Type 2 newbie

[Peter5062]

Diagnosed last month after a routine blood test. My mother had Type 2 also, but she had to take insulin and the prospect of this scares me a little. I'm still in the early process of getting NHS information, advice and guidance, but the local Trust don't offer the DESMOND education courses in the national guidelines, but some hybrid scheme they've devised themselves. The Trust haven't got back to me yet with a date for their course, so I'm trying to find out info for myself. I've had a 30 minute session with the GP practice diabetes nurse, but this created as many questions as answers.

 

[Ljc]

Hi @Peter5062 , welcome to the forum.
It’s possible the course is based on DESMOND, my area do their own version too.

I’m sorry to hear the appointment with your nurse wasn’t as helpful as it could be.
I’m sure we’ll be able to help , you see we’re at the coal face with this condition and we have some very knowledgeable people on here.

So ask away, we’ll do our best to help.

Try not to worry about having to go on insulin it may never happen , us T2 have quite a few other meds they can prescribe , the usual one is Metformin, but depending on your glucose levels, it sometimes possible to control it with diet and exersize alone.

 

[CathyB]

Welcome Peter, you will find loads of help and support here, I also have had so little from my doctor or the diabetic nurse, but thanks to these guys I now feel so much more confident about managing my diabetes. Read as much as you can here, if you can’t find what you need then ask

 

[Peter5062]

Thanks to you all for the reassurances. I'll contact the hospital tomorrow to ask about a date for my initial education course. As I'm retired, I can attend quickly if there's a cancellation at short notice.

 

[Grannylorraine]

Welcome. Sadly the information given on diagnosis is not very good. But you gave found the right place in this forum.

 

[Drummer]

My three 'education' sessions were, I'm sorry to say, totally useless - more of the information seemed suspicious or was soon shown to be incorrect.
The pair doing them had no idea how I had managed to get out of the diabetic range without losing lots of weight. It was a pity as there were some rather ill people who really needed to be told that they should be cutting out carbs not eating beans and potato.

 

[Ralph-YK]

Welcome to the forum Peter, from a fellow T2.
It might be an idea to self test to find out what effect diffent foods have & any changes you make. The SD Code free often gets recommended based on the price of strips.
I've done Desmond. Some local provision can be better. See if there is a carbohydrates session you can do.
There is also a course called X-pert (which I haven't done). Nothing to do with EPP, Expert Patient Program which is unrealed to diabetes.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Peter5062

Lots of help, support and information here from thousands of people who have been just where you are and have found their own way through the diabetes maze!

if you’ve not already found it the ‘useful links’ thread is a mine of helpful information -
useful-links-for-people-new-to-diabetes

Members her frequently recommend Maggie Davey’s Letter and Gretchen Becker’s book.

If you are interested in using a BG meter to find out how different foods affect you, you may find
test-review-adjust by Alan S helpful.

 

[Jeandp]

Hi @Peter5062 and welcome! I too was promised a course but it never happened and from what I have learned on here I am glad. A lot of the advice given on these courses can be outdated and misleading. Sadly the same can be said about advice from GPs and practise nurses. I have learnt everything I needed to know on here. I have the knowledgeable members of this forum to thank for bringing my BG level down to a pre-diabetic range and now being meds free, oh and my cholesterol has improved too.

Have a good look around the various sections. I especially find the food and carbs section very helpful. If you need anything (or just want a chat) just ask. Good luck!

 

[Slippylizard]

Hi Peter. Welcome, sorry it's for the usual reasons. I have to say I have used and read this forum frequently since I was diagnosed just over a month ago. It has really helped me. In one month of exercising and low carbing my BS levels have dropped considerably to almost normal levels and the weight is coming off nicely. The advise came from here. The guys on this forum are friendly and there is always someone around.

 

[Alister]

Hi Peter
maybe a little late with this but...
don't worry about insulin, it probably wont happen but even if it does it is no big deal.
I was put on insulin after diagnosis - It was something that worried me too but after my first go with the "pen" i realised there was nothing to it
I am now beginning to think it may be better than taking a cocktale of drugs (although I am also on metformin)