Welcome to the Forum Tracy. I am glad you feel better having spoken with people here.
I was diagnosed pre-diabetic last year and it came as a total shock. In fact, it was only picked up because I was doing medical research and they picked it up and alerted my GP to a high fructose level. She asked for an hba1c and I was then sent for and told it was high and she would repeat it in 3 months. It was 42. I was totally devastated and told her I ate lots of fruit and veg and was unable to understand it as I had a good diet. She asked me how much fruit and I told her 6-7 pieces a day and she said it was far too much and to limit it to 3 max. She gave me a booklet which was very helpful and told me to try not to worry and see what happened in three months. I was not overweight, but normal weight.
Three months later I had another test and had also had a full health check. I was phoned by the Nurse who said I need not wait the two weeks to see her as results were back and I could go up the next day. Now, I had worked for the NHS for 38 years, the last 21 for a surgeon and anaesthetist and I knew that they would not "see me tomorrow" unless something was wrong. The nurse did not want to commit herself as they are not supposed to talk about it over the phone but I told her I knew something was wrong and I said "it's that hba1c isn't it?" She admitted it had gone up. I was really upset and went to see her the next day. It was 43. By then, I was underweight and had cut out lots of carbs. The members of the Forum advised me it was not only fruit, but dried fruit, bread, pasta, rice, potatoes too so I cut those out and minimised the bread . The Nurse told me not to worry too much as it was not my fault and she would send me on a Diabetes Prevention Programme which I agreed to. She was very kind and chatted to me for about 45 mins. She must have been miles behind with her patients. I had to see the GP the following week and he was very kind to me and said it was not my fault and, if I could not get it down and ended up with diabetes, they could help and it was very manageable but just to see what happened. He planned a repeat hba1c after 12 months which is the guideline for pre-diabetics.
I went on the prevention programme and was told 2 fruit per day max. Not keen on the "eat well" plate as too many carbs in my view. Last 3 hba1cs done by the prevention group have been normal but keep increasing a bit so getting a bit jittery. Bought a machine at the beginning and started recently to test so as to find out what is causing the trouble. I have taken advice on here and now bought an SD Codefree as the strips for the Accu Check I have are expensive.
I am sorry to hear how you have been treated by your GP. It is not necessary and people need help.
Not everyone has symptoms. My friend was diagnosed a couple of years back with no symptoms. Another friend had no symptoms. One of my ex work colleagues is obese and my friend's brother is 30 stone and neither of them have diabetes. My friend's hubby is underweight and he does so it is not weight in every case.
I was diagnosed pre-diabetic last year and it came as a total shock. In fact, it was only picked up because I was doing medical research and they picked it up and alerted my GP to a high fructose level. She asked for an hba1c and I was then sent for and told it was high and she would repeat it in 3 months. It was 42. I was totally devastated and told her I ate lots of fruit and veg and was unable to understand it as I had a good diet. She asked me how much fruit and I told her 6-7 pieces a day and she said it was far too much and to limit it to 3 max. She gave me a booklet which was very helpful and told me to try not to worry and see what happened in three months. I was not overweight, but normal weight.
Three months later I had another test and had also had a full health check. I was phoned by the Nurse who said I need not wait the two weeks to see her as results were back and I could go up the next day. Now, I had worked for the NHS for 38 years, the last 21 for a surgeon and anaesthetist and I knew that they would not "see me tomorrow" unless something was wrong. The nurse did not want to commit herself as they are not supposed to talk about it over the phone but I told her I knew something was wrong and I said "it's that hba1c isn't it?" She admitted it had gone up. I was really upset and went to see her the next day. It was 43. By then, I was underweight and had cut out lots of carbs. The members of the Forum advised me it was not only fruit, but dried fruit, bread, pasta, rice, potatoes too so I cut those out and minimised the bread . The Nurse told me not to worry too much as it was not my fault and she would send me on a Diabetes Prevention Programme which I agreed to. She was very kind and chatted to me for about 45 mins. She must have been miles behind with her patients. I had to see the GP the following week and he was very kind to me and said it was not my fault and, if I could not get it down and ended up with diabetes, they could help and it was very manageable but just to see what happened. He planned a repeat hba1c after 12 months which is the guideline for pre-diabetics.
I went on the prevention programme and was told 2 fruit per day max. Not keen on the "eat well" plate as too many carbs in my view. Last 3 hba1cs done by the prevention group have been normal but keep increasing a bit so getting a bit jittery. Bought a machine at the beginning and started recently to test so as to find out what is causing the trouble. I have taken advice on here and now bought an SD Codefree as the strips for the Accu Check I have are expensive.
I am sorry to hear how you have been treated by your GP. It is not necessary and people need help.
Not everyone has symptoms. My friend was diagnosed a couple of years back with no symptoms. Another friend had no symptoms. One of my ex work colleagues is obese and my friend's brother is 30 stone and neither of them have diabetes. My friend's hubby is underweight and he does so it is not weight in every case.
