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What has the forum done for you, and how might it help more people?

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

It's the time factor that sometimes can make all the difference, and like NewToThis just said, the reassurance. Supercalifragalis.. can't remember the rest but U know what I mean!
 
Being recently diagnosed T2, I've found this site a Godsend. My nurse's attitude is "here's the book now read it" so the help & support given by everyone here is really important to me. I'm slowly making sense of things & this is because of YOU. Thank you all very much xx
 
On the whole, I've found the comments on here to be really helpful and supportive. It's also nice to read other people's comments, even if I don't always have something to add to what other people have said. Plus I have had some good replies to queries that I've had.
However, I haven't been on here for a couple of weeks. I responded to a discussion about insulin pumps and was really upset and offended by the comments that someone else had left in response. It was clear from my message that I was struggling with dealing with everything and that it was a bad day - but no notice was taken of this. As the writer put, they're entitled to their opinions but, sometimes, you need to recognise how their comments can affect others.
As for reaching other people, I found this forum myself and don't think the DSN, consultant etc had heard of it. Perhaps we could start with the DSNs and go from there?
 
suziepoo said:
On the whole, I've found the comments on here to be really helpful and supportive. It's also nice to read other people's comments, even if I don't always have something to add to what other people have said. Plus I have had some good replies to queries that I've had.
However, I haven't been on here for a couple of weeks. I responded to a discussion about insulin pumps and was really upset and offended by the comments that someone else had left in response. It was clear from my message that I was struggling with dealing with everything and that it was a bad day - but no notice was taken of this. As the writer put, they're entitled to their opinions but, sometimes, you need to recognise how their comments can affect others.
As for reaching other people, I found this forum myself and don't think the DSN, consultant etc had heard of it. Perhaps we could start with the DSNs and go from there?
Click to expand...

Hi suziepoo, I'm sorry that you were upset by a response you got :( We try and make sure that all posts and posters are respectful of other members and that they take into account the experience and emotional situation of the other member when responding. Unfortunately, we do miss some, or perhaps interpret things differently so it's not obvious, so I apologise and hope that it will not put you off participating fully in the future. The main thing we aim to offer is support, so if you (or anyone) does not feel supported by a response, please let one of the moderators know.
 
The forum has been an enormous help to me since my diagnosis, it's helped me cope during darker days and answered so many questions. I don't feel so alone when I'm on here and that alone is a lovely feeling 🙂

I only wish I'd known about it sooner rather than having my first year without it!
 
Diabetic support forum

I am fairly new to this forum but it was really good to know that there are other people out there who are in the same situation as I am and sometimes no matter what you do you can't help having high levels. I thank you all for the help and advice you have given me. 🙂
Natb xxxx
 
brilliant support

The forum is the voice of calm when you join and a constant reassurance and support from people who genuinely know what to do and give advice with a sense of humour. Thanks.
 
Finally got round to posting on this thread....

This forum has given me so much help and information. Helped me understand how I can control my condition to the best of my ability and I hope I have given at least a little back.

It is great for support on the bad days and always cheers me up when feeling a bit blue.

I like to think I have also made many new friends and will continue to do so x
 
From a carers point of view this forum has given me a better understanding of my husband's condition especially when he's having a bad day. I know that I don't have the disease but I'm also living with it and think constantly about what foods to cook, count carbs and cals etc. Make sure he's taken his pills, watch how much he drinks (which isn't often), try not to take it too personally when he's feeling fed up, unwell and grumpy!

We live in France as do many Brits and perhaps it may be an idea to submit an article to one of the Mags/Newspapers/websites for British ex-pats. I have told a friend here in France who has also been recently diagnosed with T2 about your site. I also told two other friends in England at Xmas who have T2 and feel that the pills are sufficient and they can carry on the same! I hope they all join as it would benefit them greatly.
 
That's an excellent idea cakemaker, is there anything you can suggest e.g. popular website, magazine etc.?
 
Hi Northerner,

A lot of Brits here and most that I've met down in Spain are older and don't speak very good French or Spanish, they are the ones that I think would most benefit from your website.
Health is a big issue with Brits abroad, especially the elderly and to be able to speak to someone in a language that you fully understand has great advantages.
Although my French isn't bad (we ran a business here for 15yrs.); to be able to ask questions in English (to those who really know); no matter how trivial is a godsend. Our GP is great and does speak a little English but only for general conversation; not when diagnosing but there are always questions that you forget to ask and your website answers many.
I found you when I was doing some research into diabetes; the cause, the treatment etc. Liked your site and joined.
It's really daunting, even for a wife/carer to realise that the treament will go on forever so it's good to know that there are others out there to give advice and support.

Anglo Info is quite a well read website here in France. It gives all sorts of info on all aspects of living here and has local forum/discussion sections, there is also a Spanish edition. This is probably the best place to start.

The Connexion newspaper www.connexionfrance.com .......... Can be bought in Newsagents or is subscribed to.

Brittany Pages ......... a local newspaper published by The Connexion.

Britmag ............. Can be bought here in Brittany, I'm not sure if it is sold throughout France.

I've just done a quick search to see what other newspapers/websites there are for ex-pats; simply loads!!
 
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cakemaker said:
Hi Northerner,
Anglo Info is quite a well read website here in France. It gives all sorts of info on all aspects of living here and has local forum/discussion sections, there is also a Spanish edition. This is probably the best place to start.

The Connexion newspaper www.connexionfrance.com .......... Can be bought in Newsagents or is subscribed to.

Brittany Pages ......... a local newspaper published by The Connexion.

Britmag ............. Can be bought here in Brittany, I'm not sure if it is sold throughout France.

I've just done a quick search to see what other newspapers/websites there are for ex-pats; simply loads!!
Click to expand...

Thank you cakemaker, I'll get on the case! 🙂
 
This forum has helped me tremendously. I had a real scare and didn't know what to do with myself and people on here gave me lots of reassurance and gave me the sense of not going through it all alone. Believe me that was so comforting! It also opened my eyes to the fact that the level of care I am getting simply isn't enough. And also since I was diagnosed there have been a lot of changes and I need to catch up! So in a nutshell, this form is fantastic and anyone with diabetes or friends, family, carers who need more information and friendly support need look no further.
 
Having only found the forum recently and already had some great feedback to some of the question i have asked i would just like to say a HUGE thank you to all the members here. I have REALLY struggled of late to get back on the straight and narrow and have found reading some of threads a big inspiration...i was in the ''WHY ME'' stage of denial for quite a long time..like another member said '' if i hadn't gone to the doctors i wouldnt know any diffrence'' and i could still eat my way through a box of cakes. Having read some of things i see the others members put up with...especaily those members with TYPE 1 ..i almost fell lucky i'm only TYPE 2 .So far i'm 2 month into my new change of attitude and it looks like things have took a turn for the better. Already got my overnight reading down from 14 to 8.6 and that has a lot to do with joining the forum and seeing the wonderful support that is out there...After 5 very long and almost completley unsupported years i see a light at the end of what seemed a very long tunnel. THANK YOU ALL x
 
That's terrific to hear larkie - well done on all your hard work, it's great to hear that it's paying off 🙂
 
I can only echo what all the other people on this forum have said. I joined a lot of different forums when my daughter was diagnosed, and I have to say this is the most friendly and informative one I have ever come across. I found this forum totally by chance. I'm so glad I did. Being able to hear from people in the same boat as you....... Priceless.
Keep up the good work. :D
 
I found this forum either on the day I was diagnosed or the next day. I was told over the phone when I rang for blood test results and that was that. I knew diabetes was a bigger deal and that I needed to do something but had no idea what. Googled diabetes UK and got the DiabetesUK website which had a link to this one and I can honestly say I have learnt everything I currently know about diabetes from here. People have recommended books to read and I have had discussions with many people on here on various aspects.

I find the majority of people on here friendly and helpful. We all share something and we can honestly ask any question about anything! I have never been made to feel stupid because I don't know something and I have never noticed anyone else being put down because they asked a question. That is special.

A highlight has been meeting up with some of the members as they are regional/local meets.
 
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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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