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Tracy Carter

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi

Please help.

I'm so confused!

Tuesday I went to the gp with a sore mouth, it had been sore for about a week & there were a couple of small ulcers on my tongue. The gp sent me for a blood test to check my vitamin levels (so I thought). On Thursday my mouth felt a lot worse & I saw a nurse, I've recently suffered a bereavement of a very close relative so I was quite emotional in the appointment - she spoke to me about that. She said my blood results were back but I would need to see a gp the following day as they hadn't been reported on. So yesterday, walked in to the gp, without taking a breathe she said, 'yes, you're diabetic'. I didn't even know I was being tested for it. She said my ferritin was high & my liver function & asked if I drink a lot (I don't, but did have a weekend away last week where I drunk a few small glasses of prossecco, maybe 6 over the whole weekend). I'm assuming it's type 2, she didn't actually say. I became very emotional & she was very unsympathetic, gave me no information, told me to have another blood test
next week & make an appointment with a diabetes nurse, oh & a prescription for metformin 500mg. Is this it? Literally no symptoms other than this blood result & sore mouth (which is actually feeling better).
I am overweight & since the birth of my daughter 2 years ago when I was very ill after delivery, I have gained around 3 stone. I've had a very stressful few months, but really don't understand this diagnosis.
 
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Hi Tracy, welcome to the forum 🙂 I'm sorry to hear this - particularly by the insensitive and unhelpful way your diagnosis was communicated to you :( Were and test result numbers mentioned? I doubt the alcohol was a factor at all. It sounds like you are probably pretty run down with your recent stress and sad events, and I sometimes find I get mouth ulcers when I'm over tired and stressed. Try not to worry and see what the next test shows. Although diabetes is a serious condition it is something that can be managed well and doesn't have to have a negative impact on your life and health. It may be that you are 'borderline' which is why another test is required to confirm or dismiss, particularly given that you don't have other symptoms.

Please let us know how things go and if you have any questions, ask away 🙂
 
Thank you Northerner. I just feel like it's such a slap in the face, I truly am gutted.
I'd prefer to manage it with diet but that option was not offered to me on Friday. She asked if I objected to taking medication & I replied, if I need it I will take it, but she didn't give me any other option. I know I needed to make some lifestyle changes & since the death of my Nan, who I was helping to look after, I was making steps towards this. I don't have any idea of numbers but I'm going to ask for the results on Monday.
 
Aren't these health professionals simply horrible. Grrr. 😡

I'm sorry for your loss Tracy and welcome to the forum though I know you don't really want to be here. You'll be okay though once you get the hang of it.
 
Hi Tracy and welcome to the forum ((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))) for the loss of your Nan.
I'm also very sorry for the news of your diabetes diagnoses was handled that was totally unacceptable imho.

Obviously it's your choice if you take the Metformin or not and your choice as to how you manage your diabetes.
Once you have the numbers perhaps then decide if you need to start the meds or whether you think you can get them down without the meds.

If you are in the UK you need to apply for a medical exemption card to entitle you to free prescriptions which can be picked up from your GP surgery.

When you are feeling a bit better in yourself then perhaps write a letter to your GP and tell her exactly how you felt with the way she imparted the info that you have diabetes and the complete lack of information given.
 
I find the alcohol question is asked quite often (I've been seeing medical people a lot over the last 3 years, for several things).
Sorry you're having a bad time.
 
Thank you all for your replies, really helps to not feel alone with this. I come out of the appointment & got myself together in the car & then called diabetes.org.uk & spoke to a lovely lady & today have lots of really good information through the post. I can't be selfish with this, I have children & a husband who depend on me. If I have to take medication to stay well then I will, but to me, trying to stay well the natural way is something I must attempt first. I am young enough to exercise & make positive changes to my diet, but I'm reading that cutting out carbs is the best thing to do, is that correct?
 
Hi Tracy you don't need to cut out carbs completely just find the level that suits you personally.
Suspects are the white foods so think about pasta, rice, flour. Burgen bread is lovely the linseed and soya flavour and exercise is also very important.
 
Tracy Carter said:
The gp mentioned liver disease.
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Don't panic! My liver function tests were elevated when I was first diagnosed, and my GP went straight down the liver disease route and referred me for an ultrasound, which showed nothing amiss. When my blood glucose levels were more under control, my liver function tests returned to normal, and the hospital diabetes clinic said it was just my liver 'getting angry' at high blood sugars.
One word of caution though, my GP said she couldn't put me on Metformin, because it's contraindicated with liver disease. You might ask about that.
 
Tracy Carter said:
The gp mentioned liver disease.
Click to expand...
It's possible you have an enlarged liver which will go back to normal once your diabetes is under control.

Please do insist that you are given the full facts regarding the test results and what ever you do, do not be afraid of asking questions.
 
Thank you. I'm really angry today, after the initial shock. I am going to put something in writing to the surgery, when my head is a bit clearer. This group is so positive, so glad it's the first thing I stumbled upon.
 
Tracy Carter said:
Thank you. I'm really angry today, after the initial shock. I am going to put something in writing to the surgery, when my head is a bit clearer. This group is so positive, so glad it's the first thing I stumbled upon.
Click to expand...
Good to hear Tracy 🙂 My Auntie got her diagnosis in a similar manner, and it's not necessary. As Sue says, find out where you stand with the numbers first. Most GPs/nurses will allow a period of 3 months before starting medication if the numbers are not too bad, to see if you can improve things in the interim. Have a read of Maggie Davey's letter to help put you in the picture about what it all entails. I'd also recommend getting a copy of Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker, which is an excellent, positive guide to these early months 🙂

Like @Robin, I also had the 'liver disease' thing, but no actual problems once I got things under control 🙂
 
Thank you - I will look investigate every avenue. I'm going to enjoy a day out for my sons birthday tomorrow & then concentrate on it on Monday.
 
Hi again.

I'm not saying I don't have it & I certainly meet some of the risk factors, but I just don't have any symptoms. I don't have a dry mouth, it actually feels like I'm having an allergic reaction, my mouth tingles inside & round my lips on the outside & I have a metallic taste. I'm not tired, I'm not peeing a lot, not losing weight, nothing to suggest diabetes, so today I'm really struggling with not only the way I've been told but also can they really diagnose from one blood test? Is that it? also can they test for it without even telling me they are testing for it (I would have gone in a little more prepared!)
 
Hi Tracy. I have just read how you were informed when dx (diagnosed) imo that was dreadful , I would put in a written complaint to the practice manager if I were you.

Sadly we don't all have symptoms . I had none at all, it was only discovered when a gp tested my urine for an infection. Turned out the uti was nothing to do with diabetes but everything to do with an infected kidney stone.

Were you given the results of your blood test ?
 
No, just told ferritin was high, liver function abnormal & I was diabetic. Could anything I'd eaten beforehand effect the result? I had the blood test straight after lunch. I know I'm probably in the denial stage, but I really can't make sense of this. I've decided not to take the metformin until I've spoken to someone I trust, but I will reduce my carb intake significantly.
Yes, I will be making a complain to the practice manager, it's not the first time this particular gp has not been very professional.
 
Tracy Carter said:
Could anything I'd eaten beforehand effect the result?
Click to expand...
If it was the HbA1c, then it's an average of the last 3 months. So what you've eaten over those 3 months taken together.
Tracy Carter said:
I had the blood test straight after lunch.
Click to expand...
Wouldn't show up if you had 3 Christmas puddings and 4kg of chocolate for lunch. Unless you have that all the time.
 
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