Today I met 'DESMOND'

[daisymoo84]

Hi all,

So I attended my Desmond course today. I learnt a few bits but must admit I already knew quite a bit from the advice I've gotten here 🙂

There were some fun games like guessing the amount of sugar cubes in some food products and deciding which foods contains omega 3 (I was pleased they showed some veggie friendly sources).

I'm pleased to say that they talked about the importance of self-testing and handed some monitors around for people to look at. They also told anyone that didn't have a monitor that they should go back to their GP and request one.

The biggest thing that surprised me is they didn't mention swapping white pasta/ bread to wholegrain. They did mention the GI Index so maybe they assumed that was obvious but not sure. Lots of people on the course were surprised that carbs affected BS levels and had assumed it was just sugar! 🙄

They did mention the diabetes UK website and I did a little shout out for the forum

Also, one thing I thought was really nice was that afterwards one of the speakers pulled me over and suggested I get tested for type 1.5 as I didn't fit the usual bill (was the youngest there by miles). I thanked her and explained I'd already been tested and was def type 2 but I thought it was really lovely of her to check.

Anyhow, so that's how I spent my day today 😛

 

[Northerner]

Sounds like a great day Daisymoo 🙂 Good to hear they were switched on about testing, and also that they knew enough to question your diagnosis 🙂

 

[daisymoo84]

Thanks Northerner. Yeah I was very impressed that they actively encouraged the testing. Just hope it inspired some of the people to do it 🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sounds great daisymoo - and very nice that the facilitator was on-the-ball enough to check your Dx.

This in particular:

I'm pleased to say that they talked about the importance of self-testing and handed some monitors around for people to look at. They also told anyone that didn't have a monitor that they should go back to their GP and request one.

is very encouraging. What with recent coverage of reduced/moderated carb approaches to improve control it feels like the focus on 'lots of starchy carbs' might at last be dying a death. Not before time!

 

[Caroline]

Sounds great, you had a good day. I always find it reassuring to go on these courses and find I am learning new things and sharing what I already know.

 

[belladonna]

Thanks for posting Daiseymoo. Haven't been on for a few days so missed your post. Glad it was a positive experience and particularly glad they are clued up about the need to keep testing. It was also reassuring that they were listening to you too, if they were concerned enough to suggest you might be 1.5 and not t2. I go to see "Desmond" at the end of next month so will have a much better idea of what to expect now. I've to take a packed lunch with me so I'm trying to think what to take with me in case they make comments on the contents of our lunch boxes, ha ha. xx Isabel