Hi all, I've been lurking on this site for the last two weeks since I was officially diagnosed but have been encouraged to sign up by a type 1 friend, so here goes!
Been a bumpy ride to getting officially diagnosed. Was admitted to hospital with severe asthma mid-April at which point it was discovered my blood sugars were 24. Unfortunately no one could agree what to do next! Diabetic nurse issued me with a monitor and was keen to get an Ha1bc test done, esp when I told her that had been extremely tired for months, However, because steroid tablets do increase sugar levels, the Doctors were inclined to 'wait and see' and refused to do test. Bloods remained in the teens for the week I was in hospital, and I was also seen by the eye specialist as I couldn't see past the end of my bed. Fortunately, there was no damage to the back of my eye; Consultant said it was just the amount of sugar in my blood that was the problem and this has got better as my sugars have reduced, thankfully.
On discharge, the hospital Diabetic nurse continued to monitor via phone calls and GP decided to wait for her advice. At this point was feeling very lousy - asleep most of day, unable to concentrate, and 'swooshy' feeling in my head. Nurse I had been dealing with then was away, and when I spoke to a different nurse and told her bad I was feeling, she said it was up to my GP to sort me out! Saw locum GP who put me on 1000mg Metformin. Felt a bit nauseous but not unbearable.
Another two weeks on, diff GP again said he was confident that it was Steroid induced diabetes and that it would be 'quite unfortunate' if it didn't resolve itself at some point. Bloods were slowly coming down but generally remaining in double figures and still feeling rubbish. By this point was starting to get really down and beginning to feel guilty that I couldn't get back to normal. Went back to original GP who decided to increase Metformin to 2000mg and get Ha1bc done.
Not surprisingly, test results were quite high and indicated I had probably been diabetic for prior to being admitted to hospital. Cholesterol levels were also high at 6.2. So now officially Type 2, and have been referred to Desmond course. Increased Metformin has upset my stomach but starting to settle down now. Just frustrated its taken so many weeks to get officially diagnosed.
Having read around on here, I would like to try and improve things with diet and increased exercise. I am overweight, largely due to the Asthma steroids but eat very healthily. I don't eat much fatty foods as they upset my stomach since having my gall bladder removed. The GP has agreed to give me three months to reduce cholesterol before putting me on Statins. (History of severe heart disease in my family - 3 out of 4 Grandparents died from heart attack and my Dad had quadruple bypass at 50)
Trying to use meter to find out what foods affect my blood sugars but only just starting to make headway with this, as previously feeling too ill to be bothered - vicious circle! However, I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel now. Kind of wish had signed up here sooner, but really didn't have energy. However, had found a lot of useful info just from reading both the website and forums so look forward to being part of the of community
Been a bumpy ride to getting officially diagnosed. Was admitted to hospital with severe asthma mid-April at which point it was discovered my blood sugars were 24. Unfortunately no one could agree what to do next! Diabetic nurse issued me with a monitor and was keen to get an Ha1bc test done, esp when I told her that had been extremely tired for months, However, because steroid tablets do increase sugar levels, the Doctors were inclined to 'wait and see' and refused to do test. Bloods remained in the teens for the week I was in hospital, and I was also seen by the eye specialist as I couldn't see past the end of my bed. Fortunately, there was no damage to the back of my eye; Consultant said it was just the amount of sugar in my blood that was the problem and this has got better as my sugars have reduced, thankfully.
On discharge, the hospital Diabetic nurse continued to monitor via phone calls and GP decided to wait for her advice. At this point was feeling very lousy - asleep most of day, unable to concentrate, and 'swooshy' feeling in my head. Nurse I had been dealing with then was away, and when I spoke to a different nurse and told her bad I was feeling, she said it was up to my GP to sort me out! Saw locum GP who put me on 1000mg Metformin. Felt a bit nauseous but not unbearable.
Another two weeks on, diff GP again said he was confident that it was Steroid induced diabetes and that it would be 'quite unfortunate' if it didn't resolve itself at some point. Bloods were slowly coming down but generally remaining in double figures and still feeling rubbish. By this point was starting to get really down and beginning to feel guilty that I couldn't get back to normal. Went back to original GP who decided to increase Metformin to 2000mg and get Ha1bc done.
Not surprisingly, test results were quite high and indicated I had probably been diabetic for prior to being admitted to hospital. Cholesterol levels were also high at 6.2. So now officially Type 2, and have been referred to Desmond course. Increased Metformin has upset my stomach but starting to settle down now. Just frustrated its taken so many weeks to get officially diagnosed.
Having read around on here, I would like to try and improve things with diet and increased exercise. I am overweight, largely due to the Asthma steroids but eat very healthily. I don't eat much fatty foods as they upset my stomach since having my gall bladder removed. The GP has agreed to give me three months to reduce cholesterol before putting me on Statins. (History of severe heart disease in my family - 3 out of 4 Grandparents died from heart attack and my Dad had quadruple bypass at 50)
Trying to use meter to find out what foods affect my blood sugars but only just starting to make headway with this, as previously feeling too ill to be bothered - vicious circle! However, I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel now. Kind of wish had signed up here sooner, but really didn't have energy. However, had found a lot of useful info just from reading both the website and forums so look forward to being part of the of community
