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What happens now ?

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Old Holborn

Old Holborn

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi All,

Diagnosed type 2 last week, was given a box of Metformin, told to take one a day for seven days then twice a day, going by size of tablet not sure if I should be swallowing or inserting it.

As far as I'm aware no other member of the close or extended family has diabetes so no one to ask what could or will happen next.

The nurse did a blood test with a meter devise which read 10.3, can I expect to keel over at any moment ?

Nurse did give me a lot of detail and advise but was to much for me to take in at the time.

Regards,
Old Holborn
 
Hi
Looks like you joined the ministry of lack of information:(
I was diagnosed with T2 when following weight loss a venous test came back showing 30.3 mmol/L.
Diet change and a similar medication - gliclazide- brought it down to the target zone (for me) between 5 and 10.

I monitor it at set intervals and feed the data into my pc.
This gives the results over a period in several formats. I take either printouts or a netbook to the surgery for the GP to see.

The most help I have had was from joining Diabetes UK.

I don't think you are likely to keel over immediately, but dropping off ones perch is the only sure thing in life
 
Don't panic!

The lack on information is ridiculous! Firstly - don't panic - you are not going to keel over at 10! Drinking a lot of water can help bring down your blood sugar - believe it or not! Although I have had diabetes for many years - I wanted a 'refresh' as things change all the time - the best book I have ever read on the subject is Dr Bernsteins Diabetes Solution - and I have read so soo many...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dr-Bernstei...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226574799&sr=1-1
You can take what you want about diet and exercise in there - but it really makes you understand what diabetes is all about! Reducing the amount of carbs you eat will also help tremendously. I am a type 1 so it is different for me - but I eat a relatively low carb diet and take a lot less insulin and my sugars are normally pretty good. Low carb is not easy- but it is possible! You don't have to cut carbs out completely - just reduce them...Diabetes is part of who I am and it makes me special!😉
 
Welcome!

Welcome to the board Old Holborn!
I have read that book recommended by Daisy and I highly recommend it - I follow it's pricipals and since doing so have had much much better blood sugar readings! It's a good read just for finding out about diabetes.
 
Since starting thread have received an appointment in the post this morning for a Retinal Screening on the 5 December. The Nurse did mention something about an eye test but was lost in all the other information she gave me.

I can't complain about a lack of information but after a 90 minute appointment my brain was in overload mode. Was given a Diabetes pack with a lot of information but it's a kin to reading a DVD users manual 🙂
 
Old Holborn said:
Since starting thread have received an appointment in the post this morning for a Retinal Screening on the 5 December. The Nurse did mention something about an eye test but was lost in all the other information she gave me.
Click to expand...

I have a similar screening next month.
You should get a callup for this every year when they usually these days take a digital pic of the retina and from this monitor the onset of a diabetic prob called retinopathy which can in some circumstances lead to deterioration or loss of sight.

I would endorse the advice about reading about diabetes as it could well allay unfounded fears and help you to understand the terms used by these diagnostic specialists

Panic not and enjoy life
 
Old Holborn, I completely understand your situation. I'm not going to bore you with my diagnosis story, but the end result was that my diabetes was virtually untreated for almost 4 years before someone finally gave me the info I needed.

Now, I'm from the Netherlands, and I do not know if help can be the same in the UK as it is over there. I had to ask for it and I had to phone and call people bad things (up to filing an official complaint about my GP!) before I got help.

But that's the trick: ask!

Take one thing at a time and ask people about the thing that concerns you at that moment.
You could also, for example, make a list of questions for yourself and find info on the internet or take the list with you to a next appointment with a professional. Also, write down the answer!
That way you can take it home and use it for future reference.

I am also on metformine (it's an oral pill by the way... 😉 ), so if I can help you in any way, just ask.
 
Old Holborn said:
Since starting thread have received an appointment in the post this morning for a Retinal Screening on the 5 December. The Nurse did mention something about an eye test but was lost in all the other information she gave me.
Click to expand...

my advice is remember to take sunglasses with you for after this test!. The drops they put in your eyes to make it easier to take the photos really make the colours and the light bright afterwards for a while 😎
 
Thanks

Thanks for all the replies.

Being a Diabetes newbie no doubt I will have a lot more questions to ask.
 
!!

Old Holborn said:
Thanks for all the replies.

Being a Diabetes newbie no doubt I will have a lot more questions to ask.
Click to expand...

Which is the whole point of this board 🙂 The only stupid question is the one not asked!🙂
 
Dear "Old Holborn"

Your posting made me remember how confused I was when I walked out of the GP's surgery a year ago having been told I'd got Type 2 diabetes, prescribed metformin and told to eat healthily! Fortunately, he also gave me some printed sheets with basic information that I could start with and recommended Diabetes UK.

One year on, I think I'm only now beginning to understand what affects me and how to deal with it. I know several people locally with Type 2 diabetes and we all vary considerably in our treatment and approach to life - learning to have the confidence to say that something doesn't work for me has taken time.

Nicky-too is spot on in my view - just ask but then don't be afraid to decide what you are going to tackle first

Good luck with your retinal screening - I found it mildly unpleasant partly because of my own anxiety about the results as my optician had found early changes.



Vanessa
 
im also quite new to all this. Just had my check for birthday , seem tro need more blood tests waiting for results
 
more than me

i am new to all this and the things you have been told in one week is more than i have had in 4 .i have had no info pack i dont have a blood monitor .i had ten min with the nurse and she only gave me the flu jag . i think i will be talking to my dr
 
Old Holborn said:
Since starting thread have received an appointment in the post this morning for a Retinal Screening on the 5 December. The Nurse did mention something about an eye test but was lost in all the other information she gave me.

I can't complain about a lack of information but after a 90 minute appointment my brain was in overload mode. Was given a Diabetes pack with a lot of information but it's a kin to reading a DVD users manual 🙂
Click to expand...
Hi Holbon, Stick around, you wont find better company m8. The eye test is because the eye is a clever thing but a little to clever.With high glucose levels the blood vessels in your eye get week and can burst, Ok now the eye thinks its clever by making a new vien in the back of your eye, mmmmmmmmmmmmm NOT that clever because it will put it right in your line of vision making a black spot right where you look.
The blood can also "pool" in the back of your eye and I belive because of lack of oxygen it becomes a poision and will muck up your eye.
It is REALY important you go for the test, it`s only a flash no touching your eye and takes a sec or two, after ask the one taking the pic to show you the back of your eyes and explain what happens, you will find these people very helpfull.
Vegman1441.
 
Wellcome to all the newbys.

Just for anyone who has not been diabetic long, the Hsb1c blood test sees what your blood gloucose count has been for the last three months, so no cheating with the meter, it should be between 4 and 7.
Vegman1441🙂
 
No meter

Hi, I know what is happening these days with test strips but you can always buy your own for about ?5 ok the strips and sharps cost about ?25 each but if you want to stay healthy, its up to you.
Take a look at Accu-chek I find its good because if you ask Accu-chek will send you a program and reciver for your computer for FREE this makes all the number realy easy to understand. It showes average week day and month it also give you a pie chart of your results.
Vegman1441
 
the information i found myself through books and the internet were always much better than what the doctor or nurse attempted (or not was the case) to tell me.
 
I was diagnosed with type 2 last October, got put on metformin, statins and ramipril and also thyroxin as my thyroid gland is on the way out as well apparently! My diabetes nurse is excellent, I have regular check ups and yearly checks on feet, eyes etc and have no problems with getting test strips etc.

I read Diabetes for Dummies and found it an excellent overview - basically if you follow the mantra of exercise, medication and healthy eating you should be able to manage your sugar levels fine.
 
Hi Old Holbourn

I was diagnosed T2 in May, with none in my immediate family either - scary thing to happen, it took me a while to get to understand that I was not going to keel over any minute too.

This site helped to calm me down!

As an alternative, I was recommended this book http://www.amazon.co.uk/Type-Diabet...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343134314&sr=1-1 which I found really useful and informative, I have not read the dummy's one so cannot say if it is better or worse, but this one is good! It seems to be good to refer back to aswell.

I have had to change my lifestyle - overdue I'm afraid, but I have things under much more control now, I was diagnosed at 20.9 mm/l (or whatever the damn measurement is!)

I now eat much more healthily, much fewer carbs, loads of green stuff and doing loads of excercise - I am now, losing weight...slowly and my levels are far more under control. I am actually feeling much better overall which is ironic.

Good luck!
 
Old Holborn said:
Hi All,

Diagnosed type 2 last week, was given a box of Metformin, told to take one a day for seven days then twice a day, going by size of tablet not sure if I should be swallowing or inserting it.
Click to expand...

Huge aren't they! 😱 :D

I must admit to being quite surprised at just how big they are.
 
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