Very new to diabetes

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Klocky

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Hello I had a call from my gp surgery today saying I have diabetes and asked to make an appointment with the practise nurse (next Tuesday). Since its taken 4 tests to confirm diabetes I'm wondering if i've been misdiagnosed. Im probably just in denial but does anybody know if diabetes is frequently misdiagnosed? Also, what questions should I be asking the nurse next week.
 
Hi Klocky welcome to the forum 🙂

Unfortunately it isn't uncommon for diabetes to go undetected for some time.

The basic aims of diabetes are to keep your blood glucose levels within 'normal' ranges (4 - 7mmol/l). There are plenty of people on here who will have better advice as I'm type 1 and use insulin, whereas you will probably be started off on either diet and exercise alone or on some form of tablet. In regards to questions, it would be good for you to be able to get your hands on a blood glucose testing meter and test strips, so asking for those would be good.

Sorry I can't be of more help!
 
Sometimes, if you're borderline, it may take a while for the tests to confirm the diagnosis. For me, with my glucose test well into the 20's, it was pretty much cut and dried using just one!

I started jotting down a list of questions, but not knowing more, it may just confuse the matter!

For now, I think you need to just know what the diagnosis is (what type you are) and whether you'll be put on any medication or not. Then ask about what you can do regarding weight loss (if you need to lose any weight) and what diet is recommended (e.g. watch your carbs).

Also see if you can get hold of a blood glucose monitor and whether test strips can be prescribed for it (they tend to be quite expensive at up to ?25 for a pot of 50).

Good luck!

Andy
 
Klocky said:
Hello I had a call from my gp surgery today saying I have diabetes and asked to make an appointment with the practise nurse (next Tuesday). Since its taken 4 tests to confirm diabetes I'm wondering if i've been misdiagnosed. Im probably just in denial but does anybody know if diabetes is frequently misdiagnosed? Also, what questions should I be asking the nurse next week.
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Hi Klocky, welcome to the forum 🙂 It's not unusual for some people to require several tests to confrm the diagnosis, but once confirmed I think it's highly unlikely to be wrong. The doctors will use your fasting levels (that you wake up with in the morning), possibly random blood sugar tests and/or a glucose tolerance test. For some of these tests they require two results above a certain level to confirm a diagnosis. As you have had four I would think that it is a firm diagnosis. However, I would personally find it very unsatisfactory to be told such momentous and possibly life-changing information to be relayed by phone - how would they feel?

Although the news is not great, you will be happy to learn that there are many treatment regimes available which will mean that you should be able to live a long and healthy life. Some people even find that the diagnosis helps them re-evaluate their lifestyle and diet and it can actually improve their health enormously!

Have a look in the Useful links thread at the beginning of the Newbies section, there are some suggestions there that will give you some idea of what to expect and may prompt some questions for your nurse when you see her. Don't try to take everything in at once - there is a great deal to learn, so be patient and just try and absorb the basics for now. These are basically to follow a healthy diet and try to get some daily exercise - not much different to what we should all be doing anyway, but now with extra 'rewards' in the form of improved blood sugar control!

If you have any questions, please ask and we will try our best to help 🙂
 
Im still waiting to find out, but can say this site is fantastic for advice. They are really helping me get me head round stuff so your in the right place!🙂
 
Thank you all for your prompt responses and for the tactful way you've handled my "denial". I'm off now but will definitely be returning.
 
welcome to the forum 🙂
 
Hi Klocky a warm welcome to the forum from me x
 
Welcome Klocky...........

Look forward to seeing you around....:D
 
Welcome Klocky. I had 4 tests between January and March this year before I was told for definite (over the phone, just like you) that I had diabetes. By the 3rd test I sort of knew anyway so wasn't surprised and glad I did not have to faff around with hospital appointments. I was already going to Slimming World and in some ways being diabetic has helped me lose the weight. Those friends who think it is funny to wave cream cakes in your face when you are trying to lose weight don't do that when you say the reason you are not eating them is because you have diabetes!!

I went to the library and got out or ordered some of the books as advised in this forum. There is a section somewhere and I found books written simply for those newly diagnosed had a wealth of information. I bought Diabetes for Dummies but it can be scary if you read too much too soon. Reading helped me form questions for the practice nurse and my GP now says I know far more about the condition than they do.

This forum is brilliant. Honestly, no question is stupid.
 
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