So, it's been 3 weeks since formal T2 diagnosis

[BRSBRI]

Morning all,

3 weeks in to this brave new world of Type 2; safe to say it's akin to drinking from a fire hose re learning! Here's my journey to diagnosis, the immediate aftermath and hitting the jackpot...hope you'll find it interesting...

• Mid 2020, heart was racing away. Called 111 and they decided a blue light ambulance was necessary for some reason. The tests they did included a blood sugar level which they told me was normal at 6.1 - which at the time I had no idea what they were talking about. They took me 2 miles up the road to the local ED and everything was judged to be a-ok. I asked if I could be diabetic and the young house officer looked at me and said "Well your blood sugar level was fine". Sent on my Covid secure way.
• Fast forward to early December and all the warning signs were amplified - drinking and weeing by the bucket load, dizziness, feeling slightly shaky. Called the GP, Zoom call with a nurse practitioner. 10 days after that, just before Christmas I had my first bloods taken and a local prick test showed 15.1...
• Early January - now an official member of the T2 club and an hour with the diabetic nurse on Zoom. And here's the jackpot - she is a T2 Diabetic and is tuned in completely...
• Did all the paperwork for medical exemption on PDF, backdated it, got me a meter ( now swapped for one I bought), on Metformin 500mg, twice a day. Told me to test blood 3 times a day, low carb rules with her and gave me great pointers, booked follow on appointments and has called me proactively twice to see how I'm getting on...

She did also say there's likely 6m diabetes patients in the UK - 4.9m diagnosed, others in blissful ignorance and it is an individual disease that needs constant tinkering - why testing is key no matter what and keeping the carbs down, getting active and losing those extra middle age lbs...

Next formal assessment March..

I think the jackpot from what I've read here...The whole practice is maxed but are very tech savvy, so I'm just grateful for anything they can do. One bad experience is the non DN who appears disinterested and not au fait with most things ref diabetes - but then she is maxed beyond capacity too.

What's your experience to diagnosis and the immediate aftermath in terms of support?

 

[Rachox]

Well done you and your nurse. Sounds like you’ve got an enlightened nurse there, don’t let her go!

Edit for typo

 

[MrsA2]

Definitely hit the jackpot, lucky you
I've had no help or follow up since diagnosis, GP sadly died, locums rushed of their feet, diabetic nurse position still vacant 10 months later.
I thank heavens for Internet and this forum

 

[VashtiB]

Hello and welcome,

I agree you have hit the jackpot. It's such great news that the medical professionals are getting on board with something that works. I really believe if they were all on board then that could change the world- they could start giving advice to those who have a family history of T2 and suggest they cut down on carbs before diagnosis rather then the adv ice to eat healthy carbs- that bit of advice alone could delay or prevent the diagnosis.

Your second jackpot was finding this site- this place is amazing.

welcome.

 

[BRSBRI]

Definitely hit the jackpot, lucky you
I've had no help or follow up since diagnosis, GP sadly died, locums rushed of their feet, diabetic nurse position still vacant 10 months later.
I thank heavens for Internet and this forum

Yes, this forum is incredible and fills in all the gaps. I'm really sorry to hear about your lack of support - post pandemic I hope it'll work out....

 

[BRSBRI]

Hello and welcome,

I agree you have hit the jackpot. It's such great news that the medical professionals are getting on board with something that works. I really believe if they were all on board then that could change the world- they could start giving advice to those who have a family history of T2 and suggest they cut down on carbs before diagnosis rather then the adv ice to eat healthy carbs- that bit of advice alone could delay or prevent the diagnosis.

Your second jackpot was finding this site- this place is amazing.

welcome.

Thanks very much indeed. This forum is amazing with great folks and super discussion!

 

[Mrs T 123]

Firstly, well done you - My experience was DIY - I think I taught my practice a few things and they still can't believe that I actually got in to remission/still am eh, and that was with absolutely NO help from them but it is my diabetes so I have to find a way of controlling it I suppose