1st appointment

Sallies

Active Member
Messages
25
Type of diabetes
Type 2
I had a letter come though today saying I need all these tests, blood, urine, blood pressure, weight and eyes. Is it that when you are first diagnosed you have your eyes check twice within one week. I have a eye screening on a Tuesday and it appears again on Thursday. I also was told on the phone it would only be half an hour now it's been extended to upto 2 hours? Firstly am fitting this in between shifts not told am unable to drive. Feel that am being lied to and I feel am a pain to all. It's only been a week and am feeling really low and I feel a bit of lead will help me. Am falling to pieces.
 

Amandamc2711

Active Member
Messages
41
Type of diabetes
Type 2
I had a letter come though today saying I need all these tests, blood, urine, blood pressure, weight and eyes. Is it that when you are first diagnosed you have your eyes check twice within one week. I have a eye screening on a Tuesday and it appears again on Thursday. I also was told on the phone it would only be half an hour now it's been extended to upto 2 hours? Firstly am fitting this in between shifts not told am unable to drive. Feel that am being lied to and I feel am a pain to all. It's only been a week and am feeling really low and I feel a bit of lead will help me. Am falling to pieces.
I'm new to this too and it is all overwhelming. One thing I can say is stay on here and make this your Daily read. People are very helpful and are all going through similar things and are full of great advice unlike my experience with the professionals I've met. Keep your chin up, 3 weeks ago I was crying into a hankie and now I'm starting to feel more positive
 

Dark Horse

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,840
Eye screening is generally once a year, usually lasts about half an hour and the first screening should be within 3 months of diagnosis. Probably best to phone to see if you've been sent an extra appointment in error.
 

Sallies

Active Member
Messages
25
Type of diabetes
Type 2
I am struggling, feeling fatigue, not enjoying food, dread doing my finger picks. I feel I can't cope any more.
 

JohnEGreen

Master
Messages
13,188
Type of diabetes
Other
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Tripe and Onions
The actual eye screening test is quite quick but before they can do the test they have to administer eye drops and wait for them to take effect this can be about twenty minutes it then can take quite some time for your eyes to return to normal that is why you are not allowed to drive after the test for quite some time it would be best to have someone drive you to and from the test if possible.
 

amgrundy

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,333
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Being bored
Hi, I too was really struggling in December with the flu very tired very low then when I was diagnosed in Jan this year I went worse, as we all who have been diagnosed with diab You will start to enjoy your food and you will get used to the finger pricks. etes know. All emotions came and hit me like a brick. I was expecting doctor to say that the blood tests that had come back was showing a bit run down or anaemia. But when he said I was diabetic well this dark cloud descended and I was the same as you we all went through this emotional rollercoaster, ask anyone on here and they will tell you the same. You see what you have to remember is you are never alone, not on this site anyway. You can cope and you will, we have all been there, I now 7 weeks on feel healthier lost weight getting used to experimenting with different foods. Go on the forum " What have you eaten today it is a brilliant forum see what others eat and enjoy experimenting yourself, you owe it to yourself, please don't go down the can not cope route stick with us we can help you, ask what you want someone will always answer you. Hope this has been of help to you.:):happy:
 
C

catherinecherub

Guest
It is overwhelming at first @Sallies and we all felt like you did at the start of the journey with the blood tests and appointments.
You are having a normal reaction to an abnormal situation and it will take time to come to terms with your diagnosis.
To get it under control you will have to be patient and not expect it to happen tomorrow. Don't overload yourself with information as this is a marathon as opposed to a sprint.
Read around the forum and ask any questions, someone will answer.
I am also tagging @daisy1 to give you some basic information that you will find helpful.
 

amgrundy

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,333
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Being bored
Sorry about the above post seems to have got mixed up somewhere
 

daisy1

Legend
Messages
26,457
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Cruelty towards animals.
@Sallies

Hello Sallies and welcome to the forum :) Here is the information we give to new members and I hope you will find this useful and reassuring. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will be able to help.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you’ll find over 150,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates

Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes-and-whole-grains.html

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes

LOW CARB PROGRAM:
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/low carb program


Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to bloodglucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
 

Scottishgal991

Active Member
Messages
30
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
I am struggling, feeling fatigue, not enjoying food, dread doing my finger picks. I feel I can't cope any more.
You will get used to doing the finger pricks. When I was diagnosed 2 years ago I was the same. Miserable, dreading eating and dreading the finger pricks. Doesn't phase me anymore. Things will get better! :)