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Scared

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paula.jones71

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi guys I've just recently been diagnosed with diabetes type 2 and I'm scared. Got my first appointment with my diabetes nurse 23rd June. I have so many questions and my head is going to explode with all the information I've already been given. Any guidance gratefully received.
 
Welcome @paula.jones71 🙂 A diabetes diagnosis is always a shock and it’s quite normal to be anxious and a little scared. You’ll be ok though. You’re not alone🙂

Have you been put on any medication for the diabetes? Do you know what your HbA1C was? Have you made any changes to your diet? Most Type 2s find watching the amount of carbs they eat helps - all carbs not just sugar. So things like bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, etc.
 
Yes been put on metformin and I have endless lists of what to cut back on. My HbA1C was 45 at diagnostic I have got a BG monitor so been monitoring my own levels not gone below 30. I'm finding it really difficult. I have changed my diet but to be honest we used to eat loads of rice etc cause we thought it was healthy
 
@paula.jones71 Your blood sugar is 30+ mmmol? That’s extremely high. That doesn’t fit with an HbA1C of 45. How did your diagnosis come about? Had you been feeling unwell? Sorry, if this is a rude question but are you overweight at all?

I’m asking those questions because I’m wondering whether you could actually be Type 1. Was that mentioned at all?
 
'Healthy' in comparison to - er, what exactly? 🙂 Nothing is healthy that a person eats 'loads of' in the first place, probably. Deep sigh, delivered with big grin.
Stick around and pin bag your lugholes ready to be educated about diabetes from a friendly group of people!
 
trophywench said:
@Inka - no, 30 on a BG meter does not 'go' with an HbA1c of 45 at all, does it?
Click to expand...

And would diabetes be diagnosed at that HbA1C @trophywench ? I thought it was 48?

@paula.jones71 If you’re able to double-check what your diagnosis number was, that would be good. But in the meantime, if you’re seeing blood sugars of 30+ I suggest you contact your nurse and get some advice. As I said above, that really is high and could make you unwell.
 
Inka said:
And would diabetes be diagnosed at that HbA1C @trophywench ? I thought it was 48?

@paula.jones71 If you’re able to double-check what your diagnosis number was, that would be good. But in the meantime, if you’re seeing blood sugars of 30+ I suggest you contact your nurse and get some advice. As I said above, that really is high and could make you unwell.
Click to expand...
The Hba1c is not the same as the number you get on a blood glucose meter.
If your meter is showing 30 then you should contact your GP straight away.
As a type two I was told that the 17.1 I had at diagnosis was very bad, so don't wait, you might not be a type two.
 
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Hi @paula.jones71 . As you can see we are rather concerned .
Please check up on that Hb1ac result, As you are seeing such high levels on you glucose meter then get back to your Gp urgently as you may have T1 instead and this can deteriorate extremely rapidly into an emergency situation,

if you are feeling rather ill then please get someone to take you to A&E or call an ambulance .

Are the test strips you are using in date, if not they can give a faulty reading.
Have you lost weight unexpectedly.

An Hb1ac of 42 to 47 is pre diabetes
48 gets you the diagnosis.
And you are getting very high results on your BG meter which if correct will give you a very much higher Hb1ac result.
So as you see something is wrong somewhere.

With T2 though it is not impossible to have such high BG results on your glucose meter , it is rare , however it’s entirely likely with someone who has undiagnosed T1 .
Sadly many GPs and the practice nurses believe that T1 only developes in youngsters so don’t know that T1 can develop at any age .

Please let us know ow you get on.
 
Last edited:
Sorry to hear you are sounding stressed @paula.jones71

Why not begin writing all your questiins and worries down, so that you can go through them with your nurse. It‘s all too easy to forget when you are in the appointment after you have asked the first 2 things on your mind, and writing them down will at least get them out of your head 🙂

I wonder if it might put your mind at ease to call the Diabetes UK Helpline 0345 123 2399 (Mon-Fri 9am-6pm) to chat things through with them.

It would be good to get those levels checked out, as the fingerstick BG numbers you have mentioned sound like something that needs urgent attention.

If in any doubt, please call NHS111 who may refer you to A&E.

Let us know how things go.
 
@Inka - well, no! - but would be in the 'You may well have trouble ahead' category, hence looks like you ought to start reducing what is causing your blood glucose to get a result of 45 (otherwise called 'pre-diabetes' ie results between 42 and 47.9) unless you want to get a result of 48 or over from your next HBA1c test. Usually reducing the carbohydate you eat a bit and using your legs a bit more (ie more exercise generally) to try to knock it on the head.
 
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