In limbo

Wendi22

Member
Messages
21
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Last week I was diagnosed with diabetes following a high BG and given Metformin immediately. I won't see the diabetic nurse for another 3 weeks and was not given any information by the GP, except a warning that the meds have side affects. All the advice I read is about losing weight and healthy diet, but it was unwanted weight loss that took me to the doctor in the first place, its a symptom not a solution for me. I was not overweight and ate a very balanced diet. The doctor was right, the meds do have side affects, so now as well was feeling super exhausted and still losing weight, I also feel sick and have stomach pains. I have every confidence that the nurse will reassure me and give me guidance, but this waiting and ignorance is awfully stressful to-boot.
 

KC67

Member
Messages
18
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
This happened to me too but then my GP did another test and discovered I was type 1. Type 2 is much more common and I think it is sometimes assumed as adults we are most likely to be type 2. Unexpected weight loss does sound more like type 1. Did they do the HbA1c blood test? Maybe you could go back to your GP and ask them to do another blood test to check for antibodies which would indicate type 1. Good luck.
 
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Messages
6,107
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
None of us can advise you on what pills to take since that is the province of your DN or doctor. I can re-iterate the usual advice. Metformin SR is easier to take than Metformin. Always take it with meals.

Having said that my DN said that she wasn't there to make me feel worse so if you are suffering (and you sound as if you are) then notify your DN of your problem without waiting another three weeks. Ideally you and your DN have to come to a joint decision about how to proceed. In your case it sounds as if that decision is needed sooner rather than later. Phone the surgery and try to get an earlier appointment or maybe just talk to the DN on the phone.

Some people say persisting means that the going gets better but if you are in real trouble that does not help.
 
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Prem51

Expert
Messages
7,393
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
*
Welcome to the forum @Wendi22. The weight loss does suggest you might be Type 1 rather than Type 2. I agree with @KC67 that you should ask your GP for further tests.

Metformin does have side effects, but they usually subside after a couple of weeks. If they persist you can ask for the slow release version, Metformin SR, which people say has less side effects.
You will get a lot of good advice and support on here. Probably more than from your DN when you see her. Usually the DN just weighs, measures and takes your blood pressure. You also get a neuropathy test where she pokes the sole of your foot with a rubber spike to see if you can feel it. She should also refer you for a retinopathy eye test.

I didn't get any advice from the DN, but was referred for a 'DESMOND' course for newly diagnosed diabetics, but you might have to wait weeks or months for a course, and the advice given at DESMOND on diet is not good. They say we should continue eating starchy carbohydrates, which turn into glucose in our bodies which isn't good for Type 2 diabetics.

Have a read round the threads and ask any questions you want, the people on here are friendly and supportive.
 

Canvaspic

Well-Known Member
Messages
373
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Good advice above.
Also a chemist should be able to do a blood glucose test on the spot. Also you could pick up a Blood glucose monitor and do A morning fasting test. And also a test 2 hours after your main meal. That will give you some information to make a decision.
But as said above, if you are in real trouble, go back to the GP.
 
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Deleted Account

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As a "Newbie", you may benefit from the welcome advice from @daisy1.
Unfortunately, this won't tell you if you are type 1, type 2, ... or any of the other types.
But should give you some background information and advice missing from your GP.
 

daisy1

Legend
Messages
26,457
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Cruelty towards animals.
@Wendi22

Hello Wendi and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you need to and someone will 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 well over 235,000 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

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.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

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 blood glucose 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.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.

  • Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why

  • Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
 

Resurgam

Expert
Messages
9,849
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
You have my deepest sympathies about the side effects - I lasted five weeks but fortunately I don't seem to need medication if I stick to low carb, so I am lucky.
Contacting the surgery might be the best option, or go in there and faint all over their carpet - that usually gets their attention.
Losing weight before diagnosis is not something type twos can usually do voluntarily - it ought to have been investigated, I'd have thought.
 

Circuspony

Well-Known Member
Messages
959
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I was misdiagnosed as T2 for a fortnight and ended up very ill and in A&E. Can you get hold of a blood glucose monitor from somewhere like Boots? It was tracking my BG levels as the weeks went on - it just kept saying HI - that made me insist on another appointment. By that time I'd lost so much weight I looked awful and it turned out my hba1c was 147. Dr Google pretty much diagnosed me as type 1, just needed the GP to catch up!
 
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Wendi22

Member
Messages
21
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
This happened to me too but then my GP did another test and discovered I was type 1. Type 2 is much more common and I think it is sometimes assumed as adults we are most likely to be type 2. Unexpected weight loss does sound more like type 1. Did they do the HbA1c blood test? Maybe you could go back to your GP and ask them to do another blood test to check for antibodies which would indicate type 1. Good luck.
My antibody test came back this week at >2,000 u/ml, and along with a high HbA1c I've been re-diagnosed as type 1. Off to the clinic to embrace another new way of life shortly, I was just getting my head around this one!
 

Prem51

Expert
Messages
7,393
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
*
Well at least you know what it is now. I don't know much about Type 1 but there are a lot of T1s on here who can help you with anything you want to know.