do see your doctor.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @LucyPrestonsSister

Sorry to hear about your worries and anxiety - but they are perfectly natural and normal. I can remember eating a chocolate bar on the way to collect the results of my ‘glucose tolerance test’ because I mistakenly thought I might never be ‘allowed’ to have one again.

The thing for me is that not getting checked doesn’t mean you are standing still. You are kinda on a travelator gradually going backwards. And whatever your syptoms are, the sooner they are checked the sooner you can start making progress to sort out whatever is causing them.

Diabetes can seem like a scary prospect, but it’s also one that can usually be managed well with a few changes and adaptations - it’s something that you can learn to live well with, and it shouldn’t stop you doing things you enjoy.

If it does turn out to be diabetes, there is lots of support, encouragement and help available here. In terms of food, I really don’t consider there is anything that I can’t eat.

There are some things I choose to eat more often, there are some things I choose to eat less often. There are some things I choose to eat only rarely. And there are some things that I have decided I actually don’t want to eat any more, so I choose not to eat them. But is always my choice. 🙂

Do let us know what you decide to do, and the results of any checks and appointments that follow. 🙂

 

[Jacinta (Australian)]

Hello lovely , you probably already have done your test but if not , I know how scary it is , we have all been there , I initially went to get my bloods done because I kept having a reoccurring uti which drove me insane , I was doing all the right things taking said medication for it but It kept coming back , at first I didn’t want to do the test at all but I new I had to so I could understand why I was having so many utis and behold my blood sugar was high I don’t know if I should consider the first doctor place hba1c but that blood test was 12% there then I changed doctors as they were horrible and I asked my new one if I could start from scratch , so I went for another lot of bloods and that HBA1c was 8.2 which was 66 now before going to my new doctor that I am still with I basically went on low carb in between that time and cut sugar out and carbs (not all ) and I feel so so much better . I haven’t had a uti at all , I have more energy , I do my exercises especially strength training and overall I feel amazing . Tomorrow I basically have to get a slip form to get my 3 month HBA1c check up done , also this Friday is my final nurse appointment as in I won’t have to catch up with her weekly it will be now monthly just to check up and see the progress etc etc . Am I scared to do this on my own yep not going to lie , but I have my amazing mother and my amazing partner who are my support rocks and in general I love the new eating way and exercise . I’ve practically changed my wraps to lettuce wraps at first I thought that was hell weird but dam it fills me up , I put different meats in , tomatoes , celery , cucumber , bell pepper , avocado and nuts like almonds or raw pumpkin seeds or chai seeds for the crunch an a tiny bit of Mayo an that will hold me over until dinner time which is like 6:30pm . Oh I forgot I am on metrofirm (can’t spell it) I was taking 500 mg a day but my doctor after finalising what type I am (still have to confirm with specialist) they suggested 1000 mg which I’m currently taking and it’s done amazing for me . I also found out about my left eye (not to do with being a diabetic) needs fixing which I’m currently doing with my upgraded prescriptions and that also took it out of me and I was upset and really down but now I’ve just got up again and grabbed it by the horns and slapped it around a little to show who’s boss . I still haven’t told everyone that I have diabetes I’m not going to lie on that and to me not many people need to know as long as my mum and my fiancée knows and myself then that’s all it matters to me . If you feel you would like to let people know about it to make yourself feel better then please do , if they don’t understand then just sit them down and explain it if you have to , but at the end of the day it’s totally up to you on what you want to tell people also if need be kick it up the butt a few times and slap it around if it makes you feel better (the diabetes and blood tests I mean) . There are a lot of appointments as I said I was doing weekly check ups with my nurse and only fort nightly checks with my doctor as that’s when she works , it might seem a lot and I mean a lot but I’ll use that as to understand everything and ask a lot of questions if you need to , hell I had to so I could understand everything . With my nurse she’s helping me with the weight and diet and checking in on how I am handling my medication , I’m on the slow release because I have ibs now that along with low carb has settled it right down to the point I sometimes I forget that I have ibs . Other then that hun , you got it , you will succeed and you will be able to slap this diabetes and blood tests around to show who is boss . I believe in you 🙂