Confused

[Fozzy_Bear_]

Im a 52 yr old man. I am 3 months in since my diagnosis. I had lost 2 stone in weight in 4 weeks drinking and peeing like it was going out of fashion yet my GP couldn't believe all this had happened so fast or that I was diabetic at all.

I got a hold of some urine testing strips which showed +++++ for both glucose and ketones. My glucose blood test showed levels were knocking on 30 mmol.

The practice nurse sent me to local hospital diabetic centre. DSN there took one look at me and, as I was overweight, said I was type 2. I was started on 2x 10 units of insulin Humulin M3. Now on 88+86. I felt wretched for weeks. My HBA1C done last week was 64% which I am told is okay but not good.

I am not really sure I know what I'm doing. Never spoken to anyone for a few weeks.

I complained to my GP that I felt I was not being supported. I'm only a few months out of extensive chemo and all this needle business is stressing me out.

I am getting swollen legs and arms all the time as well as feeling like I have flu. Is this a reaction to the insulin? Oedema is listed as a side effect but everyone just glosses over this.

Is it normal not to be tested and have a formal diagnosis when you are showing mainly type 1 symptoms? Do you never get to see a doctor or is it all done by guesswork on the part of nurses?

The dietician at the diabetic centre said I was entitled to a formal diagnosis but I should see my GP. My GP says he is the practice lead but has never been asked to do such tests

I just want a definitive diagnosis based on medical facts not just assumptions. Is that too much to ask?

 

[DeanLJ]

Hi Fozzy,

I have just been diagnosed type 2.

Went to the doc last Friday, he suspected diabetes.

He took a pin prick blood test there and then which showed blood at 28.5, he got another machine and new strips and did it again. Came out at 30 mmol.

He immediately gave me a meter and strips, told me to cut refined sugars out and reduce carbs. He booked me in to the practice nurse the following Monday.

Nurse took a blood sample from my arm and it was sent to the lab. Got the confirmation on Tuesday and started Metformin yesterday.

Any less than this level of service and I'd be horrified. I would say you need to push your GP for a blood test. They check for cholesterol, keytones and other stuff.

I'm new to all this so don't know too much but it seems you've had a rough ride and from what I've read I'm surprised you've been put on insulin straight away. That's just my impression though, others here are better placed to advise.

This forum is awesome though, sooooo much good info here and great people too.

Hope you get it worked out

Dean

 

[britishpub]

That sounds quite ridiculous. I can't believe your GP is not helping you.

I have had annual hypertension checks, and as I had been having the drinking/urinating/weight loss symptoms I asked the nurse if that could be checked too. She took a blood sample and told me the results would be back the following week.

The following week I was asked to make an appt with the GP and he told me my test was 88% and that I was a type 2. He gave me the NHS paperwork to shred, gave me a prescription for Metformin along with the usual warnings about side effects and told me to come back in 3 months to have another blood test and appointment with him. I have never seen a nurse and don't expect to either.

Then I found this site/forum and the rest is history.

You should demand a proper diagnosis IMHO

 

[catherinecherub]

The dietician at the diabetic centre said I was entitled to a formal diagnosis but I should see my GP. My GP says he is the practice lead but has never been asked to do such tests

You need a diagnosis and your G.P. can refer you to a Specialist at your local hospital so I suggest that you make an appointment with your G.P. and ask for this referral. Just because he has not been asked it does not mean that you should be in limbo. You are not going to feel any better until you get a diagnosis and the right treatment.

 

[AndBreathe]

Im a 52 yr old man. I am 3 months in since my diagnosis. I had lost 2 stone in weight in 4 weeks drinking and peeing like it was going out of fashion yet my GP couldn't believe all this had happened so fast or that I was diabetic at all.

I got a hold of some urine testing strips which showed +++++ for both glucose and ketones. My glucose blood test showed levels were knocking on 30 mmol.

The practice nurse sent me to local hospital diabetic centre. DSN there took one look at me and, as I was overweight, said I was type 2. I was started on 2x 10 units of insulin Humulin M3. Now on 88+86. I felt wretched for weeks. My HBA1C done last week was 64% which I am told is okay but not good.

I am not really sure I know what I'm doing. Never spoken to anyone for a few weeks.

I complained to my GP that I felt I was not being supported. I'm only a few months out of extensive chemo and all this needle business is stressing me out.

I am getting swollen legs and arms all the time as well as feeling like I have flu. Is this a reaction to the insulin? Oedema is listed as a side effect but everyone just glosses over this.

Is it normal not to be tested and have a formal diagnosis when you are showing mainly type 1 symptoms? Do you never get to see a doctor or is it all done by guesswork on the part of nurses?

The dietician at the diabetic centre said I was entitled to a formal diagnosis but I should see my GP. My GP says he is the practice lead but has never been asked to do such tests

I just want a definitive diagnosis based on medical facts not just assumptions. Is that too much to ask?

I feel for you on so many fronts. It does seem that when we encounter these big bumps in the road, they come in batches.

To be honest, the fact your GP says he's never been asked for tests for a formal diagnosis is all very informative, but you're asking him now! I'm guessing he's categorising you as T2, due to age and carrying a few pounds, but those facts are only part of the puzzle, as you know. Your recent chemo may also be impacting on how your body is coping, generally, at the moment, but again, that's part of the puzzle, not part of the excuse.

As a T2, who has had an easy ride, by comparison to you and many others, I can't give you too much truly constructive advice on which tests you might want to have done, but, in your shoes, I might be inclined to post another thread , in either the T1 or Ask a Question areas and ask T1s for feedback on the most insightful diagnostic tests. I'm guessing they're the ones with most knowledge and experience.

Sadly, you will probably find from feedback from others, that your struggle for a clear diagnosis isn't too uncommon, but it doesn't stop you wanting it, or needing it, depending on your viewpoint.

Good luck with it all, and good luck in your battle with the Big C. I hope you have a long, healthy and happy life and can look back on all this in several decades and think "them were't days.....".

 

[Daibell]

Hi. Most GPs will assume that if you are overweight and older then you are T2. My GP even assumed that when I was slim at diagnosis and I'm still listed as T2 although I know I'm T1. There are no real tests for T2 and the two used for T1 i.e. GAD and c-peptide are a bit expensive and many GPs have not heard of them or even Late onset T1. I'm afraid there is a serious lack of knowledge about diabetes in the NHS and websites like this are the main sources of info (sad isn't it) as NHS diabetes training appears poor and out-dated. Your other medical conditions may complicate diagnosis and treatment but losing weight at diagnosis can be indicative of T1 but having excess weight does imply T2 thru having insulin resistance (you can have both!). Treatment regimes can be similar. A low-carb diet is always the highest priority. Metformin can help reduce insulin resistance. If, when normal weight, your blood sugar remains too high then other tablets can help such as Gliclazide. If you are T1 then insulin may eventually be needed. I had the two T1 tests done privately 8 years after diagnosis. The GAD was negative but this test is less reliable taken a long time after diagnosis. My c-peptide showed very low insulin showing my islet cells were pretty dead. This test becomes more reliable as time goes by. If I were you I would see what happens to your blood sugar as weight reduces and then discuss options with the GP. The two tests cost me around £350 total

 

[SueB743]

Hi and welcome. Worth pushing your GP to get the right tests, particulary when you have other symptoms. Unfortunately they don't always get things right straight off (my GP missed that my readings were pre-diabetic, so when next checked over a year later I was diabetic). If you have concerns, and are not well, worth getting another appointment to discuss your concerns. Hope you start to feel better soon.

 

[4ratbags]

Hi and welcome to the forum. Ring your GP asap and request full blood tests. Make it clear that you want to be tested to see whether you are a Type 1 or 2. Dont let them fob you off ut is your health we are talking about and it is important