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Thanks for the welcomes, folks, i have a question.

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shugster

shugster

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I was diagnosed just overt a year ago with type 2 diabetes, i an on Metformin only, but I've never had any clinic appointments or seen a dietitian, the only appointment i had was cancelled due to covid at the start. so i don't know what i should be doing to manage my diabetes, should i be monitoring bloods, or what, i really have no clue what to do. I did start watching my eating habits and have dropped three waist sizes, due to a healthier diet, but sometimes i feel lightheaded, dizzy and a bit shaky and at others very lethargic, trying to see my Gp is proving harder each time, as their in their offices less and less, any help would be very much appreciated.......many many thanks
 
shugster said:
I was diagnosed just overt a year ago with type 2 diabetes, i an on Metformin only, but I've never had any clinic appointments or seen a dietitian, the only appointment i had was cancelled due to covid at the start. so i don't know what i should be doing to manage my diabetes, should i be monitoring bloods, or what, i really have no clue what to do. I did start watching my eating habits and have dropped three waist sizes, due to a healthier diet, but sometimes i feel lightheaded, dizzy and a bit shaky and at others very lethargic, trying to see my Gp is proving harder each time, as their in their offices less and less, any help would be very much appreciated.......many many thanks
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Have you had any follow up blood tests?

I found that I had to phone up and arrange to get the form myself.
I also had to make an appointment to see a Diabetic Nurse myself. (She just looked at my feet, took the pulse in my ankle and said they were in a better than hers!)

I was offered a 'Desmond' course but the time they got round to doing it (9 months later) I had lost a lot of weight and my blood tests were normal.

Did you get an eye test? That was sorted out by the surgery.

I used various recipe books to go 'low carb' (Search Caldesi on Amazon.) and make sure I have some good fats and protein in my diet (Nuts, chicken, fish and olive oil, mainly plus berries and yoghurt for breakfast.)

I'd get a blood tester and see what values you get, if I were you. Maybe try in the morning when you get up initially to see what your fasting level.

The symptoms you are experiencing could be a lot of thing, but high blood sugar can cause lethargy.

What was your HBA1C when you were diagnosed?
 
Very poor practice from your surgery, you should have had follow up appointments. I know diabetic care is a post code lottery, but I had bloods taken 3 monthly for the first year and 6 monthly for the second, and am now on annual checks. You should have had a foot test for neuropathy and, as @harbottle says, annual retinopathy checks.

Please contact your surgery. I usually have to wait in the phone queue for around 40 minutes before I get through, but to be fair to them, they do always come up with an appointment for me. Best of luck
 
Hi. If I were you I would get a monitor and test your bloods. When I was diagnosed 2 years ago I panicked and cut my carbs massively and started feeling terrible, shaking and faint . I found I'm fine after breakfast then about 10.30 drop low. So I now have some fruit and it brings me back to a normal range. I wouldn't have known what was happening without testing my own bloods.
Also I never read the advice on here before I cut my carbs and my eye sight was effected for a few months.
It's worth reading through some of the other questions and comments on the sight.
 
Hi shugster, welcome to the forum.

Sorry to hear that you haven't had the support needed as you really should be having a minimum of annual checkups for your general health, eyes and feet.

I would get onto your GP about these check ups and ask for something to be put in place.

Some GP's don't suggest people test but it's really the only way to know what impact your meals are having on your blood sugar levels and to figure out if the way you feel is related.

It's great that you've been able to improve your lifestyle! Sometimes our bodies are so used to having high sugar levels that lower levels make us feel weird until we're properly adjusted. If you can, monitor your sugar level and see if there's any correlation with your numbers and how you feel but do mention it to your GP when you get the chance.
 
shugster said:
I was diagnosed just overt a year ago with type 2 diabetes, i an on Metformin only, but I've never had any clinic appointments or seen a dietitian, the only appointment i had was cancelled due to covid at the start. so i don't know what i should be doing to manage my diabetes, should i be monitoring bloods, or what, i really have no clue what to do. I did start watching my eating habits and have dropped three waist sizes, due to a healthier diet, but sometimes i feel lightheaded, dizzy and a bit shaky and at others very lethargic, trying to see my Gp is proving harder each time, as their in their offices less and less, any help would be very much appreciated.......many many thanks
Click to expand...
Really strange that ( and not good from your GP) - I would deffo keep calling the sugery and ask to speak to your diabetic nurse. Not good to get diagnosed and no follow up meetings about it.
I personally would not get a blood monitor until you get one off your nurse and she shows you when and how to use it.
There is no excuse not to be seen.
Good luck.
 
Nige13 said:
Really strange that ( and not good from your GP) - I would deffo keep calling the sugery and ask to speak to your diabetic nurse. Not good to get diagnosed and no follow up meetings about it.
I personally would not get a blood monitor until you get one off your nurse and she shows you when and how to use it.
There is no excuse not to be seen.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
I think you may be waiting a long time to be given a monitor by your GP unless you are very lucky. Most will not and are not obliged to do so unless you are on medication which could cause low blood glucose so many self fund. Using them is very easy and there are YouTube videos on finger prick technique as well as the info leaflet which comes with the monitor.
The criteria for buying a monitor is the cost of the strips and many inexpensive ones can be bought on line. Generally cheaper than from the pharmacy. There can be as much as a 4x price difference in strips for different monitors. The GlucoNavii or TEE are ones with the cheapest strips but you should shop around.
 
I have the Tee2 which is very easy to use.
The microlets (needle) and strips i have to buy myself, only because i test at least 5 times a day whereas my diabetic nurse says once a week?
 
Pomster said:
I have the Tee2 which is very easy to use.
The microlets (needle) and strips i have to buy myself, only because i test at least 5 times a day whereas my diabetic nurse says once a week?
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At least you have a monitor with the cheaper strips, if people are given a monitor it often is one with expensive strips.
 
Leadinglights said:
At least you have a monitor with the cheaper strips, if people are given a monitor it often is one with expensive strips.
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I received my monitor last year, i just happened to mention to my diabetic nurse about buying one and how expensive they are. I basically put a big guilt trip on her, i think thats why she gave it to me
 
Leadinglights said:
I think you may be waiting a long time to be given a monitor by your GP unless you are very lucky. Most will not and are not obliged to do so unless you are on medication which could cause low blood glucose so many self fund. Using them is very easy and there are YouTube videos on finger prick technique as well as the info leaflet which comes with the monitor.
The criteria for buying a monitor is the cost of the strips and many inexpensive ones can be bought on line. Generally cheaper than from the pharmacy. There can be as much as a 4x price difference in strips for different monitors. The GlucoNavii or TEE are ones with the cheapest strips but you should shop around.
Click to expand...
I'm on my third monitor now and get it free form the nurse - I am lucky that I get to see her whenever I need too also.
My monitor is Accu-Chek.
I get my strips and lancets free on perscription.
 
Well even if you are given one and prescribed limited strips 50 a month, and your medications change they, can be stopped.
 
grovesy said:
Well even if you are given one and prescribed limited strips 50 a month, and your medications change they, can be stopped.
Click to expand...
I suppose so. I'll cross that bridge if it comes to it :rofl: but been getting them for yrs.
 
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