Am I expecting too much?

[coby]

Hi!

I was newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at the end of January, and it was a total shock as there's no family history, I have never been a drinker or smoker, and I eat healthy foods for the most part.
I did have a waist measurement of 34 inches at that time, and my weight was 10st 10lbs so not excessive?
My concern is that my GP has done nothing and explained nothing to me, apart from suggesting I take part in a whole day's course called DESMOND.
I am caring for my 93yr old mum ... have to go several times per day ... cook her meals .. do her chores etc, so there was no way I could spare a whole day away on a course.
I've been put on Metformin 3 times a day and that is it !!!
No talk of any follow up visits. No talk of what happens next. Nothing.
I feel out on a limb here and although I try my best to make sense of postings on here, nothing goes in!
I have no idea what 'readings' I'm meant to be or even what my own is!
I've not been given a meter or whatever it's called.
Is this normal and am I getting worked up over nothing?

 

[PenfoldAPD]

Welcome to the forum. If you are looking for information you've come to the right place! I was diagnosed myself in January and found this a great help. Similar to you I wasn't overweight - but 3 months later with hard work my diabetes is getting under control.

I'll tag @daisy1 who will give you the info for newbies

To answer a couple of questions. You can learn more on here than a day at DESMOND I would say, especially if your time is precious. Docs don't give out monitors, many people self fund as it is such a good way to understand what your body is doing. Consider following a low carb diet, look at dietdoctor.com for information.

The early stages are scary but in time all the terms will become second nature, yes having diabetes isn't great - but it isn't the end of the world.

Welcome, and best of luck with your health.

 

[coby]

Welcome to the forum. If you are looking for information you've come to the right place! I was diagnosed myself in January and found this a great help. Similar to you I wasn't overweight - but 3 months later with hard work my diabetes is getting under control.

I'll tag @daisy1 who will give you the info for newbies

To answer a couple of questions. You can learn more on here than a day at DESMOND I would say, especially if your time is precious. Docs don't give out monitors, many people self fund as it is such a good way to understand what your body is doing. Consider following a low carb diet, look at dietdoctor.com for information.

The early stages are scary but in time all the terms will become second nature, yes having diabetes isn't great - but it isn't the end of the world.

Welcome, and best of luck with your health.

Thank you for the reply. I have included 40 minute walks in my day, since I didn't know what else to do to improve my health.
I am now 9st 7lbs so something has changed at least!
I have a rare form of glaucoma too and that is another worry as I#ve heard that eyes are often affected?
I just wish my GP had shown more interest and not shoived me through a door into this strange land of diabetes!

 

[coby]

Welcome to the forum. If you are looking for information you've come to the right place! I was diagnosed myself in January and found this a great help. Similar to you I wasn't overweight - but 3 months later with hard work my diabetes is getting under control.

I'll tag @daisy1 who will give you the info for newbies

To answer a couple of questions. You can learn more on here than a day at DESMOND I would say, especially if your time is precious. Docs don't give out monitors, many people self fund as it is such a good way to understand what your body is doing. Consider following a low carb diet, look at dietdoctor.com for information.

The early stages are scary but in time all the terms will become second nature, yes having diabetes isn't great - but it isn't the end of the world.

Welcome, and best of luck with your health.

 

[PenfoldAPD]

Walks are good. If you do that daily it will help your diabetes management. I choose to swim each morning, keeps me in check

Eyes can be affected. You should be scheduled to go on an annual eye test. They check the back of your eye. If nothing is forthcoming from your GP I'd suggest you visit again when you've learnt a bit more. You also need to get your feet checked, I haven't had this done yet but am going on Monday. This is a regular thing going forward.

Also, you don't have to pay for prescriptions if on medication for diabetes - hope the Doc explained that. They send a form off and you get exemption.

I think you will find spending time on here will really help. Many of us learn about our diabetes this way, there is so much information on here - and lots of helpful people, someone on here will have "been there, seen it, done it"

 

[Pinkorchid]

Hi!

I was newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at the end of January, and it was a total shock as there's no family history, I have never been a drinker or smoker, and I eat healthy foods for the most part.
I did have a waist measurement of 34 inches at that time, and my weight was 10st 10lbs so not excessive?
My concern is that my GP has done nothing and explained nothing to me, apart from suggesting I take part in a whole day's course called DESMOND.
I am caring for my 93yr old mum ... have to go several times per day ... cook her meals .. do her chores etc, so there was no way I could spare a whole day away on a course.
I've been put on Metformin 3 times a day and that is it !!!
No talk of any follow up visits. No talk of what happens next. Nothing.
I feel out on a limb here and although I try my best to make sense of postings on here, nothing goes in!
I have no idea what 'readings' I'm meant to be or even what my own is!
I've not been given a meter or whatever it's called.
Is this normal and am I getting worked up over nothing?

Your profile says you are prediabetic but your post says you were diagnosed with T2 in January

 

[Bluetit1802]

If you are diagnosed as Type 2 -

What should happen is that you should have been put on the Diabetes Care Pathway. This means that initially you should have blood tests (HbA1c, cholesterol, and others) every 3 months until your levels and medication have stabilised, then moved to 6 monthly, then annually. You should be invited to see a nurse following these blood tests for a review, foot check, blood pressure checks etc. You should receive an invitation to have a retinal eye screening test every year.

As for your blood test results, you need to ask for a print out. If you don't ask, you won't get. You are entitled to these. Do ring your surgery and ask for this. You need to know. Also check if you are on the list for a review and blood checks.

 

[Pinkorchid]

Thank you for the reply. I have included 40 minute walks in my day, since I didn't know what else to do to improve my health.
I am now 9st 7lbs so something has changed at least!
I have a rare form of glaucoma too and that is another worry as I#ve heard that eyes are often affected?
I just wish my GP had shown more interest and not shoived me through a door into this strange land of diabetes!

Well done on the weight loss You will be called for a retina scan at some point but maybe you already have regular checks on your eyes as you have glaucoma

 

[Pinkorchid]

Different surgeries have different ways of diabetes treatment. I was diagnosed T2 in December and have only had one 3 month review and blood test my next one is in six months time. I don't know if some people get referred to a podiatrist for a foot check but we don't where we live or maybe we do if there is a foot problem otherwise the nurse just does the prick test on the feet at the reviews

 

[Liam1955]

@coby - Hello and Welcome to the Forum. You need to invest in a Blood Glucose Meter and test your blood sugars to see which foods gives you high readings.
Amazon have a good deal = SD Codefree Blood glucose meter, 50 strips, 100 lancets for £25.97. Go to:
http://www.Amazon.co.uk/Codefree-Glucose-Monitor-Monitoring-Testing/dp/BOO68JAJFS
When asked state you have diabetes and don't pay vat.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. I agree with Bluetit. Get the surgery to confirm that they have you listed as T2. As you have been prescribed Metformin that would imply you are. You are entitled to an annual check-up which I book myself at the surgery (don't wait for them to do anything). Also book a blood test 2 weeks before the GP/nurse appointment. Yes, you should get a meter which sadly you will have to obtain yourself. Many go for the SD Codefree via the web which is the cheapest. Note that a few of those diagnosed as T2 and who don't have excess weight may actually be a Late onset T1. The annual check-ups blood test or your meter will indicate that possibility if your blood sugar keeps increasing despite a lower carb diet.

 

[coby]

Your profile says you are prediabetic but your post says you were diagnosed with T2 in January

Yes. I have no idea why it says Pre Diabetic and only noticed that after my posting! I am definitely classed as having Diabetes Type 2

 

[coby]

Hi. I agree with Bluetit. Get the surgery to confirm that they have you listed as T2. As you have been prescribed Metformin that would imply you are. You are entitled to an annual check-up which I book myself at the surgery (don't wait for them to do anything). Also book a blood test 2 weeks before the GP/nurse appointment. Yes, you should get a meter which sadly you will have to obtain yourself. Many go for the SD Codefree via the web which is the cheapest. Note that a few of those diagnosed as T2 and who don't have excess weight may actually be a Late onset T1. The annual check-ups blood test or your meter will indicate that possibility if your blood sugar keeps increasing despite a lower carb diet.

Thank you for that info and I do hope it doesn't turn out to be Type 1 as I'm confused enough with Type 2 !!!

 

[zoze_j]

Thank you for the reply. I have included 40 minute walks in my day, since I didn't know what else to do to improve my health.
I am now 9st 7lbs so something has changed at least!
I have a rare form of glaucoma too and that is another worry as I#ve heard that eyes are often affected?
I just wish my GP had shown more interest and not shoived me through a door into this strange land of diabetes!

Congratulations on you weight loss
Have you been referred to a clinic to see a specialist at all? My GP is pretty useless as far as the diabetes goes, as lovely as he is he's not savvy on the condition like my specialist is.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Yes. I have no idea why it says Pre Diabetic and only noticed that after my posting! I am definitely classed as having Diabetes Type 2

If you go to your profile settings you can change it, otherwise you may end up confusing some posters.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Congratulations on you weight loss
Have you been referred to a clinic to see a specialist at all? My GP is pretty useless as far as the diabetes goes, as lovely as he is he's not savvy on the condition like my specialist is.

This won't happen. He is Type 2. We are monitored by GPs and practice nurses.

 

[Dark Horse]

Well done on the weight loss You will be called for a retina scan at some point but maybe you already have regular checks on your eyes as you have glaucoma

Eye checks for glaucoma don't usually look for diabetic retinopathy so it is important to attend specialist diabetic eye screening as well. The first screening appointment should be offered within 3 months of diagnosis.

 

[coby]

Congratulations on you weight loss
Have you been referred to a clinic to see a specialist at all? My GP is pretty useless as far as the diabetes goes, as lovely as he is he's not savvy on the condition like my specialist is.

Hi, and No I have not been referred anywhere! I have been handed Metformin and waved off with a smile. This is why I am feeling so lost with the diagnosis

 

[coby]

Eye checks for glaucoma don't usually look for diabetic retinopathy so it is important to attend specialist diabetic eye screening as well. The first screening appointment should be offered within 3 months of diagnosis.

Well I hope that happens then because I already have the first signs of damage to the Optic nerve in my right eye and now I'mn not sure if it's the glaucoma or the diabetes that's caused it?

 

[Dark Horse]

Well I hope that happens then because I already have the first signs of damage to the Optic nerve in my right eye and now I'mn not sure if it's the glaucoma or the diabetes that's caused it?

If you don't get an eye screening appointment within 3 months, raise the matter with your GP as soon as possible. Although diabetes can sometimes affect the optic nerve, damage is more likely to be due to glaucoma.