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Type 2 cofussed...

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
K

kerryconfused

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Where to start... Well i found out about 4 weeks ago that i have type 2 diabetes :( ... And so far i havent really been told any thing by my doctor or the db nurse, other than i need to lose weight ( which i already knew and have recently lost over a stone 🙂 Althou i have a LOT still to lose)

I havent been told if i'l need meds, what to be looking out for, how i should be feeling... Nothing!!!

How do i know if i have 'high' or 'low' blood sugars if im not able to check!!!

aaaaarrrrrrrgggggghhhhhhhhh Iv no idea what im ment to be doing 😡

Rant over

K x x
 
Welcome to the forums kerry 🙂

You might want to have a look at the newbie friendly links: http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=10406

Well done on the weight loss. Hopefully you can make your Dr and Diabetic Nurse give you a bit more information since it sounds like they haven't been very helpful so far.
 
Hi Kerry, very sorry that your appointment with the diabetes nurse hasn't given you much extra information. It sounds like they are letting you try first to control your diabetes using 'diet and exercise' as you have not yet been put on any meds. Losing weight will help reduce insulin resistance, and exercise will increase insulin sensitivity, so both of them together help to reduce your blood sugar levels. Have a look in our Useful links thread if you haven't already done so, and I'd highly recommend getting a copy of Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker which should help clear up a lot of your confusion - plus you can ask us, of course! 🙂

I would highly recommend getting a meter so you can do at least occasional tests. You can get a free meter and 10 strips from http://www.abbottdiabetescare.co.uk/free-meter-signup, or there is also a new meter available with relatively cheap strips called the Glucorx:

http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=18200

Let us know if there is anything we can help you with 🙂
 
It sounds like the Dr and Nurse don't understand how anxious your diagnosis has made you. Its only natural for you to be scared what with all the stories in the media and they don't seem to have taken this on board.

Is there another GP you could see - that you could speak to and say something like my diagnosis of diabetes has knocked me sideways and I don't know what is happening - can you help me understand what is happening and where I go from here. You could have a set of back up questions.

Its hard when you are allowed to flounder - I think it may be one of the reasons why the condition get people down, if you know why things are happening to you - you may not like it but knowing helps you cope.
 
kerryconfused said:
aaaaarrrrrrrgggggghhhhhhhhh Iv no idea what im ment to be doing 😡
K x x
Click to expand...

Start by kicking the Doctor's door down.

Read Maggie Davey's Open Letter to Newly Dxed T2s ( sticky in newbies section).
Get a meter and tests strips and use Alan S's "Test, Review, Adjust" blog.

Ask to go on a course such as Desmond or better still X-Pert Patient Diabetes Course.
 
kerryconfused said:
Where to start... Well i found out about 4 weeks ago that i have type 2 diabetes :( ... And so far i havent really been told any thing by my doctor or the db nurse, other than i need to lose weight ( which i already knew and have recently lost over a stone 🙂 Althou i have a LOT still to lose)

I havent been told if i'l need meds, what to be looking out for, how i should be feeling... Nothing!!!

How do i know if i have 'high' or 'low' blood sugars if im not able to check!!!

aaaaarrrrrrrgggggghhhhhhhhh Iv no idea what im ment to be doing 😡

Rant over

K x x
Click to expand...

I was in the same situation.

On the 28thApril Iwas told I had diabetes, it was nearly five weeks later on my last visit to the nurse I received a prescription for urine test sticks and showed how to use them.
 
Sorry to hear you've not had as much support from your Dr and nurse as you would like. You've had some good advice already so just take a while to soak all that up then come back and ask the friendly types around here some questions. Try not to feel overwhelmed and just take it a step at a time 🙂
 
Hello and welcome to the forum. You have nade a good start in comming here, if there is anything you want to know or want explained, please ask, someone will help.

My doctor and practice nurses are not very forth comming with information either, but keep asking them. Most of my information has come from finding out for myself and this forum.
 
same here also

kerryconfused said:
Where to start... Well i found out about 4 weeks ago that i have type 2 diabetes :( ... And so far i havent really been told any thing by my doctor or the db nurse, other than i need to lose weight ( which i already knew and have recently lost over a stone 🙂 Althou i have a LOT still to lose)

I havent been told if i'l need meds, what to be looking out for, how i should be feeling... Nothing!!!

How do i know if i have 'high' or 'low' blood sugars if im not able to check!!!

aaaaarrrrrrrgggggghhhhhhhhh Iv no idea what im ment to be doing 😡

Rant over

K x x
Click to expand...

I have the same problem. I havent seen the diabetic doctor yet, have only seen a diabetic nurse who seems to be giving no support to my situation. Im taking metformin. I asked the dn if I could have the testing equipment but she is refusing to prescribe it, just saying I dont need to be doing that, even after I tried to explain that it was the only way I could get my head around my new eating plan. Anyway, thats my rant over aswell. x
 
Hi Lynnora and welcome to the forums. As you can see you are not alone in finding a lack of support and advice from your medical team. I was diagnosed in November 2003 and didn't see a diabetic doctor at all til March this year! Many people find that Type 2's are only seen by their GP and or Practice Nurse until something goes really wrong. It's common for Type 2's to be told they don't need to test their own levels either. I bought my own meter and strips til I was precribed Byetta injections in April. I get them on prescription now. But you are right, it IS the only way you can get your head round what's going on with your diet.

Anyway, you're here now, among people who DO understand and can help you get a grip on things. Ask about anything that's bothering you and have a good nose around. Take care. XXXXX
 
thank you.

Blythespirit said:
Hi Lynnora and welcome to the forums. As you can see you are not alone in finding a lack of support and advice from your medical team. I was diagnosed in November 2003 and didn't see a diabetic doctor at all til March this year! Many people find that Type 2's are only seen by their GP and or Practice Nurse until something goes really wrong. It's common for Type 2's to be told they don't need to test their own levels either. I bought my own meter and strips til I was precribed Byetta injections in April. I get them on prescription now. But you are right, it IS the only way you can get your head round what's going on with your diet.

Anyway, you're here now, among people who DO understand and can help you get a grip on things. Ask about anything that's bothering you and have a good nose around. Take care. XXXXX
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. Its nice to know there IS the support we all need on here. I think Im glad I came across this website and hope to make afew new friends along the way. xxx
 
lynnnora2 said:
I have the same problem. I havent seen the diabetic doctor yet, have only seen a diabetic nurse who seems to be giving no support to my situation. Im taking metformin. I asked the dn if I could have the testing equipment but she is refusing to prescribe it, just saying I dont need to be doing that, even after I tried to explain that it was the only way I could get my head around my new eating plan. Anyway, thats my rant over aswell. x
Click to expand...

Hi Lynnora, welcome to the forum 🙂 If you look in our 'Useful Links' thread you will find lots of information to help you understand your diabetes and how to manage it successflly. It really is dreadful that people are still being diagnosed with this and given virtually no help to deal with it. There is a wealth of experience here, so please ask anything that may be confusing or concerning you and we will do our best to clarify things and calm your fears. I look frward to hearing more from you - glad you found us! 🙂
 
Welcome to the forums lynnnora too 🙂
 
Welcome, just to add my voice, I found very similar, they just say healthy diet and exercise, good advice but just not enough detail if you really want to tackle BG levels with that alone. I am actually getting a dietician but still haven't seen him/her yet. You really have to bite the bullet and find out for yourself, this forum has helped me immensely in just a few weeks. Some here do find NHS help good but you need to arm yourself with the information and it can seem complicated because everybody is different. The testing supplies should be available on prescription which will save the cost but you have to ask your nurse, the machines are not expensive but the supplies can be if you test on a very regular basis before and after meals etc.

I test myself and I am hoping to control my BG with diet and exercise, I am learning fast and generally I am feeling much better, I have lost weight and very much like to see the effects of different foods on my BG. Only a month ago I was very upset and confused and at least the self testing has given me a sense that I can observe and act upon what happens with different food and exercise.

I hope at this stage you at least find some re-assurance from meeting others in the same position on here
 
Lynnnora hi and a warm welcome to the forum from me too x🙂
 
Hi and welcome, i was in a similar state, altho doc explained a bit more... read gretchen beckers book Diabetes 2 the first year and also bloodsugar101 is a good website...
ive eased up on carbs, cut out sugar and kept an eye on carbs in foods like soup etc but not cut out completely, just testing to see how much has an effect, you definitely need to buy testing strips and a meter as they give you so much information
all the best
 
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